The goal is to remain comfortable (not cold, not hot) in a winter environment while exercising and while resting.

• Thermal insulation – preserving body warmth
• Moisture control – letting perspiration escape while keeping melting snow and rain out.
• Wind barrier – protecting against wind chill

Clothing Material

• Use Synthetics or Wool – especially against the skin, to wick away persperation. Wool insulates even when wet
• NO COTTON – especially against the skin or as a mid (insulation) layer. Cotton promotes evaporative cooling – not a good idea in a winter environment

Core Protection – use a layer system for upper and lower body protection.

• Base layer – insulate and transport moisture away from skin
• Middle layer – thermal insulation
• Outer layer – for wind and moisture barrier(s)

Extremity Protection for head, hands and feet:

• Cap – Wool or synthetic with thermal barrier protection. Since heat loss is greatest from the head, you can put-on or take-off the cap as a primary way to control body heat.
• Gloves – light X-C ski gloves (not insulated alpine gloves). Mittens will keep fingers warmer. Carry extra gloves.
• Wool or synthetic socks – use a thin liner sock under a medium weight outer sock
• Gaiters for deep snow

Eye Protection: Use dark wrap-around sunglasses, NOT ski goggles, to protect your eyes against the harsh light reflected off of the snow. If you don’t bring them, you will squint a lot and may damage your eyes. Downhill (Alpine) ski goggles are usually not appropriate to XC skiing because Nordic skiing is a higher energy activity and goggles are likely to fog. In fact, you may even want to use anti-fog solution on your sunglasses.

Use a Pack to carry the gear you may need. Some considerations:

• Low center of gravity (match body’s center of gravity)
• Stable support – pack does not swing
• Supports weight from hips not shoulders
• Especially important for back country skiing

Gear you may need:

• Extra clothes – to replace wet clothes or to cover up when needed, think layer system!
• Water and food – energy snacks and meals, hydrate before you feel thirsty
• The 10 Essentials and other survival equipment – see The Ten Essentials