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theabortionator
April, 2025

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How to manage super cold days

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The.Fish
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 4,997
I have a trip up to whiteface in two weeks and I have been looking at the weather. It is supposed to be absolutely freezing. I am a midwest skier and I don’t get too many days where it is below zero wind chill. I was curious what helps manage those days. Layering is obvious but are there any accessories that you use or wear? I have seen people wear those hoods that go over their helmet to keep heat in. Whiteface has a gondola as the primary lift so I think it will be managable as long as I take percautions.
7 years ago
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FIRAT
Posts: 534 - Karma: 1,350
It's not that different, just wear more layers if you feel like you'll have a problem.
If looks aren't a problem you could also just go with a normal skiing jacket and scarf, it's enough for me
7 years ago
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P.O.W.
Posts: 170 - Karma: 547
make sure you have a good base layer (long underwear) also get a bunch of hand and toe warmers
7 years ago
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search4freshies
Posts: 358 - Karma: 1,336
a whiskey flask in your pockets is a classic way to stay warm.
7 years ago
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profa_212
Posts: 9150 - Karma: 39,559
Ninja suit....the things are heaven
7 years ago
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Barfblitz
Posts: 36 - Karma: 30
Get a buff/balaclava that can go under a helmet. It'll keep your face warm on the lift
7 years ago
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OregonDead
Posts: 7052 - Karma: 26,366
Obviously a shell that really breaks the wind is going to be key. I have a couple jackets with big hoods that fit over my helmet and that is big help. I usually just put on an extra button up shirt, wool or fleece, and I like to layer a vest. Fleece neck tubes are super warm. My experiences with super cold have also involved really aerobic type skiing and my advice is not to over do it any thick insulation layers. Once I skied at Winterpark/MJ wearing a huge down jacket and I ended up sweating like a pig when the actual temperature out side was single digits + wind.
7 years ago
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search4freshies
Posts: 358 - Karma: 1,336
search4freshiesa whiskey flask in your pockets is a classic way to stay warm.


who the fuck down votes whiskey? dude must e a yellow jacket.
7 years ago
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10033 - Karma: 75,851
Layers layers layers. Good socks and gloves as those are what usually gets cold the quickest when it's sub zero. Also a face mask is key. If you don't have a face mask, a scarf well wrapped works just as well from my experience. Could even use both.
7 years ago
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cool_name
Posts: 4295 - Karma: 3,136
actual ski socks are key, don't worry big thick socks, they will restrict circulation and make your feet colder. Then make sure you have a balaclava that covers your entire face, dont let that nose poke out. You can pull it down while skiing if you really want, but you will want it to cover your whole face on the lift
7 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52489 - Karma: 172,802
Layer, Layers, Layers. You should be able to layer up to the point where you're too hot. Throw some fleece pants or at least thickish pj's under your snow pants. Throw another hoodie or this hoodie type jacket under your coat. Rock balaclava. Bring some fucking hand warmers. If your hands get hot, put them on you phone or share with a friend.

If it's super busy and cold gondolar lines can get long. Take some breaks in the lodge to warm up if needed.

I grew up riding the daks and skied/ worked at the mountains in the region for years. The biggest thing that sucks is the wind, especially on certain sections of lifts, but just layer up good, try not to have any exposed skin. If it's cold and windy a little bit of vaseline can keep your nose from getting destroyed by the cold wind. If it's exposed. Sometimes tough to stay completely bundled though with goggles.

Def bring some handwarmers though. Worst case you don't use them. I usually have some with me but rarely use them unless my phone needs some warmth. But it's good to have.I've heard so many people bitch about cold fingers on the mountain. Handwarmers are cheap. I have mixed feelings about toewarmers because I don't like anything in my boot. That said my snowboard boots stay warm so it's not a problem.

Good luck. Iceface is a fun mountain.
7 years ago
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JohnJonsz
Posts: 317 - Karma: 873
lots of good advice above here. Key is to stay dry. Like if you get snow in your gloves and they get wet-- switch them out for a dry pair. Also maybe switch sweaty socks or frosted buff at lunch for a fresh dry digs.

