Equipment Advise

In January I am going to banff in Canada to to a ski instructor course.

I have never skied outside of Europe before, and am told that Canada is colder the European resorts.

I have skis and boots and so on, but I am purchasing new clothing.

Honestly, I don't know the first thing about the technicalitys of jackets extra.

I have found a really nice jacket with the following stuff:

Insulation: 80gr body/ 60gr hood & sleeves
Waterproof: 8'000 mm

I really like the jacket but it is fairly expensive and I don't want to spent so much on a jacket that will not keep me warm and/or dry.

Any advice would be hugely appreciated!

I have no idea sorry, someone might, but if not what about asking a specialist shop?

Welcome by the way :)

Can't comment on the jacket but Banff in January is really cold. Last time we visited minus 30something was average.
Do avoid cotton like the plague, do layer with wicking materials that are not so tight they make you look like an overstuffed sausage, you need air between the fabrics to keep you warm and to allow wicking to take place.
When you buy your base layers make sure the top is long enough to stuff in your trousers, sounds obvious but a lot of people forget how much they move their arms for pole plants etc, you don't want a draught!
Invest in glove liners but wear mitts on top, I carry a spare pair of liners to swap at lunchtime if they get a bit sweaty (nice!)
Neck gaiter is a must,not just to stop the cold but to stop the metal of the jacket zip giving you a really nasty rash. I hate facemasks as they make me feel claustrophobic but a lot of people wear them and swear by them.
Take plenty of lip balm or vaseline, not just for your lips, tip of your nose exposed by goggles will also appreciate it.
I never got uncomfortably cold even on lifts, I wore a set of baselayers, a long sleeved cycle shirt, thin fleece sweater, down gilet, trousers/jacket (mine were cheap airwalk from sports direct!) ski socks, neck gaiter, glove liners, mittens, helmet.

I'd recommend a Canadian made ski jacket by "Avalanche" if you can get it in Banff. They do not sell to individuals outside of Canada, but do have a few boutiques sdelling to public there. Their skiwear is very well made and warm (100g) or very warm (150 g of insulation). They are used by 3 Valleys instructors and moutain rescue and Crystal reps among many others.

Regards,

You really need more than one jacket to cope with the extreme variation in temps you may encounter. Professional skiers in N. America are favoring a shell jacket, puff jacket combination these days, but a good quality insulated ski jacket is good for the coldest days. For pants; you want the un/lightly insulated pants, with layers under for the temperature.

Same goes for gloves. when it gets down below -20C, you will be glad of mittens, but other times regular ski gloves are fine.

Most important is venting. Good venting will allow you to dress for the inevitable standing around on an instructor course, but will allow you to cool down at other times.

I have a Spyder "Leader" Jacket and North face hyvent salopettes that I have used to -25 with just a Helly hansen lifa set of base layer clothing underneath. Berghaus extrem mitts are the dogs doodas :wink: It is the cooling down while standing around or whilst sat on exposed ski lifts you need to watch out for, it is better to be slightly cool when exercising as opposed to getting all hot and sweaty and then having all that moisture cool you down when you are stationary :shock: My jacket has 100g insulation on the body, 80 on the arms and is 20000 waterproof and 20000 breathable. I think you will need a better jacket than the one you specify in your original post.

Well, I always wear following and works from ski touring, ice climbing and skiing:-

1 x thermals (tucked in or one piece). Arms should have thumb hole as this is why most people suffer from cold hands.

1 x Polo Neck/thermal layer

1 x down jacket (100g insulation. Belay jacket that can be put easily into rucksack).

1 x waterproof jacket.

That is good for wide range of conditions and easy to put into rucksack if gets warm.

For gloves 1 x mittens (come to mid forearm) and 1 x gloves (come to mid forearm).

And one of those neck warmer things that can pull over face if in deep powder or blizzard.

Guess is really cold day could add a 3rd bottom layer but cannot imagine would ever be required unless super windy or prolonged period of no action.


What you stated should be fine but I would be dubious about how windproof it is, you might want to add normal ski jacket above.

Ranchero_1979 wrote:Well, I always wear following and works from ski touring, ice climbing and skiing:-

1 x thermals (tucked in or one piece). Arms should have thumb hole as this is why most people suffer from cold hands.

1 x Polo Neck/thermal layer

1 x down jacket (100g insulation. Belay jacket that can be put easily into rucksack).

1 x waterproof jacket.

If I was your mother I would worry about you going into the mountains without trousers! :D

A mountain jacket that has a waterproofness of only 8,000mm won't be up to much. Look for something that can withstand a hydrostatic head of at least 20,000mm and layer up as necessary. Down is the best insulator but it doesn't work well if it gets wet or crushed.