Snowsport "Extras"

Last week we talked about the basics of layering for snowsports. This week, let's talk about those little "extras" that make a ski trip that much more enjoyable.

Goggles: I love my goggles and won't go skiing without them, even night skiing. The protection they give me from the wind is needed and much appreciated. You can try the sunglasses route, if you like, but I found I needed the coverage of goggles to keep me from ending up at the bottom of a run with streaks down my cheeks from the wind-caused eye-watering.

Hats: Unless it's particularly warm, you need a hat. Nothing special here, just different styles and materials. Some are wool, some are fleece, some have Gore Windstopper, some don't.

Balaclavas or Neck Gaiters: Balaclavas cover the head, neck, and face, but allow for multiple configurations depending on conditions. Neck gaiters are just tubes of fabric to keep your neck warm. Again, different styles and materials. My personal configuration for my head is a neck gaiter and hat overlapping my ears and kept in place with my goggles.

Gloves: Waterproof and insulated. Look for ones with goat leather palms for grip and a soft nose wipe for the sniffles. Glove liners are optional, but if you find your hands to be cold more often than you like, they can only help.

Socks: Specially made ski socks incorporate padding on the heel and ball of your foot and your shin. The shin padding is especially welcome. Merino is the material of choice for its warmth and moisture management. If you need more warmth, we have some mountaineering socks that are cushioned all around. Again, sock liners are optional. Make sure you size your ski boots to the thickness of socks you will be wearing. Nothing can freeze your feet faster than constricted blood circulation.

Hand and Toe Warmers: If you can never seem to keep your hands and feet warm enough, and good gloves, socks, and boot fitting don't work, these are your best friends. They come in packs and, when exposed to air, they get some good heat going. The toe warmers are a little smaller and usually have an adhesive side so you can stick them above your toes in your boots.

That's a good list to get you going, if you have any questions or want to talk about your latest trip, just come by one of our shops!

Layering for Skiing (or Snowboarding)

We at High Country outfit a lot of people for their ski trips out West. Or North. Pretty much anywhere but Georgia. I find myself almost always explaining the concept of layering (which we covered in three parts here, here, and here). I thought it might be beneficial to talk about it specifically for skiing (or snowboarding).

If you'll remember, layering consists of three layers: base layer, midlayer (or insulation layer), and shell. The base and shell layers are easy for skiing, and will rarely change. The midlayer is your most versatile and changeable layer.

For your baselayer, you're going to want a good midweight top and bottom. Capilene 3 from Patagonia or either Icebreaker BodyFit200 or BodyFit260s (the 260s will be a little warmer). Depending on the length of your ski trip you may be able to get by with one set of baselayers or you may need 2 or 3 sets.

Any shell will do, but some are specifically made for snowsports, and some you might want to avoid. Try and stay away from the ultralight ultrapackable types of shells, as they may not be durable enough for the rough and tumble world of lift skiing. Some ski specific jacket features that are nice include a powderskirt to keep the snow out when you fall, a hood for nastier weather, and a little ring for lift tickets. In your shell pants, look for instep patches to take the beating from your skis, powdercuffs to keep snow out, and articulated knees to allow for freedom of movement. Also make sure the jackets comes down far enough and the pants come up high enough to keep everything covered and warm.

Your midlayer is what you'll change to accomodate different ski and weather conditions. You'll probably always want your base layer on and always your shell, but different weight midlayers can help out in different situations. Just let your own sense of style guide you. A couple of recommendations: avoid cotton. Cotton is horrible at managing moisture so leave it for the bars at night. Fleece works well, as does merino. Also, a lot of people will only wear a midlayer for their torso, not their legs, so don't be afraid to go that route. If you know that you tend to be cold, go ahead and grab some fleece tights or pants to help insulate your legs.

Hope this helps! Stop by either of our shops or give us a call and we can help you get your ski clothing sorted out.

Winter Sale: Going on Now

Check out our Winter Sale, going on now at both of our Atlanta stores and online.

Sale ends 1/10/2010.