What Should You Wear on the Ski Slopes in New Zealand?

Wherever you choose to go skiing in New Zealand, you’ll want to deck yourself out in ski gear that’s comfortable and suited to the conditions. That might sound easy, but deciding what to wear on the ski field can be hard! Here’s a few tips to make sure your outfit is on point and you’re ready to have a blast each and every day up the mountain.

Layer it up!

We’re big fans of the layering strategy when it comes to skiing and boarding. Instead of relying on bulky jerseys and thick jackets to keep you warm, wear several thinner layers of clothing. Polyprop and Merino thermals are perfect for this on the top and bottoms, providing heaps of warmth with almost no weight. But the key is that layering gives you options! The weather on the slopes can change quickly, and despite your best laid plans, a chilly morning can turn into a warm and sunny afternoon and vice versa. Wearing layers means you can dress up or down as the weather dictates. Just leave some spare layers in a locker up the ski field and you’re good to go!

Clothing Hire

If you’ve ever shopped for ski gear before you’ll know it doesn’t come cheap. Thankfully, NZ’s ski fields offer top notch hire facilities where the staff will provide you with quality gear at a daily or weekly rate that won’t break the bank. You can also check out the ski gear rental shops in Queenstown, Wanaka or any of NZ’s alpine resort towns, where there’s an even bigger selection of gear to choose from, and sharper deals can be found.

Avoid Cotton

Most of our clothing is cotton, but unfortunately on the mountain, cotton’s not your best friend. Cotton tends to get hot and sweaty very quickly when you’re exercising, and wet clothes on the mountain soon become clinging, cold nightmares while you’re sitting on the chairlift or taking a break. A t–shirt over the top of some thermal layers is fine, but it’s best to wear clothing that’s made from more breathable materials.

Goggles & Glasses

We like to cover our bases with both goggles and sunglasses in spring when the sun’s out, but mostly you’ll only need to take a pair of goggles, especially in winter. The biggest differences between most ski goggles is in the lenses. Some are designed for low light conditions (these usually have dark orange/yellow coloured lenses and are good for stormy weather) and others reduce glare (these usually have a mirror lens and are perfect for sunny days). Keep in mind the conditions you’ll be skiing when you make your choice!

Ski & Snowboard Boots

One of the most critical items of clothing on your ski trip is your boots. Whether you’re buying or hiring, take your time and get a proper fitting done with a shop expert, and don’t take a chance on boots you’re not quite sure about. A comfortable pair of boots will mean you spend more time on the slopes enjoying yourself and less time in the café with your boots off — sure, sometimes that’s just what you feel like doing… but it should be your choice, not because your feet are sore from boots that don’t fit properly.

Contact us for advice on the best places to hire ski gear.

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