How to cope with cold during your ski trip

Keeping yourself warm is an important thing to do during every ski trip. That’s why you need the right outfit to compensate the temperature. Otherwise, you won’t completely enjoy your ski escapade if you are literally "chilling".

Aside from the right outfit, take note also of these things:

It's cold up there, even when it's sunny

Don't be fooled but the bright sun, the slopes are cold. This is due to the strong winds that block the heat of the sun - it's the wind chill factor. Before your trip, check online the chill wind chart to know the status of winter winds and the dangers of freezing temperature for your destination.

Bring on the layers

It’s not only about the right outfit, it’s also about how you wear it. The most recommended method is to dress in layers. This helps you conserve more heat in your body and helps stabilizes your body temperature as much as possible.

To dress in layers, there is a suggested three layer system:

Base layer:

• For upper body, wear a thermal body shirt
• For lower body, put on thermal pants and ski socks

Second layer:

• For upper body, put on a fleece jacket or sweater
• For lower body, ski pants followed by ski boots

Last layer:

• For upper body, wear a waterproof and wind-stopping ski jacket
• For your head protection, use ski helmet, hat or bonnet and ski goggles
• Lastly, don't forget the ski gloves

Be active

To add more heat in your body, be active. For instance, have some warm-up routines like jumping jacks, walk lunges or squats before you start a run. This way, your body generates heat up to six times more than just sitting.

Apply lip balm or moisturizer

Lip balm contains vitamins A, C, and E that prevent chap, dry and swollen lips due to the cold and windy weather.

Eat the right food

During ski trips, what you eat plays a big role in coping with the cold. Eat food that's rich in carbohydrates and sugar because these can quickly give your body much-needed heat and energy.

In addition, avoid alcohol and cigarettes. Although alcohol and cigarettes could make you feel less cold for a while, they hinder blood circulation.


Lastly, acclimatize yourself a day or so on the mountain. Otherwise, you'll possibly get an Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) which symptoms include headache, lightheadedness, shortness of breathe and nausea. But, don't worry. With awareness, planning and prevention, stay warm on your ski trip and enjoy all that it has to offer.