Originally Posted by
tandempower
How cold was it? I keep planning to spend more time in colder climates when I get the chance, but want to avoid heating as much as possible, so I've been banking on layering warm clothing (including mittens) to be able to exercise outside (though I would probably want to exercise more inside just to warm the place up with body heat. Speaking of body heat and eskimos, I've heard the inside of an igloo stays above freezing with just body heat and maybe a candle. I wonder how small a super-insulated hut would have to be to stay warm with just body heat (and by 'warm,' I mean 50s-60s Farenheight in the winter, well maybe 'tolerable' would be a better word to use than 'warm.' Certainly I'd be toasty warm in my layers of fleece pajamas, though; or maybe flannel, idk.
For winter weather, a combination of layering, moisture management and wind protection is what you need. If I ski at -10C/14F I wear a thermal undershirt, middle layer and goose down or similar jacket, The jacket could be replaced by a fleece plus nylon shell. So, 3-4 layers, a couple of which can be cotton if you don't expect to sweat, but should be all wool or synthetic if you do. Something similar for legs.
Winter sporting gloves or mitts are often lightly insulated for mild weather, and have an extra insertable layer for colder weather. Mitts are a lot warmer than gloves.
Mitts and garments typically have a slightly breathable, semi-water resistant, wind resistant outer layer, and the insulation usually prevents snow or ice from melting on the outside and soaking in, but the breathable nature allows some internal humidity to escape to keep you from getting too soaked in sweat.
You want to protect your neck, ears and scalp from cold and wind, but your face can handle a lot. However in strong winds even your face needs some coverage. In really cold locations you may want a hood that protrudes forward around the sides of your face, giving you tunnel vision, but that traps some slightly warmer air that helps manage the cold.
One problem for downhill skiing is you may have to sit still on the exposed, windy chairlift, and then maybe ski in shelter amid the trees, so you have to overdress a little bit for the chair.
If I'm too hot I go into the lodge and ditch the middle layer.