Teaching Kids life skills through the Love of Skiing

Cold Weather Policy

Cold-Weather-Cartoon

As we have had some very cold days lately, we thought it would be a good idea to go over our Cold Weather Policy:

If the temperature on the Weather Network for Kimberley is below -20°C at 7:00 am we will delay training sessions until 1:00 pm. If the temperature still remains below -20°C at 12:00 pm, all ski programs will be canceled for the day.

Check the Weather Network for Kimberley

Tips for cold days on the slopes

  1. Socks: avoid wearing your ski socks too long before you put your boots on. These socks don't take long to make the foot sweat and result in cold feet when they get outdoors on the slopes.
  2. Under layers: should be anything but cotton. Fleece and wool insulate even if they get wet.
  3. Hand and foot warmers: will help keep extremities warm when it gets cold.
  4. Balaclava and neck tubes: are great for keeping the wind out and the neck warm.

End of the Day

Pull liners out of ski boots and dry those over furnace vents do not throw in dryer or too close to a woodstove, it doesn't take long for melting to take place.  Interior of shells can also get wet so consider drying them in the same way.
Safety It’s always a good idea to put a granola bar in the jacket pocket in case of an emergency such as a broken down chairlift. Also clip on those whistles to jacket zippers that were given out at the last Club Race. If your little racer missed the event then ask your coach about getting one.
Frostbite is a serious concern for the coaches; it does not take long to occur when you add the wind chill of skiing down the hill, combined with the inactivity of riding the chairlift or a chairlift stoppage. Also the kids do not feel it happening and therefore don’t complain that they are cold.  Serious damage can occur within a short period of time. Kids are encouraged to look out for their team mates.
What to do if you get frostbite?
Use a warm body part to warm it up. Such as using your hand to warm up your cheek, or putting your hand under your arm pit area. DO NOT put direct heat on it, such as hot water or rub it.

What the pros wear

Thin merino wool special ski socks, are worth every cent, don’t wear them anywhere but your ski boots and they last a long time. Tight wool or polyester long johns, and a light to med Fleece pants or long johns, kids may wear more than one Fleece layer, not cotton jogging pants. Up top it is the same, we start with a tight wool or polyester, then we add wool and fleece layers to match the temperature. No cotton hoodies! A buff or neck tube helps keep the wind out. We use hand and foot warmers and start them before we get to the hill so they are warmed up. Finally if it is really cold a layer of down is extremely warm under your jacket.