What to Wear Skiing: The Women’s Ski Outfit, Layer by Layer

What to wear skiing comes down to three layers and good accessories: a close-fitting thermal base layer, a light mid layer, and a waterproof ski jacket with ski pants, plus gloves, a hat and a neck warmer. Fusalp, the Annecy ski house founded in 1952, makes every piece of that system. Luxury Handbags stocks the Fusalp collection within women’s skiwear.

What kind of clothing is appropriate for skiing?

Ski clothing has one job: keep you dry and warm while you move, then let heat out when you stop working hard. Cotton holds sweat, so leave the T-shirt and jeans for the chalet. Choose fabrics that stretch, dry fast and block wind. For the full method behind the layers, read our guide on how to layer for skiing. This piece is about the outfit itself: what each layer looks like, and which pieces we’d choose.

The quick checklist for a day on the mountain:

What should you wear as a base layer?

Your base layer sits against the skin all day, so fit matters more than warmth. It should be snug without pinching, with long sleeves and a collar that tucks under your jacket. Fusalp’s thermal layers are cut close to the body in stretch jersey:

• Gemini Thermal Layer in Black: a stretch polyamide half-zip with a high collar, made in Romania.
• Troop Crew Neck Thermal Layer in Snow: a simple crew neck that layers under anything, made in Portugal.
• Alliance Legging in Black: a viscose jersey legging with 10% cashmere, made in Portugal.

Browse more in ski base layers, and see our Fusalp base layers and sweaters guide for the full range.

Do you need a mid layer?

On cold days, yes. On a bright spring afternoon, probably not. A mid layer gives you a way to adjust: zip it off at lunch, put it back on for the last chairlift. Keep it thin enough that your ski jacket still closes without strain.

• Lirvane Mid Layer Jacket in Falcon: close-fitting with a high collar and zipped hand pockets.
• Stellaria Lightweight Jacket in Black: a stretch mid layer with velvet trim, made in Tunisia.
• Andromede Sweater in Snow and Black: a fitted knit with a high collar that works on the slope and at dinner.

How do you choose a ski jacket?

Look for a waterproof, windproof shell first, then warmth. Fusalp rates its outerwear on its own 5-point warmth scale. Only level 5 carries a temperature claim, protection against deep cold down to -30 degrees Celsius; levels 1 to 4 have no published temperature. As a rule of thumb, pick level 4 for most resorts and level 5 if you feel the cold and ski high in January. Our Fusalp warmth levels guide goes deeper.

• Delphine Ski Jacket in Navy: close-fitting, with a Fusalp-approved membrane, warmth 4 out of 5.
• Barsy Ski Down Jacket in Falcon: oversized down with an integral hood, warmth 5 out of 5.
• Gitu Ski Jacket in Snow: a white ski jacket with a membrane, warmth 4 out of 5.

See every style in ski jackets, compared in our Fusalp ski jacket guide.

Ski pants vs a ski suit: which should you wear?

Separates are more flexible. You can wear the jacket in town and swap pants as the week goes on. A one-piece suit keeps snow out at the waist and looks sharp, though it takes longer at the loo. Many women pack both.

• Diana Ski Pants in Snow: close-fitting with a membrane and pre-shaped knees, made in China.
• Elancia Ski Pants in Navy: Fusalp’s fitted fuseau ski pant with tightening tabs.
• Getta Ski Overalls in Black: ski pants with a zip fastening and an adjustment strap system with two buckles, made in China.
• Clarisse Ski Suit in Falcon and Black: a close-fitting one-piece with storm cuffs, warmth 4 out of 5.

The fuseau ski pant is the most Fusalp piece of all. I’d wear the Elancia in Navy with a white jacket for the classic French look.

Which accessories do you need for skiing?

Cold hands end a ski day faster than anything else. Bring waterproof gloves and a pair of mittens for the coldest mornings, since mittens keep fingers together, which keeps them warmer. Add a wool beanie for the lift queue and a neck warmer under your collar.

• Peak Gloves in Black: a leather palm and a Fusalp-approved membrane, warmth 4 out of 5, made in Vietnam.
• Glacier Ski Mittens in Black: softshell mittens with a leather palm and fleece lining.
• Cosmic Beanie in Navy: 100% wool with the tricolour embroidered badge, warmth 4 out of 5, made in Portugal.
• Ruan Neck Warmer in Black: stretch modal with cashmere, made in Portugal.

Fusalp gloves come in sizes 6.5 to 10, measured in inches around the palm. Shop gloves and hats.

Three ski outfits for women

When the lifts close, keep the ski pants on and swap the jacket for a knit. Our guide to the apres ski outfit covers that part of the day.

How should ski clothes fit?

Base layers should be snug, ski pants should allow a full knee bend, and your jacket should cover your lower back when you reach forward. Fusalp cuts women’s ski and outerwear in French sizes 34 to 44, which Luxury Handbags lists as UK 6 to 16, so a Fusalp 38 is a UK 10. Most styles run true to size. Check our Fusalp size guide before you order, and read our ski trip packing list when it is time to fill the suitcase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of clothing is appropriate for skiing?

Wear a close-fitting thermal base layer, a light mid layer, then a waterproof ski jacket and ski pants. A one-piece ski suit can replace both. Add waterproof gloves, a warm hat and a neck warmer. Avoid cotton next to the skin.

What should a beginner wear skiing?

A beginner needs the same layers as anyone else: a thermal base layer, a mid layer and a waterproof jacket and pants. Beginners spend more time sitting in the snow, so waterproof ski pants and gloves matter most.

Can you wear leggings under ski pants?

Yes, if they are thermal base layer leggings. A stretch legging such as the Fusalp Alliance Legging sits under ski pants without bunching. Skip cotton leggings, which stay damp.

Is Fusalp waterproof?

Many Fusalp ski jackets, suits and ski pants use a Fusalp-approved membrane that keeps them waterproof, windproof and breathable. Check each product page for the membrane line.

How warm should a ski jacket be?

For most resorts, a jacket that Fusalp rates 4 out of 5 is enough with a base layer and mid layer. If you feel the cold, choose level 5, which Fusalp rates for cold down to -30 degrees Celsius.