Gear to Help You Stay Warm on the Coldest Ski Days

I’ve looked at the weather forecast here in Vermont and it’s time to bundle up! As a skier, cold weather goes hand in hand with the snow and sport I love, but that doesn’t mean I’m impervious to frostbite. Over the years, I’ve tried and tested many products to see what works to keep the cold out and warmth in. I’ve got a few pieces of gear to recommend to keep you warm on these bitter cold days. 

I’m not talking about outerwear and base layers, I hope you have those dialed in by now, I’m talking about those little extras that can make a cold day bearable. I’ve got four recommendations for you. 

Catch Our Tips on the Ski Moms Podcast

Listen to the Ski Moms Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Keeping Feet Warm
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Keeping Feet Warm

Let’s start from the bottom up. First tip, is to make sure you dry your boots overnight. I have a huge boot dryer in my house and portable book dryers for when I travel. These little devices make sure you start the day off right.

Ok, now things get a little pricier. The biggest investment you can make is in a heating element for your feet. I’ve used but heated socks and boot heaters. Both use rechargeable batteries to deliver heat. The socks are nice (check out my review here) because you can use them with any shoe, but after testing both, I can report that the boot heaters deliver a more intense heat and are the best bet for bitter days. I like the Hotronic brand. The newest model is the Hotronic Foot Warmer XLP 2C BT BDI Heated Insole Set (sizes small through 2XL). Compared to the socks, these heating elements deliver MORE heat and last longer (6000 mAh capacity offers a category-best 24 hours of constant heating power). You can dial the heat up or down with an app. The app is available free of charge from the App Store and Google Play Store

Shop Amazon here or get them at your local ski shop. While you can set them up yourself, I recommend you have them installed by a boot fitter–my husband did mine, but it involved a lot of cursing.

Aurora Heat Hand Warmers
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How to Keep Your Hands Warm

When it comes to your hands, many of us have tried those cruddy disposable handwarmers. They are garbage (literally). There are a few alternatives. First you can go the direction of heated gloves (I haven’t tested any pairs that work great). I also like mitten systems, like Baist, that have glove liners that are made for the mitten. But my favorite find is the Auroroa Heat natural hand warmer. This is a small pelt that tucks into your mitten to trap your natural heat inside the glove. They work GREAT. The pelts are sourced from beaver trapped way up north in Canada. The fur nestles onto your fingertips and it feels great. I’ve had mine for two years and absolutely swear by them.

Aurora Heat Hand Warmers are naturally biodegradable, and hypoallergenic.($88 ) Get them at Aurora Heat here. Use code SKIMOMS to save 10%

Skida neck warmers

Favorite Neck Warmers

Skida neck warmers are lined with the softest fleece. It’s my pick for the coldest days. My tip is to buy a few and keep a warm dry one  in your boot bag to switch off at lunch.  All the Skida neck warmers are double-layered. It is the perfect accessory for protecting the neck, nose, and cheeks during winter’s cold temps.

To get the special limited edition Ski Moms version head here. When you purchase from our shop 10% goes to the Share Winter Foundation. We put a Ski Mom logo on a few of our favorite prints.

We also want you to shop directly with Skida.  Head here.

And don’t forget a balaclava–a type of headwear that covers your head, neck, and often parts of your face—like your cheeks, nose, and chin—depending on the style. It’s typically made of warm, breathable materials like fleece, merino wool, or synthetic performance fabrics. Get a cute print from Skida here.

The Boot Cap

If you don’t want to splurge on boot heaters, I get it, but at the very least, treat yourself to Bootcaps. Made of high-density foam, you stick them right on your boots (make sure they go above the bindings!). These caps are stuck on with STRONG adhesive (mine have lasted over 60 ski days). They block the wind and keep your feet 10 degrees warmer. It’s an easy fix for $60. 

Get them at EVO here.

Fend off Frosty Chairlifts with a Knicker

Moving right along, let’s talk about your backside. Those chairlifts can get cold, that’s where the insulated knicker comes in. I’ve used Stio before and just got this awesome pair from Helly Hansen, but other brands make them. It’s an insulated midlayer that goes over your baselayer and under your ski pant for added warmth. Totally works. I’ve also spotted another version (slightly less expensive) from Kari Traa. The Eva High Waisted Capri looks puffier, but it might be warmer.

Stay Warm, Ski Moms

These are my favorite gear hacks for staying warm without bulk. I’d love to hear your favorite cold-weather tips—drop me a note or tag @theskimoms so I can share your ideas with our community.

And remember, especially with little ones: take breaks, stay fueled, and know when to call it a day. The mountain will be there tomorrow. For the kids be sure to check out this article about what they need to get started with ski lessons.

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