Who doesn’t love to ski in the winter? It’s one of the most amazing sporting events you can experience in person. No matter if you’re a beginner or a pro, skimming down the slopes in beautiful surroundings is pretty unforgettable.
But getting wet and cold isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. For those who hate cold weather, there are various ways to avoid the elements on a cold day. One of the best methods is to heat up your ski boots. This way you can ski in comfort even when the temperature is well below zero.
Here’s how to heat up your ski boots so you can enjoy your day on the slopes without having to worry about your foot warming up. Keep reading for more information.
Table of Contents
Materials Needed
- Ski boots
- Heel cups
- Sole covers
- Laces, adjustable straps, and/or velcro straps
- Breathable fabrics
- Waterproof/breathable materials
- Thick socks
- Muffs
You’ll also need to consider what additives you want to utilize in order to heat the boots. While some companies manufacture heat-generated materials that are integrated into the soles of the ski boots, others sell separate products that you can use in conjunction with your current pair of boots. You should research which type of additive is best for your particular pair of ski boots before making a purchase decision. Some ski boots are better suited for certain types of skiing or riding than others. Your ski boots’ fit and construction should also be assessed in order to determine whether or not you’ll need a heating element.
The Right Place For The Heating Element
Just as there are various ways to skin a cat, there are various places in which you can fit a heating element in a ski boot. You can get a pair of ski boots with built-in heat packs or you can purchase a separate unit and insert it in there. The most ideal spot for a heating element is in the collar near the opening of the boot. This is because the area in and around the opening is generally where you’d want to keep your hands while skiing or snowboarding in the first place. If you need to reach something down there, the collar is the best place to put it because it’ll stay out of the way while skiing but it’ll still be accessible when needed. Heating elements in the collar prevent freezing of the tissues in your nose when you undergo an aggressive cold-weather breathing maneuver while skiing.
Why Not The Heel?
Some people believe that the heel is the best place for a heating element because it’s often the area where you put the most stress on your knees when skiing. If you need to stop quickly on a slope or take a fall, the heel is the place you need to be in the most. This is because when you fall on your heels, you tend to land on your knees. If you fall on your toes, you’ll tend to land on your feet. There’s also the added bonus of the heel being the most traditional place for the ice-cheese cream pie at the end of the day. So even though the stress may not be on the knees in the same way it is on the heels, they still seem to prefer the heel as the area for the pie.
But the ideal spot for a heating element doesn’t have to be restricted to the heel. For example, if you’re a beginner who’s just getting used to skiing and isn’t comfortable falling on anything more than a few slopes, the inside of the instep would be an excellent choice for a spot for the heating element. But as you become more experienced and confident on the mountain, you may want to look into other options such as the collar or the ball of the foot as well. It really depends on which area best suits your skiing style and how much you want to expose your extremities to the elements while on the slopes.
The Best Way To Insulate Your Boots
Depending on the thickness of your socks and the foot style of your ski boots, you may need to insulate them. Some people prefer to use thick socks with their ski boots while others prefer to wear thin socks. The thickness of your socks will determine how well your boots stay warm. If you wear thick socks, your boots will remain warm even when the temperature is below freezing. But if you wear thin socks, your boots will only keep warm if the temperature is at or above freezing. So in very cold temperatures, you’ll want to add some additional warmth to your boots in order to keep them from freezing on your feet. This typically entails placing a few more layers on top of your boots when you head out for your day on the slopes.
But remember, the thicker your socks, the more weight you’re going to be carrying around on your feet. So if you want to keep your feet feeling light, choose thin socks and add layers on top of your boots when you head out for your day on the slopes.
Familiarizing Yourself With How Your Boots Feel
As we mentioned above, not everyone likes to feel cold while skiing. One of the best ways to make sure your boots don’t cause you any discomfort is to get a feel for how they work with your feet. Some people like to use a ski binding that incorporates a heart rate monitor into the strap. This way, they can get an idea of how their heart is progressing throughout the day by looking at the display on the monitor. But other people prefer to use a separate heart rate monitor and stick with the traditional method of gauging their exertion by counting their breaths. For this type of skier, getting a feeling for how their boots fit is vital in order to avoid any type of discomfort. Counting your breaths can be an easy way to determine how your day is going and whether or not you need to add more layers to your ski boots.
Layering Is Key
One of the best ways to prevent your body from freezing while skiing is to remain layered. If you remove any layer, the heat is almost immediately diminished from your body. Even if you have the best heating element in the world, your body heat is still going to be surpassed by the temperature around you. For this reason, you want to remain as warm as possible while skiing even in extreme cold weather conditions. The next layer down should be your ski jacket. If you begin to feel chilly, you may want to remove your jacket and re-layer. But if the weather is tolerable, but not comfortable, you may want to keep your jacket on to prevent any skin rubbing against the ski wires as you ski. This may lead to chafing which could eventually turn into an irritation or a blister. This should not happen but it can if you don’t take proper precautions. But if you’re going to be out for a long day and want to prevent any irritation, you may want to wear your jacket all the time.
A Good Night’s Sleep Is Necessary
Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best ways to restore and replenish your body’s stores of heat. While it may be difficult to doze off on a crowded, noisy ski slope, you should still try to get as much rest as possible. If you’re planning to stay overnight at a mountain lodge, make sure you call the hotel’s front desk beforehand to make sure they know you’re coming. This will ensure you get the room you’re expecting and avoid any unpleasant surprises upon checking in.
Consider The Air You’re Breathing
Even when the air is relatively warm, your body heat will be surpassed by the external temperature if it’s below freezing. For this reason, you want to keep your exposure to the elements to a minimum when you’re on the slopes. If you need to take a break and head to a warmer climate for a bit, it’s preferable to walk or ski in the opposite direction than facing the wind. This way you’ll keep your exposure to the frigid air as low as possible and prevent your extremities from freezing.
Watch Out For Those Around You
When you visit a foreign country, one of the first things you’ll be asked is whether or not you feel safe traveling there. In the same way, when you ski foreign countries you’ll be asked the same question. It is not uncommon for people to get nervous when skiing in an area they are not familiar with or where the snow is more powdery than ice. It is also common for those who live in warmer climates to be more worried about overheating than freezing while skiing in the winter. These people need not worry, however, as long as they’re wearing the proper attire and have obeyed all the safety protocols.