HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SKI OUTFIT?

Ski enthusiasts know it well, there's nothing worse than practising when the heat is off. Here are our tips on how to choose your ski outfit and protect yourself from the cold on the ski slopes.

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Protecting yourself from the cold on the ski slopes: the layering technique

There's no need to get out your big wool jumpers to hit the slopes! To stay warm when skiing, you need to know how to handle the art of layering. The most important rule to know in this respect is the 3-layer system. To protect the torso from the cold, all ski outfits should indeed consist of the following 3 elements:

• A second skin layer or comfort layer: comfortable, it does not hinder your movements and wicks away perspiration.
• An insulating layer: it will allow you to retain the heat released by your body. To do this, it must wick away moisture and dry quickly.
• A protective layer: this will be your ski jacket. It protects you from the vagaries of the weather and therefore offers waterproofing, good wind resistance, but also a good evacuation of sweat.

But the art of layering doesn't stop there when it comes to ski clothing. In fact, you'll find under-gloves, thin socks and headbands to pair with your gear to perfectly protect you from the cold on the ski slopes.

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Protecting extremities to stay warm when skiing

In extreme conditions, blood circulation favours the irrigation of the heart and brain. The first parts of the body to suffer from this natural reflex are therefore the feet and hands, which suffer very quickly from the cold.

To properly protect your feet from the cold on the slopes, you should:

Choose socks designed for skiing. Thin, they will allow good moisture wicking. For more comfort, if you are of a chilly nature, complement your ski outfit with undersocks that will provide much more warmth than a pair of thick socks. Furthermore, they won't prevent perspiration from wicking away. If you're worried that this won't do the trick, consider warming foot cream or heated insoles.

To properly protect your hands from the cold on the slopes you need to:

Know what you want of course! Mittens are unbeatable when it comes to warmth, but they can be impractical compared to gloves, which are certainly comfortable, but a little less insulating. Again, there's nothing better than a pair of under-gloves to raise the temperature of your hands a few degrees. They're so thin that they'll keep you protected from the cold even during lunch breaks outdoors. Finally, always keep warmers with you that you can put in your gloves as soon as the cold gets too biting, but never before, as you risk sweating unnecessarily.

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The right reflexes for a ski suit that protects from the cold

For a ski suit to be perfectly waterproof, it must be made of a special material, but also have extra protection against snow that creeps in if you fall. For example, choose a jacket with a snow skirt and trousers with gaiters to put over your boots. For the head, a breathable headband or beanie can do the trick, but for added safety, opt for a helmet with more or less built-in ventilation if you're worried about sweating. A neck warmer can also come in handy to prevent heat escaping from the top of your ski suit.

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Dry your ski clothes

Between snow and perspiration, ski clothes are subjected to moisture all day long. To protect yourself from the cold on the ski slopes, it is therefore important to perfectly dry your ski outfit after each day of practice. To avoid damaging the technical fabrics they are made of, do not expose them directly to a heat source, but take great care to lay your skiing gear out at room temperature, from head to toe: gloves, socks, ski jacket, trousers and beanie. Also, remember to open your ski boots and remove the insoles to wick away as much moisture as possible. For socks, take two pairs with you, this will allow you to switch.

To protect yourself from the cold on the slopes, you should choose ski clothing that is both breathable and waterproof. Then, whether it's for a frantic pace run or a break in the winter sun, you know you'll stay warm!