With winter literally upon us, it’s only a matter of weeks before you’re on your first snowboarding trip. Whether you’ve been before, or are a first time boarder, this article has relevance to you. When it comes to gearing up for a day on the mountain, 9 times out of 10, we mess it up. You’re either so padded up that you can’t bend down to do up your bindings, or you freeze into a sitting position on the lifts because you’re so cold. It’s seldom you’re in a happy middle ground. Don’t stress, just take this advice, and dress accordingly for the slopes this winter round.

I like to refer to it as layering, in the most non-fashion sense possible. Don’t get caught out just packing on a pile of hoodies and hope to be cosy and comfortable. Layers girls, its all about layers. You want a base layer (that’s usually your snug long legged and long sleeved thermals, your middle layer (hoodies and tees and insulating pants) and finally, the outer layer (which is generally made up by your riding pants and jacket).

The base layer:

When it comes to buying a base layer, make sure you get something decent. This is not the time to skimp out and go for the dodgy, defected thermals. Also, pay attention to what materials your thermals are made from.. Polyester and other synthetics seem to be the most common material used, generally because most man-made fabrics offer a combination of moisture management, thermal properties and a comfy softness, all you need in a pair of thermals. Other materials used are silk, cotton and wool. Cotton tends to absorb moisture though, so be weary when buying it, as the last thing you want is your sweat cooling down inside you clothes…

Middle layer:

On top of your base layer, comes your insulating layer. This layer is a bit thicker which plays probably the biggest role in working to keep you warm. This layer is usually made of fleece or wool for warmth. I like to go with a fleece zip-up vest over the base layer, or if it’s really cold, a long-sleeve fleece. Alternatively wear a decent hoodie, something that’s not too thick, but not too flimsy either.

Outer layer:

The outer layer is the one that protects you from all the cold elements up on the mountain. Only buy jackets and pants that are wind, rain and snow proof. Whether you’re a beginner and planning on spending a lot of time on your ass, or an advanced rider hitting off piste, there are going to be times when you wipe out. Opt for jackets and pants that have gaiters around the ankles and waist (powder skirt), and wrists to avoid snow getting in. With so many insane brands out there, it still easy to get side tracked into buying something that maybe looks better than it is, so try to ensure you’re getting quality.

Finally, as well as the three layers, make sure you have the following –

- Beanie or Helmet – try picking something you like, or can mix and match.
- Face Mask w/ Neck Warmer (for those mid January temps)
- A nice warm pair of gloves
- Goggles, do not make the mistake of thinking sunglasses are going to cut it
- Snowboarding socks - Sadly, regular socks cannot live up to these standards.

A few other tips:

- DO NOT wear jeans on the hill. I don’t care who is doing it, or if it looks cool or not. You will be banned from FactiveGRL if caught.
- Avoid cotton socks. Wool blend are a lot better.
- If it’s way cold you might be tempted to wear a scarf. They’re cute, right? But that is not a good idea… you could get it caught on the chairlift when you get off, I’ve seen it happen!
- Ultimately, it’s better to be too warm than too cold. You can always take layers off at the lodge and put them in a rental locker. But if you forget your items at the condo and then you realize that you’re too cold on the hill, well, either stay cold or buy more.

Tags: Fashion, Snowboarding, Style