Resort vs. touring skiing: choosing the right clothes

A winter storm is raging on the mountains of the Laurentians leaving the slopes covered with beautiful fluffy powder, the conditions are perfect. In the back country, the snow is also gathering. Skiing is the only thing on your mind. Resort or backcountry? Whether you want to shred the slopes at your favorite resort or set out on the search for white gold on your touring skis, you obviously need to be dressed accordingly!

Resort Skiing in Quebec

The real challenge is staying warm from first tracks to last chair. Since the upper body must conserve heat as much as possible, we suggest wearing at least two layers under an insulated jacket: a base layer and a mid-layer.

Depending on the type of skier you are, your intensity on the slopes and sensitivity to cold weather, a high performance merino wool or synthetic base-layer along with a mid-layer worn under an insulated jacket is the way to go!

As far as accessories go, insulated down or synthetic mittens are ideal to protect your hands from the cold. A good technical neck warmer that wicks away moisture will be more than useful!

Touring: Variable Intensity

Since a day backcountry skiing varies in intensity: hard climbs, transitions at the summit, mountain tops exposed to the elements, deep powder runs and… Oh why not do it all over again! The best option is the multi-layer system: a synthetic base-layer, one or many insulated mid-layers – synthetic is the fabric of choice – to keep moisture at bay. A waterproof breathable shell completes your outfit and insures that you are fully protected from what Mother Nature has in store for you.

When exploring the backcountry, it’s imperative to carry insulated mittens for the descent but also thin gloves with a good grip for the ascent. Same goes for the toque and the neck warmer: always have thin ones for the ascent and thicker ones for the descent and transitions

Remember, when you set off to explore the backcountry, you will be warm, very warm during the ascent. Therefore, it is im-pe-ra-ti-ve that you pack your bag with extra accessories. The main objective is to stay dry during your adventure. The last thing you want to have to endure during your adventure is moist clothing, being uncomfortable could ruin your day.

In an ideal world, you would own more than one outfit for each activity. However, the budget doesn’t always allow it! To better guide you in your decision, think about where you ski the most, how often you will ski at a resort compared to backcountry during the season. This reflection will help you make the best decision.