Nobody likes dealing with cold feet. But it’s something that happens to nearly every skier at some point. If you want to stay comfortable on the mountain and make the most of your time in the snow, you need to know how to keep warm.
I’ve been skiing for decades, and I’ve encountered nearly every type of weather condition you can imagine. I’ve learned how to keep my feet warm no matter the temperature, and I want to share this with other skiers.
I’ll show you how to keep your feet warm when skiing in this post. I’ll provide you with some tips and tricks that will keep your toes and feet cozy, comfortable, and ready for action so you can stay out in the snow as long as you want.
Let’s get warm.
Contents
Why You Want to Keep Your Feet Warm
This should come as obvious advice, but you don’t want cold feet when you ski. This can be uncomfortable at best and can result in serious issues like frostbite if you let your feet and toes get extremely cold.
Even if your feet get a little bit cold, it can take away from your overall skiing experience. It can also force you into heading into the lodge to warm up or end your ski day earlier than you would have if they were kept warm.
It doesn’t take much effort to do a few things that can keep your feet warm. It’s worth putting in the time, energy, and effort to make sure that you stay warm at all times, so you can enjoy every second you have on the slopes.
How to Keep Feet Warm When Skiing
There are a handful of different ways you can keep your feet warm when skiing. I’ll show you all of the top ways I’ve successfully kept my feet and toes warm in this section. You can try any or all of these to see what works best for you.
Tip #1 – Use High-Quality Ski Socks
High-quality ski socks are a great starting point for keeping your feet warm when you ski. You want to get a thin sock that won’t bunch up or fall down when you place it inside of your ski boots. This will help keep the blood properly flowing through your feet and toes.
I like to use Merino wool ski socks because they are the most comfortable and provide a tremendous amount of warmth. They also retain their warming and insulating properties when they get wet.
You don’t necessarily need big, thick ski socks for them to be warm. If they are too thick, they can cause issues with boot fit, which can cause problems with getting cold. And you only need to wear a single pair of good ski socks.
Tip #2 – Make Sure Your Boots Fit Properly
The proper boot fit is important in many ways, including performance and comfort, but it also plays a significant role in how warm your feet will stay. If your boots don’t fit properly, they will get cold more easily.
Ski boots should be tight, but you don’t want them cutting off circulation to your feet and toes. If you notice any numbness or tingly while wearing them, they probably don’t fit properly. You want a firm fit that doesn’t have pressure or pain points.
Using heat-moldable liners and shells is an excellent way to get a properly fitting ski boot. But you can also get the help of a professional boot-fitter if you want to ensure you get the best fit possible.
Tip #3 – Stay Fueled Up and Hydrated
When your body is fueled up, it functions better in any type of condition. To keep that metabolic furnace going, you should always have a big breakfast before your go skiing and make sure to eat lunch and snacks along the way.
Staying hydrated is another aspect of getting your body to function at a high level, so you always want access to plenty of water when skiing. I think you should drink at least 2 liters of water during a ski day, and ideally more.
If you can eat a big breakfast a few hours before skiing, that’s ideal. If you eat a big meal right before heading into the cold, it can make things worse because blood goes to your stomach and away from your extremities.
Tip #4 – Use Boot Warmers or Heated Socks
If none of the tips have helped so far, or you know that you tend to have really cold feet, using boot warmers can help you out. You can purchase disposable boot warmers at the resort or ski shop and slip them into your boots or socks when skiing.
Boot warmers are pretty easy to use. You simply open up the package, shake up the warmer, and place them in your boots. Using one might affect how your boots fit, so you’ll want to play around with things to ensure they don’t cause discomfort.
You can also get heated socks or even boot liners. These can be expensive, but they will provide you with battery-powered heat that can keep your feet extra warm and cozy on frigid ski days.
I’ve never used heated socks myself, but I have a few friends who swear by them and think they are the best. Just know that you’ll have to keep them fully charged for the best performance and that a battery pack will stick out of your ski boots.
Tip #5 – Keep the Rest of Your Body Warm
A critical aspect of keeping your extremities warm is to make sure the rest of your body is warm. When you get cold, your body will send blood to your internal organs as a survival mechanism. This takes blood from your hands and feet and will make them colder quicker.
Layering for skiing is essential for keeping your entire body warm. You can have the warmest ski socks and boots available, but you will still get cold feet if you have a terrible jacket or ski pants. It’s worth it to invest in warm ski clothing.
To make sure your body stays as warm as possible, it’s a good idea to wear a base-layer, mid-layer, and outer shell. You can always adjust these layers as needed, but you’ll be prepared for anything if you have them all.
And you also want to make sure you have a warm hat or helmet on at all times. A lot of body heat can escape from your head, so you want to keep it covered and insulated when you are out in the snow and cold.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your feet warm when skiing can require a little bit of extra effort, but it’s well worth it to keep you comfortable. You might need to play around with the tips I provided here to find out what works best for you.
Every skier has a different body and reacts to the cold in a unique way. Knowing what works to keep your feet warm will help you for your entire skiing career, so it’s important to figure that out sooner than later.
