Powder Attire

[SnowHot]

Thanks to Sheena, for starting the Skiing Powder thread!!

Now, on to another aspect of skiing Powder.
What do you wear?

A big reason I'm asking is because Stowe is getting dumped on as I type, with a blizzard expected for Thursday. I'm flying to Stowe Thursday night and even though I'm fairly packed, and ready to go, I'm wondering if I need to rethink my ski clothes to assure that I stay warm and dry in powder.

My background:
I ski Michigan. The most powder I've encountered is 8 inches.
Most generally I wear these layers:
Top--
Base layer of silk or merino wool-ish like smart wool, icebreaker or something similar.
Turtle neck, a half zip ski top (sporthill is my favourite), a ski vest with lots of pockets, and my sos jacket.
None of this attire goes down past my waist by much.
Bottoms--
Base Layer of Silk or merino wool-ish like smart wool, and my ski pants.

I'm assuming I want a jacket that goes past my waist and has a powder skirt, and possibly an extra layer for my bottoms.

I own a 1 piece ski suit, shall I pack that? I'd rather not.
Shall I just take extra $$ and buy there if need be? Uncle Jacks rule - pack light! Take Cash!

 

[Robyn]

Wow, that's a lot of layers! I generally wear a wicking tank (just to wick, does nothing for true warmth, a baselayer, a softshell and a hardshell. I wouldn't wear a 1 piece personally. You might decide you want to look into a longer jacket with a powder skirt and you might want an extra layer on the bottom but that depends on how wet the snow is and how cold it is outside. Remember, you work harder in powder so you generate more heat as well.

 

[SnowHot]

What would you add to the bottoms for added warmth?
I don't care much for most pants between my base layer and ski pants so I'm at a loss there.

As for my top, I only have three layers,
Base, Turtle neck, and ski top.
The vest and jacket are kind of a team.

 

[altagirl]

Yeah, you do work more in powder, so still dress for the temperature, but it could feel warmer than it is.

I don't bother with a powder skirt or anything, I just tuck my shirts into my cw-x tights that I wear as base layers on the bottom and that's it. All the jackets I've worn that have a powder skirt are too bulky, so I don't bother with it, I just wear a jacket that's somewhat form fitting and I never notice any snow going up it.

 

[Robyn]

I'd still bake in what you're wearing but that's very personal. On the bottom, I think if I were inclined to add another layer it would just be a tight-like baselayer but that's only if the snow was a wet snow (more likely to stick to snow pants) and it were colder than 10-15 degrees on the mountain.

 

[ski now work later]

I'm probably not the one to answer this since I'm a Northeast skier myself with very limited powder experience from my 2 trips to Big Sky, but I'll share my thoughts for what they're worth....

While we may get a ton of powder at Stowe (and yes, I'm gonna give my Solomon Scarlets their virgin run!), I suspect it will be cold and damp and not as dry and fluffy as powder skiing out West typically is. I wouldn't put on too many layers because you'll feel too stuffed, but keep your layers warm and waterproof on the outside.

On top, I'm planning to wear a North Face base layer shirt that is pretty breathable and light, a Mountain Hardwear stretch fleece top (it has a zip neck as all of my mid-layers do in order to vent easily), a gaitor, and depending on the temps, one of my two jackets, either a well-insulated North Face parka with HyVent fabric (water resistant) or my Burton soft shell that I bought end of season on sale and tried out on Sunday and totally loved! Bottoms will be my North Face Freedom insulated pants (I sound like a North Face commercial) with either my mid-weight Under Armor leggings, or my Mountain Hardwear fleece leggings if it's super cold. Add a mid-weight Seirus glove or a Marmot insulated mitten, helmet and goggles, and I'm good to go!

I don't tend to get very cold BTW. When I get cold is after skiing, so I'm bringing warm sweaters and fleece for padding around the T&C. I'm not a drinkier, but I relish a nice glass of cognac after a day skiing (think warm). What I really need is a cuddly St. Bernard to greet me on my way to the lodge with a barrell of cognac from which I can pour a glass!

I think the key here is not to have a gap between the bottom of your parka and your pants, to have cuffs cinched, etc., so if you fall and/or if it's dumping, the snow stays on the outside of your clothing! My goal is always to be dry, to be a little cold at the top of the lift, and a little warm at the bottom of the run. Pit zips, neck zips, and even pant vents are my friends!

 

[Gloria]

Yeah, you do work more in powder, so still dress for the temperature, but it could feel warmer than it is.

I don't bother with a powder skirt or anything, I just tuck my shirts into my cw-x tights that I wear as base layers on the bottom and that's it. All the jackets I've worn that have a powder skirt are too bulky, so I don't bother with it, I just wear a jacket that's somewhat form fitting and I never notice any snow going up it.

I would agree, the powder skirt, the long jacket, etc are a little bulky. I prefer a lighter more comfortable fitted jacket as well. I prefer a jacket that hits about waist length with the cinch pulled at the bottom. Seems to work quite fine. The longer jacket is beneficial if there is alot of moisture on the seat of the chairlift or if you plan on sitting alot. Which you may end up doing as you are clinicing? I think? So that might be something to think about. If your shell has a hood that has a cinch, cinch it, that is the only place that I seem to find snow collecting that annoys me. As for layers, keep in mind that it is easier to take them off than it is to put them on when you are out there. I would start off wearing what you normally do and if it's too much, you can always dump a layer at the bottom. Also check your ski tips periodically, occasionally in powder you will get some ice build up on them. If you don't have a scraper, you can use the basket of your pole to scrape it off. I don't know why but this tends to be a problem for me, more so than others, but just keep in mind in case. Have fun, sounds like a great time.

