How to Stay Warm on a Snow Trip

Ah, the winter trip. A magical combination of frosted mountain views, hot cocoa breaks, and the occasional faceplant into a snowbank. Whether you’re a first-time snow bunny or a seasoned shredder of the slopes, one truth remains universal: you cannot enjoy cold weather if you’re frozen solid.

Unless your idea of fun includes becoming a stylish snowman or auditioning for the role of “Chilly #4” in the next Frozen sequel, you’re going to want to take staying warm seriously. The good news is that keeping cozy in the cold is part science, part strategy, and part channeling your inner marshmallow.

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Our Tips: Because Frostbite is Sooo Last Season

1. Master the Art of Layering (a.k.a. Become an Onion)

Layering is not just a fashion statement—it’s survival.

Start with a solid base layer, something snug and moisture-wicking. Cotton is a no-go; it’ll soak up your sweat and freeze you from the inside out. Go with merino wool or synthetic materials. You want something that says, “I’m an athletic machine,” even if you’re mostly there for the après-ski snacks. [Women] [Men] [Children]

Next, your mid-layer should insulate—think fleece, down, or synthetic fill. This is the layer that holds your body heat hostage.

Top it off with an outer layer that’s waterproof and windproof. Your winter jacket should repel snow, sleet, wind, and the existential dread of losing your lift ticket. [Women] [Men] [Children]

Pro tip: If you feel like a walking laundry basket, you’re doing it right.

2. Protect the Extremities (Frostbite's Favorite Hangouts)

Toes, fingers, ears, and noses are the body’s drama queens. The moment it gets cold, they’re the first to panic and shut down.

Socks: One pair of thick, moisture-wicking ski socks. Just one! Two pairs may seem warmer, but they’ll cut off circulation and turn your feet into sad little ice bricks.
Gloves or mittens: Mittens are warmer because your fingers are all huddled together for warmth like penguins. If you need finger dexterity, go for insulated gloves—but make sure they’re waterproof.
Hand and toe warmers: These magical packets are tiny ovens for your extremities. Buy them in bulk and thank us later.
Hat or helmet liner: Most heat escapes from your head. Helmets help, but a fleece or wool liner underneath? Chef’s kiss.
Neck gaiter or balaclava: Not only does this keep your neck and face warm, but it also lets you look like a mysterious snow ninja.

3. Choose the Right Gear (AKA, Don’t Wear Jeans on the Slopes)

This might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people show up looking like they mistook the ski lodge for a college tailgate.

You need:

A proper ski jacket and snow pants (both waterproof and insulated)
Snow boots for off-slope wandering (your ski boots are not made for après walks)
Goggles (because wind and snow in your eyeballs is not an aesthetic)
A helmet (warm and life-saving)

Bonus: Many ski jackets come with sneaky pockets for lift passes, lip balm, mini bottles (we listen and don’t judge), or emergency chocolate. Use them wisely.

4. Fuel the Furnace (Yes, This Means Snacks)

Your body burns a lot of calories trying to stay warm—especially when you’re doing death-defying moves like “falling off the chairlift gracefully.”

Eat hearty meals and pack high-energy snacks like trail mix, protein bars, or those suspiciously addictive peanut butter crackers. Also, stay hydrated—even in the cold, dehydration is real. And no, hot cocoa doesn’t technically count (but we’re not judging if you bring a thermos).

Side note: If you’ve never tried hot cocoa with a splash of peppermint schnapps on a cold day, are you even living?

5. Take Breaks Like a Pro

Warmth isn’t a one-and-done thing. It’s a cycle. After a couple of runs (or one dramatic tumble), take a break inside the lodge. Stand by the fire. Sit on a heated bench. Sip something hot. Tell a dramatic story about your “epic wipeout” that was actually a slow-motion fall onto a flat patch.

Resting keeps your core temp stable, helps your muscles recover, and—let’s be honest—gives you time to Instagram your adventure.

6. Avoid the Rookie Move: Sweating and Freezing

Here’s a fun (read: miserable) phenomenon—you overheat while skiing, sweat like crazy, then freeze the moment you stop moving. Ta-da! Now you’re a popsicle.

Avoid this by:

Shedding layers during intense activity (but put them back on immediately after)
Unzipping vents on your jacket or pants if you’re overheating
Wearing breathable base layers to wick sweat

Think of your body like a high-maintenance friend: it wants just the right temperature at all times, or it’s going to complain loudly.

7. Know When to Call It

This is not the Hunger Games. If you’re shaking, teeth chattering, or turning a suspicious shade of blueberry, get inside. No snow day is worth risking hypothermia.

Even pros take half-days. Nobody’s handing out medals for staying out the longest. (Well, maybe your friend Steve, but Steve also once skied into a tree.)

8. Hot Tub Redemption

After a long, freezing day of outdoors, few things feel as glorious as lowering your sore, cold body into a steaming hot tub or geothermal pool.

Pro tips:

Bring a swimsuit (or buy one from the resort gift shop and try not to cry about the price).
Hydrate before and after (hot tubs + dehydration = dizzy spaghetti limbs).
Don’t stay in too long or you’ll turn into a parboiled raisin.

Also: Consider hot tubbing with a mountain view at sunset. You’ve earned it. Especially if you skied through the pain of ski boot blisters. #Warrior

9. Embrace the Power of a Positive (and Slightly Ridiculous) Attitude

If you can’t stay warm, you can still stay funny.

Name your layers (“This is Puffy Susan. She’s the warmest.”)
Narrate your ski adventures like a nature documentary
Give pep talks to your toes: “You’ve got this, Little Piggies. Just ten more minutes.”

Honestly, if you’re going to be cold, you might as well be hilarious about it. This trick helped me stay warm in Alaska, Iceland, and the northern US.

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A snow trip is one of the most magical vacations you can take—where the world is quiet, the air is crisp, and the hot drinks never stop flowing. But staying warm is key to actually enjoying all of it.

So layer up, laugh a lot, snack often, and remember: a cold person is a cranky person, but a warm person is a happy person—especially when there’s cocoa involved.

Now go forth and conquer the slopes, you cozy snow warrior.

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