Keepin' Warm at Snow Valley
The best way to dress for winter is to follow the 3-layer guideline of layering.
Depending on the weather conditions and activity level, layering allows you to add or remove layers.
These are the layers that you will want to wear:
Layer Up!
We highly recommend that you avoid wearing cotton clothing (jeans, sweatshirts, sweatpants, etc.) next to your skin, because it will absorb sweat and snow and make you cold.
For that same reason, wool or acrylic socks are better than cotton athletic socks. Wear one thin pair.
Ski and snowboard boots are designed to be warm. Thick socks or multiple socks will only give you blisters.
1. Wicking Layer
This layer is worn next to your skin, usually consisting of long underwear.
Look for thermal underwear made of synthetic — usually polyester– fibre with “wicking” power. It means the fibres will wick (move) moisture away from your skin and pass it through the fabric so it will evaporate. It keeps you warm, dry and comfortable.
Silk is also a good, natural fabric that has wicking abilities. Even though it’s cold, you will sweat – especially if you are snowboarding or snowshoeing.
2. Insulating Layer
This middle layer includes sweaters, sweatshirts, vests and pullovers. The purpose of this layer is to keep heat in and cold out, which is accomplished by trapping air between the fibres.
Popular insulation materials include Fleece, a synthetic material which maintains its insulating ability even when wet and spreads the moisture out so it dries quickly. Wool, which naturally wicks away moisture.
3. Protection Layer
The exterior layer, generally a shell and pants, serves as your guard against the elements of winter. It should repel water from snow, sleet or rain and block the wind while letting perspiration evaporate.
Most genuine winter shells and pants are made waterproof and breathable to some extent by using tightly woven fabrics teamed with a coating or laminate. It keeps moisture on the outside but allows perspiration to escape, keeping you dry and comfortable.
Depending on the weather and type of winter activity you will be doing, you may be interested in uninsulated pants and jackets/shells or garments with increasing amounts of insulation. Look for functional hoods, cuffs, pockets and zippers – details that make garments comfortable in a snowstorm.
Although less baggy than in previous years, most snowboard clothing is still designed to fit looser than alpine ski wear, giving snowboarders freedom of movement. In addition, many snowboard pants are reinforced in the seat and knees for extra protection when kneeling or sitting on the snow.
For Your Head
Headwear
Remember what your mother told you about the heat escaping your head and covering the noggin?
Not mandatory, but highly recommended, a helmet helps protect your head, and it keeps your head and ears warm and dry. (Wear a warm hat if you’re not using a helmet.) Helmets are available to rent at Snow Valley, and we have them available for purchase in our Boutique.
Eyewear
Protecting your eyes is a wise thing to do when skiing or riding.
Sunglasses can work on those sunny spring days when you want/need to look cool, but goggles are suggested when it is on the colder side or snowing.
Clothing & Footwear
Upper Body
Think breathability, think waterproof, think windproof.
Also, consider whether your jacket should have a liner or if you want to layer fleece and windproof materials underneath.
The layer closest to your skin should be made of some sort of wicking material so it will pull moisture (sweat) off your skin and keep your body dry.
Lower Body
Like your upper body, you must think it is breathable, waterproof and wind/weatherproof.
You’ll want to think about how many layers you need based on the weather on a given day, but be sure the outer layer allows for some protection against water – snow is found in water, you know.
Also helpful is to be sure your pants zip up on the side, at least up past your boot, so you can cover the boots with the pants and keep moisture out of the boot.
Hands
Your choice, gloves or mittens. It’s a preference thing. Gotta have ’em.
Feet
You’ll want either ski boots or snowboard boots. What goes under them is just as important.
When selecting socks, splurge. Happy feet are a skier/rider’s best friend.
The last thing you want to do is limit circulation in your feet, so keep that in mind when thinking about the thickness of your socks. To wiggle your toes is divine.
