What to wear

For those not used to skiing or coming from countries without cold winters, you will need to wear considerably more clothing than you would perhaps be accustomed.
Wearing lots of layers is best as these trap warm air between them. Having lots of layers will give more options to adjust to changes in the weather. If it is warm you can shed a layer or two, conversely if it gets cold you can add layers.

It is best to avoid fabrics like cotton that absorb lots of water. Fabrics saturated with water will likely freeze on very cold days and water takes considerable amounts of energy from your body to heat. Wearing such fabrics will result in feeling much colder and could eventually lead to conditions such as hypothermia.
Instead wearing fabrics such as merino wool or synthetic fabrics like polypropylene that absorb less water will result in you staying drier and warmer.

It is best to start with thin base layers next to the skin. These wick moisture away. On topĀ  of this base layer use heavier mid layers, then fleece, down or synthetic equivalent garments and finally waterproof & windproof shell jacket and ski pants.

Hands should be kept warm with either mittens or gloves. Mittens are warmer than gloves, but gloves give more dexterity. Whichever you decide they should be good quality and have good padding to provide insulation for the hands.

A helmet or hat is needed to cover your head. We would recommend a helmet as this will also provide a degree of head protection in the event of a fall.

Sunlight will reflect off the snow, so sunglasses or goggles are essential to provide eye protection. For the same reason sunscreen is also very strongly recommended.