Cold Hands While Skiing?

Question

When I go Skiing my hands always get very cold. I have pretty good gloves, and my feet, legs, and upper body are always warm. I am going Skiing Friday and there is supposed to be a high of 2. What should I do to keep my hands warm?

Answer 1

There are three things I'd advise you to do. I have the same issue, but for me, it's more of a medical issue than anything else, but I use these same tips.

1. Use Mittens. I know they arent very manly, but if you keep your hands together in the mitten, they will share the warmth, instead of each finger having to generate its own warmth. Make sure the mitten is waterproof and has a lining that allows your fingers to move around alot. I usually buy mine a size larger, since I can then have the availibility to move each finger individually, and the shell is large enough for me to do so.

2. But hand warmers. Most ski areas have a ski shop. They hand warmers run from $1 to $5. You just shake them up and place them inside the glove. But be sure you are wearing a lining of some sort, because these warmers can get up to 120 degrees. You don't want them on your bare hand - they can cause some nasty burns.

3. Wear a hat. This sounds stupid, as it has nothing to do with your hands, but trust me on this. You lose the majority of your body heat through your head. If you dont have a hat on, the rest of you will go cold very fast. Don't wear some regular hat you find in Wal Mart or something, either. Those are usually built for mild weather, not for 2 degrees as the high. Go to a ski shop and find a nice thick hat.

If all this fails, try taking your gloves off for a few seconds when you get cold, and then sticking your hands in your jacket pocket. Your hands will be near your body core, therefore allowing your core body temp to warm up your hands. Just be sure to put your gloves back on right away. There is a higher chance of frostbite in temperatures that are under 10 degrees. With that being said, always check your hands everytime you get a chnce for frostbite. If they feel cold, go inside for a second and look for signs of frostbite, such as whiteness of the skin or red spots starting to show up on your fingers. If any of those signs start to show, get yourself to ski patrol so that they can deal with it more effciently.

Answer 2

First be sure to keep your core warm. Add an extra layer underneath, perhaps by wearing two sets of thermals or put a vest under your jacket. The cold hands are your body's responce to the core being cold and sacrificing the extremities to save the vitals. I also use glove liners on a cold day which helps a lot and I also use these things called wristies which look kind of like a fleece tube sock with holes for your thumb and fingers. They totally eliminate any gapping between your jacket and glove.

Answer 3

Try mittens.

The way the body works is that, if the core of your body is getting too cold, the blood vessels to your extremities (your hands and feet) shut down to preserve warmth in the core. This is even more prevalent to protect the brain. If your hands are getting cold you should ensure that your core and your head are warm enough. There is an old skiers saying "If your hands are getting cold put on a hat". Something like a third of your body's heat loss is through your head and neck. If you can reduce that heat loss the body will have no reason to restrict blood flow to your hands, and they will stay warmer longer.

Sorry that this is a bit of a ramble, but try keeping your head warmer if you want warm hands.

Answer 4

Seek advice from a ski shop. Tell them about the problem with your hands. It's great your feet are warm but very important to keep the hands warm as well. You might have to invest some money but it is well worth it to save you from damaging your hands.

If you are skiing in weather that cold and the hands get cold get, and fingers get numb, go somewhere such as a (Lodge etc) and warm them up.

They also sell little heat packets to warm the hands-Check with a ski shop, and keep those hands warm-Good Luck!

Answer 5

Like said, mittens are better. Also glove warmers are nice, get in bulk though and NEVER at or near a ski resort...way to pricy. As cheesy as it sounds though, swing your arms around and smakc your upper back a few times, it moves more blood into your arms and hands making them warmer. Ive got issues with my hands since i kinda screwed them up a few too many times so i dont get the blood to them, so their always cold to. But the priciple is that when your body is cold, it moves blood to your core, starting with taking from your arms being the smallest ampendage. Just gotta keep the blood moving bud!

Answer 6

Only advice is get better gloves. I never had problems with my hands or any part of my body while skiing. I am always well prepared. I was skiing in 2 deg weather 2 weeks ago in upstate NY and I actually worked up quite a sweat.

Answer 7

Don't touch any metal stuff. Do not hold restrain bar while you're on lift or metal part of your ski poles. I didn't believe this, but it makes big difference. I was skiing in -2F and my hands were warm.
If this won't help, try glove warmers.

Answer 8

You can try the warmers, but this is my system:

A fleece pair of gloves, and a pair of overmitts. The two together usually keep out the chill on even the coldest days.

Answer 9

hi there i suffered from clod hands untill i invested in a pair of mitten type gloves with a inner glove as well. not had cold hands since.
hope this helps
regards peter

Answer 10

buy sum cheap hand warmers that warm up by rubbing them

they r really cheap

probly at ur local wal mart