If this is the first time for you to try cross-country skiing, the contents of this article will prove to be invaluable. If you are an old hand and have often been ill-prepared, you might derive some knowledge from reading this article. When planning for a skiing trip, three things are important – comfort, safety and protection. With that in mind, here are some tips to ensure that you want for nothing while skiing across the beautiful country.
- Layer Up The Torso– Biting winds can quickly turn the experience into an unpleasant ordeal, so wear layers. Graba thermal undervest with no sleeves, a cotton T-shirt and a sweater that is thin and offers good body insulation.
- Thermal Leggings– To be worn inside your snow pants, a good pair of thermal leggings will keep your pins warm, and with a stretch fabricsuch as lycra, you have the freedom of movement that skiing demands.
- Polarized Sunglasses – Being on the snow means you must have total eye protection, and you can order womens sunglasses onlinefrom a leading designer sunglasses supplier. Polarized lenses cut out 100% of the glare and when on the slopes or skiing across country, you must have good vision. With a pair of sports-style wrap-around sunnies that are UV400 rated (the highest available), your eyes will be protected and you will have great vision. You might want to attach an elastic band to ensure the sunglasses stay put, which is advisable due to the nature of skiing. Goggles tend to fog up, so a good pair of warp-around sunglasses are a much better solution, and they should be polarized with a UV rating of 400.
- Skiing Gloves– They should be skiing gloves, which you can easily find on the Internet, and while they won’t be cheap, you won’t suffer from numb fingers with proper skiing gloves. Some cross-country skiers prefer mittens, although most opt for gloves that enable hand and fine finger control; either way, they must insulate your hands.
- Military Belt– You can buy special ski belts that have clip points for a variety of items you might need. You are often in very remote regions, which might demand a compass, a flashlight and a good pocket knife, and your smartphone can slip into a neat side pocket. You can also attach your sunglasses case to the belt, for those times when you want to take a photo, and anything else that you think you might need.
- Difficult Terrain– Unlike skiing down a slope, cross-country expeditions mean a range of terrain, and if you are in a remote area, take the necessary precautions like informing people of your location, along with an ETA, and when you will contact them. Of course, you must remember that you are mobile, and too much weight will take its toll, so take care with what you take, and if you are in a group, discuss what you are taking so you can share the load.
Cross-country skiing is a spectacular way to see the beauty of winter, and providing you are well-clothed and prepared, you will enjoy your skiing expedition to the fullest.