What to wear on the slopes in Canada?

It’s important to dress properly for the weather in Canada, which is colder than temperatures in Europe. This colder weather, where temperatures can dip below -30 degrees centigrade, is what gives us the Canadian wonderland of blue skies, six-foot snow drifts and ice palaces.

The best way to dress for the winter in Canada is to wear layers. It gives you lots of flexibility to add or remove clothing to make sure you are comfy when skiing.

Canada is colder than Europe, so make sure you have the appropriate clothing for optimal comfort, this includes:

Helmet

Helmets are mandatory for safety reasons on all Ski le Gap courses. We’d highly recommend you always wear a helmet on ski trips.

Googles

For goggles, you want to have double lenses to avoid fogging. Also make sure they fit snugly around your helmet and rest gently on the bridge of your nose.

Neck-warmer / Balaclava

A neck warmer or balaclava is a must on cold days. A lot of your body’s heat escapes from your head, so wearing a skiing balaclava is the most sensible option.

Layers

Layering is really important for optimal comfort as it allows you to add or remove layers throughout the day. There are 3 main layers you can think about:

Wicking layerThis is your first layer, worn next to your skin. We suggest full length garments. Look for thermals made of a synthetic fibre that have moisture wicking properties and heat retention.

Insulating layer

The purpose of this middle layer is to keep the heat in and cold out, by trapping air between the fibres. This is normally achieved by wearing a sweatshirt, pullover or jumper from insulation materials such as fleece and wool.

Protection layer

The outside layer is referring to your ski jacket and salopettes.

Ski jacket

Your jacket wants to be water and wind resistant with modern insulating materials designed for North American winter conditions. We offer a Ski le Gap jacket by a top designer suitable for the colder temperatures, embroidered with our logo.

Gloves / mittens

Look for gloves or mittens that use waterproof, breathable fabrics. Mittens are warmer than gloves but offer you less dexterity. It is important to make sure you gloves/mittens fit properly – there should be a little air space at the tips of your fingers, which acts as additional insulation. You don’t want them to be too tight.

Ski trousers

Like the jacket, you want your trousers to repel water and block the wind, while also letting perspiration evaporate. Look for modern insulating materials.

Socks

You want to have a good reserve of socks. It is sensible to only wear one pair of socks at a time. Choose thin technical ski socks with wicking properties, so your feet stay dry and comfortable.Helpful tip: it’s handy to purchase items that can be put in the washer and dryer. Shrunken layers are very uncomfortable!If you want to join us on the slopes in Canada, check out our ski courses and snowboard courses ?