Before you hit the slopes, you want to ensure that you’re warm and comfortable so you can best enjoy your time on the Alps. While the peaks are a sight to behold, weather in the winter can be harsh – temperatures can plummet at a moment’s notice, wind gusts can catch you off guard, and a full day of skiing requires an extensive mental and physical approach to acclimate for success. With adequate preparation, you can be warm, protected, and fueled from the first lift to the last run. Whether it’s your first skiing venture or you’re a seasoned vet, what you need to know to dress, move, fuel your body and rest in the Alps will drastically improve your experience. The following details are simple, yet effective means of remaining warm and comfortable during your trip.
The Importance of Layering for Warmth From Morning Until Night
When it comes to staying warm on your Alpine ski trip, ignore the temptation of that one, heavy jacket. Locals and those who’ve been skiing for a while know the power of layering and they frequently opt for three different layers that can be added and removed depending on the elements. A moisture-wicking base layer helps prevent sweat from dampening your skin (resulting in ultimate chill). Your mid-layer (fleece, wool, or even a lighter insulated jacket) helps add warmth by keeping the heat in. Geneva to Avoriaz ski transfers are often booked by travelers at the same time as they plan their gear, ensuring they arrive on the mountain fully prepared for changing temperatures throughout the day. Your shell is a waterproof and windproof outer layer to prevent you from getting wet or feeling the full effects of wind chill and differing temperatures outside. Layers allow you to adapt as the day goes on and it warms up but keeps you cozy on that morning chairlift ride before the sun hits the slopes.
The Value of Quality Accessories to Keep Extremities Warm
Regardless of how great your clothing is, if your hands, feet or face are cold, it’s going to be uncomfortable. Hands, feet, and heads are the most susceptible to the cold and that’s why it’s vital to invest in quality accessories. Insulated, waterproof gloves or mittens will keep your hands warm while also allowing a solid grip to maneuver your poles (if you use them) and ski pass. Thick ski socks will help keep your feet in your boots warm but they also need to be waterproof. Helmets, while they’re meant to protect your head should you fall, keep in heat so they’re much better than hats. A neck warmer or a balaclava covers your face and neck from the cold. When all your extremities are well protected, the rest of your body will be warmer and more comfortable on the slopes.
The Necessity of Outerwear To Withstand All The Elements While Skiing
Outerwear is your most important layer against all the elements you’re sure to face in the Alps when it comes to choosing a ski jacket and trousers. Ensure that they are waterproof rated, breathable with elements of wind resistance to keep you both dry and warm. Jackets with hoods and adjustable features like snow skirts and ventilation zippers allow for personal comfort while out in it all. Ski trousers should be warm enough to keep your legs from getting chilly while sitting on the lift but not bulky enough that they sacrifice your movement when skiing down the mountain. Reliable options will truly pay off in the long run, ensuring you’re dry, warm and confident regardless of what Mother Nature has in store for you.
Stay Dry and Avoid the Chill Effect of the Cold Weather
You’re cold if you’re wet and no matter how cold it is, it’s not that cold, but when you’re moist, snowy, wet to the bone, and the body starts to lose heat, things get problematic. The best way to ensure this doesn’t happen is to wear moisture-wicking base layers and avoid cotton at all costs. Your gloves and your boots should be completely waterproof, and if it’s snowing out, do not wear shoes. If you have ever gotten cold or chilly, then you know that the best thing you can do is to strip layers off to find comfort on the slopes. Find a mountain hut or a stop where you can change wet accessories. A dry glove goes a long way and a glove that has retained some heat still makes a difference. Maintaining good gear is not easy, but far easier than when you’ve got frostbite setting in. Staying dry is the best way to ensure warmth all day long.
Eating and Drinking to Stay Warm from Energy
The body generates warmth by burning energy so warm meals and proper snacks are essential to maintain any sort of warmth. Eating a filling breakfast in the morning will ensure that your body has everything it needs for hours of skiing. Carbs and proteins are absolutely critical to make sure you get a head start on those downhill ventures early in the morning. Pack some nuts or a candy bar or energy bar in your pocket for a mid-morning snack to keep everything burning from the inside out so you’ve got that requisite energy to keep on going. For lunch/break, stick with warm meals (soup, stew, pasta) to recreate that inner warmth and provide the necessary energy required for this last segment of the day. Hydration is also important; even if one doesn’t think they need water due to the cold temperatures, their body has lost a lot through sweat that needs to be replenished. Warm beverages (tea or hot chocolate) work wonders to keep energy levels and body temperature up.
Take Advantage of the Alpine Mountain Huts and Breaks
There are countless spots throughout an alpine ski area where one can find a warm mountain hut and either respite from warmth or a meal from which their body can take a break and replenish energy levels. Breaks throughout the day help someone regulate temperature as fingers and toes can warm up and bodies can prepare for more skiing. Stopping for a moment in the gusts of wind or snowy mix allows one’s gear to cool down as it dries out and allows the body to reset. It also enhances the experience of being in the Alps as countless skiers have surely stopped here before and seen these views while enjoying traditional alpine meals along the way. It’s all about rhythm – ski, stop, rejuvenate – because it’s not only cold, but spirits need maintaining too.
