When you go skiing, you might be tempted to assume that "more is better" and pile on lots of extra socks or gloves to keep warm. Although layering -- within reason -- does help keep both your core and your extremities warm, get carried away and you'll end up with so many bulky layers on your hands and feet that you can hardly ski. One or two warm and, perhaps more important, well-fitted layers, plus a few sensible precautions, are all you need to keep your hands and feet warm on the slopes.
Keeping Hands Warm
Step 1
Select gloves that fit well enough to stay on your hands, but still allow a reasonable degree of dexterity. Ideally, they should be waterproof and windproof, or at least water- and wind-resistant. The gloves shouldn't fit so tightly that they cut off your circulation, leaving your hands colder than you would have been without the gloves.
Step 2
Keep your gloves on when you're outside; as a general rule it's much easier to keep your fingers and toes warm than to warm them up once they've already gotten cold.
Step 3
Add a thin glove liner, if you need it, for extra warmth. You can also use the liner glove to compromise between dexterity and warmth: Remove your outer glove when you need hand dexterity, then slip the outer glove back on for extra warmth. Choose thin wool or synthetic glove liners, or you can also purchase electric glove liners; you carry the battery pack in your coat.
Step 4
Slide hand warmers into your gloves for even more warmth. Hand warmers provide hours of heat -- the exact duration depends on the brand -- and some gloves have slots specifically designed to accommodate the rectangular hand warmer packets.
Step 5
Carry an extra pair of dry gloves, or at least glove liners, if you expect to get wet. Even if you're not planning on getting wet, having an extra pair of dry gloves in the car is a good idea. You will be able to quickly warm cool fingers when you get back, and have an emergency pair for yourself or to lend to a buddy.
Keeping Feet Warm
Step 1
Try on your ski boots with the socks you intend to wear while skiing. This ensures that your boots fit correctly, leaving enough room for the socks to insulate your feet without pinching off your circulation or affecting how the boots fit. Make sure you choose wicking socks made of wool or synthetic material, so they won't hold cooling perspiration against your skin.
Step 2
Layer thin socks together for extra warmth if you need it, but limit yourself to a liner sock and thicker sock for insulation; piling on too many socks can make the ski boot feel sloppy and handicap your technique. Squeezing the extra socks into your boots may also pinch your foot enough to cut off your circulation.
Step 3
Use any of several warming solutions for your boots. You can place heat-reflecting insoles in your boots, or purchase electric socks or electric boot warmers. You can also purchase chemical foot warmers, which, like hand warmers, provide hours of continuous heat. The foot warmers have a lower profile than most hand warmers, and may be shaped to fit beneath your toes, or across the entire insole.
Step 4
Wear waterproof, windproof gaiters. The gaiters keep snow and water from leaking into your boots and chilling your feet, seal a gap that wind could have crept into and hold in a bit of heat.
Tips and Warnings
- If you still struggle with cold fingers, wear mittens or gloves with a fold-over mitten to cover your fingers. As long as they fit, mittens are warmer than gloves made of the same material. In very extreme conditions, add an over-mitt for extra insulation, or wind- and water-resistance. You can also purchase insulated overboots that snap on over your ski boots, to help warm your feet.
- Don't wear cotton gloves or socks. Cotton loses its insulating value when wet, and will hold moisture against your skin, cooling your fingers and toes instead of warming them. Instead, choose wicking materials such as wool or treated synthetics.
Things You'll Need
- Waterproof, windproof gloves
- Glove liners
- Hand warmers
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