STEAMBOAT VACATION PLANNING: What to Pack
What to Pack & How to Dress
The key to an enjoyable Steamboat vacation is being comfortable and warm on the slopes. Rocky Mountain winters are anything but predictable. Many mid-winter days come with extremely cold temperatures mixed with snow and wind. Mountain temperatures can also change significantly in an instant. Watch for fast moving clouds and dress appropriately. However, some days can be quite warm with blue skies and bright sunshine. Overall the weather is totally unpredictable, so you should pack for a variety of situations.
Dress in Layers
Two or three medium weight layers are warmer than one bulky garment. Air gets trapped between layers and helps insulate. The base layer, the layer closest to your skin, should be made of a wicking material which removes sweat away from your skin, keeping you warm and dry. Polypropylene is an example of a wicking material.
Your outermost layers such as your jacket, gloves and pants should be wind and water resistant. Jeans and sweatpants are anything but ideal since they absorb water making you wet and cold.
Cover Your Head
Without a helmet or hat you are looking to lose up to 50% of your heat through your head. A neck gator will also help keep you warm by stopping cold air from reaching your neck, and is much less bulky than a scarf.
Hands
Typically mittens are warmer than gloves. Bulky wool rag-type mittens will get wet easily and should not be worn. Lightweight "driving gloves" won't do the job either. It's a good idea to spend the extra money on a nice pair of gloves or mittens that will keep your hands nice and toasty.
Feet
Your feet are also very important when skiing or snowboarding. A cold pair of feet could ruin an otherwise enjoyable day on the slopes. One good pair of ski or snowboard specific socks should do the trick. Large and bulky wool socks are history; today you can get a wool blend that is lightweight and warm.
Eyes
The sun's rays are less filtered at higher elevations. The sun also reflects off the snow making the sun more intense. On a sunny day it is very important to either wear dark goggles or UV sunglasses. When the weather is less than ideal, goggles work the best in protecting you from winter's elements such as wind, ice and snow.
If you are missing any of the items above, feel free to stop by one of Steamboat's many ski and snowboard shops. They can outfit you with anything that will make your time on the slopes more enjoyable.
