Be prepared, start layered.

The key to staying warm when the temperatures start to dip into ‘maybe I’ll just stay home’ numbers, is all about layering. From head to toe, having the right layering strategy will go a long way towards keeping you comfortable when winter decides to remind us that she’s in charge.

Head

We lose a ton of heat from our heads, so keeping your head and neck covered is key to staying warm when it’s cold out. There is plenty of room for personal preference. If you don’t like wearing a hat, a fleece lined headband with a buff pulled up over your ears works great.

Face 

Your face is the only skin that is exposed to the elements, so taking precautions will help prevent dry skin, or frostbite. You want to put a protective layer between your skin and the wind/cold. Sunscreen is great because it provides a barrier from the wind and cold, while also protecting you from the sun. You can always add a little vaseline (or Dermatone) to your nose and cheeks for a bit of an extra buffer. If it’s bitterly cold, and especially if it is windy, upgrade to face tape. EnjoyWinter makes anAnti-Freeze Face Tape that is pre-cut to fit your face, but you can also cut your own from KT Tape (not duct tape!).

Core

Keeping your core warm will help with the circulation of blood to the rest of your body. If your core starts to get too cold, the body will reduce circulation to the extremities as a defense mechanism. One way to get too cold is to be too warm. Sweat is great in the summer for keeping us cool, but in the winter, it is one of the fastest ways to go from toasty warm to shivering. Layers are your friend; so you can take off or put on clothes to keep your temp warm but not too hot. Everybody will need a slightly different layering system depending on their temperature regulation, but once you get it dialed in, skiing in the cold becomes far more enjoyable.

Sample Layering Strategy: 

We want enough layers to stay warm, but not so many that we are actually constricting the blood flow in any way.

Top:

1. Baselayer - wool (naturally sweat wicking)
2. Optional second baselayer - a wool t-shirt works great.
3. Insulated ski jacket (not necessarily a down coat, but not just a windbreaker)
4. Down vest - Vests are great because they keep the core warm, but allow some ventilation in the arms to help you not overheat.

Bottom

1. Baselayer - wool (naturally sweat wicking)
2. *Optional second baselayer either under or over the first - Craft, Swix & others make baselayer shorts that are great for adding some extra protection to the thighs and butt (for men, wind briefs serve this purpose).
3. Tights - if planning on doing intervals or racing, also a good wind layer.
4. Insulated ski pants (try a pair with extra insulation on the front, with breathability in the back).

*if it's windy try a baselayer with wind protection on the front, or DIY by covering the front of your shirt with duct tape. You can do this on your baselayer pants as well, making sure to cover the thighs and butt, which are particularly prone to getting cold/frostnip.

Hands and Feet 

Start dry. If you are driving to the trailhead, change into a dry pair of socks before putting your boots on. Add a pair of toe warmers (open them a few minutes before you put them in your boots, they need air to activate so if you put them in your boots right away sometimes they don’t get as warm), or upgrade to a pair of heated socks. Nordic boots are not very weatherproof, so adding a boot cover will keep all that warmth trapped in your boot, instead of dispersing into the air. For your hands, mittens with hand warmers usually keeps your fingers toasty warm, but it's still a good idea to keep a dry pair of gloves in your car or water belt to change into in case your hands get too sweaty.

cold fingers = frostbite = permanent damage! 

Recommended Gloves for cold weather skiing:

KinetXx Sol XWarm Mitten

Quirin Over Mitten

Jonna GTX Lobster Mitten

If its cold out, it takes a lot more energy for your body to stay warm and exercise at the same time. Make sure you are eating enough before and during your ski to make sure you have the calories you need (think of adding wood [snacks] to a fire [your body]) to stay warm. Putting warm honey tea, or heating up your drink mix is a great way to stay hydrated while also getting a boost of warmth (a layer but on the inside?). Lastly, try not to stop skiing for too long, and change your baselayer into something dry as soon as you finish skiing. Your sweat will start to cool you off very quickly when you stop moving, and once you get cold it's really hard to get warm again.

Staying warm is all about preparing well and knowing how your body specifically responds to the cold. Winter is not the time to be bold, start cold. Rather, be prepared, start layered (I swear it rhymes if you say it right).

Good luck and stay warm!