What to Wear for Spring Skiing

Skiing in spring can be an absolute hoot, especially if you’re like us and usually run from extreme cold. There are many benefits to spring skiing, which include, but are not limited to, longer days, warmer afternoons, and generally better weather. After all, there’s nothing quite like sitting out in a tee early in the evening, sipping on an ice-cold beer, with the mountains looming above and the sun on your skin – yeah, we’re all excited, too! Coming back to business, we need to next decide what to wear for spring skiing, right? So, let’s dig into what we’ll actually be taking along and what we’ll be leaving behind.

Firstly, the beauty of our late-season snow-filled holiday was that since the temperatures were often warmer, it directly translated to us shedding all the bulky layers. For instance, we needed a good pair of ski boots and pants even then, which we wore over a shell jacket. However, we even saw some brave ones just winging it in regular hoodies! The same goes for the rest of the layers, too, whether it was the bottom one or the feet. So, you do you, and if you’re really confident that you aren’t going to be eating snow while zipping down the mountain. We’ve dug deep into spring skiing outfits and ensembles and ensured that we’ve covered all our bases with a comprehensive buying guide as well.

So get ready, get packing, and get stoked for cold yet sunny days, slushy laps, and endless apres ski sessions at one of your favorite resorts, whether it’s Jackson Hole, WY, ski resorts or Big Bear, California, ski resorts.

Gear for Spring Skiing – A Comprehensive Guide

Torso

To jacket or not to jacket – that is the biggest question that came up during our spring skiing. We had to choose whether to opt for a jacket or a hoody, especially on warmer days. Not only did we have to necessarily choose one (that’s not an option), but opting for both made us very hot. Based on style, waterproofness, breathability, and comfort, we stuck to a base layer and added on a durable jacket, which we chose on the following bases:

• Jackets: Jackets, like the Annok, are very lightweight, so we could feel totally free while riding. What’s more, we could simply open up the side zippers and give our legs all the space they needed. Plus, we loved the classic look and baggy street-style vibe.
• Softshell hoodies: Softshell ones, like the Yeti, are water-resistant, lightweight, and highly breathable. We even had body-heated and ski-pass pockets.

Meanwhile, here are some other best lightweight jackets for spring vacation.

Legs and feet

When it comes to layering for the legs, this one is pretty much the same across the board, whether you’re winter or spring skiing. If you’re prone to getting very hot, you can simply skip to ski pants, but you could still wear a base layer for ease and comfort. Since most of the body heat emits through the top half, that’s the one that’s invariably slightly more important. You could go for something like the Iconic pants, which boast a better performance due to regular legs, relaxed thighs, and a dropped crotch.

When it comes to skiing gear, ski boots are undoubtedly one of the most critical parts of that gear. After all, no one wants to end up with cold feet and not be able to go another step, do they? Finding the right pair of ski boots in spring is less challenging than other ski gear, as your feet will still encounter snow. So, they need to be protected in the same way in spring as in winter. We first looked at our skiing levels and abilities and then checked for aspects like width/last, the flexing capability of the shoes, and the actual size of the boots, also called mondopoint.

Base layers

Now, this is the ticket. Base layers are the most crucial bit of your entire ski ensemble, as whatever lies next to the skin should be taken very seriously, right? For base layers, we looked for something that was totally lightweight, breathable, and kept us at a constant temperature rather than keeping us warm. That’s why we needed something thin and made from smart fabric, like Dope Snow’s Snuggle range base layers. In fact, some designs were so cool, and we could take our hoodies off at apres and even show them off. 

Are you looking for other base layers too? Here are the best long underwear for skiing.

