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When it comes to dressing for snowboarding, it’s all about the layers. If you don’t wear enough layers, you’ll be too cold. If you wear no layers, and just a bunch of bulky clothes, you’ll be too hot because you won’t have anything to take off. So here’s some basic advice on what to wear & how to dress in layers on the mountain.

1. First, you need a base layer to provide the initial layer of insulation and to wick sweat away from your body while you ride. The base layer is usually snug-fitting (not super tight) thermal pants or tops made of a polyester blend, or a layer of silk long underwear.

Recommended base layer items:

• Shirt: Under Armour Base 1.0 Long Underwear Crew
• Pants: Hot Chillys MTF3000 AM Baselayer Long Underwear Pant

2. On top of your base layer, comes your insulating layer. This is a thicker layer which plays the biggest role in keeping you warm. This layer is typically fleece or wool for warmth. I typically go with a fleece zip-up vest over the base layer, or if it’s really cold, a long-sleeve fleece. Then, fleece pants, or another pair of thermal pants on top of some silks.

Recommended insulating layer items:

• Vest: Women’s Furnace Vest
• Long Sleeve: Columbia Colter Bay Fleece Hoodie
  
• Pants: Under Armour All Season Gear Fleece Pant

3. Next, on top of the insulating layer, is the protective layer. This layer is your outer layer - pants and jacket, usually made of a waterproof and windproof material. I won’t list recommendations because your choice of jacket & pant is highly personal, but look for both a jacket and pants with a lot of pockets, gaiters in the waist and the ankle to keep out snow, and a hot color combo that you won’t get sick of after 1 season.

• Shop for a jacket and pants in the Women’s Snowboard & Gear shop at The-House.com.
  

4. Capping off your day on the mountain should be these other items, for warmth (and in some cases, additional safety)…

• Beanie or Helmet (your choice of color & style. just make sure to buy ASTM rated F2040 helmets)
• Face Mask w/ Neck Warmer: I recommend & wear the Seirus Neofleece Combo Scarf
• A nice warm pair of mittens
• Goggles (again, a personal preference so no reco’s here)
• Snowboarding socks - I wear Wigwam Wigwam wool-blend socks
• Hand and foot warmers to stash inside your mittens or boots - they last for hours!

Some other advice:

• Do not wear jeans on the hill. They just get soggy.
• Same goes for cotton socks. Wool blend are better.
• If it’s really cold you might be tempted to wear a scarf. Not a good idea… you could get it caught on the chairlift when you get off, I’ve seen it happen! Use a close fitting Seirus face mask/neck warmer combo or just a fuzzy neck gaiter instead.
• It’s better to be too warm than too cold… you can always take layers off at the lodge and put them in a locker. But if you forget items at the condo and you’re too cold on the hill? Well, either stay cold or buy more stuff in the lodge (ugh, that’s how you end up with 5 face masks!)

For a handy, more comprehensive list of what to pack, you can also check out our downloadable PDF of a snowboard trip packing list for women.