Snow and Winter Survival Essentials

Fresh snow on the back acre of my New Jersey estate.

I really enjoy snowshoeing and everything snow related in the winter-time. In fact my fondest memories are of my father taking us all sled riding in deep winter at night. Super cold but we loved it! So I've learned a few things about keeping warm and safe in snowy-winter conditions, especially if you have to unexpectedly spend extended times outdoors.  Here's what I pack:

Hiking-Snowshoeing-Skiing
Make sure you dress in breathable layers like wool but skip the cotton. When you sweat, cotton stays wet and will eventually chill your core. Same thing for your socks and footwear. Pack an extra pair of Smartwool socks to change in case snow gets inside your boot. Weather-proof your boots with Sno-Seal or NikWax to help keep moisture out.

Hardshell Pants
Over top of my wool socks and boots, I wear Gore-Tex Paclite Snowboarding Pants. The zippers go all the way up and are sealed to keep snow and water out. The knees are articulated making them easy to bend and move in.

Warm Gloves

Lole of Montreal's Chunky Knit Ski Cap

I have many pairs of gloves but the ones I wear most in winter are made of soft kid leather and fur lined. Just like my boots, I give them a quick treatment with Sno-Seal once a year. This keeps them soft and supple because water exposure is what dries out the skins. Mittens may be warmer but won't help much with ski or snowshoe bindings.

Headwear 
I've said it before but it bears repeating that covering your noggin and neck area is perhaps the best way to prevent heat from escaping. 

A Balaclava which also covers your chin and mouth is ideal especially when worn as a layer beneath a loose knit wool hat.

The Kestrel 4500 gives you both weather tracking and compass directions.

Weather Tracker & Compass
You may be able to use your cell phone to get updates on the weather but what if you are out of signal range? Also remember that the information you get from that source is from the nearest weather reporting facility, not necessarily where YOU are at the moment.

I take along my Kestrel Weather Tracker because it calculates the changing atmospheric conditions where I am, alerting me to a falling barometer and wind-chill factors that can precede hypothermia. Additionally it has the ability to track wind speed and direction via a very accurate compass.  If you get turned around in white out conditions, the compass will be very handy to help show the way home.

Hot Food & Drink
Bringing along some hot soup is a really good idea as well. Even if you want to take a smaller sized 12oz thermal container, this will both hydrate, nourish and warm you while you are in freezing temperatures. 

Hot soup, broth or tea will help warm your core on the trail.

Fire!
Even if it is something as simple as a fire-starter, keep one with you in case you are lost, injured or just need to get warm. I keep one on my key-chain and always have one plus fire starting materials in my backpack. Cotton balls smeared with petroleum jelly work great to get a fire going. Don't leave home without it!

Camp axe, British Army Knife and Aurora Fire Starter all from Camping Survival.

First-Aid Kit
You don't have to go crazy but throw together a few bandages and antiseptic for the trip. Adventure Medical Kits has a not so bare bones Ultralight-Watertight .3 Kit that is just that and a lot more. I keep one with me in my handbag but for outdoor expeditions I will take a larger kit in the same series as I am carrying in for my hike companions. Every kit I've tried has been complete and totally worth bringing.

Adventure Medical Ultralight/Watertight Kits are perfect for snowy dayhikes.

Now you can certainly add other things to your winter backpack, but these are the essentials I take every time because they are lightweight and really earn their space. With the metal Klean Kanteen you can heat and melt snow for extra water while hiking so you needn't haul extra gallons. Definitely the way to travel light in the snow.

The main goal is to get home safe and stay warm!

Weekend Ski Trip - Packed in 10!

You just got a call to join your friends skiing this weekend.  Don't panic.  Have you got 10 minutes?  Here's our "get up and go" packing list of clothing & gear essentials for a super-fun weekend on the slopes!    You won't have much of a good time if yo're not warm and dry so baselayer must haves include: Exofficio's super - wicking Chica Cool Hoody, Craft's Microclimate Layer 1 Tee, and Smartwool's Midweight Turtleneck.  

