How to keep your feet warm while skiing
Cold feet can ruin any activity and although you can wrap up warm in your very own catered chalet in France, when you’re on the slopes you want to be able to keep them toasty and comfortable.
So here at Ski Olympic, we are giving you our top tips on keeping your feet warm.
Get the blood pumping
Something you can do before you hit the slopes or do any form of exercise is to conduct a warm-up.
Simply stand in, or sit on the edge, of your bath with your feet submerged in hot or warm water. Make sure it is ankle-deep, then quickly dry them before slipping your socks and boots on. Your warm feet with help to heat up your entire boot, which will lock it in while you ski.
Another helpful tip is to keep yourself moving. Swing your legs on the lift, or just sway shuffle your feet back and forward if you’re waiting for a straggler.
Make sure your boots fit
If your boots don’t fit properly, not only is it extremely uncomfortable for you, it will also make you colder.
If you are a seasoned skier, you probably have your own boots, but it is always worth checking their fit. Boots that are too tight will restrict the blood flow down to your toes, squeezing out any air insulating your feet.
Too big and you could not only cause yourself an injury, but also get snow in them. You will also be trying to grip the sole with your toes and this is just going to push the blood from your skin.
Fresh socks
If you have planned to spend the day on the slopes then it is well worth taking a few pairs of socks with you.
Skiing is of course exercise, so your feet will sweat, and this sweat will be absorbed by the socks making them wet and your feet cold.
At the same time, it is worth buying good quality socks. Admittedly, they are not cheap, but they really can make all the difference. Avoid sports or hiking socks, but go for ski or snowboard specific socks, which will wick away sweat from the skin while trapping in the heat.
A wet body loses heat 27 times faster than a dry body, but specific socks will also be designed to help against any shin or Achilles tendon injuries with their padding.
Keep your boots dry
If you have boots that are even just a little damp, the water is likely to freeze. As soon as you finish for the day, you should start getting your boots ready for your next ski.
Boot dryers are often provided in chalets and hotels, but the old fashioned trick of putting the inner liners on or close to a hot radiator will also work, get the hairdryer out in the morning to help with the process or just to warm them up a bit before you go.
Otherwise, invest in portable driers, many of which plug into the mains switches or universal chargers.