How to Dress for Sledding

Whizzing down a hill on a sled or toboggan is a great way to stave off the winter blues. But the fun activity can quickly be spoiled if any snow gets on your bare skin during a wipe-out. Dressing appropriately for sledding will help keep the cold at bay--the only reason you’ll have to head home is that it’s gotten too dark to keep speeding on the slippery slopes. Here are tips on keeping warm.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Thermal pants
• Thermal long-sleeved shirt
• Wool socks
• Sweatpants
• Hooded or fleece sweatshirt
• Snow pants
• Scarf
• Winter coat
• Two plastic bags
• Tape
• Snow boots
• Hat with earflaps
• Gloves or mittens

1. Pull on thermal pants and a long-sleeved shirt to help keep the cold at bay.

2. Tug a pair of wool socks over both your feet. If you don’t have wool socks, layer a few regular pairs of cotton socks over your feet.

3. Grab a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt—-preferably with a hood-—to go over your thermal gear. A fleece sweatshirt can also be used in place of a hooded one.

4. Locate a pair of snow pants, which usually are overalls that cover your waist.

5. Weave a scarf around your neck so there’s no skin exposed.

6. Zip up a winter coat over your sweatshirt.

7. Find two plastic bags and tie them around your shins using tape, if necessary, just in case some snow creeps into your boots.

8. Tie or zip a pair of snow boots tightly over the bags.

9. Pull on a hat. Hats with earflaps that tie under your chin work the best, but make sure it’s at least snug on your head so it doesn’t go flying off.

10. Tug on a pair of gloves or mittens—-whichever you’re most comfortable wearing.

11. Hit the slopes!

Tips & Warnings

• Dressing in layers ensures that you will have enough clothes on to keep you warm. If one layer underneath your coat or snow pants happens to get wet, or if you are simply too hot, just peel it off. Just make sure you keep your gloves and hat on.