What to wear Nordic skiing
Skate or classic, from spring corn snow to below zero. Nordic skiing makes a lot of heat, so this errs on the light side.
The chart
By feels-like temperature, for a steady ski. Go a step lighter for a race or hard workout, a step warmer for an easy tour.
| Feels like | Wear |
|---|---|
| Above 41°F (5°C) | Thin long-sleeve top · Light tights · Thin gloves · Sunglasses and sunscreen |
| 28–41°F (−2 to 5°C) | Light base layer with a thin softshell or race suit · Light gloves · Headband |
| 18–28°F (−8 to −2°C) | Base layer and softshell jacket · Tights with a wind front · Gloves · Hat or headband |
| 5–18°F (−15 to −8°C) | Warm base layer and wind-blocking jacket · Wind briefs and wind-front pants · Lobster mitts · Hat and neck gaiter |
| Below 5°F (−15°C) | Warm base layers under a wind-blocking shell · Wind briefs and insulated pants · Mittens · Balaclava · Tape or cover for exposed skin |
What experienced skiers do
- Start a little cold. If you’re comfortable standing in the parking lot, you’ll be soaked in ten minutes.
- Bring a dry layer and dry gloves for the car, for long descents and for stops. Sweat plus wind is what makes you cold.
- Sun matters a lot on snow. Clear days at altitude feel much warmer than the number, and the glare is strong: sunglasses and sunscreen even in January.
- Long descents are cold. A packable wind vest is worth carrying on rolling or mountain courses.
Get this for your ski
Open your route in Route Forecast and pick Nordic ski: it lists what to wear for the weather you’ll actually have along the way, with the snow temperature and wax band. Open a route.
Questions
What should I wear cross-country skiing?
Less than you think. Nordic skiing is hard work, so dress to be a little cold for the first ten minutes. Around 20–30°F: a light base layer with a thin softshell, light gloves and a headband. Colder or windy: a warmer base layer, wind-blocking jacket and wind briefs, then lobster mitts and a hat.
What should I wear skate skiing vs classic skiing?
Skate skiing is usually a bit harder work than classic, so skaters often go one layer lighter. Classic skiers on long, easy tours (or with kids) should dress warmer and bring an extra layer for stops.
How do I keep my hands warm Nordic skiing?
Wind on your hands is the problem, not the cold alone. Below about 15°F use lobster mitts or wind-front gloves, and carry a dry spare pair for after you sweat through the first.
Do I need wind briefs?
Below about 15°F (−10°C), especially with any wind or on fast descents, men should wear wind-front briefs. It’s a common, avoidable cold injury.