One very important thing associated with snowboarding, and just being on a mountain period, is dressing appropriately. Dressing in layers - and being careful of the materials you choose - is key to staying warm and keeping those spirits high.
- To begin, you should be sure to wear long underwear bottoms, a long-sleeve top, and socks. Synthetic polyester, or polypropylene material such as Capilene, Smartwool, Coolmax or Polartec, are good examples to have available in your closet. Cotton is not a good choice as it will absorb and retain moisture, and will contribute to keeping you cold, and at risk for getting sick.
- Then, be sure to wear a synthetic fleece, or wool, insulating sweater/jacket.
- Now you need to work on your outer layer (you should always have an extra jumper in case the climate turns out to be colder than you anticipated). You will need to make sure that your outer jacket/pants are wind and waterproof. Good pants will have an inner cuff, also know as a gaiter, that will fit comfortably over the top of your boots, keeping the cold and snow out.
- A hat, or helmet, is an important aspect of both protecting you (more so with the helmet) and keeping you warm. A friend of mine was snowboarding and took a bad tumble, resulting in a concussion. Protective eye-goggles are instrumental in minimizing the negative effects from the wind and sun.
- In especially cold temperatures, look into wearing a neck gaiter - which is a fleece tube, that you can wear around your face and neck to ward off the frost. Then, you need to add gloves/mittens - be sure you have done your research, and that you have the best insulating gloves possible for the weather conditions you will be going up against.
- You may wish to wear sunscreen so that you don't get burned by the additional sun exposure that you will be subjected to by the reflective snow.
Here is a good site to visit for supplies.
