The key to enjoying winter sports is—just as the Boy Scouts say—always be prepared. When you’re not, the outdoors can be miserable; I’ve spent more than a few days cold and in pain, and once I even blubbered like a baby (see below). Having the proper gear can turn a windy, snowy day into a great one, and can make braving the elements as easy as the KT-22 drop at Squaw Valley.
Below are a few of my cold weather essentials for running, hiking, biking, skiing, boarding, and cavorting in the frosty outdoor air. (Disclaimer: I live in California … how cold does the air really get?)
Gloves for Boarding/Skiing
The last time I was without a good pair of gloves was on the face of Mt. Shasta. We had been climbing the snowy mountain since five in the morning, and around seven, my hands started to feel like clods of ice. Foolishly, I only had on a pair of thin liners. A friend had lent me his gloves, but they were too big, and it was too late. My fingers hurt—really, really bad. The altitude was making me loopy. I was facing a steep incline in my crampons, and just couldn’t bear the thought of picking up my ice axe with one of my ice paws. I started to cry; I considered turning around.
Luckily, a warm-bodied friend approached and let me warm my hands on his big Buddha belly while giving me a pep talk. Hands on a friend’s tummy, ice ax dangling in the snow; it was a humiliating moment. Now, I will rarely brave a day in the snow without my Bonfire mittens. They have primaloft interior, which is this awesome fabric designed for—what else?—warmth. When I’m looking for something a little less bulky, I wear these mid-weight gloves for running, biking, and cross-country skiing. Especially for biking (frozen fingers=inability to break), gloves are essential in the winter. Speaking of biking, I’ve become a big fan of these foot booties, which you can wear over your biking shoes. I just wish I had them last time I had to turn around while riding in twenty-eight degree weather. Man, my toes hurt.
