How To: Coping With Deep Cold

Multiple layers from head to toes and no exposed skin is the way to go when skiing in the deep cold.

C-C-C-oping With D-D-Deep C-C-Cold

Sometimes, with the way the weather dorks on the news blather about “Dangerous Cold” “Wind Chill Factor Advisories,” you’d think they were predicting floods, fires, earthquakes,  tornadoes  and, quite possibly, the end of civilization as we know it.

Makes those of us in the know laugh out loud while we are out skiing and snowboarding and having a marvelous time on epic snow and empty slopes.
It’s perfectly possible to have a wonderful time skiing or riding when the actual air temperature is minus 20. Or colder. Here’s how to do it:

Dry = Warm

Before you  head out make sure your boots, gloves and clothing are perfectly dry — especially your boots.

The best I’ve used is the portable “Snap Dry” from Hotronic, which goes with me on every ski trip, and the larger stay-at-home units from Dry Guy which will dry both boots and gloves at once.

One note of caution though. If you have heat-molded custom insoles in your boots, the heat from some boot dryers (not the two mentioned) can damage them. I discovered this the hard way, take my word for it.

Fuel the Furnace

Before you ski or ride, eat a hearty breakfast. That’s the fuel to keep you warm until snack time. Remember, calories measure heat output. This is the perfect time for bacon, eggs and hashbrowns, or peanut butter spread thick  on whole wheat bread. High fat content is good. Avoid sweets, which provide only short-term fuel . . .

Also, drink a couple of extra glasses of water before you ski. Cold dry air dehydrates you, and your body needs to be fully hydrated for thermal efficiency. Coffee and other caffeinated beverages actually help dehydrate you, and alcohol is a real no-no in the cold.

Start at the Skin

Everyone has heard about dressing in layers—but it helps if you have the right layers: Always start with an ultrathin layer of lightweight wicking underwear—wool or polyester–tops and bottoms next to your skin. That way, even if you sweat (in a warm ski lodge, for example ), you’ve always got a warm, dry layer in that critical fraction of an inch next to your skin.

COTTON IS COOL (as in freezing . . .)

Don’t Wear Cotton Next To Your Skin! If you sweat even a little, cotton holds that moisture like a sponge, chilling you quickly. This is especially true on your feet. Feet always sweat and cotton socks are your quickest route to frostbitten toes.

Warm To The Core

When it gets colder, wear more ot thicker insulation layers. I still love a wool sweater, but polyester fleece (Windbloc versions are the warmest) or pile is lighter and warmer and more efficient.  est of all may be a Down or fiberfill “sweater” — too warm for all but the coldest days These are the layers you can adjust easily, adding or subtracting as necessary.

For your legs, two layers of long johns is sufficient for most weather. In deep cold, try fleece bibs over your lightweight long-johns. Jeans just don’t cut it in deep cold. They are heavy, restrictive and inefficient insulation..

What Windchill?

The key for top and bottom warmth is a windproof outer shell. If the wind can’t get at your skin, “wind chill” doesn’t matter! Whether that windproof shell is separate or part of an insulated garment makes no difference at all. The better wind-stopping layers are tightly woven nylon fabrics. The best are coated with Gore-Tex or a similar waterproof/breathable laminate.

Warm Feet

Boot Gloves help keep your feet warm--this is a simple, inexpensive product that works!

Today’s ski boots are so warm that cold feet normally shouldn’t be a problem for folks with good circulation–if you start with your boots warm and dry.

If you drive to the hill—even a short drive—make sure your boots are near the heat in the car. Don’t throw them in the trunk or the back of the wagon or, worse, in the clamshell on top! It may be inconvenient for a passenger to have them underfoot for the drive, but it will pay off on the hill.

Heres a real insider’s tip: I carry a hair drier in my ski pack. In the ski lodge, I give boots a blast of heat just before I put them on. Makes a big difference.

At the end of the day, you can either pull out your liners and leave them in a warm (not hot), dry place with good air circulation, or get yourself some electric  boot dryers.

Socks make a big difference. Wool or polyester in the thin, ski-specific socks are best. One good lightweight sock of the proper thickness is warmer than having your toes cramped with heavier socks–which can restrict circulation.  If you find your feet getting cold, just head for the lodge, change your socks for warm, dry ones and reheat your boots with your hair drier.

Sad to say, the inexpensive chemical warmer packs probably won’t work if your boots fit properly. There just isn’t room. If you’ve got  enough room in your ski boots for two pairs of socks, or thick socks, or a boot warmer pack, your boots are too big and you need new ones. See our discussion on buying boots

If, despite all precautions, your feet still get cold easily, invest in battery powered boot heaters–such as the ones from Hotronic  or Hot Foot and have them installed at a ski shop where they can inlay the heater into your insoles.

A less expensive alternative are neoprene Boot Gloves which helps insulate your boots. This is a simple, inexpensive, well made product that really works. I won’t go skiing without a pair in my ski pack.

If Your Feet Are Cold, Put On A Helmet

Once you’ve properly encased your body’s core, it’s much easier to keep your extremities warm. But heads, hands, and feet still require special consideration if you want to play in the snow when it’s really cold

Helmets are absolutely the best cold-weather headgear–warm and windproof. Combined with a windproof face mask and good goggles, a helmet seals your head and face in warmth.

The trend lately has been toward lighter helmets with more ventilation and less padding, but when warmth is critical nothing beats a full-coverage, hard-shell helmet like the original Scream  from Leedom. Without a helmet, the best alternative is a warm hat with a parka hood pulled over it.

Personally, I hate face masks, but I always have one of the fleece-lined neoprene ones from Gator or Seirus in my parka pocket, and I wear it whenever I have to.
A fleece neck gaiter with your collar zipped up around it will help seal your neck opening.

Cold weather means layers for your hands, too.  I use polypro liner gloves inside insulated mittens, and, in really cold weather, a windproof outer shell mitten over. Mittens are warmer than gloves. If the insulation around your fingers is too thick, it can restrict circulation and leave your fingers cold! If it gets really cold, throw a pair of the little chemical handwamer packs from Grabber or Heat Factory

Ski Smart

If one part of a mountain gets more sun or is more wind-sheltered, ski there. Take advantage of an enclosed tram or gondola or a summit warming hut if the area has one.

The Right Attitude

The final ingredient in skiing or riding comfortably in cold weather is attitude. Don’t plan to stay out the whole day. Instead, take three or four runs and come in to eat more and warm up, then head back out. After all, in deep cold, the snow is often prime and you don’t have to share it with anyone—so you aren’t losing out if you take a break. And you won’t have to wait in lift lines on really cold days.

If you know you are properly dressed, and know you’re going to have a great time on the slopes, you will! Be prepared, and don’t let the cold keep you a prisoner when you should be out enjoying skiing or riding.