To layer for skiing, wear three layers: a fitted base layer that moves sweat away from your skin, a warm mid layer, and a waterproof outer layer that blocks wind and snow. Adjust the middle one to the weather. Here is how each layer works, with pieces from our skiwear edit and the Bogner edit.
1. The base layer
The base layer sits next to your skin. Its job is to move moisture away so you stay dry, and dry means warm. Choose merino wool, a technical synthetic, never cotton, and a close fit. The Medita First Layer in Black is a fitted first layer from Bogner Sport. More picks are in our women’s base layer guide.
2. The mid layer
The mid layer traps warmth. A fleece works, so does a light down jacket, a wool knit and a hybrid jacket. On cold days it does most of the work. On mild days you may skip it. The Arlena Mid-Layer Jacket in Black is a stretch mid layer, and the Naera Mid-Layer Teddy Jacket in Off White is a warm teddy fleece from Fire+Ice.
3. The outer layer
The outer layer, your ski jacket and ski pants, keeps out wind, snow and wet. A shell with a membrane is the most flexible choice because you control warmth with the layers underneath. An insulated down ski jacket adds warmth of its own. See our Bogner ski jackets guide and Bogner ski pants guide.
How to layer for different conditions
| Very cold, below minus 10 | Base layer, warm mid layer, down ski jacket, padded ski pants over a thermal legging |
| Cold, minus 10 to zero | Base layer, light mid layer, insulated jacket, padded ski pants |
| Mild spring skiing | Base layer, shell, softshell ski pants |
Common mistakes
- Wearing cotton next to the skin. It holds sweat and makes you cold.
- Too many thick layers. You will overheat on the way up and freeze on the lift.
- Forgetting your legs. On cold days add a thermal legging under ski pants.
Do not forget the knit
A wool sweater can be your mid layer and your apres ski outfit. See our women’s ski sweaters guide.
Layering for children, beginners and ski touring
Beginners spend more time standing still, so they need a warmer mid layer than confident skiers. Ski tourers do the opposite: they climb in a base layer and a light shell, and pull on a down jacket at the top. The principle is the same for everyone. Keep the inner layer dry, adjust the middle one, and keep the outer one waterproof.
What to pack for a ski week
- Three base layer tops and one pair of thermal leggings
- One fleece and one light down mid layer
- One ski jacket and one pair of ski pants
- A wool knit for the evening, see ski sweaters for women
More ski guides on Coveti: ski trip packing list and the best women’s ski jackets.
Frequently asked questions
How many layers should you wear skiing?
Three: a base layer, a mid layer and an outer layer. Adjust the mid layer to the temperature.
What should I wear under my ski jacket?
A fitted base layer in merino wool, sometimes a technical synthetic, and on cold days a fleece, a light down jacket and a wool knit are all good on top.
Is a hoodie a good mid layer for skiing?
A fleece hoodie works. A cotton hoodie does not, because cotton holds moisture.
What do you wear under ski pants?
A thermal legging on cold days. On mild days padded ski trousers need nothing extra.
Is a down jacket a mid layer?
A light down jacket works as a mid layer under a shell. A down ski jacket with a technical shell is an outer layer.
Related Posts
The Best Leather Jacket Brands for Women, Ranked by Our Editors
The best leather jacket brands for women are the houses that specialise in leather and use fine lambskin: Nour Hammour for soft, unlined Parisian lambskin, Saint Laurent for the rock biker, Khaite and Toteme for minimal black jackets, and Max Mara for Italian nappa. Here is what each does best,...
Wool Wrap Coats and Robe Coats: The Luxury Edit
A wool wrap coat closes with a belt instead of buttons, so it shapes the waist, layers over anything and looks elegant open, and the best are double-faced wool and cashmere blends cut long and oversized. This edit picks the strongest robe and wrap coats from our wool coats and designer coats...
Leopard Coats: The Best Leopard Print Coats for Winter
A leopard coat is the one print coat that works as a neutral, because its browns, blacks and golds go with almost everything already in a winter wardrobe. The best are long and made in shearling, calf hair and jacquard wool, and this edit picks them from our designer coats and fur and shearling...
Suede Skirts: The Best Midi, Mini and Wrap Styles
A suede skirt is softer and warmer looking than smooth leather, and the strongest this season are brown midis that work with knits and boots. This edit picks the best from our designer skirts and leather skirts edits, from Nour Hammour , Max Mara, Gabriela Hearst and Zimmermann.
Shearling Coats for Women: The Warmest Luxury Coats of Winter
A shearling coat is the warmest coat you can buy for its weight, because shearling is a single lambskin with the wool left on, so the skin is the shell and the wool is the lining. This edit picks the best long coats and short jackets from our shearling coats and shearling jackets edits, from...
How to Clean a Suede Jacket: Stains, Rain and Everyday Care
To clean a suede jacket, let it dry completely, brush the nap in one direction with a soft suede brush, lift marks with a suede eraser and take oil stains and deep dirt to a leather specialist; never put suede in a washing machine. These steps work for every jacket in our leather jackets edit,...
Suede Jackets for Women: The Best Brown, Camel and Black Styles
The best suede jacket for women is a soft lambskin suede, sometimes goatskin, in brown, camel and tobacco, cut as a shirt jacket, a belted jacket and a tailored blazer, and it is the jacket of the season, searched more than 60,000 times worldwide last month. This edit picks the strongest styles...
Leather Trench Coats for Women: Long, Belted and Built to Last
A leather trench coat keeps the classic details of a trench, the belt, the storm flap and the deep collar, but swaps cotton gabardine for leather, so it is windproof, warmer and far more striking. The best are long and belted, and this edit picks them from our trench coats and leather coats...
Black Leather Coats for Women: The Luxury Edit
A black leather coat is the most useful statement coat a woman can own: windproof, smart enough for the office and dramatic enough for the evening, and the best are long, soft lambskin with a simple collar. This edit picks the strongest black styles from our leather coats and trench coats edits,...
How to Style a Leather Skirt: 10 Outfits for Day and Night
To style a leather skirt, pair it with something soft on top, such as a fine jumper, a silk blouse, a cashmere cardigan, and keep the shoes simple, because the leather already gives the outfit its edge. Here are ten outfits built on the leather skirts in our edit, from Nour Hammour midis to...
The Best Leather Skirts for Women: Midi, Mini and Pencil
The best leather skirt is lambskin, cut to midi length with a seam that lets it move, because it works for the office, dinner and the weekend with nothing more than a change of jumper. This edit gathers the strongest leather skirts at Coveti, from Nour Hammour seamed midis to Max Mara pencils...
Nour Hammour in the Middle East: Leather for Warm Climates and Cool Interiors
In the Gulf, Nour Hammour is bought for three moments: cool evenings in winter, air-conditioned interiors year round and travel to colder cities, and the lighter pieces in our leather jackets and leather skirts edits are the ones that earn their place. Here is what to buy for the UAE, Saudi...