What To Wear When You Ski: Warm Fingers and Toes

One of the most common questions you get when you sell gloves, mittens, ski socks and ski or snowboard boots is 'Are these going to keep me warm? My hands and feet get wicked cold'.  The answer most sales associates will have to this answer is 'Yes, they're super warm, you'll be fine'.  Well sometimes their hands and feet still get cold even though they have the proper gear protecting their hands and feet.  The problem isn't necessarily the gloves or mittens you have on or the awesome socks you just bought or even the ski boots you purchased that say 'Extra Warm' on the loop of the tongue.  The problem is most likely the rest of the gear you're wearing out on the mountain.

If you're not keeping your core warm, your hands and feet are going to get cold.  Here's a quick checklist to make sure you stay warm out on the mountain.

- Proper Baselayer.  Baselayers wick moisture (sweat) away from your skin, cotton doesn't do this it just soaks it up.  Moisture next to your skin = you feeling cold.

- Insulating layer.  Everyone usually goes overboard on this one and they end up looking like this.  If you feel or look like this out on the mountain, your over doing it. 

- Jacket/Pants. People usually look like the kid from 'A Christmas Story' when they don't have a good jacket.  A good jacket keeps the moisture and wind from cutting through while still being breathable.  Breathable jackets allow moisture out but not in.  

- Hat or Helmet.  Heat rises if you want to stay warm make sure you have on a hat or better yet a helmet!  The thick foam that protects your head is a great insulator, so good in fact that's why nicer helmets have vents.

- Neck Gator.  Make sure your neck is warm, wind and moisture can sneak its way through, that's bad mmmkayyyy. (If you watch South Park you'll get that reference)

- Socks. This should be a no brainer.  Grab a pair of ski or snowboard socks not the cotton ones you wear to the gym.

By doing all of these things you should be in good shape out on the hill. Your body needs to keep your core warm, if your core isn't warm your hyperthalmus will cut the supply of blood to your extremities.  The ones furthest away from the core are your toes and fingers.  So if your toes and fingers are getting cold don't be so quick to blame the gloves or boots.   

Couple things to remember when layering.  Make sure all your gear is warm and dry when you put it on.  Bring a couple pairs of socks with you to the mountain, your feet sweat a lot, if you start to get cold, go inside and swap out the socks.