Dressing for the 2019 Snow Season & Your Skiing/Snowboarding Tour
If you’re planning a New Zealand ski or snowboard holiday, it’s important to stay warm, dry and comfortable for the duration of your time on the slopes. To get you ready for your next snow adventure, we’ve got your packing list sorted (together with our friends at Kathmandu) to ensure you’re ready for the slopes this winter!
Learning How to Layer Your Clothing for the Snow Is Key
As you’ll be active for most of the day, you need to ensure that your clothing layers work to keep you warm as well as wick away any sweat or moisture so that you can focus on your skiing/boarding and having fun.
Start with the Base Layer for Warmth
Choose a thin, wicking, thermal or merino wool-blend that fits well and won’t rise up or feel baggy. For the top you will want a long sleeved top that fits close across your chest. The wonderful thing about merino blend clothing is that it retains 80% of its heating properties when wet, which will help regulate your body temperature, it will wick sweat away and its natural antimicrobial properties eliminates odour.
The base layer for your thermal pants should be a thin synthetic fabric that has a next-to-body fit.
Remember: Getting your base layer right is the key to having a great day on the slopes!
Pro Tip: Avoid wearing cotton when you’re on the mountains as it absorbs moisture and it loses all its heating properties when wet. This includes jeans. Do not wear jeans in the snow!
The Mid Layer Provides Insulation
To insulate yourself further against the cold and wet, your mid layer should be made of a light material that fits comfortably over your base thermal layer and is made from warm and breathable material. A lightweight fleece, merino or even down layer is best. As fabric technology has vastly improved over the years, there is little need for a mid layer for your legs.
Pro Tip: A fleece jacket with a half- or full-zip will allow you to quickly and easily cool down if you get too warm. A stand-up collar or hoodie gives extra protection against wind chill.
The Outer Layer Protects You from the Elements
Wind, snow, rain or a snowball hit from one of your snow tour buddies will be no match for a good, windproof and waterproof outer layer! Look for a fabric that is strong yet not bulky, and waterproof but breathable. A GORTEX or NGX shell is the ideal outer clothing layer as it is waterproof, windproof and breathable.
Ski jackets have a range of features from outer pockets specifically designed for your ski pass to two-way zips that you can open from the top or bottom. Choose something that is insulated and allows for ease of movement over your layers.
Ski pants need to be insulated and waterproof to keep out the cold, wet moisture – remember, you’ll probably be using ski lifts at some stage, so you need to ensure the lower half of your body is protected. Again, they need to be loose, but not too loose and they need to comfortably fit a pair of long johns or fleece leggings underneath.
Pro Tip: For ultimate confidence on the slopes, you’ll need reliable footwear, warm (but not thick) socks and some functional accessories like snow goggles, gloves, and a snow helmet.
Get these basics right, and you’re ready to enjoy your epic snow adventure with Haka Tours this season!
Download our Gear List and check out Kathmandu’s full range here. Kathmandu have been designing, testing and adapting their gear to New Zealand’s environment since 1987, so they know how to keep you warm from head to toe and from the summit to the base!
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