Dressing for Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding - Clothing & Layers Guide

 

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A lot of people embark on their first ski tour dressed as they would for a day of alpine skiing. Hey, you’ve got perfectly good ski clothes, right? 

 

Touring’s a little different. Long underwear, a first layer, mid layer with insulation, and a hard shell jacket and pants are great for downhill skiing, but they'll turn into your own personal sauna pretty quickly once you start skinning to the top under your own power.

 

Keep in mind that the level of exertion required in alpine touring is quite high, especially in steep terrain, and that you can often skin comfortably in very little clothing, even in colder temperatures. Since you aren't sitting on a lift, with wet snow in contact with your knees and butt, you can normally get by with a water-resistant softshell pant for touring, even on snowy or wet days. If the weather isn’t too cold, it's often possible to skip the long underwear as well.

 

Hardshell Jackets

Arc'teryx Alpha LT Jacket	Patagonia Super Cell Jacket	Oakley Unifcation Pro Jacket

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Layering
Start with a base layer that will wick perspiration from your body as you warm up (avoid cotton fabrics). You’ll normally wear this layer all day long, but it’s important to pull the moisture away from your body so it can evaporate. The best options are normally made of synthetics like polypropylene or natural fibers like merino wool.

Base and Mid Layers

Mammut Snow Longsleeve Shirt	Patagonia Capilene 2 Lightweight Pants	The North Face TKA 100 Trinity Alps Top

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Softshell pants are often the best choice for touring, even in damp climates, since you’re not sitting on a chairlift with your knees and butt in regular contact with snow and water. Pick a fabric that offers good abrasion resistance and has been treated with a DWR (durable water repellent). If you choose a hard shell pant, look for models that feature high fabric breathability and a good venting system.

Softshell Pants


                    Arc'teryx Gamma MX Pants

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Layering is important, but timing is equally so. Bringing along a puffy insulating layer and a waterproof/breathable hard shell jacket is imperative, but knowing when to leave them off and when to put them on is the key. Experienced ski tourists often start out a little "cold" (or stop after just a few minutes of skinning to shed a layer). The idea is to find a combination of clothing that will let you feel comfortable without sweating too much. As soon as you stop for a rest, reach in your pack for a puffy coat to maintain body temperature, then shed it when you start to move again. If it's snowing, use your hard shell jacket as needed to keep your under layers as dry as possible. 

Puffy Insulating Layers

Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket	The North Face Down Under Jacket	Oakley Unifcation Down Jacket

 

Socks

Socks are a critical item. Some padding is nice for touring, but smoothness of the knit is often just as important for blister prevention. Stop as soon as you begin to feel a blister forming, let your feet dry, and apply tape, moleskin, or Compeed over the affected area. A fully-formed blister that's not taken care of can make your tour miserable.
 

Smartwool PhD Ultra Light Socks

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Accessories

Most gloves suitable for alpine skiing are too warm for skinning unless it's very cold. Bring them along for backup, but a thinner softshell glove is normally a better choice for going uphill. The same applies to hats. If you choose to wear one for ascending, it should be something machine-washable and wicking. Keep a dry wool one in your pack for the trip down.


The North Face Powerstretch Gloves
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Oakley Polartech Powerstrecth Beanie
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Don't forget sunglasses (an extra pair isn't a bad idea) and goggles (wrap them in a cloth or your spare hat). They can make the difference between a safe descent and trouble. For sunny spring and summer touring, a brimmed hat with a shade that covers your neck helps a lot.

Oakley Five Squared Polarized Sunglasses	Smith I/O Goggles

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Finally, a reliable altimeter watch (remember to set the altitude at the trailhead) and your avalanche beacon should be considered part of your standard attire for alpine touring - get in the habit of putting them on before you leave the car or hut.
 

Suunto Core Watch	BCA Tracker2 Beacon