Dressing for success isn’t just for a first date or a job interview. It’s just as important out on the mountain, where the wrong outfit can mean a lot more than just looking silly. Whether you’ve been snowboarding forever or are just starting out, the most important thing to remember is that dressing for the elements is just as much a part of staying safe as having the right kind of board and staying off of runs that are too difficult for your skill level.
Before you can even think about your board, it’s important to get the right clothing for a day on the mountain. There are two crucial steps to keep in mind when dressing yourself for a day of snowboarding: remember to layer, and cotton kills.
You should avoid cotton like the plague because, unlike other synthetic materials or even wool, cotton absorbs water, a potentially dangerous trait for your clothing to have in the middle of a snowstorm when it’s freezing outside. Trekkers and professional skiers all know that cotton kills, and it’s no laughing matter! Don’t put it on.
Layers are a crucial part of dressing for snowboarding because it’s much more convenient to be able to take something off or put something on at a moment’s notice than it is to unzip a one-piece ski suit and go from there. Sometimes, a drop in temperature will necessitate adding a layer, while other times, on a warmer spring day, three layers just won’t be necessary. Layers make adapting a whole lot easier.
Learning to layer properly is a breeze. The first layer to any snowboarding outfit is the base layer, which is the long underwear and socks layer. These clothes should fit snugly to trap your body heat and keep your core warm while also wicking moisture away from your skin so that you do not hold in the dampness of sweat.
The second layer, known as the middle or insulation layer, is all about providing an extra bit of warmth that will trap the pre-existing warmth provided by your base layer. This layer consists of either a wool or fleece sweater or jacket, apart from the lining of your actual outer layer jacket, snowboarding pants, and snowboarding boots. The pants should have extra padding in the knees and the rear for those high-impact falls, enough room for long underwear, and tapered bottoms for decreased chances of melted snow getting inside either your pants or your boots. The boots themselves should lace up firmly and securely and not have any leak room. Boots should never pinch your feet!
The most important layer of any snowboarding outfit is the outer layer, because it is the first to meet the inclement weather. While the other two layers are all about keeping body heat in and water out, the outer layer can focus more on protection from the immediate elements. Outerwear consists of goggles, gloves, and the snowboarding jacket.
Gloves are another crucial part of snowboarding outerwear because of the amount of time that snowboarders spend getting up from the ground. The right pair of gloves should fit snugly, prevent snow or water from leaking in at the wrists, and be made of a waterproof material. Warm packs are a popular item to purchase at ski barns because they can be held in your palm inside the gloves on particularly freezing days on the slopes.
One of the most important elements of outerwear are the goggles, which protect against just about everything, from ice and water to tree branches and too much sun. Goggles should fit snugly around the face and be attached with a secure band so that they don’t go flying off during a particularly invigorating run.
Once you’re all suited up properly, staying on the mountain for hours at a time is a piece of cake!
If you are considering visiting the Japan Snow, go the Niseko ski fields. The snow is outstanding for those who want to go snowboarding in Japan
Tags: extreme sports, snow, snow sports, snowboarding, snowboarding apparel, sports, sports and recreation, sports clothes, travel, Travel and Leisure, winter, winter gear, winter sports
