Cold-haters have no reason to avoid enjoying the winter experience. This guide will help you avoid buying a Canada Goose jacket and still stay warm all winter.
With only three steps to turn a Cold-Weather Hater into a Winter-Sport Lover.
Every fall I get very excited. The fall weather triggers a lot of feelings for me. As a school teacher, the cooler air usually comes with the start of a new year; a new beginning and a transition into the holiday season. However, when the fall chill hits the air, I can feel the days counting down until our first snowfall and the commencement of winter sports. Some people think that winter is my favorite season because I get so excited for the snow and the opportunity to ski and snowboard. Most are surprised when I tell them that I hate winter temperatures and detest the cold. While scratching their head, I usually move forward with explaining that if you dress for the weather and activity, then there is no reason to ever feel cold. I hate the cold, but after years of being cold, I spent time learning how to best dress myself to not feel the elements.
The right balance of layers and materials will give you an advantage to avoid overheating and sweating, or worse, becoming an icicle and spending the day in the lodge with hot chocolate.
One thing to keep in mind is that skiing and snowboarding require a lot of physical movement. We all know when our bodies are in movement we are creating heat. Getting the right balance will help to leverage and trap your body heat within your clothing layers and help your body to stay thermal and warm without overheating, sweating, and consequently getting the chills.
Pro-Tip: The only layer you want in your boots is your socks. When shopping for bottoms (base layer or mid-layer) be mindful of the length of these layers. Look for items that stop just under the knee, mid-shin, or something that has a wide opening that can be shimmied up your leg and kept at the top of the boot.
Let's break down each layer, including both top and bottom, starting with the layer closest to your skin.
Base Layer: Pants and a long sleeve shirt. A great base layer is wicking (moisture-wicking fabric pulls sweat away from the skin, keeping you dry). Base layer is always the first layer against your skin. The best material is merino wool. Merino is warm, light-weight, and wicking. Avoid cotton-- once it is wet, it stays wet and acts as a heat conductor, taking heat away from your body. The moisture will also bring on the chills which will be nearly impossible to move past.
Pro-Tip: For colder days, you can tuck the shirt into the pants for stronger insulation and heat circulation.
Mid-Layering: After your skin-tight base layers are on, look for a mid-layer top that is a zip-up or a ¼ zip. This could be a light jacket, a sweater, hoodie, or the like. I prefer to wear a ¼ zip on colder days and a zip-up on warmer days. A mid-layer is designed to trap air under your jacket. For your bottom half, mid-layering could be sweatpants, joggers, or simply to double-up on base layers.
Outer Layer or a “Shell”: This layer is your jacket and snow pants. This is your layer that is waterproof and windproof. This layer is not necessarily thick or heavy, as its purpose is to keep you sheltered from wind and dry from the elements. This layer is simply your winter coat and snow pants. For highest quality, look for Gore Tex products.
Pro-Tip: If you feel like you’re overheating, dump the heat by unzipping and letting the heat trapped in your layers free. Only dump for as short as it takes to release some heat. You don't want to keep your jacket open too long as it can take a while to warm up again.
Join us at Mountain Creek every Saturday and Sunday, January through March. To find out more of our ski and board program for children with ASD, ADHD, anxiety, and emotional intelligence needs, visit our website: compasslearningadvantage.com/i-can-ski-board
