Skiing Can Make You Healthier and Happier — Here’s What You’ll Need as a Beginner

The giddy “whoosh” of going down a slide or rounding a curve on a roller coaster. The pride of mastering a new skill. The satisfying exhaustion of a challenging workout. The enchantment of seeing snow sparkle in the sun on a clear day. The joy of playing all day with friends or family. If you’re considering skiing for the first time, that’s a taste of what you can look forward to.

“Skiing and snowboarding are a way that we can play in winter; it brings back this joyous kid-like quality of whimsy, carving through the trees, watching the snowfall, [enjoying] the peace, the quiet, being outside in nature,” says Kendra Scurfield, a ski and snowboard instructor turned vice president of branding and communications at Banff Sunshine Village ski resort in Alberta, Canada. “I think everyone should be encouraged to do it because it reminds you how much fun life can be and of the childhood joy that we often get too busy for in our day-to-day life.”

Having grown up in Florida, I never imagined I’d be a skier. But for more than two decades, I’ve been donning all the layers and braving single-digit temps every chance I get to experience that “whoosh” feeling. To help you get started on your skiing journey, I have recommendations for quality gear that will last years — without spending a fortune. Plus, I got a few tips from experts on the mountains about how to get out there and have fun safely.

One thing this article is not going to do is tell you the best skis, boots, and poles to buy. As a beginner, you absolutely do not need to buy any of those things. Whether you rent on the mountain as part of a package (sometimes you’ll even get a discount with your ski lessons) or choose a nearby ski shop, you will get perfectly good gear without having to invest a ton of money. This is especially smart if you’re not even sure whether you like skiing. 

Scurfield also recommends renting because the gear you’ll use as a beginner could be different from what you want to buy for the years to come. “Often [beginner] skis will be shorter, so you can [more quickly learn the] basics of it before moving up and progressing further,” she says. 

When you buy boots, the ski shop can custom fit them to your feet, making them much more comfortable than rentals, so that should be the first thing you buy when you decide you’ll be skiing regularly. Then you may want to do what I do and keep renting your skis. That certainly makes for lighter packing (particularly if you’re flying to your destination). Scurfield adds another advantage to doing this: “A lot of people will also just buy boots and rent high-performance skis when they go to other destinations, so they can always ski on the newest technology.”

Obviously, the weather is a little colder on top of the mountain — not to mention when you’re sitting still on a slow ski lift heading up there. Add to that wind and blizzard conditions, or even sleet (thanks, climate change). So yes, you will need some very good waterproof ski jackets and snow pants. But you can’t wear just any down-filled puffer, because you need to be able to move your arms and legs easily. Plus, skiing is hard work, so you’ll also get warm underneath those outer layers.

“The thing that will make you the coldest is being wet,” Pearce says. “So the No. 1 way to prevent getting cold is to stay dry. You don’t want the snow, water, or ice getting in, but we also want to still be able to let sweat leave.”

You’ll be using your helmet to keep your head warm (more on that below), so the last bit of outerwear you need is a pair of mittens or gloves. They should be waterproof, insulated, and have cuffs to block snow from getting into your sleeves.

Wearing base layers — what we used to call “long underwear” back in the day — and mid layers will be the key to your comfort while skiing. The aim is to keep your body heat in, while wicking away sweat to keep you dry. You also want all of these layers to allow for plenty of movement — you’re training like an athlete, after all. Look for base layers made from wool or a specially woven synthetic material that insulates and dries quickly.

“You’re going to build up your heart rate and build up a sweat,” Pearce says, and if you’re sweating into cotton, it won’t dry very quickly. “If [your clothing] can’t dry, then you will start to get cold, then you’re back up on the lift and in the shade and all of a sudden we start worrying about actually diving into hypothermia. So, making sure you have that quality base layer to begin with — that would probably be where I would put most of the money.”

For middle layers, “you get to have a little bit more play,” Pearce says. You could be like my husband, who has worn the same Rolling Stones T-shirt since 2002. Or you could be like me, layering a regular wool sweater over my base, which I often wind up taking off midmorning and stashing in a locker.

On extra cold and windy days, you may want one more layer on your head under your helmet. A water-resistant, sweat-wicking balaclava from Under Armour made to fit under helmets keeps your head, neck, and even your nose warm. “Keeping your face and nose covered on cold days will prevent frostnip or frostbite,” Slack says.

“We recommend getting a newer model with Mips technology,” Slack says. “[Mips helmets have] a second layer inside that allows the impact to be absorbed.”

