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Ski Gear for Comfort and Safety
by Lee Montanete
http://www.floski.com
One of the great things about ski gear is that it's
some of the coolest stuff on the planet to be seen in.
Go to any slope and you'll see quite a fashion show.
So, virtually everyone who shows up at the slopes
has the basic stuff: Skis, poles, boots. Other stuff
is up to the individual skiier.
A lot of those "improvisations" and "fashion statements"
can be questionable, though, when it comes to keeping
skiiers warm, dry, and safe. If you want to enjoy
your skiing, regardless of conditions, make sure you
bring the following items to the slope with you.
1. Dress to maintain appropriate body temperature. The
most efficient way to do this, especially if you're
favorite slope has constantly changing weather conditions,
is to dress in at least three layers. Your outer layer is
your jacket and ski pants which are designed to be water
and wind resistant. Your middle layer will be a sweater,
or fleece, or a heavy shirt. Your inner layer should be
a set of "long johns" made of polypropolene or a similar
wicking material. When it gets warmer, remove some
clothing. When it gets colder, replace some clothing.
Avoid both hypothermia and hyperthermia as they can
make you quite ill and, under certain conditions, be
life-threatening.
2. Keep your head covered when it's colder. Exposure of
forehead and ears to cold mountain winds can result in
frostbite, which is painful and potentially disfiguring.
Most of your body's heat escapes through your head; skiing
bare-headed when it's cold can result in hypothermia which
can be life-threatening. Ski helmets, ski hats, and
hoods are all good for keeping your brain and (in turn)
your body warm.
3. Eyegear: Ski goggles are usually your best bet because
they tend to stay clear in all weather conditions. Many
also come with multiple lenses for use in visual
conditions ranging from very dark for extra-bright
conditions to clear for night skiing. Wrap-around
sunglasses are generally adequate, but are more likely
to fog in certain conditions. Eye protection not only
shields your eyes from harmful UV rays, it also keeps
blowing snow out of your eyes when it's storming or
the wind is kicking up loose snow on slopes and trees.
4. Choose appropriate socks. Cotton socks are not a good
idea. Between snow coming in the tops of boots and feet
perspiring, they'll stay damp for much of your outing.
Your damp feet, in turn, will be quite cold (not to mention
the possibilities of athlete's foot fungus or frostbite).
Wool or polypropolene socks, on the other hand, will
keep your feet warm even while wet, and will dry more
readily.
5. Handwear: Ski gloves have come a long way from
previous incarnations. Most gloves today come with two
layers: One layer wicks, and the other keeps wind and
water away from your skin. In warmer weather, you can
ditch the wicking layer, but keep the water and wind
resistant layer on because that snow stays cold even
though the air is warm! One oldie but goodie many
skiers still prefer are the old woolen knit gloves and
mittens by themselves. You'll get a little soggy wearing
these, but you'll still be comfortable because wool
keeps you warm whether it's wet or dry!
6. Drink your water. Notice that I didn't tell you to
drink your coffee, tea, cocoa, soda, or any other
beverage. Most beverages will hasten dehydration.
Dehydration can impair perception and coordination.
Save the other beverages for after your last run. Bottle
up some water, carry it with you, and sip it throughout
the day.
On those days where many of these items will be coming
off and put back on repeatedly, you may want to carry a
small backpack to stow items you aren't wearing and to
hold water bottles. A good backpack makes it less
hassle to carry appropriate gear, and less hassle makes
for a more enjoyable ski outing!
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