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In the winter, a poor layering decision can turn a fun day of skiing into a fight to stay warm. As such, I take my warmth pretty seriously when playing in the snow, whether I’m on the resort or in the backcountry. Here are some items I consider to be essential to my warmth for a day of skiing.
Good Layers
Good layers make all things difference. I normally end up with three main layers: my base layer, a mid-weight layer like a thin puffy jacket, and my waterproof shell. As far as bottoms go, I normally stick with just a base layer and my snow pants, sometimes a pair of athletic shorts just to have another layer of fabric on my thighs, especially for stormy chairlift rides.
A super cool base layer option I’ve been wearing recently is the Seirus Heatwave Base Layer. They’re made with reflective material that traps your body heat and keeps you four to five degrees warmer. If that futuristic thermal tech isn’t your jam, it’s hard to go wrong with Patagonia’s line of Capilene Baselayers. They come in a few different thicknesses and I usually go with the lightest option. They’re super comfortable and last forever.
When it comes to my mid-weight layer, I normally have a few options. I generally switch between two puffy jackets, a synthetic liner from Mountain Hardwear, and my Patagonia Down Sweater for when I need extra warmth. For the outer shell, waterproofing is the most important aspect. There are a lot of great options out there, like the Patagonia Snowdrifter Jacket.
Pants-wise I like snow bibs for added heat retention and snow protection, just make sure they’ve got some good ventilation, especially if you plan on wearing bibs in the backcountry.
The Right Socks
Having good socks can make a huge difference in the snow, and as you might know, the thickest, chunkiest socks you can get your hands on are actually not the best socks for snow activities like skiing or snowboarding. I’m a huge fan of Darn Tough socks for a couple of reasons. First of all, they make great socks for a wide variety of applications, and secondly, they have an actual lifetime guarantee. Their Function 5 Ski and Snowboard Socks are some of the best ski socks I’ve ever owned, a mid-weight sock that keeps my feet warm while still allowing wiggle room, and with extra padding in high-friction areas.
Keep Hands Warm
Sometimes they’re just not enough to just have glove liners. Somebody will bring a rechargeable hand warmer to warm their hands either. Like Ocoopa Union 5S rechargeable hand warmer which can heat for 15 hours constantly. No more worries about hands being cold anymore. Meanwhile, the Union 5S also has four adjustable gears, allowing you to adjust to a comfortable temperature at any time. What's more, it also can be used as a battery bank which means you don't have to bring another battery tank that lightens your load.
Keep Body Fueled
Chocolate contains caffeine, which ups your metabolism causing your body to produce more warmth. Hot tea or cocoa is good, and you also need a thinner thermos like Klean Kanteen’s TKWide can minimize the bulk while keeping beverages hot all day.
Do you already ready for winter skiing? Let's start a pleasant winter skiing trip!
