Since the snow won’t come to us, we’re going to it this weekend. The temperatures will be in the single digits, which I think is colder than we’ve ever been (the kids have never seen snow at all). We’re going to do some skiing, and this is the basic outfit:
Undies
Base layer (non-cotton)
Sweater
Ski pants
Ski jacket
Hat
Wool socks
Do you think I ought to consider some jeans or maybe another base layer? Perhaps there is a keeping-warm secret that we Floridians don’t know? Right now I’m trying to mentally prepare myself to just be cold.
I have always worn jeans under my ski pants. Perhaps not so much for warmth, but back at the lodge you can strip off your ski pants and be comfortable.
A good pair of gloves, or preferably mitts, is a good idea, goggles too. Apart from that, you’ve got the right idea.
I wouldn’t bother with jeans! They aren’t warm, and they get sticky with sweat, and they’re stiff and inflexible. I think you should be ok, but every person is different. If you feel you need another layer, polarfleece pants are light, flexible, and warm.
Also, for gloves, a thin liner glover, under a thicker waterproof glove, is really handy. If you need to pull off the outer glove (to do up a zipper, find some money, or whatever) your hands wont be completely bare.
Scarf, can do, goggles ditto. We do have some gloves (forgot to list them, won’t forget to pack them)!
Jury still out on jeans? The first time I skied I wore some jeans that were tight around my ankles, so they had to go inside the ski boot. By the end of the day, I was thinking it might be best to just amputate my feet! Polar fleece, now that sounds nice.
Avoid jeans at all costs. If you must wear cotton pants, use something much softer like sweats, but jeans are awful when wet and cold. They freeze solid.
Yeah, a neck gaiter and a hat, a hat that covers the ears, or a hat and a headband wrap thingy, just in case. Sunglasses/tinted goggles depending on conditions. Sunscreen. And gloves, of course, but you said you’ve got those. As long as everybody keeps moving you should be plenty warm, even too warm–but better to be too warm than cold. No cotton layers at all.
If your ski pants are well insulated you’ll be fine.
Get REAL ski socks, not whatever wool socks you have lying around. Wear a sock liner (not your usual socks, a specific ski base layer sock that’s ultra thin) underneath them. So 2 pairs of socks. Preferrably 4 pairs - I like to come back during our late lunch and change into fresh, warm socks.
Get a neckwarmer like The Masque that goes over your face/nose.
No jeans, no scarf. Get a real neckwarmer that blocks the wind but won’t be itchy. If you don’t dress properly you’ll itch like the dickens; you need only things that wick. What is okay when you’re outside for 5 minutes walking to your car in a cold climate is the worst thign ever when you wear it for 8 hours straight.
No cotton undies, either, get wicking ones. And wear a sports bra if you’re a sizeable B cup or larger.
Chapstick with an SPF in it too.
ETA: Lots of women don’t wear hats because all their hair makes the hat shrug off. I’d get a thick pair of earwarmers so they stay put. I don’t even ski in a parka and I’m a person that’s perpetually cold, so a very thick wind-blockign fleece jacket makes you more mobile and comfortable, IMO.
ALSO! If you’re skiing more than one day, make a reservation for a hottub session that night with your spouse. Otherwise you’ll be so sore it’ll be difficult to ski the next day.
The outside breast pocket is where money/medication/epi pens go.
Forget hats, I never ski without a helmet. It’s not only for protection against trees (where I ski a lot) but from other skiers. Besides, it’s the warmest hat you’ll ever use. Most ski areas will rent them or you can buy one if you plan on spending a lot of time on the slopes.
I have given up on the liner socks idea, and just go with a single pair of fairly thin socks. My telemark boots are very warm; not sure how it translates to alpine gear.
Mittens are much warmer than gloves. If you’re worried about cold hands go with mittens. Scarfs are not a good idea on chairlifts, a neck gaiter will be much better.
Don’t ever tuck anything inside your boots. The only thing that should be between your boots and your legs are your socks. A lot of people think the gators on their ski pants go inside their boots. Because the boots are intended to be very tight, you will only create blisters etc. from the seams of whatever you put in there.