 

[tradygirl]

I'd rather have my legs a bit cold, so I wouldn't worry too much about another bottom layer unless it's gonna be frigid. Skiing in powder actually seems warmer to me than a cold groomer day.

Another item to consider is a balaclava or something similar. If you're going to be getting faceshots, you'll want to think about how to keep the snow out of your neck. Zipping up your jacket all the way can do the trick, but I prefer the balaclava. Goggles are a must too (just in case you're a sunglasses kind of person).

 

[ski now work later]

If your shell has a hood that has a cinch, cinch it, that is the only place that I seem to find snow collecting that annoys me. Also check your ski tips periodically, occasionally in powder you will get some ice build up on them. If you don't have a scraper, you can use the basket of your pole to scrape it off. I don't know why but this tends to be a problem for me, more so than others, but just keep in mind in case.

Those are great tips, thanks Gloria. Gotta love this forum :p

 

[IttyBittyBetty]

How Hot you get in Powder

The other ladies are correct in pointing out that you do work harder in powder and thus will generate extra body heat. I generally find that I get as hot in deep powder as I do hitting steep moguls. Perhaps that might help you in figuring out what to wear.

I personally don't think you're wearing too many base layers on top, but then again, I get really cold myself.

 

[altagirl]

I tend to wear a lot of layers too - a skintight wicking layer, a wool shirt, a fleece, then a shell. Sometimes even more - Sunday I wore two fleeces or other times I've stuffed a puffy down jacket under my shell.

Other times I just wear one smartwool shirt and just a super-thin shell over it. Totally depends on the temperature, wind, humidity, sun, you name it... There are powder days where I sweat to death and powder days where I freeze. Not to mention the amount of work I'm going to put in is a total unknown - sometimes I have to hike to get to it (sweat), ski down and then get stuck in a flat runout where I'm breaking trail to get out. Other times it's a fast traverse to an effortless run, popping out on a groomer and I didn't expend any energy at all. You never know, so I tend to dress for the weather conditions, and use my pit zips and such to modify as needed and drop layers between runs if that isn't cutting it.

 

[IttyBittyBetty]

Pack

I always ski with a small pack. I guess it's considered part of the outfit for a telemarker! But seriously, it allows me to shed layers or put more on. Yesterday, for instance, I put a thicker pair of long undies in my pack. Sure enough, when the clouds came over, I ducked into a bathroom, took off my thin undies and put on the thicker ones. Ahhh... I was warm once again!

I also frequently take off layers and shove them in my pack if the temperatures rise more than I anticipated. That way, I don't get a sweaty and damp.

Once you get used to skiing with a pack on, you forget that it's there.

 

[SnowHot]

I guess I'm set, with the exception of wearing a second base layer for the bottoms.
The layers I wear on top are very similar to what Altagirl describes, and I like that type of layering for a couple reasons.
1- its easy to shed layers if necessary
2- If it is brutal cold then my core is warm.

My vest, ah yes, my vest. It has become my purse. Saddly, I had a hard time finding my purse a while back and actually had to dust it off. I have my keys, chap stick and wallet in my vest pockets. What else do I need that I need a purse to take along?

 

[Lori_K]

Something else to consider for powder skiing is to make sure your gloves or mittens have a good cuff/gauntlet to cover your wrists.
This past weekend I had snow get in my mittens after taking a slider into a tree hole, so I'm on a mission to get nice long gauntlets before my next powder day!

 

[altagirl]

Something else to consider for powder skiing is to make sure your gloves or mittens have a good cuff/gauntlet to cover your wrists.
This past weekend I had snow get in my mittens after taking a slider into a tree hole, so I'm on a mission to get nice long gauntlets before my next powder day!

Yup. Those help as much with the wind as with the snow, so I use them whenever it's cold.

As well as a balaclava.

 

[dloveski]

For new snow days, you can expect to ski a variety of conditions and I agree with other DIVAS that exertion and sweat is a part of the package, if we are lucky to have powder days.

I always carry two pair of mittens (and soon a second pair of goggles) to the resort---and swap out mid-day, as they get very wet and steamed up with the exertion.

Hard shell low bibs keep the waist dry when I take a powder!

 

[SnowHot]

Another item to consider is a balaclava or something similar. If you're going to be getting faceshots, you'll want to think about how to keep the snow out of your neck. Zipping up your jacket all the way can do the trick, but I prefer the balaclava. Goggles are a must too (just in case you're a sunglasses kind of person).

Yup. Those help as much with the wind as with the snow, so I use them whenever it's cold.

As well as a balaclava.

I have a balaclava I use for snowmobiling and I've always got it in my ski helmet pod too!
Its something I don't need to use often but when I do, I LOVE it!

 

[dloveski]

Powder essentials

Don't forget the snorkel.

Oh, and the skull candy to wire music through the helmet earpads.

 

[SnowHot]

Don't forget the snorkel.

Oh, and the skull candy to wire music through the helmet earpads.

Yea! BABY!

 

[abc]

Pack your base layer and outer layer now. But wait for the rest till Thursday when the forecast are more certain. (BTW, what you get on Thursday will hit Stowe on Friday)

I've played in east coast "powder" more than I can remember. It's nothing resembling the "powder" people talk about out west. The only common thread maybe when it's actually snowing...

The snow is always wet and heavy, even when freshly fallen. You may count yourself lucky if you have the top 2" of freshies actually floating. So no worry about snow making its way UP into you. But do worry about the wet snow that might soak through your clothing. Waterproof clothing will be very useful. As is wicing base layers. You'll be working up a lot of sweat in those heavy white cements.