Christmas is right around the corner, and that means that winter is here in the Northern Hemisphere. For outdoor lovers, the snow brings a number of great opportunities for adventuring. A ski trip is an incredible way to enjoy the season. Here are three great tips for planning a skiing and snowboarding adventure this season.
1. Plan for Comfort
Perhaps the greatest key to a successful ski trip is staying warm. The right wardrobe can make all the difference between freezing misery and happy shredding through powdery snow. When dressing for activity in cold weather, the best strategy is layering. Start with a base layer that is comprised of a light wicking material such as microfiber or wool. These materials help to pull moisture away from the skin and then allow it to evaporate quickly. This will keep you dry instead of allowing sweat to turn cool on your skin and begin to irritate it while dropping your body temperature.
Next, an insulating layer and an outer shell protect you from the wind and the snow. Of course, you can build your clothing layers in any way you want adding more insulation or more waterproof layers. In the end you are trying to dress in a way that will keep you warm but also allow you to shed a few layers for comfort when your body begins to heat up from activity.
2. Regular or Goofy? And What Does that Mean?
If you are a daring woman who has elected to try a snowboard, then get ready for a lot of hard work and hopefully just as much fun. Many seasoned mountaineers will tell you that snowboarding is more difficult to pick up but easier to perfect once you’ve figured out the basics. Skiing, on the other hand, is simpler to start but perhaps more challenging when it comes to advancing your skills. Before you browse through the best snowboards to pick out your board, the first step is finding your individual stance. While a majority of snowboarders are regular foot, many are goofy foot, too. Regular means that the left foot goes forward down the hill, while goofy refers to riders whose stance puts the right foot forward. There are a number of tests you can perform on yourself to determine which stance you naturally prefer. Have a friend push you from behind and watch to see which foot you put out first to brace yourself. Another test involves drop-kicking a ball. Whichever foot you kick with should go on the back of the board, and the stabilizing leg should go in front. An even simpler way to determine your direction is to race up a staircase and look at which foot you automatically use as your first step. This will be the back foot on the snowboard.
With the right foot picked out, you are ready to pick up your first board at the pro shop and intrepidly head to the bunny slope.
3. Special Ski Guides
Whether you are a beginner or an expert, a freestyle snowboarder or a downhill skier, a fun way to enjoy the slopes and the beauty of the surrounding forests is with an all women’s ski clinic. Ski classes and groups happening throughout the 2013-2014 season should have something for everyone at numerous destinations across the country. Meeting up with a ski clinic will not only help you gain some valuable skills, it might also connect you with other ladies who share your passion for being active outdoors. With these three tips, you are ready to plan a fantastic winter adventure.
Image from www.squaw.com
Guest post by Jessica Socheski
