Do you want to learn how to avoid being chilled to the bone by 10am on the pow day you’ve been looking forward to for weeks? I’m here to help. I’m the person who’s fingers and toes are cold even when it’s 30 degrees above on a hot summer day. Here are my top 4 tips on how to stay warm on the hill in the middle of winter.
Here are 4 easy tips, let’s get into it!
1. Choose the right base layer material
Knowing your ideal material blend is essential. Dependable base layers will keep you warm and keep your confidence ramped all day to ensure you push your limits and reach your potential on the hill. Use fabric that pulls your sweat away from your body to avoid the cold getting to it and freezing it to your skin. Even if it’s -30 degrees Celsius outside and you feel cold, you are still sweating to some degree. You want your base layers to pull that sweat off your body as soon as possible.
Avoid
Cotton: Cotton is a poor insulator and likes to hold onto moisture. If you wear it, you’re asking to be cold and wet.
Synthetics: Polyester and acrylic are your enemy when it comes to base layers. These fabrics do not breathe, leaving you cold and wet (see cotton).
Use
Cashmere: Cashmere wicks away sweat and is a great insulator. Cashmere is soft, comfortable, and one of the warmest options.
Merino wool: This type of wool is much less itchy than your typical wool. Personally, I don’t find it itchy at all, it’s amazing. Merino wool also wicks away sweat and is a natural insulator.
2. Mitts, not gloves
When it comes to the extremities, body heat should be conserved as much as possible. Switching from gloves to mittens made a huge difference for me. Instead of each finger being separated by material, each finger has skin to skin contact with another and you can curl your hands into a ball on your way up the chairlift.
3. Cover up
In my experience, any skin that is directly exposed to the air gets cold much faster than if that skin is covered with even a thin piece of fabric. For example, I prefer using a long neck warmer so I’m covered from the back of my neck and the top of my nose down to my chest.
4. Lodge pauses
Ever find yourself to be as cold as an ice cube even after just a few runs? If so, it’s worth popping into the lodge for even a quick 15 minute break to thaw out. I’ve recently discovered that taking off my boots during longer breaks, such as my lunch break, makes a huge difference in keeping my feet warm in the afternoon. Taking my boots off allows my socks to dry and gives my cold toes a chance to feel the heat from the warm air in the lodge. I encourage you to treat yourself to a coffee or hot chocolate during your lodge breaks. Warm liquids warm up your body from the inside out.
Try out these tips and reach your potential on the hill! If you have more tips on staying warm I invite you to drop them in the comments to help out your fellow boarders.
Cheers,
Jo