Accessories

Accessories can make or break the outfit – at least in the style and comfort department. Getting the accessories right in terms of performance and quality could go a long way in completing one’s outfit. Since we were spring skiing, we didn’t want the bulk and wanted to head up and down the mountain feeling light. So, here are some of the most optimal items we came across:

Headgear

Let’s begin at the top, quite literally, because we’re first going to be talking about our heads! The first question on our minds was about helmets. Should we ditch it and let our hair flow in the wind or continue to be responsible and leave it on? Well, we’d be lying if we said that we always wore our helmets on every spring skiing day. However, we did wear it on most days for safety’s sake. In order to stay comfortable wearing helmets on warm days, we chose ones with removable earpads that can pop right off. Secondly, we chose helmets with vents on the top that we could open to allow more airflow when we felt toasty. Check out the Giro helmet, which is one of the best skiing gear overall, spring or no spring.

Another piece of headgear that we had to decide about was the beanie. For apres-ski, we made sure we always had one in our pockets. 

Eyewear

Next, we had to consider eye protection. You’ll see many skiers wearing goggles throughout the year, and spring skiing isn’t an exception just because the weather is warmer. In fact, we’d have been practically blinded by the sun on those super bluebird days had we not been prepared. So, ensure that you’ve always got goggles with lenses suitable for bright daylight spring days. If you don’t feel like wearing goggles because there’s no cold, darker goggles or sunglasses will do the trick. Or, you could opt for goggles with all-weather lenses or something reflective for the sun. After all, you can’t apres without them sunnies, right?

Face masks

We had to keep a balaclava (or a face mask, as you see fit) in our bag, as much as we wanted to leave them behind. Our faces weren’t accustomed to the sunlight or wind after wearing masks all winter, and in such cases, it’s very easy to get sunburnt or windburnt had we ditched the mask for the entire day. Since masks are easy to pack and small, it’s best to always keep a lightweight one on you.

Hands

Finally, we come to the hands; you don’t want to have freezing hands on usually cold spring days, do you? So, lightweight skiing gloves are a great choice, especially if they’re lightweight. Of course, we don’t like hot hands either, so we avoided mittens and opted for light park gloves instead that had no insulation or padding.

The Great Debate – Synthetic vs. Down

When it comes to skiing jackets and bottoms, the insulation options are between down and synthetic fill. Down is extremely popular due to one reason and one reason only – its extreme warmth. In fact, there’s no material that will keep you warm. Plus, it’s all-natural (made from a goose’s/duck’s softest mid-layer of feathers), breathable, and packs down really, really small. The downside? It isn’t waterproof and is very slow to dry if it gets wet. The solution is to get a down jacket with a waterproof shell.

Synthetic, on the other hand, is designed from a blend of polyester fibers and replicates the down insulation. While it isn’t as warm as down, is less packable, and usually slightly heavier too, it’s long-lasting, more affordable, and is much, much faster to dry. Also, it’s the better choice for those with sensitive skin types and/or inclined to allergic reactions, as synthetic is naturally hypoallergenic. And even though it dries quickly, we’d recommend buying synthetic skiing gear with waterproof shells.

Torso

Men

The Gemyse Men’s Mountain Waterproof Ski Snow Jacket is an excellent weather-resistant jacket for spring skiing in widely changing mountain conditions. Thanks to the synthetic insulation and the four-layered technical fabric, we felt very warm and cozy on days when the spring was more cold than warm. Additionally, the waterproof membrane helped keep us dry too, which was very important to us. At the same time, the removable hood ensured that we could take it off on warmer days, feeling the wind in our hair.

Thanks to the stretchy wrist gaiters and the soft fleece lining, we felt like we were wearing a much more expensive jacket than a USD 70 one – yes! Plus, the jacket was available in so many colors that we indeed had a hard time choosing one, and we finally chose this gorgeous orange-red-hued one. Five well-placed pockets wrap up the features of this amazing spring skiing jacket.

Women

If you run cold like us, then you know how miserable the cold feels when you’re skiing. Luckily, the Helly Hansen Alphelia LifaLoft Ski Jacket kept us plenty warm while we went shredding in the spring. The best part of this jacket, though, is unarguably the brand’s LifaLoft puffer-insulated lining. It kept the fit sleek and slim despite being toasty, which was made further better by the water-resistant zippers and waterproof polyester shell. The best bit? When we needed to cool down on bluebird days, the underarm vents were very useful. Furthermore, the hood is not just detachable but also helmet-compatible, and the Recco reflectors take care of the safety bit. You can check out more details of the jacket on the official product page.

