How to keep warm on the slopes

Your ski jacket is your first line of defence against the cold. For those who feel the cold or who enjoy frequent ski sessions in cold climates, a ski jacket with a waterproof outer layer and a padded inner layer is an excellent choice.

The downside is that these layers aren't so breathable and versatile when the temperatures begin to warm up, but they're an excellent way to keep warm on cold days.

Then, the choice of your ski trousers can also have an impact on your warmth. Most people focus on the upper body more than the lower body when dressing for a ski trip, and ski trouser options are more limited than the jacket ranges on offer. However, this doesn't have to prevent you from keeping warm.

Similarly to ski jackets, many skiers wear non-thermal ski trousers, which are pretty thick, and instead focus on a warm base layer instead. With thick thermal trousers and ski socks covering your lower legs, you'll definitely be warmer.

In addition to your ski jacket, your middle layer will handle a lot of the important work when it comes to heat insulation. To keep warm, you'll want to grab layer #2: a fleece and/or padded jacket (down or synthetic padding).

Finally, your base layer is closest to your skin and evacuates the humidity generated by your body, as well as regulating your body temperature. Merino wool and polyester are two of the most commonly-chosen materials for base layers. Merino wool may be more expensive, but it performs much better in terms of humidity evacuation. As for polyester, it's a less expensive option and more durable than wool, but not as comfortable and less odour-resistant.

Keeping your fingers and toes warm is essential when fighting the cold, and simple warmers for hands, feet and toes can be an effective and affordable way to keep comfortable. Disposable, inexpensive, and biodegradable... There's a great range available. 

To use them, you just need to slip them into your gloves or under your feet (when using a flat model, specifically for feet) in order to enjoy some extra warmth. They generally last 6 to 10 hours, which is more than enough to cover a day at the ski resort.

One last tip: if you have an extra heating pad, put it in the same pocket as your smartphone, as this will extend your phone's battery life.

In terms of keeping your hands warm, you'll also want to think about whether you prefer ski gloves or mittens. Gloves are the most popular choice for resort skiers, given the dexterity they allow for and their ability to grip a ski pole, to adjust boots and fixtures, etc. That said, mittens are better overall in terms of heat insulation, as your fingers warm each other up. The downside is that they seriously sacrifice freedom of movement for your hands. 

When skiing, there's a potential compromise in the form of three-fingered gloves, which have separate slits for your index finger and thumb, but which keep your other fingers together. There isn't a huge difference in terms of dexterity, and you'll leave your index finger vulnerable to the cold, but they're a viable option for skiers who suffer with cold fingers.

Find more info in our article: choosing gloves or mittens ?

One of the quickest ways to get cold is to stop moving while waiting in lines or on the ski lifts.

In this case, our best advice is to keep moving as much as possible.Swing your arms, slide your legs forward and backward, squat... Anything that can increase blood flow and get your body moving.

When you're done skiing, and if you're thinking about heading back out onto the slopes the next day, your first priority should be properly drying your kit. Firstly, take off your boots so that they have time to defrost. Next, take off any damp layers and unfold anything that you had in your backpack. If you have a fireplace or a wood stove, hang your kit close to it, but avoid hanging it too close - fire and intense heat can having a damaging effect on many materials.