What to Pack
& How to Dress on the Slopes

If this is your first winter vacation, one of the keys to enjoying your time in our winter environment is to make sure that you are fully prepared.  Being prepared in our environment means having the right amount of clothes.   The following is a quick list of how we recommend dressing for our winter weather.  Please reference this as you are preparing for your ski vacation to Steamboat.

1. Be sure dress in layers - layering keeps you warmer and lets you adjust clothing as the temperature rise or fall.  The layer closest to your skin should be made of a 'wicking' material so that it removes perspiration away from your skin.  Two to three medium weight layers are usually warmer than one bulky garment.
   
   
2. The outermost layer should be wind and water resistant. This includes your jacket, pants and gloves.  Clothes such as jeans and sweat pants are not suitable as they absorb water making you cold and wet.
   
   
3. If you chose not to wear a helmet, be sure to wear a hat at all times as most of your body heat escapes out of your head.   A neck gator is also an excellent piece of clothing that keeps cold air from getting on your neck, and is much less cumbersome than a scarf.
   
   
4. At our higher elevation, the sun's rays are less filtered. Sun also reflects off the surface of the snow making the rays even more intense. To protect against sunburn and damage to your eyes, you should always wear sunglasses or goggles and sunscreen at all times.
   
   
5. It is also important to carry goggles with you at all times - goggles offer protection against the winter elements (snow, ice and wind) and provide you with greater visibility while skiing and snowboarding during tough weather conditions.
   
   
6. Your feet are also a very important element when skiing and snowboarding.  Cold or uncomfortable feet can ruin a day on the slopes. You will want to wear only one pair of ski or snowboard specific socks.  Bulky wool socks are a thing of the past, where today you can get a wool-blend that is lightweight yet warm.
   
   
7. Your hands are also another important part of your body often overlooked.  Mittens are warmer than gloves.  Lightweight 'driving' gloves will not be adequate.  Wool or rag type miittens will get wet and should not be used.  It is always a good idea to spend a few extra dollars on a good waterproof pair of gloves. 

If you do not have any of the items below or do not feel you are fully prepared, you can always stop by one of Steamboat's many retail shops.  They can outfit you with all the items to make your time on the slopes comfortable.