How to Dress for Snow Biking

Nothing will ruin a good snow biking trip as getting too cold to ride. Not only is cold uncomfortable, but it can also turn dangerous. Learning to dress for snow biking is not as simple as you may think, as comfort, practicality and common sense all have to be taken into account when choosing clothing to snow bike safely.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Thermal underwear
• Ski mask
• Scarf
• Waterproof gloves
• Windproof jackets

Choose the Right Clothing

1. Dress in layers. Whether you're carrying a backpack or not will make a difference on the type of clothes you can select. If you dress in layers and need to remove one, but don't have a backpack to put it into, make sure it's something you can tie around your shoulders or waist.

2. Wear a windproof jacket if you are snow biking at high altitudes or in open terrain. Even at a warmer temperature, wind can be extremely uncomfortable and can make you ill. Even if the wind is only blowing slowly, remember that it will feel much stronger once you're riding downhill at high speeds.

3. Look at the weather report before you go out. High humidity will make your clothes wet, even if you're not hot enough to sweat. Dressing in layers and wearing absorbent cotton as your first layer will somewhat fix this problem.

4. Wear a hat, gloves and thick socks. These are the three areas most likely to get cold. They are also the areas where the heat escapes from your body the fastest. Protecting them from the cold will keep you warmer than any other thing you do.

5. Wear waterproof gloves that have a warm lining, but are not too thick. Thick gloves may compromise your grasp on the bike and can lead to slipping or accidents. Wearing two pairs of gloves may also help.

Tips & Warnings

• Once temperature reaches 25 F, you're at a serious risk for frostbite. Make sure no skin is exposed, which means you may have to wear a ski mask or wrap your face with a scarf.
• Ski goggles are a good idea if you're riding in uneven terrain that may produce flying debris.
• Avoid loose clothing that may get caught in the moving parts of the bike or in fallen branches or rocks. Try to choose boots or sneakers without shoelaces, which can easily become untied. You should also avoid thick, heavy scarfs that can interrupt your line of vision.

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