Adjust Your Pace to Stay Warm and Comfortable
As a beginner, you’re not fully aware of how physical an endeavor skiing is. Without rest, you’ll be fatigued and unable to warm your internal systems. Instead, when you take a consistent and comfortable pace, your body adapts naturally. The best way to stay warm while skiing is to take it at a comfortable speed, feel it’s necessary to stop every so often (to rest for a moment), and progressively warm up in the morning and cool down in the evening. This approach brings the body into the cold temperature at a manageable rate. Should you push it to one extreme or another, you could find yourself injured or frozen before the day is over. Know your body. Go at a comfortable pace, and enjoy yourself.
Hand Warmers and Heat Packs Work Wonders
Although accessories for skiing like hand warmers, toe warmers, and little heat packs are seemingly easy additions to life in the winter, they work wonders regardless of how extreme conditions are. These little items pack hours of warmth into glove compartments, boot spaces, and pocket areas, providing much-needed relief when it’s unexpectedly windy, on a long lift ride, or just cold in general. They’re small, often very light, easy to transport, and some avid skiers keep them on hand as a reliable backup plan when deep into winter. These accessible items make a world of difference when they’re all you need to stay warm!
Understand How Altitude Impacts Your Temperature
Altitude comes into play with how you feel, too. Elevation makes the air thinner, which means it gets colder faster. You might find yourself out of breath or with a slight headache on day one. Drinking extra water, avoiding alcohol early in the day, and taking it slower help acclimate your body to any temperature adjustments it may be making for itself. In addition, dressing appropriately for altitude helps ensure warmth. Understanding how altitude impacts your skiiing experience ensures comfort when traipsing through the slopes.
Why Staying Warm Affects Everything Else About Skiing
Everything else about skiing – in the Alps or anywhere else – is predicated upon your warmth. If you’re not warm – and subsequently uncomfortable or unable to function properly – you’re doomed to fail at the endeavor. The more you stay warm, the better you feel (despite fatigue at the end of the day) and the more efficiently you can ski without injury. Ultimately, it’s about retaining those sensations that keep you from freezing and make you appreciate not only the wondrous beauty around you but everything the ski season has to offer. The Alps are beautiful and an adventure worth having and staying warm will allow everyone to make the most of their adventure. When the proper precautions are taken regarding pacing and layering efforts, it’s a journey worth having in otherwise unmanageable temperatures.
The Base Layers that Count for Warmth
The best way to prepare yourself for warmth on your Alpine ski trip is to get the base layers that count. Base layers should be semi-tight against the skin to prevent any holding of sweat but also to wick away any excess. Some of the best fabrics for ski base layers are merino wool and synthetic blends because they’re warm but breathable and quick-drying. Merino has the most natural ease of fabric after long use and the most naturally occurring odor-wicking feature, as well. Note that some base layers are lightweight and some are midweight (and heavier to a small extent). Lightweight are those better suited for intensely active skiers; midweight are better for those on especially cold days. When you invest in expensive ski base layers, you’ll be warm from your core all day, regardless from early morning chairlifts to the last descent at 4 pm.
Knowing When to Call It Quits to Avoid Overcooling
Part of staying warm while skiing is knowing how long you can last in a session. It’s easier said than done, but overcooling happens from overexertion or too long of a time on the slopes or a combination of both. Regardless, if you know it’s almost 4 pm and you’ve been out since 11 am, it’s time to turn around and avoid overcooling. This can happen by calling it a day early or by going inside. There are always mountain huts or places to grab a hot drink and give a hand-warming break instead of gripping onto poles through cold weather. Sometimes the best way to avoid overcooling is to avoid it entirely through break time with hot drinks to reheat the insides. Perhaps excess sweat can dry before heading back out again or giving tired muscles rest goes a long way; it’s important to assess your time out there – not always easy to gauge – to acclimate for better warm conditions.
Constantly Checking Gear for Dryness
Whether it’s falling in snow, wet snow, or even an accumulation of sweat – being wet only causes overcooling. There’s no faster way to feel cold than if the gear that’s meant to keep you warm becomes wet. If gloves become wet due to precipitation, attempt to dry them on a break if possible. If socks become wet due to busted boots or excess sweat, always keep spare gloves and socks (even thin gloves) in a backpack for when those options become necessary. The same applies for every level – we all have pit zips in our jackets; perhaps a break is warranted to air it all out (slightly) and re-acclimate temperature before heading back out. Gear needs to be dry as outside elements will do their best to ensure everything’s wet by the end of the day. But if you’ve worked to make everything dry throughout your time on the slopes, you’ll feel much warmer and more comfortable taking the trek down.