Did you know that this Helly Hansen jacket is also one of the best women’s waterproof ski jackets? It’s no surprise then it made it to our list of the best ski outfits for spring.

Bottoms

Men

During the 1980s-90s, Outdoor Research developed a reputation for a collection of quality and functional outdoor gear that pushed the limits of innovation and possibility. The gear stands the test of time with the Outdoor Research Trailbreaker Tour Pants, which allow us to safely explore the outdoors in a fun manner with the very best protection. One of the best spring skiing pants for men, these comfortable and versatile softshell pants have gone through many iterations and are a perennial favorite with us, as well as many backcountry skiers.

We love the great fit of the current version, especially the stretchy and comfortable fabric that’s a blend of 50% nylon, 43% polyester, and 7% spandex. Aside from the fact that it has tons of useful pockets, the pants ventilated well too, which ensured that we never ran hot on the mountain on warmer days.

While they aren’t insulated, they worked well and kept us warm when we added a baselayer beneath it to gear up for a day in the backcountry. This ultimate ski touring pant was water- and wind- and weather-resistant, which worked well on those colder spring days when a breeze blew on the mountain. Finally, they offer a good value to boot also, costing just USD 250. 

Women

For women, we have the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Pants in mind. These softshell pants featured additional panels of waterproof fabric in the bottoms and the lower legs. Thus, they bolstered weather resistance without impeding breathability in any way, shape, or form. So, they allowed us to work well during spring skiing without overheating, which is very important to us. What’s more, the softshell fabric boasted a four-way stretch, which made movement a breeze.

However, we were most impressed by the pants’ revolutionary breathable water protection technology, which is far more durable and also superior in performance than other DWR solutions. We’re talking about the BD.dry windproof, breathable, and waterproof solution, which meant that we were covered in terms of the key areas that required protection. Designed for going deep into the backcountry, these pants worked beautifully for our spring adventures, thanks to the side-zip vents, which aided a lot in temperature regulation.

The best bit was the pockets, as we’re huge fans of well-designed pockets. Not only did the pants have two thigh pockets, but they also had a smaller upper right hip one for stowing backcountry essentials and a dedicated pocket for beacon storage, too. 

Base layers

Men

When it comes to base layering for men, the Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino 1/4 Zip is an excellent choice. The brand, which has been an industry leader in baselayers for decades, impresses with this sought-after base layer, which is made from 100% merino. In fact, it’s the whole package – it’s super-soft against the skin, it’s warm, resists moisture, and doesn’t retain odor like polyester ones. What’s more, it even has a UPF 50+ rating, so we could even use it as an outer layer during apres ski. Even on sunny, warmer days on the mountain, just wearing this base layer worked easily for us, and we weren’t cold either.

Since this base layer came in three color choices, we could match it with our entire ski gear and ensemble. Whether we are heading out on a brisk hike or gearing up for a day at the resort, this base layer kept us warm and prepared through it all. Built with a blend of merino wool and nylon, we are provided with unmatched warmth, odor control, and long-lasting durability, while its flatlock seam construction and offset shoulder seams minimize chafing for all-day comfort. We really loved and appreciated its ability to regulate the heat just by lowering the zip.

Women

There’s a lot to like about the lightweight active Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe Crew baselayer. For just USD 40, it’s one of the cheapest options on this list. Yet, it kept us dry on rainy spring days and decently warm in most conditions. The standout here is the Lifa fabric, which wicked moisture away from our skin, thanks to the polypropylene. P.S.: It does moisture-wicking way better than polyester. Not only was it super lightweight and breathable, but also it was quick-drying. In fact, Lifa is a unique material in all of Helly Hansen’s base layers.

