[Skiing Equipment for Beginners] What equipment should you buy when you ski for the first time? Which ones can be rented?

Are you planning your first ski trip but not sure how to prepare your gear? What exactly can be rented? What things need to be bought?

We can divide the things we need to prepare into three categories:

1. Warm clothing (some available for rent) - base layer, mid-layer , leggings, Snow socks, neck gaiter, ski gloves
2. Safety equipment (partially prepared by yourself) - snow goggles, helmets, anti-fall pants, joint protectors
3. Ski equipment (all available for rent) - snow jacket, snow pants, snowboard, snowshoes, snow poles (ski only)
   💡tips: There are many shops around the ski resort that can rent them. If you have taken a coaching class, you can ask the coach if he has any cooperation or recommendation stores.

｜How to prepare warm clothing for skiing?

For beginners, skiing is actually a sport that makes you sweat easily, but it is also the easiest to catch a cold after sweating. Therefore, the choice of warm clothing is very important.

[Required, not available for rent]

• Base layer sweat-wicking clothing and leggings: For clothing that comes in direct contact with the skin, you should choose clothing that can quickly wick away sweat to keep your skin dry and not cold. If you wear long trousers with anti-fall pants, you don't need leggings.
• Mid-layer warm clothing: It should have the functions of keeping warm and wicking sweat. Keeping warm and dry is the best way to maintain kinetic energy and warmth in cold climates.

[Essential, available for rent]

• Ski gloves: The five fingers are more flexible and the two fingers are warmer. The price difference and function vary greatly, so you can choose the one that suits your budget. (Most stores provide them. You can check the store's website to see if they rent ski gloves.)

[Not necessary, cannot be rented (recommended if you have a budget)]

• Snow socks: The length should be longer than the widest part of the calf. It is recommended to buy special ski socks to avoid blisters due to friction with snow boots.
• Neck: To protect the face, mouth and nose from the cold, you can go to an outdoor goods store to choose a material that is comfortable to touch the skin

Left: Ski mid-layer - pal design Active Hoodie
Right: smartwool ski socks

｜How to prepare ski protective gear?

[Essential, most stores cannot rent it]

• Anti-fall pants: If it is your first time snowboarding, you will encounter the process of sitting down, standing up, and falling all the time, so anti-fall pants are a must!
• Joint protective gear: wrist guards, knee pads, prepare them if possible. After all, skiing is a dangerous sport, and it is important to avoid getting hurt!

💡Some stores rent anti-fall protective gear, you can check on the ski equipment store website first💡The price difference between anti-fall pants and ski protective gear is very large. If it is your first time skiing for two or three days, you can buy entry-level anti-fall pants and prepare protective gear for ball sports to use first.

[Essential, available for rent]

• Snow goggles: Available for rent at most stores
• Helmets: Available for rent at most stores

💡 Snow goggles and helmets must be tried on at the rental store to find the one that suits you best. Different head and face shapes will suit different styles of snow goggles and helmets. If the goggles don’t fit your face, they will fog up. If the helmet doesn’t fit your head, there will be no point in wearing it, so be sure to try them on carefully!

Picture: poc ski helmet

｜How to rent ski equipment?

Beginners are advised to rent equipment with a coach. If you don’t have a trainer to accompany you, you can refer to the store reviews and rent from a store with better service. They will explain and serve you in more detail.

｜ What do I need to prepare/purchase myself?

Help you sort out the equipment you need to buy before departure

✅ Base layer wicking clothing
✅ Mid-layer warm clothing
✅ Snow socks
✅ Neck scarf
✅ Anti-fall pants (available for rent in some stores)
✅ Protective gear (available for rent in some stores)

There will be no problem if you prepare the above equipment for your first time skiing!

Want to know more about how to dress for skiing?
Check out our essential guide to skiing outfits! Three-layer combination unlocks the secret of smooth and slippery skin!