Baby It’s Cold Outside

Columbia's Reach the Peak Omni-Heat Down Jacket

Brrrrrrr. There’s no doubt about it—it’s January here in the Rockies. We had brutally cold weather over New Year’s, then a bit of a reprieve, and now the thermometer has dipped way low again the past couple of days and nights. And I love it! These frigid temperatures are ideal for preserving our snow as well as our hearty mountain-dweller spirit. (Chilly days on the hill make for even more cozy nights at home.)

You must, however, be prepared for such frosty weather since there’s no fooling around with mother nature. I had my coldest day on the mountain (ever!) in Telluride over New Year’s, yet I more than endured it by dressing properly and taking lots of hot chocolate breaks. Temperatures hovered around zero much of the time, creating a misty, ethereal effect unlike anything I had ever experienced on the slopes. I never would have ventured out on such glacial days on my own, but since I was booked for private lessons with familiar clients, my ski instructor duties kicked in. (And boy, was I glad it did or else I would have missed a very magical moment on the mountain.)

We don’t have a lot of bitterly cold days here in southwestern Colorado but when it hits, you must be prepared since few people in this ski town spend perfectly good ski days at home (or in their hotel) on the couch. You want to make sure not to have any bare skin exposed because frostbite can happen easily even if you don’t feel especially cold. I wear a basic black mask by Seirus with air holes for the nose and mouth that permit me (and most people) to breathe freely. This, combined with my goggles, a thick neck warmer and hat, keeps my head toasty warm. I urge you to make the face mask leap if you haven’t already. It took me a while to do so (for fear of looking like a bank robber or serial killer) but it’s really uncool not to don a mask on arctic days. Plus now Seirus is making fashion forward Combodanas that resemble colorful bandannas. They also sell balaclavas which I’ve yet to try.

Forget about gloves during such wintry weather. Mittens with hand warmers work best and don’t bother with liners. This is based on my own experience and the observations I’ve made after seven seasons of being a ski instructor for kids and adults. Liners just prevent your fingers from benefiting from the warmth of your own body heat. Gloves do the same times ten. I love hand warmers although I’m not sure how green they are for the environment. Maybe I should look that up on the Internet but I’d hate to think I’d have to resort to keeping a hot rock—or some other type of heat generating natural material—in my mittens from now on.

I recommend you steer away from foot warmers completely, particularly if you’re planning to put them in your ski boots! They take up space and cut off circulation which in turn makes your feet colder. Wear only one pair of thin socks and invest in boot heaters if you own your own boots. If you rent boots (which I think is best to avoid—skis are O.K., but not boots), buy a pair of boot gloves, a Neoprene cover that fits snugly over ski boots. I wear my boot heaters most every day, adjusting them according to how chilly it is outside; and on especially cold days, I slip on my boot gloves as well.

Now for your body. As you’ve heard many times before, layering is key. It’s also smart to invest in some high tech layers (base, mid-weight and outer), that boast excellent wicking, insulating and wind proofing properties. On super cold days, I wear an expedition-weight base layer on my legs and sport a few different layers on top—all tucked beneath the weight of my super-warm ski instructor uniform. Omni-Heat Thermal Comfort, from Columbia, has been this year’s latest and greatest discovery for me. Designed with a thermal reflective technology that reflects back the heat your body generates, these Omni-Heat products keep you considerably warmer without added bulk. I love wearing the Reach the Peak down jacket underneath my ski uniform (or my own ski jacket on free-ski days) when it’s super cold outside. It’s so style-y and warm that I can wear it as my outer layer (with a fleece and a base layer) on more mild days. It’s lightweight enough to roll up and stuff in a bag to be pulled out as soon as temperatures drop no matter where you are, whatever the season.

Après ski isn’t just about hot toddies back at the bar. For me, keeping my feet warm to and from the slopes is essential. (You know, of course, that it’s best to avoid walking to the slopes in your boots. Sweating in your boots will only make your feet freeze more once on the hill. Be sure to dry them before putting on your ski socks and boots.) Here again, Omni-Heat, from Columbia, has become my new best friend. Their women’s Flurry Omni-Heat boots have allowed me to brave brisk early morning and late night gondola rides without ever uttering My feet are cold to myself or others. Indeed, they’re so warm that it’s best not to sport them on fair weather days.

Are you feeling better prepared? I hope so because braving the cold always makes us feel good about ourselves, don’t you think? I moved to Colorado (from upstate New York) for the sunshine. If I didn’t love the cold and snow, I might have picked Florida where I’ve heard the skiing isn’t quite as good.

Ski lots, do tons of turns and dress accordingly and you’ll stay blissfully warm on our snow-diamond studded slopes all winter long.