How to Stay Warm While Skiing

It's cold outside when you ski

Skiing is a cold weather sport. You ski outdoors in the winter weather, battling wind and snow and sometimes sleet. Staying warm isn't easy and requires forethought and some specialized clothing.

Things You'll Need

• Hot packs
• Waterproof coat
• Earmuffs or hat
• Waterproof gloves
• Scarf
• Turtleneck or dickie
• Waterproof or water resistant pants
• Change of clothes
• Night and day goggles
• Ski mask

Instructions

1. Prepare your body in advance for skiing. Get plenty of rest the night before you ski, and drink plenty of fluids. Drink some orange juice and have a healthy meal an hour or so before you hit the slopes. All of this will help arm your body and get it ready to deal with the cold weather.

2. 

   Choose the appropriate clothing. Wear layers so you can take off a layer if the sun comes out and the weather gets warmer. After you sweat, you get a chill as the sweat starts to dry. If you wear clothing that breathes, sweating won't be as much of an issue. Wear comfortable layers so that you can still move freely. If you are stiff, this could cause you to fall and get wet, which will also make you cold. Always wear something to protect your neck, such as a turtleneck or dickie.

3. Wear protective outer gear. Wear a waterproof coat, made of a material such as Gore-tex. Gore-tex allows the sweat and heat inside of the coat to escape, so you don't get wet and you stay warm. Wear insulated pants or pants that are water resistant. Water resistant pants allow your skin to breathe. Insulated pants give an extra lining for warmth, but don't allow for as much breathing. Choose insulated pants on an extremely cold day.

4. Use accessories. Wear waterproof gloves so that your hands don't become wet when you fall on the wet snow. Add a warm scarf and a hat or earmuffs. Protect your face. Wear ski goggles that work at night or during the day, and add a ski mask to cover the rest of your face.

5. Use heat packs. You can buy heat packs at any sporting goods or department store for about $5 for a pack of two or four. Place these inside your boots, inside your gloves, or any other creative place you choose to stay warm.

6. Go indoors periodically. Every hour or two, go inside and warm up. Have some hot chocolate or hot apple cider.

7. 

   Check the weather before you go skiing. Choose a day where the weather is predicted to be clear and sunny, with no precipitation. It will be easier to stay warm if the sun is shining, there is little wind and no snow is falling.

Tips & Warnings

• For added warmth, tuck your pants into your ski boots. This stops snow from getting inside of your boots.

• Bring a change of clothes with you. If you fall down and get wet, you'll have something dry to change into.

• Put warm blankets in your car. If you're skiing somewhere that doesn't have a lodge or indoor place to get warm, you can cover yourself with the blankets when you get done skiing.

• Try not to fall down. Snow gets on your clothes each time you fall, allowing you to get wet if your clothing isn't waterproof.

• If you start to feel extremely cold and your fingers or toes get numb, go inside immediately. Go into the ski lodge and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.