Do you know what to wear during winter adventures to keep you warm? Dressing properly is essential to enjoying the outdoors during winter so I’m going to teach you how to layer your clothes for cold weather. As you ascend the mountains the temperatures drop dramatically and winds pick up making the climate more hostile than the Town Center at the bottom. If you are not layered in the right winter clothing your ski day may be cut short. LAYERS are the key to regulating your temperature during winter.
Growing up in Michigan I’ve always had winter adventures all around the state chasing the snow. Michigan’s winters last from late October to mid-April – giving us around 6 months/year of winter to bear. During that time the temperatures fluctuate from mid 30’s F to -20’s F depending on the time of year. Needless to say – I have some experience dealing with the snowy, cold, winters. Let’s start with your first layer.
What to Wear During Winter Adventures to Keep You Warm
Your first layered shirt should be thin enough to fit under a sweatshirt or sweater. Depending on how cold it is, you may want to do a short sleeve to keep you cooler on hikes. While the long sleeves are great for snowboarding, skiing, and other extreme winter weather sports. You could also wear a long sleeve heavier shirt with a puffer vest for hiking weather.
Layer 2: Sweatshirt, Zip up, or sweater
The second layer you wear in winter is important. Based on what activities you plan on doing, the hoodies are great for hiking outdoors in mild climates but not great for snow/wind. If you plan on hitting the slopes or playing in the snow I recommend going with something warmer like the daily zip-neck sweater or better sweater hoody.
Why I like the quarter-zip: it’s made of 100% recycled polyester fleece. The pullover combines a sweater-knit aesthetic with the easy care of Better Sweater fleece. It’s dyed with a low-impact process that significantly reduces the use of dyestuffs, energy, and water compared to conventional dyeing methods. Oh, and it’s also Fair Trade Certified™ sewn.
You May also like: Big Sky Montana Winter Weekend Adventure Guide
Best Winter Coats to wear
Your last layer is your jacket. This is also a very important layer and I recommend researching or trying on the coats if you can. That way you know if it fits well over your other two layers and if it will be warm enough for your winter adventure. As you can see in the picture above, I did not have the right coat for snowboarding. Something like the Das Parka or Triolet jacket would have been a much better choice. The Das Parka keeps you warm on those bone-chilling days out on the slopes.
I personally prefer Tri-Climate jackets like the Tres 3 in 1 Parka below but the length makes it difficult to ski in. However, it’s more versatile for different types of weather due to its built-in layers. The Nano Puff jacket is great for hiking and milder temperatures.
Why I like the Triolet: the Triolet Jacket leverages waterproof/breathable 3-layer GORE-TEX fabric with a recycled feature-rich shell to deliver versatile, durable performance in heavy snow, driving wind, and rain. Plus it’s the right length to wear out on the slopes.
what clothes to wear in winter – pants and snow pants
Your first layer is going to be a pair of leggings, joggers, or something stretchy that you can move in. You don’t want to wear jeans under snow pants, it’s very uncomfortable and can be hard to walk in. To keep warm and dry during your winter adventure, you may need to purchase a pair of snow pants. These are crucial if you plan on skiing/snowboarding they will keep you dry which is the key to staying warm.
Base Layer Pants
What I like about the Capilene Thermal Weight Bottoms: is the breathable fabric base layer. Keeps you warm in cold conditions with Polartec® Power Grid® fabric with HeiQ® Pure odor control. Fair Trade Certified™ sewn. Perfect for winter hiking!
Top Layer snow pants
Why I like the Powder Town Bibs: Fully PFC-free, with features for versatility, and mobility, the Powder Town Bibs have an H2No® Performance Standard 2-layer shell for waterproof/breathable and windproof protection. Plus the smooth mesh liner inside is great for comfort and easy layering. Fair Trade Certified™ sewn. I prefer bibs because they hold my base layer up better than snow pants do.
You might also like: 10 Cozy Cabins in Big sky that are perfect for winter
What accessories to wear during winter
No, I don’t mean jewelry or purses. I’m talking about winter hats, and gloves to keep you warm and dry. Sunglasses are a must if you are hiking in the snow, and sun goggles are a must if you are skiing/snowboarding. The white of the snow reflects with the sun making it very difficult to see and even blinding sometimes. Riding down a mountain you’ll be grateful for the goggles as they keep the wind, snow, and dust out of your eyes.
Stay the night at a cozy cabin in Boulder Colorado
What shoes to wear in winter
My Joan of Arctic boot you see above is perfect for all the winter fun. They are lined and insulated so they keep my feet warm. The wicking fabric of the boot and rubber sole keeps the water out, and the high tie laces keep the snow out of the top of the boot. They were great for snowshoeing and hiking, and my feet stayed warm and dry each day.
Why should I support Patagonia?
- For almost 40 years, Patagonia has supported grassroots groups working to find solutions to the environmental crisis.
- Since 1985, Patagonia has pledged 1% of sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment, and awarded over $140 million in cash and in-kind donations to domestic and international grassroots environmental groups making a difference in their local communities.
- “Worn Wear” is a program to trade in and buy used Patagonia® gear. 85% of clothing ends up in landfills.* One of the best things we can do for the planet is keep stuff in use longer and reduce our overall consumption. That means buying less, repairing more, and trading in gear when you no longer need it.
- Patagonia promotes fair labor practices and safe working conditions throughout the entire supply chain.
- Read more about their history of environmental and social responsibility.