Besides the wonderfully athletic fit, the Lifa Stripe was also great for other high-output activities we indulged in, like hiking and climbing. However, one of the best features of this base layer was that it came in a riot of colors – literally! Aside from the regular hues of black, white, navy, and grey, it also had options for unique colors like goji berry pink, dragonfruit purple, nightshade, and raspberry pink.

The natural stretch fabric and flatlock seams for maximum comfort round out the features. So, we’d enjoy wonderful days out on the slopes, no matter the weather.

Headgear

Helmet

As the official supplier of the United States Ski Team, we knew we could trust that Wildhorn knows its stuff – and the Wildhorn Drift Snowboard Helmet is a testament to that. The best-selling helmet is one of the most comfortable and ergonomic helmets we’ve ever worn, and it was perfect for spring. This is mostly thanks to the 13 vents – yes, 13 – with 3 near the front, 8 vents on the top, and 2 at the back. On colder days, we could just shut the top vents and keep them open on warmer days. That, along with the plush earpads, allowed us to face all kinds of weather conditions on the slopes. Finally, the helmet also felt incredibly lightweight and still remained secure at the same time, thanks to the easy-to-use dial at the back.

Not only is it one of the best beginners’ ski helmets, but also it’s one of the best women’s ski helmets.

Beanie

When it comes to beanies, the MaxNova Winter Ski Hat worked perfectly for us when we went skiing in spring. Aside from the chic and sophisticated design, the beanie comes in a whole lot of colors, including the gorgeous army green color below. Thanks to the 100% nylon construction, the ultra-soft build ensured that we weren’t itchy and, instead, we were very comfortable. But we loved that it cocooned our noggin in comfort and warmth, even when it was the coldest weather we’d seen in spring.

While beanies might not always be needed in spring skiing, it’s always better to have one on, and we had this MaxNova one right by our side during our visit to the best ski resorts by Lake Tahoe.

Eyewear

Men

We loved the Smith I/O Mag Goggles, complete with ChromaPop Lens, especially for its comfortable fit. What makes them all the better is that they’re available in a custom fit as well for people who have larger faces. There are a lot of things we love about these goggles, starting with the fact that they come with a durable, ultra-wide, and silicone-backed strap. What’s more, the QuickFit strap adjustment system allowed us to find the right and comfortable fit quickly. So, we didn’t have that annoying itch on or behind our ears even after wearing these goggles for hours together.

However, the biggest feature was the fact that the goggles came with a variety of lenses, including a blackout lens and even a photochromatic one. In fact, the blackout ones really helped us see clearly on bright bluebird days in spring. Since the weather changed quickly where we were skiing, opting for these goggles was the best way to deal with it, thanks to the versatile lens. You can check out more details of the product on the official product page.

While they’re some of the best ski goggles for men, the goggles work well with women’s faces too.

Women

When it comes to the best women’s ski goggles, we have to talk about the Smith Unisex Adult Showcase OTG Snow Sport Goggles. The Sun Valley brand is famous for inventing the very first snow goggles that featured both a breathable vent foam and a sealed thermal lens – and it still shows. What’s more, these goggles come with a spherical carbonic X-Lens, which, along with the TLT lens technology, made it possible for us to have crystal clear vision even on bluebird days. Not only that, but the goggles also had a Fog-X anti-fog inner lens, which ensured that vapor didn’t collect on the inside of the lens when we felt warm. So, we could always focus on the skiing experience without worrying about foggy or blurry vision. The best bit? The two-layered DriWix face foam made it very comfortable for us to wear these goggles for hours.

Face Masks

While face masks might not be needed on an absolutely warm day on the slopes, spring sees a lot of varying weather conditions. So, it might be warm and sunny one minute, but we’d be fighting the cold wind the next minute. That’s why we chose the Anon MFI Hood Clava, a unique face mask that boasts the brand’s amazing MFI technology. That stands for magnetic face mask integration, which sealed the mask panel to our magnetic ski goggles. Hence, it provided a comfortable and seamless fit on our faces. What’s more, these face masks were very versatile, and we had wool fabric, midweight, and lightweight options. We didn’t have to fiddle with loops, buttons, or ear straps – and that’s the kind of ‘clava we like.

