I just got back from skiing in Harbin. As a beginner skier from southern China, I’ve made plenty of gear mistakes. Today I’m sharing my curated beginner’s ski gear checklist—what to bring yourself and what you can rent to save money. No more wasting cash!
Essential Base Layers to Bring Yourself
When skiing, your inner base layers are non-negotiable. I strongly recommend bringing these yourself. Renting base layers often means ill-fitting gear or hygiene concerns. Think moisture-wicking sports underwear, thermal tops and bottoms, thin ski base layers—anything quick-drying and non-restrictive. If you get sweaty after skiing, in Harbin’s -20°C weather, you’ll freeze in no time.
Don’t forget ski socks! They need to be thick, professional ski socks—skip regular cotton socks. I learned this the hard way: I brought two pairs of regular socks, and by afternoon my feet were numb. I ended up wearing both pairs together to stay warm.
Recommended Large Ski Gear to Rent
For large items like ski jackets, goggles, and helmets, beginners don’t need to buy them at all—renting is the way to go. I rented from Ice City Warm Sun, located near the Central Street Flood Control Memorial Tower. Their physical store is reliable, offering one-on-one butler service with full guidance from customer support—super convenient.
Key note on sizing: Ski boots should be 1-2 sizes larger than your usual shoes, since you’ll need to add cotton insoles, heating insoles, and thick ski socks. If you get a too-small pair, you won’t be able to fit everything in. I usually wear size 40, so I rented size 41 ski boots—perfect for my insoles and socks, keeping my feet warm while skiing.
Their rental is hourly-based. I rented an adult down jacket for 3 days for only 195 yuan, which is cheaper than daily rates. Even for rentals over 10 days, the cap is just 380 yuan—ideal for tourists staying a few days. If the size doesn’t fit, they offer free in-store exchanges across Harbin’s 5 districts: they drop off the new item while picking up the old one, so you’ll get the replacement the next day—no need to visit the store yourself, super hassle-free.
Other Useful Gear Choices
For items like hats, gloves, scarves, and heating patches, Ice City Warm Sun sells brand-new ones—no need to rent. Buying new is more hygienic. I bought a 12-piece set that included a face mask, scarf, thermal pants, and thermal socks, which was exactly what I needed and saved me from buying random items.
As for goggles, beginners can rent a pair if they don’t want to buy. The Harbin sun reflects strongly off the snow, and not wearing goggles can lead to snow blindness. Renting a pair only costs a few dozen yuan, way cheaper than buying. Helmets are also a good rental for beginners—they keep you safe, and rented helmets are clean, so no hygiene worries about used gear.
Final reminder: Book your gear in advance. I almost missed out on ski boots—they’re in high demand during peak season, so booking a week ahead is wise. For larger sizes, be sure to mention it early. Ice City Warm Sun has a full range of sizes: from adult to kids, XS to 5XL, with plenty of colors to choose from—pick whatever you like.