Exofficio's Chica Cool Hoody

Outerwear packables include a pair of warm UGG Boots (Bailey 3 Buttons), Kahtoola MICROspikes Crampons, Moonstone's Lucid Down Jacket and Hardshell Banshee Snowboarding Pants with matching black Snow Beanie (fits smoothly under your ski helmet).

Top if all off with Rudy's Project's Technically Cool Klonyx Snow Goggles and you are SO ready for a great weekend on the mountain!

Don't forget your toiletries, a portable humidifier and guitar for those cozy lodge evenings!

Winter Survival Guide

Snowboarding / ski gear essentials for warmth & X-tra fun!

Winter poses new challenges for X-training, especially when you add the elements of snow and ice.  Now you can sit home and wish for warmer weather but you'll be missing out on some of the best workout fun of the season.  I'm of Anglo-Saxon and Iroquois decent so my earliest childhood memories are of sledding in below zero temps....at night!  We have a LOT more technology to help keep us warm than when I was a kid.  Still the cold rush of wind on your face as you fly down the hill on a sled or skis is so worth the trip out!  I haven't lost my childish enjoyment of such thrills so I still go sledding but have added snowshoeing and skiing to my list of winter delights.  Here's how to have an awesome time on the slopes while being comfy cozy!

Smartwool Turtleneck under Moonstone's Goose Down

Base Layering for Warmth

One of the best things you can wear on the slopes is a good goose down jacket but keep in mind what you wear underneath is just as important.


Smartwool's  Women's NTS Midweight Baselayer Turtleneck shown here in Heather is made from the finest Merino wool in the world.  Seriously, it does not itch!  Better still is the natural wicking wool provides to keep you both warm AND dry.  Couple this gorgeous turtleneck with a pair of their wool Latte Stripeuccino Socks in Ash Heather and your feet will thank you too!  Cold Weather Tip:  Apply a generous amount of Pro-Tech-Skin by SNO-SEAL to hands AND feet before hitting the slopes.  Your extremities will feel warmer and be better protected from exposure to the weather.  Can be used on lips too.  It REALLY works!

Top off your baselayer with another winner, namely a super light goose down jacket.  Moonstone's Lucid Down is a super light, (weighs only 10 oz), 800+ fill goose down jacket that allows you freedom of movement.  Dual zippered pockets and elastic wrists to keep the cold out.  Inner pockets are deep enough to store a water bottle and the cut of this women's jacket is non-bulky so you won't look like the Michelin Man.  Breathable yet warm, you won't sweat the details in this one.  Far and away it's my "go-to" ski jacket!

Head Gear

Something we often forget to protect in cold weather is our lungs.  Breathing in sub zero air can damage the sensitive linings and bronchioles leaving you more prone to respiratory infections.  There's no need for that with the proper head and face covering.  This Gore Tex  Windstopper Balaclava covers your head and upper neck area.  Nicely vented for the nose and mouth area so no worries about excessive moisture building up.  Top this with a warm ski cap such as the 100% Merino Wool Nordic style pictured above from Turtlefur.  It has a soft, no-itch lining band so it is extremely comfortable even without a Balaclava.  Of course if you are skiing or snowboarding a pair of goggles, (Scott Motives) and a good helmet such as the one I'm wearing from Protec is essential.

Limited Edition Polar Bottle

Keep Hydrated

It is so easy to forget you still need water when playing out in the cold.  Staying hydrated is very important so be sure to take along a bottle that can put up with freezing temps such as this thermal Polar Bottle.  Even it it freezes up on you, take it back to your vehicle and it will thaw enough for you to drink on the way home.  One of the best ways to get fatigued and have sore muscles at the end of the day is to not get enough water when you're on the slopes.  Oh and don't forget your hands!  Scott's Snowboarding Gloves pictured here allow full dexterity and grip for bindings and latches but for more warmth choose mittens over gloves.  Your hands will retain heat much better with all of your fingers together!

My FAVE Sled Dogs Mini Skis!