What to wear skiing: the three layers
On the chairlift, you spend ten minutes sitting still in the wind; on the descent that follows, you sweat. A ski outfit has three layers. A base layer wicks away sweat. A fleece retains warmth, while a jacket and trousers block snow and wind. Remove or add the fleece to suit the day’s temperature: find the details in our article on the three-layer system for skiing. For activities involving continuous effort, explore our ski touring clothing and our cross-country skiing clothing.
Ski jacket: insulation and a 10,000 or 20,000 mm membrane
The range has two constructions. The ALLEVARD (men’s, 1,065 g) and OISANS (women’s, 1,020 g) jackets combine CimaTherm insulation, stretch fabric and a 20,000 mm membrane, plus a snow skirt. The CARON (1,120 g) uses the same membrane in a roomy freeride cut. The VOSGES (men’s) and GERVAIS (women’s) are fleece-lined softshells rated at 10,000 mm. For powder and off-piste skiing, choose one of the three 20,000 mm jackets. For days on the pistes, the fleece lining in the softshells is enough in normal conditions, according to their product pages. All have a RECCO reflector that rescue teams can detect in an avalanche.
Compare these details on each product page:
- Membrane: 20,000 mm (ALLEVARD, OISANS, CARON) or 10,000 mm (VOSGES, GERVAIS).
- Warmth: CimaTherm insulation or fleece lining.
- Snow protection: snow skirts on the ALLEVARD and OISANS.
- Weight: 1,020 to 1,150 g.
Find every model in our ski jackets.
Ski trousers: snow gaiters and leg length
The SNOW PANT is a warm softshell with a 10,000 mm membrane: articulated knees, snow gaiters that tuck into your boots, and zipped pockets for your ski pass. It weighs 600 g in the men’s version and 510 g in the women’s. If you’re under 172 cm tall (men) or 162 cm tall (women), choose the SNOW PANT COURT, with a shorter leg. For women, the CARROZ offers a 20,000 mm rating, CimaTherm insulation and detachable braces.
Check the sizing advice. The SNOW PANT runs small; the CARROZ runs large. For ski touring, the PITON adds side vents and edge-protection reinforcements. Compare them in our ski trousers.
Ski base layers: merino wool or synthetic thermals?
Wear the first layer next to your skin, with a close fit. For merino wool, choose the fabric weight to suit the cold : WOOL comes in 150, 200 and 240 g/m² weights. Wool limits odours, so you can wear it for several days running. For a synthetic option, WARM suits active days, while X-WARM combines two insulating fabrics for extreme cold. STRATEGIC is knitted without seams using bamboo and silk.
Over the top, the VERDON fleece (305 g) offers stretch; for women, the JORASSE has a built-in cold-weather face covering. Explore both ranges in our thermal base layers and our mid-layer fleeces.
Ski accessories and clothing care
The ski gloves and the ski goggles complete the outfit; for your feet, add ski socks. When snow stops beading on the fabric, renew its water repellency : add Nikwax TX.DIRECT WASH waterproofing treatment in the washing machine, then let the garment air-dry. Find other care products in our care products. All Cimalp clothing comes with the lifetime repairs.