The Ultimate Guide to What to Wear While Cross-Country Skiing
“Be bold, start cold.” This saying is well known in the high-intensity cardio circuits, but for many beginning cross-country skiers, might be a foreign concept.
Why on earth would you want to leave the house without every layer imaginable on a cold–or even worse, breezy–mountain morning? Because—once you get going, you’re going to warm up!
Author’s note: this article will discuss specifically what to wear for skate skiing, a type of Nordic or cross-country skiing.
Downhill ski layers are, for the most part, not appropriate for skate skiing. They’re heavy, bulky, and oftentimes irritatingly loud. Instead, you want apparel that is built to move and breathe with you. Get started with our guide below!
Quality Baselayers are Key
Functional, comfortable baselayers are mandatory for any winter sport, and especially cross-country skiing.
Tops
Nearly every outdoor or athletic brand on the market has a good option. Chances are, you already have the perfect layer in your closet. Our preference is for quality odor-fighting fabric and key design features like torso length and a high neck. The Odlo Blackcomb shirt deserves a special shout for being our hands-down, tried and true favorite that is worth every cent. (It has also lasted several seasons and still looks brand new!)
Pants
When it comes to your bottoms, you’ve got options. You can either layer a legging under a weather-proof type shell pant, or use a thicker pair of leggings that have wind-proofing on the front. (You can also use regular yoga pants, although they are obviously not water resistant or windproof.) We will go with a single-layer set-up on most days, but extra windy or chilly weather calls for two layers down below.
Midlayers We Love
The star of the show—your skate ski midlayer. This is a technical jacket that has wind-proofing and optional insulated panels on the front, breathable underarm panels, and shows off your personal style. (To match your skis, blend in, or stand out?) These can range from extremely lightweight to borderline puffy jackets. If you’re making a new purchase, consider what your normal ski conditions will be so that you can maximize your investment!
☝🏼 Tip: Aside from the absolute worst winter storm conditions, we have found that the hood on most midlayer jackets goes unused due to the fact we already have a beanie or headband and hat combo on.
Do I Need a Jacket?
It depends. If it’s actively snowing, or you’re in Washington State and it starts raining, you definitely need a waterproof layer. But more often than not, a waterproof layer will cause you to sweat, which negates the functionality of your baselayers. Puffy down jackets are also a no-go for active skate skiing. You will overheat within the first ten minutes, and have to tie it around your waist or ditch it on the side of the trail. (One caveat: if we are doing drills at Sisu Ski Retreat and there’s a strong wind, please dress warmly enough to optimize comfort!) A great compromise is to wear a light vest over your mid-layer that you can zip up and down depending on how warm you’re getting.
☝🏼 Tip: If you’re out skiing and start to sweat, stop and shed a layer. If you get wet, you’ll get cold as soon as you stop. It can be hard to warm up again. 
Accessorize for Success
Socks
Socks are surprisingly important for skate ski success. You’ll want something that comes high enough so that your boot does not rub on your bare skin, but something lower-pile than your dad’s retro wool socks. Modern, fitted wool socks that fall in the hiking category are your best bet. Whatever you do, do not wear two pairs of socks—this will cause more friction in your boots and increase hot spots and blisters.
☝🏼 Tip: If you’re the proud owner of sweaty feet, consider waiting to put your ski socks on right before your boots. If you put them on before a two-hour drive to the Nordic center, they won’t be fresh and warm (read: dry) when you actually hit the trail.Gloves
An often-voiced concern at Sisu Ski Retreat is that ladies have trouble keeping their digits warm when out in the elements. (I frequently suffer from Reynauds myself, so I completely understand!) The trick is to find a maximum-warmth glove that will also fit into your ski pole straps. Sadly, downhill ski gloves or mittens are often too large.
The solution is to look for the most weather-proof option available from leading cross-country ski brands, like Hestra, Lill Sport, and Swix. You can always try a mitten or “lobster claw” variety if the others aren’t cutting it. Oh, and a fleece nose wipe on the thumb is crucial!
☝🏼 Tip: I find that my fingers always get cold within the first 30 minutes of skate skiing. But after warming them up under the waistline of my baselayer for 30-60 seconds, they tend to miraculously stay warm when returned back to my gloves—even in inclement weather. Neck Gaiter
Based on your baselayer and the conditions, neck gaiters are not always necessary. But even if it’s nice when you head out, they’re an easy insurance option to throw in your pocket in case the wind comes up. There are a hundred options for styles and thickness, so find the one that works best for you.
Hat
Any type of beanie is great for keeping your forehead and ears warm while out on the groomed trails. Classic Nordic-style beanies are somewhat small and often feature a teensy poof at the top, while more modern styles (like those from Krimson Klover) are great options as well. If you’re looking to keep snow out of your eyes, you can try to find a brim version.
☝🏼 Tip: Combine a ball cap with a cozy headband underneath to keep your ears warm and snow from falling in between your eyes and your sunglasses. This is also a great option to keep extra sun off your face! Sunglasses
Leave your downhill ski goggles at home! Skate skiing doesn’t (typically) require full-face coverage. We prefer sports-style sunglasses with dark lenses for the most intense sunny days here in Colorado. If you ski in Washington or another cloudy state, consider a lighter lens that will work for the majority of your days. Keep in mind that you can burn your eyes while skiing due to the sun reflecting off the bright snow. It’s imperative to protect your eyes before that happens—trust us, it’s both painful and a bit scary.
Last But Not Least: Stay Hydrated
The question we get most often at Sisu Ski Retreat: how can I carry water with me while skiing? As a recreational skate skier, you have a few options, and it really comes down to personal preference. Consider carrying a lightweight backpack that you can stash an extra layer, snack, and insulated water bottle in, or invest in a cross-country ski pack. (Aka, a glorified fanny pack.) We love the fanny packs that hold insulated water bottles, so you can leave the pack on while rehydrating. Keep in mind that the hose will freeze on “bladder” type hydration systems, leaving you unable to enjoy those electrolytes you prepped before heading out!
Rest assured, anything you purchase specifically for skate skiing (or classic skiing for that matter) will be able to transfer into other areas of your life, like hiking, running, or even running errands in the nearest mountain town with some cool sporty style.
Joining us at Sisu Ski Retreat this year? For our full packing list, head here. And for a huge resource of cross-country ski equipment and apparel, look no further than Boulder Nordic Sport’s online catalog.
