If you want to stay on the mountain all day long, you need to know how to keep warm. The difference between an epic snowboarding day and a subpar one often depends on how well you tolerate the cold.
I’m a lifelong snowboarder, and I’ve ridden in every condition you can imagine. I’ve learned through first-hand experience how to stay warm while snowboarding and how important this is.
This post will show you how to stay warm snowboarding. I’ll provide you with some tips and tricks to keep your body temperature up so you can enjoy all the fresh snow you can handle.
Let’s get to it.
Contents
- Why Staying Warm is Important
- How to Stay Warm Snowboarding
- 1. Invest in Good Cold Weather Clothing
- 2. Keep Moving
- 3. Stay Dry
- 4. Drink Water and Eat Food
- 5. Warm Up Inside if You Need To
- Final Thoughts
Why Staying Warm is Important
Snowboarding obviously takes place in colder environments. Without the cold, there wouldn’t be any snow to ride down. But cold weather is not natural for the human body, so you need to know how to stay warm to thrive outside in the winter.
When you get cold snowboarding, things can go bad in a hurry. Not only will you be uncomfortable, but you also risk more severe issues such as frostbite and hypothermia. You want to avoid getting cold as much as possible with that in mind.
How to Stay Warm Snowboarding
It’s not that difficult to stay warm when snowboarding if you are well prepared. A little planning ahead of time will go a long way toward giving you the best chance of staying nice and cozy. Below are some steps to help you stay warm at all times.
1. Invest in Good Cold Weather Clothing
One of the most critical factors in staying warm while snowboarding is having good cold weather clothing at your disposal. You don’t want to make sacrifices with your layers because that will cause you to get cold.
A good snowboard jacket and snowboard pants are the fundamental pieces of cold-weather clothing that you need to have. Make sure that these are fully waterproof and windproof to block out the snow and cold.
You can also get insulated jackets and pants to give you extra protection from the elements. Insulated clothing can cost a bit more, but it’s worth it if you are worried about getting cold.
Layers are another important piece of the puzzle. You should have a good base layer and mid-layer underneath your outer layers. This will provide increased warmth and cold weather protection.
After you have all of your layers in order, remember that socks, hats, and gloves are also essential for keeping you warm. A nice pair of wool socks will keep your feet warm, and mittens can be warmer than gloves in really cold weather.
2. Keep Moving
The harder you ride, the more your body will work to keep up. This generates internal body heat that will keep you much warmer than if you are standing around a lot. On a cold day, you might want to take a lot of breaks, but this is a bad idea.
Try to keep moving as much as possible. Ride as hard as you can without getting out of control. Your body will stay loose and warm, even when the temperature really starts to dip.
3. Stay Dry
If you get wet, you will get cold. You want to stay as dry as possible whenever you are snowboarding. Having a good outer layer to block out the snow is a critical part of this, but you also need to worry about moisture from the inside out.
If you work up a sweat and then cool down, the moisture built up by your body can cause you to get cold in a hurry. You might want to consider bringing an extra base layer to prevent this, or at least wear a quick-drying one to keep moisture from building up.
4. Drink Water and Eat Food
Hydration and nutrition also play a role in staying warm. You want to make sure that you always drink enough water and eat enough food while you are out on the slopes. Water will help your body operate properly and can increase blood flow to your extremities.
Eating a big breakfast that is heavy on carbohydrates will increase your metabolism. This helps stoke your inner furnace, causing your body to naturally heat up more than if you ride on an empty stomach.
I also bring snacks and water with me when I’m on the mountain. That way, you can always have food and water on hand if and when you need them. It’s worth carrying around a little extra weight for the added benefits.
5. Warm Up Inside if You Need To
Once you get really cold on the mountain, getting warm again can be difficult or impossible unless you take a break in a lodge or warming hut. There is no shame in taking a little break, and it can help make you a lot more comfortable.
If you do take a break, use it as an opportunity to dry off any wet clothing or equipment and fuel up on food and water. If you are really chilled, do some jumping jacks or other mild exercise while you are inside as well.
You can also buy hand or feet warmers to put inside your gloves or boots if you struggle with the cold. This is a cheap and easy way to get a boost of warmth that can keep you riding for the rest of the day.
Final Thoughts
Staying warm while snowboarding typically involves a multi-pronged approach. If you follow all of the tips mentioned above and do your best to keep dry, you can limit the potential for cold.
Every rider will get cold at some point, but the more prepared you are to deal with this, the better equipped you’ll be to get warmed back up again.
About Lorraine
I'm a certified snowboard instructor. My first experience with snowboarding occurred at an indoor resort. One run had me hooked, and it has turned into a lifelong passion ever since then. I'm here to share with you some of the tips and advice I have learned along the way.
