7 Tips for Cold-Weather Packing

Winter is well on its way and if you’re someone who loves the snow, you may be planning a ski/snowboard trip to somewhere like Colorado, Vermont, or Canada to enjoy the fresh powder. If so, our Newark Airport parking members have a few tips when it comes to packing for a cold weather adventure:

Consider a face mask.

While face masks may not be the most stylish ski accessory, they can really help. The skin on your face is very sensitive, which means cold weather can easily dry it out. Protect yourself with a face mask while you’re going down the mountain and you’ll be thankful you did later. Also consider a pair of goggles that can provide extra protection and shield your face from ice and snow.

Bring hand and toe warmers.

Your body’s extremities are the first things to get cold, so keep them warm with hand and toe warmers. They’re not only inexpensive, but they’re small enough to pack into any suitcase and small enough to fit inside your boots or mittens.

Pack a moisturizing lotion.

Cold weather and hot showers can dry your skin out faster than you think, so invest in a moisturizing lotion to keep it healthy. Look for one with shea butter, cocoa butter, or olive oil to restore moisture and lock it in. You’ll not only heal your skin, but you’ll protect it from your next outdoor adventure.

Don’t forget about wind chill.

While you’re probably prepared for the cold weather, did you take into consideration the wind chills that may be present? Wind chills can significantly lower the temperature outside – especially if the wind is above 10 mph. These chills can also chap any skin that’s not covered properly (like your face and your hands), so know the “real feel” temperature before you dress.

Insulate with a down jacket.

Down jackets are great not only for insulating your body, but also for packing because they can be compressed down. If you don’t already own a down jacket, consider purchasing one. Look for one designed for travel – these often have built-in pockets that let you fold up the jacket to a small size for stowing.

Layer, layer, layer.

The wonderful thing about cold weather is that you can always take off layers if you get warm. With this in mind, invest in some warm long johns to wear as your base clothing. They’ll keep your core warm and you’ll be able to layer lighter clothing on top of them. If you get too warm, you can always take off the lighter options while still keeping yourself warm.

Opt for wool.

A long day of skiing or snowboarding can mean getting wet – whether it’s from sweat or from snow. When packing, opt for wool clothing instead of traditional cotton. When cotton gets wet, it doesn’t dry quickly and can make you even colder. Wool, on the other hand, is naturally wicking and will pull the moisture away from your body to keep you drier and warmer.