Skiing Question?

Question

So when I am up at the mountain, I usally get cold. Then I get warm. I dont know what the best layers are. If you could describe the best way to layer up when going to the mountain. Whole body from head to toe. I ski. The mountain I go to can get as low was 15 F degress, and as high as 35 F.

Answer 1

You should start with thermal long underwear (shirt & pants). Then use the thickest wool socks you can find & warm mittens or gloves. Mittens are much warmer since your fingers touch each & you can rub them together to keep them warm. I good mitten will also have a warm liner & they should be the long ones that go up the arm significantly past your wrist. That way no cold air can get around your wrist. Make sure they can be fasten around your wrist & arm. Your feet & hands will be the areas that feel the cold first so keep them the warmest. Leather gloves or mittens are the best but can be expensive. Also try a good pair with a canvas waterproof outside, they're warm too. Next get an excellent ski suit (pants & ski jacket). The ones that come together as a set are the best. Make sure the ski jacket is lined. You should get them one sizer larger than you usually wear that way you can wear a pair of sweatpants under your ski pants & a ski sweater or sweatshirt under your jacket. Also, make sure you have a large ski cap & a thick long scarf to wrap around your neck. Wear ski goggles & this will keep a lot your face warm, especially around your eyes. Also, the strap from the goggles will keep your ski cap on your head tight & your head will stay warm!!! Good Luck!!!

Don

Answer 2

Layer your clothing, several thin layers of a wicking material to move your moisture away from your body.  Smart wool is a top of the line socks, under armor is well thought of for body covering under a good pair of ski pants.  A turtle neck shirt over another layer and under a sweater and jacket should protect you no matter how long you are out in the 15-20 weather.  A hat that covers your ears will regulate your body temperature and help cool you as needed and keep you warm as needed, just uncover your ears when too hot.

  If your toes are getting wet, try some duct tape over the lower seam of your boots. It will help keep the snow from leaking in and melting on your toes.

Answer 3

There are the obvious responses like good base layer (long underwear, zip t-neck, made of a high quality wicking material like Patagonia Capilene, or North Face Vaporwick, or Polartec Power Dry) but some of the overlooked ideas are to get good boots that fit correctly so your feet don't get cold because of restricted circulation. Also there are air-activated hand warmers that go in your gloves/mittens. If your boots are good and fit right you shouldn't need the toe warmers. Your boots should have all the insulation you need without wearing thick socks which will inhibit your control of your skis. Over your base layer, you'll need an insulation layer and a shell. Some pants and jackets have both layers in one, but if you heat up (and 15 isn't really very cold) you should wear separate insulation and shell layers, so you can switch to a thinner insulaton when you get hot. (eg: switch a heavy weight fleece liner for a thin one or a vest) Your shell should have a waterproof breathable membrane like Gore-tex so water vapor coming off your warmed-up body can pass through while not letting rain or mellted snow from soak in. Helmets are warmer than hats. If you wear a hat make sure it is windproof. If your face gets cold, wear a neoprene face mask or a balaclava. You would be insane to go out without goggles. Buy brand names, and go for quality. Do not....repeat DO NOT wear anything cotton and than means sweatpants and sweatshirts! you'll get wet and stay wet and then you'll get cold.

Answer 4

Usually the best thing to do with layers is to make sure the base layer isn't cotton.  You need a base layer that's wicked to help you stay dry.  Usually an Under Armor base layer works well.  I ski with UA, jeans and a long sleave shirt, a hoodie, ski pants and jacket.  A winter hat and if my head gets cold, I have the hood to put up.  I have cross country ski gloves for warmer days, and a good pair of winter ski gloves for the cold days.  For socks, I spent the money on a pair of wicked ski socks, that were like 20 bucks.  I ski in NY so it's generally cold and windy, and I stay warm.  Make sure if you stop to go inside to eat you shed some layers!

Answer 5

here are the layers i use that have worked great when it is very cold at the top of the mountain, and warmer at the base:

Top: Underarmour tank top, thermal undershirt, cotton longsleeve shirt, ski coat.

Legs: Normal briefs, thermal underwear (long), Ski bibs/snowpants.

Another GREAT thing to use is handwarmers in your gloves.  They warm up your whole body and when your hot you take them out of your gloves and put them in your pockets, then they're ready when you get cold again.  They aren't very expensive at places like Sam's or Walmart when you buy a bunch at one time.

Answer 6

You get warm because as you ski, you sweat. When you start to sweat is the time you should take a break and go into the lodge or wherever. If you sweat in the cold it is VERY easy to get hypothermia, believe me it's happened to me. Wear layers, NO cotton, especially no cotton socks. Wool socks, skin johns (if you like it's a preference thing), regular snow pants, thermal/non-cotton shirt, snow jacket (preferably one that can unzip into a thinner jacket for the warm days), face mask for those trips to the cold, windy top peak. The MOST important thing (at least i believe it is) a good pair of gloves, i NEVER cheap out on gloves. Your hands are your most important appendage and should NOT be ignored by buying some cheap junk at wal-mart or wherever. Wearing easy light non-cotton layers is the key.