If you're cold, take a break. I got frost nipped fingers years ago and my circulation is still bad. Like once you do cold damage to fingers and toes, it stays with you for the whole season if not longer.
7 years ago
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BenWhit
Posts: 4654 - Karma: 3,257
puffy jacket. a synthetic down mid-layer is fucking awesome if you can get your hands on one. I picked one up before my AIARE 1 class that required us to skin up and spend time on Mt. Washington (very cold) and it saved my life. I was able to get one for $125 from eddie bauer (50% off at the time). went with the storm-down 800 material. invest in a decent, pack-able down layer and you could have it forever.

i'll generally wear a synthetic, compression style layer. flannel on top of that. down on top of that. shell on top of that. unless the cold is extreme, this get-up is almost too warm.
7 years ago
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.FRY.
Posts: 5686 - Karma: 22,820
gs suit and lots of alcohol
7 years ago
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ahshit
Posts: 1248 - Karma: 3,029
just get full tilts
7 years ago
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GayWolf420
Posts: 38006 - Karma: 128,536
Layers. Pit stops in the lodge to warm up just get me more cold tbh. Better off just skiing and keeping that blood flowing.

Especially on uber cold pow days. Im fine with skiing back to the truck as a popsicle. Those are the best days, fam.
7 years ago
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trevorschu
Posts: 708 - Karma: 2,357
.Frygs suit and lots of alcohol


This made my day
7 years ago
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10033 - Karma: 75,851
DeebieSkeebiesLayers. Pit stops in the lodge to warm up just get me more cold tbh. Better off just skiing and keeping that blood flowing.

Especially on uber cold pow days. Im fine with skiing back to the truck as a popsicle. Those are the best days, fam.


Yeah I couldn't agree more. Would rather ski and be frozen than take 10 trips to the lodge like some folks out there. I have found that my feet tend to go numb early, so after the first 2-3 hours I'll take a quick break and warm them up. Then for whatever reason they stay warm the rest of the day. No idea why since I put my boots on warm at the start.
7 years ago
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GayWolf420
Posts: 38006 - Karma: 128,536
IsitWinterYet17Yeah I couldn't agree more. Would rather ski and be frozen than take 10 trips to the lodge like some folks out there. I have found that my feet tend to go numb early, so after the first 2-3 hours I'll take a quick break and warm them up. Then for whatever reason they stay warm the rest of the day. No idea why since I put my boots on warm at the start.


ill take a quick water break or something but yeah, not to mention all your shit thaws out and gets wet in the lodge. ive been toasty af on some brutal days where everything is frozen solid.
7 years ago
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cool_name
Posts: 4295 - Karma: 3,136
DeebieSkeebiesill take a quick water break or something but yeah, not to mention all your shit thaws out and gets wet in the lodge. ive been toasty af on some brutal days where everything is frozen solid.

On that note, sit on your balaclava in the lodge, it is going to melt anyway, this way atleast it won't be wet and cold
7 years ago
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abaxter
Posts: 89 - Karma: 358
Hand warmers, toe warmers which I hate but some people use, face mast, skull cap, and layers. Other than that ur good
7 years ago
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GayWolf420
Posts: 38006 - Karma: 128,536
cool_nameOn that note, sit on your balaclava in the lodge, it is going to melt anyway, this way atleast it won't be wet and cold

if you wear a liner jacket which is a big recommendation under the shell, you can throw it in the chest pocket and that gets all nice and toasty. even lenses, definitely a fucking obsessive lens person that needs an extra one on them. im a really fucking sweaty dude and get killed by foggy lenses on storm/pow days.
7 years ago
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.otto.
Posts: 3495 - Karma: 12,909
for your gloves it is key to wear liners under them on really cold days- just your gloves wont cut it not even hand warmers
7 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52489 - Karma: 172,802
.otto.for your gloves it is key to wear liners under them on really cold days- just your gloves wont cut it not even hand warmers


I feel like my hands are going to melt if I don't remove the handwarmers. They take a while to get going, but they get fucking hot. Even with my shittiest gloves I don't think I've ever really had cold hand with handwarmers in.

If you wait till your hands are frozen and then throw them in, you're going to be cold as fuck while they heat up.
7 years ago
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The.Fish
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 4,997
Okay thanks guys! I ordered a combo pack of hand and toe warmers, if I cannot fit them in my boots, they will still be useful in my normal boots after skiing. I am most worried about my toes. I think the change of socks will really help. I hope my hotel has a dryer for my socks because I don’t think I own 4 pairs of proper ski socks. Overall I think I will be fine. I just wanted to make sure there were no products that people swear by like smartwool ski socks or something
7 years ago
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