Before you head outdoors for a skiing or snowboarding session, here are some must-have accessories that will help make your experience all the more awesome.
1) A good pair of goggles. That snow can be bright out there on a sunny day. Protect your eyes with a pair of goggles. They’re better for your eyes when on the slopes than sunglasses. Choose a pair that has interchangeable lenses so that you can adjust them as needed. You’ll want to buy them when you buy a helmet. Make sure they have a good fit — no gaps between the tops of your goggles and your helmet.
2) Speaking of helmets….Not only can helmets look cool and keep your noggin safe, they also can keep your temperature well-regulated. In addition, because your helmet won’t fly off if — when — you experience a wipe out, your goggles won’t get filled with snow. What’s more, some helmets come equipped with audio headphones, so you can plug in your MP3 player or get your tunes through a Bluetooth connection.
3) Gaiters. For your neck. No more needing to try to scrunch your face down into your ski jacket. Get a lightweight and breathable neck gaiter to wear under your helmet or around your neck. Stay away from the fluffy and fleecy gaiters. They look cozy, but can make you sweat, creating fog in your goggles.
4) There’s little in this world worse than trying to enjoy the outdoors with cold feet. Freezing tootsies can ruin a day on the slopes in minutes. Buy sport-specific socks. Thinner actually is better because the thicker the sock the less room your dogs have, meaning the blood won’t flow as well. The result? Cold. Achy. Feet.
5) Gloves. Just like having cold feet, having cold hands will ruin your day. Look for gloves that go over your jacket’s cuff (the better to keep snow out). If possible, buy a pair with leather palms — these are great for wiping snow from your goggles. Many outdoor companies now offer hand warmers you can bust open if needed.
6) Dressing your trunk and legs warmly also helps keep your hands and feet warm. You’ll want to dress in layers but, before putting on the ski pants, the sweaters and the jacket, be sure to invest in a good outfit of base layers — one for your torso and a pair for your legs. Soft merino wool can keep you very warm. It also insulates when wet and, unlike the Nordic wool ski sweaters of old, won’t go all smelly after a day on the slopes.
About the Author: Aaron Garcia is a travel and vacation enthusiast who literally grew up on the slopes. His dream is to one day move to Colorado and own ranch property in Steamboat Springs.
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