Going out for your first skiing adventure could feel overwhelming. It feels like there are endless options for skiing gear, and you don’t have a clue where to start. No worries, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a shortlist of all the essentials you need to make your first time skiing a successful one. 

Clothing to wear

• Baselayer
• Mid-layer
• Outer (shell) layer

Firstly,a good layering system helps to keep you warm when it’s cold, whilst also keeping you comfortable and dry by wicking away unnecessary moistures from your body. It’s recommended to either opt for a synthetic or woollen base layer combined with a fleece or a slightly insulated mid-layer, to layer underneath a shell jacket. Cortazu offers both men’s shell jackets and women’s shell jackets. As for pants, it’s fine to wear your waterproof shell pants directly over your base layer underwear.

Besides the concept of layering, some other essential accessories are needed to keep you comfortable and protected. These items include:

• Wool/synthetic socks
• Helmet
• Sunglasses
• Snowshoes

Optional clothing items

To be extra safe, you could bring some optional items. Most of the time these include items that can keep you extra warm if the weather gets colder:

• An extra layer for extra warmth (e.g. a fleece)
• Neckwarmer or Balaclava
• Long baselayers/underwear

Lastly, bringing any cotton products to your skiing trip is a no-go, as this fabric sucks up moisture easiliy thus getting wet very quickly.

Equipment you’ll need

Obviously, you’ll need skis when you’re out in the mountains. As a beginner, you can either buy yourself a pair or rent some on your trip. Renting skis minimizes the preparation stress you have before going on your skiing adventure. With your own pair of skis, you’ll need to check if they’re ready for use if they’re properly waxed, clean and have sharpened edges. To sum up, these are the essentials you’ll need in terms of equipment:

• Skis with bindings
• Ski boots
• Skiing poles

Optional equipment items

When you bring your own skiing equipment, transporting it in carrying cases could be useful to give that extra layer of protection to your gear.

Other items you shouldn’t forget

To round off, some additional items that will come in handy whilst in the mountains include:

• Protective sunscreen
• Foldable outdoor chair (for booting up)
• Extra snacks and water (for in the mountains)
• Your cellphone or map of the local area
• Lip balm
• First aid kit
• Your personal cards (ID, bank, etc.)
• Helmet

In the end, it’s all about having fun whilst outdoors. With this comprehensive guide, you’ll be set up in no time to do so and make your first experience with skiing an unforgettable one.