You might also want to look at the best neck warmers for skiing if you run hot.

Hands

Men

For men, we loved the Swany Men’s X-Cell Gloves, which have an extra-special place amongst our skiing gear. Whether it’s winter or spring skiing, we love the toasty yet tenacious silhouette of these gloves, especially when we head out to the backcountry. Our hands have never been cold in these gloves, even on days with heavy moisture, snow, ice, and wind, thanks to the combination of aerogel fibers and PrimaLoft Gold (akin to 750-fill down) insulation.

At the same time, these gloves set a new bar when it comes to waterproofing, thanks to the Dryfinger membrane. It was a 100% waterproof liner on the inside and remained extremely breathable, which rendered us comfortable even on warm spring days. Additionally, the lining itself is Dyna-there, a high-performance and cozy textile that is hypoallergenic, anti-microbial, has wicked moisture and dries quickly. What more could we want?

Women

Imagine finding a pair of gloves or mitts that were designed for winter but aren’t as warm as other winter ones – well, they’re perfect for springtime, aren’t they? We’re talking about the Burton Gore-Tex Mittens, which boasted not just a cute style but also enough versatility for both the resort and the backcountry. The mittens really do seem to have it all, including touchscreen-compatible gloves, durable palm materials, etc., all wrapped in a delightfully dexterous package. In fact, the gloved liners and the thinner construction allowed us to perform all kinds of tasks while keeping our hands protected. While they aren’t as heavy, warm, or insulated as their other winter peers, it worked perfectly for us when we went spring skiing at the best Poconos resorts. If all that wasn’t enough, they cost just USD 80, which was very affordable.

“If you want your hands not to freeze during unexpected weather changes during spring skiing, these gloves are godsent!”

WOW Travel

Feet

Boots

Men

For men, few skiing boots are as amazing as the Tecnica Men’s Mach1 MV All-Mountain Ski Boots. These boots offered our feet a remarkable balance of comfort and performance. What’s more, they’re available in a range of flex options: a softer 110, a mid 120, which is featured below, and a super-stiff 130 model, too. So, these boots can handle everything from big mountain lines to ski racing. At the same time, the build and the luxurious liner kept us and our feet feeling very comfortable and warm. Powerful and stiff, the Mach 1 is all about making skiing easier in the ever-changing weather conditions of spring.

Women

For women, we have the HEAD Edge 95 W HV GW Women’s Ski Boots, which are all about excellent performance and ease of use. Thanks to the new cuff design through the throat, the boots were very easy to get in and out of. What’s more, the boots encouraged us to relax forward into our skiing positions, which had the added benefit of helping us get back into the correct position. This was very useful when we were in back positions and nervous on the slopes. Not only did the boots have a lot of room on the inside, but also the warm and plush liner and shell were both heat-customizable, so the boots rank very high in terms of comfort. Rounding up the features is the ski/walk mode.

Socks

We know the woes of cold feet since we suffer from the same, and it’s a miserable feeling, isn’t it? That’s why we decided to go the extra mile and get the Smartwool Ski Targeted Cushion OTC Socks. These have become our go-to ski socks for many reasons other than just one. These lightweight targeted cushion socks provided more than adequate padding when and where we needed it. At the same time, they didn’t influence the overall fit of our boot. We liked that the overall fit of the socks was snug in important areas like the upper cuff, the arch-heel cup, and the toe box.

Is spring skiing safer than winter skiing?

While spring skiing has fewer icy conditions and milder weather than winter skiing, you still have to adhere to all safety aspects. That’s because a lot rides on factors like good judgment, personal skill levels, and slope conditions.

Should I change my base layer for spring skiing?

Yes, it’s better to opt for breathable, lightweight, and moisture-wicking base layers that will ensure comfort while also helping regulate body temperature.

Are the same ski pants used in winter suitable for spring skiing?

This often depends on personal preferences, but waterproof and breathable ski pants usually work well in spring.