While the price of helmets can range from $50 to $300, you don’t necessarily need to buy the most expensive option to be safe. “What is more important than the price of the helmet is the fit of the helmet,” Pearce says. “You don’t want it to be moving ... when you’re moving your head back and forth, it can block your vision, and it certainly won’t be protecting your head if it’s moving like that. And you don’t want it too tight because you’ll get a headache, and it may not be able to absorb [impacts] the way it’s supposed to.”

You can rent helmets along with the rest of the gear, but if you buy your own, it will fit better, and you’ll know for certain that it hasn’t been in an accident. Like with car seats, helmets that have already absorbed an impact develop cracks and lose the ability to protect your head, both doctors said.

Conveniently snapped onto that helmet should be your goggles. These do so much: They help you see better through a blizzard or the glaring sun; they protect you from icy wind and projectiles; and they block ultraviolet rays. It’s another piece of gear with a wide range of prices, with fancier versions offering lenses you can swap for different light conditions. “If it’s your first time skiing or you’re just going to be doing it every so often, just make sure you get a good, all-around vision base for your lens,” Pearce says.

As cold as you might get while skiing, you’ll also want to bring along that beach essential, broad-spectrum sunscreen, and reapply it often. “I’ve seen many, many blisters from some really terrible sunburns,” Pearce says. “People don’t think about how sunny it can actually be on the mountain. You have light-reflecting snow, so you’re kind of on this big mirror.” In addition to protecting from harmful ultraviolet rays, you’ll also be avoiding that unsightly raccoon tan.

Though I can’t say which skis and boots are best for everyone, I did get Scurfield (whose first job was at a ski rental shop) to share tips on what to say in the rental shop to get the best gear for you:

1. Be honest about your abilities, as well as your height and weight. “If you say that you’re the best skier in the world, and you’ve never skied before, you’re gonna get given something that won’t be very good for you to learn on,” Scurfield says. Those numbers also affect the binding settings, which control how easily the skis release from your boots. “You want the ski to pop off easily if you were to fall, so you don’t tweak or hurt your knee, but you don’t want it popping off when you’re just turning,” she explains.
2. Spend some time getting the right fit on your boots, but do not expect them to feel great. “Like stilettos, ski boots are not comfortable,” Scurfield says, explaining that they should fit fairly tightly to reduce movement and improve control. “You want to make sure you can stand flat and tall in them, that you can put your weight forward, and you can bend your knees, get good flex out of the boot, and have room to tighten them.” Your toes shouldn’t be curled or crunched in the toe box, but “you don’t want your heel to lift because that would create instability in your ski.”

Even if you have a good friend or family member who offers to save you money by teaching you how to ski, unless they’re actually an instructor, don’t take them up on it. Ski lessons are worth every penny, and on some mountains, there are even great discount packages for first-time skiers. A group lesson will get you set up with the basics, let you meet other new skiers, and provide important safety information.

“First, they teach you the basics of sliding on snow to get that feeling,” Scurfield says. “Then you’ll move up to the bunny hill or magic carpet learning area, or you’ll work on basic stopping and basic movements before moving up to a chair.
Instructors really help eliminate any risk associated with the sport. You can safely learn how to ski and snowboard and progress faster.” 

If it’s an affordable option for you, a private lesson is also a good way to get focused attention and progress at your individual pace. 

Slack also appreciates that ski instructors can help you learn where the easiest slopes are and how to get to them safely.

As a beginner, a lot of your falls will be just between you and the snow, as you learn to gain control. But there is also always the risk of running into another person on the mountain, in particular where slopes merge, Pearce says. Resorts in the United States have a Ski Safety Responsibility Code (and resorts in other countries may call it something else), usually prominently posted at chair lift lines:

1. Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
2. People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
3. Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
4. Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
5. You must prevent runaway equipment.
6. Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
7. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
8. You must know how and be able to load, ride, and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
9. Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
10. If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.

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You may also help prevent injuries and improve your chances of having fun on the mountain by training long before you go skiing. Work on your cardiovascular health, endurance, and strength. “Having a baseline fitness level will really help minimize the amount of injuries,” Pearce says, adding, “Day of, make sure you warm up. Think about it like you’re getting ready to go on a run.”

Finally, you should quit while you’re ahead, and not force yourself to stay until the last chair or when you’re almost too tired to stand — because that’s when accidents happen. “Knowing your limits, staying in control, and knowing when to call it a day and go enjoy the other amenities of the resort [are good injury-prevention tactics],” Slack says. It’s better to stop for the day and come back tomorrow than to wind up in a knee brace for the rest of the season on day one. (Sadly, I am saying this from personal experience.)