We want everyone to love their time at Mammoth Mountain as much as we do here at ASO Mammoth, but new skiers and snowboarders who haven’t caught the snow bug yet are our priority.
Between all of the new gear, stiff learning curve, and cold weather, new skiers and snowboarders have more than enough to deal with on their first day. The last thing they need is to have their clothes fail and cause them to be cold, wet, or both. To help out, we’ve listed the most important differences between ski apparel (including snowboard jackets and pants) and winter clothes so that first timers know exactly what they need to stay warm, dry, and happy. Check it out below or share it with anyone who is about to hit the snow for the first time!
Ski Apparel is Made for Sport
If you’re unfamiliar with snowboarding or skiing then you may not realize just how much movement is required to do either. Fortunately, ski apparel manufactures are not.
You need to move every part of your body as you balance and turn down the slope while skiing and snowboarding. If you wear a jacket, set of pants, or anything else underneath them that does not give you the mobility you need, then you’ll be hurting yourself in the long run. For example, you might think you can get away with skiing or snowboarding in a set of jeans if the weather is warm enough. The reality is that jeans will likely be too tight to move comfortably in. Plus, once they get wet they will be miserable to wear on the snow!
Ski Clothes is Designed to Keep You Dry
Winter clothes and ski apparel will both keep you dry if you’re just walking through the snow, but ski apparel is designed to keep you dry despite constant contact with the snow on the ground.
One of the ways that ski clothes keeps you drier than winter clothes is through tight areas around anywhere that snow could get in like the cuffs of jackets or pants. Ski apparel is also cut differently so that it fits to your body tightly where it needs to. Lastly, ski apparel is often designed with vents and materials meant to make the inside of the jacket breathable in case moisture gets inside. These features will keep you dry in the snow as well as keep you cool if you’re riding on a warm day.
Ski Apparel Relies on Layers Instead of Insulation
Ski apparel will likely feel baggy the first time you wear it, but that’s because they rely on layering beneath them to keep you warm instead of insulation.
For example, down makes for great insulation against the cold. However, once it gets wet it does a poor job of keeping in heat. Plus, down is bulky and difficult to move in. Ski apparel on the other hand is typically designed with less insulation and extra room for layers, such as a thin down or merino wool base layer, to insulate underneath them.
Ski and Snowboard Apparel Come with Special Features
Lastly, ski apparel is designed to make your life on the slope easier. For example, most ski jackets and pants are equipped with multiple easy-to-reach pockets that zip or fasten shut so you never lose anything or struggle to get something out of your pockets. Ski apparel also often comes with other features like clear pockets that allow your lift ticket to be scanned without removing it from the pocket.
Check out the Mammoth Mountain website to find some great shopping.
Make sure to check out the Mammoth weather to know exactly how much to wear.