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Proper Layering
When it comes to cold weather adventure from snowshoeing behind the house to multi-day epics in Alaska’s mountain ranges, proper layering is the key to having fun and staying safe in the wintery outdoors. This is a quick and easy guide to get you out in the cold dressed like a pro.
Base Layers
The first layer to think about when getting ready for a cold-weather adventure is the layer of clothing against your skin. The first rule of base layers is to AVOID ALL COTTON. Cotton has no moisture-wicking properties so as you sweat, a cotton t-shirt or underwear holds that moisture against your skin and makes you cold. The best base layers are synthetic or wool. A synthetic or wool base layer pushes the moisture away from your skin allowing you to stay dry and warm. This is the same for your legs. Using synthetic or wool tights is the best way to stay warm.
Mid Layers.
Mid-layers are fully dependent on the weather conditions and where the true warmth comes from. On an average weather day, a light puff is the perfect mid-layer. This will help retain your body heat and keep you warm. For colder weather days a larger puffy will retain more heat. Generally, for legs, a mid-layer is not necessary unless in truly frigid temperatures. As most of your body heat is emitted from your core, keeping your core warm is the most important part.
Outer layer
The outermost layer is less for retaining heat and more for keeping the elements out. This is where materials like Gore-Tex come into play. A water/ windproof layer is a key element to proper layering, Keeping you dry and warm regardless of what the weather does. The other key to outer layers is when traveling uphill remember to remove the layer so it does not trap moisture on the inside of the jacket. But when you stop uphill travel the first thing you should do is put your outer layer to keep the heat you just generated from dissipating.
Accessories
Accessories such as hats, gloves, and socks are just as important as a good jacket. Starting at the top and going down a good warm hat is a great way to help stay warm. Hats are very straightforward and a fancy merino wool hat is not necessary. Just something to keep the head warm is the goal. Gloves are another very important part of a good cold weather kit. Having a nice pair of waterproof gloves will allow your hands to happily function in colder weather. There are no major performance differences between gloves and mittens except mittens tend to be slightly warmer. When it comes to socks having a nice high-end pair of wool or synthetic socks makes a huge difference in how warm your feet stay. Changing socks often is key. Damp socks lead to cold feet. Having warm comfortable feet is a make or break on a cold-weather adventure.
Maybe you’ve seen other telemarkers carving beautiful turns on the mountain, maybe you are looking for a new challenge, or maybe you want to really work those quads–either way, getting into telemarking is fun and challenging.
Telemark skiing is a blend of Nordic and alpine skiing that combines the grace of cross-country with the thrill of downhill turns. Central to this style is the telemark binding, which allows the heel to lift, enabling a skier to lunge gracefully through turns.
Ready to pick up some telemark gear? Here’s some great news: Unlike downhill bindings, telemark bindings don’t get put on indemnified lists, meaning there is no set age at which they cannot be mounted. This meansbuying used telemark gear can be a great deal.
Backcountry skiing lets you carve fresh tracks in untouched snow far from the crowds. You can explore, conquer, test yourself, and more, all far from the resort boundaries.
With access to untouched, remote slopes comes the need for specialized equipment. Going into the backcountry unprepared can mean not only a rough time, but it could create real safety problems. The right gear ensures not only performance but safety, enabling you to handle the unpredictable nature of the wilderness.
No, getting a high-quality backcountry skiing setup is not cheap, but the good news is you can buy almost everything used.Durango Outdoor Exchange has top-quality used gear that will have you climbing the mountain in style. This guide will show you what you need to get started.
Don’t let winter’s cold keep you indoors, and don’t let the expense and crowds of downhill skiing keep you out of the mountains. Cross-country skiing lets you get outside to enjoy the mountains and winter but costs very little. Whether you're new to the sport or a veteran, one of the best ways to enjoy cross-country skiing without breaking the bank is by opting forused gear. Buying used gear makes the sport affordable and accessible to a huge audience. Read on to learn more.