Alpine, touring and Nordic skiing all are highly intense activities that produce body heat and perspiration, and wearing the appropriate clothing allows skiers to enjoyably remain active in all conditions. Layering, as it is called, is the most efficient way to dress for high activity in snow conditions, according to weather.com. Base layers pull moisture away from the skin, helping it breathe through the fabric. Mid layers, or insulating layers like fleece, retain body heat. Outer layers, jackets and pants protect the skier from wind and weather.
Base Layers
Base layers are usually silk, wool or synthetic lightweight materials made of fine fibers that wick or draw moisture away from the skin to the outside of the garment. This keeps skiers dry, and in winter conditions, to be dry is to be warm. According to Polartec.com, evaporative cooling occurs when the body sweats and the moisture on the skin evaporates. This is one of the biggest reasons people get cold. Many companies produce their version of breathable base layers, available in short-sleeveed or long-sleeved T-shirts, and various weight, or thickness, bottoms.
Mid Layers
Fleece has become a standard-issue fabric when it comes to ski clothing. It is lightweight, a terrific insulator, and it performs well when wet. A medium-weight fleece over a light base layer creates a heat-retaining ventilation system that allows the body to breathe, or release moisture without losing heat, as the moisture spreads over the base layer fabric and dries bewteen it and the fleece. Some fleece garments feature a tight-knit wind barrier that seals in body heat even more than normal fleece materials. Remember that your legs will generate a good deal of heat, so lighter weights may be more comfortable for your lower body.
Outer Layers
A hard- or soft-shell outer layer will seal in your body heat, keeping it isolated in the insulating layer. Shell jackets and pants are the primary barrier between you and the winter conditions. Soft shells may move better, but hard shells absorb less moisture. Any shell should repel and resist water well and have vents to release body heat when needed. Hoods and adjustable Velcro straps should be feature options, with draw cords to tighten the waist line. Powder skirts are common on ski shells, an inner waist line skirt that seals out snow. Gore-Tex is a popular ski shell material because of its ability to allow moisture to escape, but not allow any moisture to penetrate the material. A Gore-Tex membrane in any shell garment enhances its function as a weather barrier.
Hats and Helmets
A winter hat makes your body feel warmer. Adding a hat may not be like putting on an entire layer of clothing, but hats warm your face, ears and neck, and according to soundmedicine.com, those areas are five times as sensitive to the cold as other parts of the body. Hats also protect your ears and forehead from branches and other possible encounters. Look for quality materials and a comfortable lining for next to your skin. Fine wool hats are durable and weather resilient. Make sure your hat can block the wind. Better still for protection are helmets. Helmets protect skiers from impacts, brushes with limbs and most of all, other skiers. They are available with custom fitting and comfortable lining.
Gloves
Spending the day outside with cold digits is no way to enjoy a day on the slopes. Nice, warm gloves with good dexterity and weather resistance are the finishing touch on ski wear. Look for tough materials like nylon or leather. Your hands will sweat as you warm up, so consider only breathable systems. Some gloves can be worn with a liner, a base layer for your hands. The gloves vs. mittens debate is an old one. Some feel that mittens are warmer but reduce dexterity. Others feel that gloves are no more dexterous and can actually cause cold fingers. Experiment with what works best for you.
Member Comments