Golden Rules of Winter

THE GOLDEN RULES OF WINTER

Respect the Tracks

Keep your fellow user groups in mind if you’re trekking through snow. Fat tire tracks, ski tracks, snowshoe tracks…every user group should stay in their own lane so you don’t ruin the other group’s tracks. That’s especially true for hikers who can ruin a fat bike or cross-country ski path simply by walking in their tracks. Some trail systems are designated for one use only, so read the signs carefully before playing, and if you’re trekking through a mixed-use trail system, simply move to the side of the established tracks.

Ice Balls Are Never OK

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Want to adventure more, up the fun quotient, or just stay warm this winter? All you have to do is follow these simple rules.

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Not All Insulation Is Created Equal

You can’t walk out of your ski chalet without bumping into a bro in a puffy jacket, but not all puffs are the same. You have to consider fill weight, the kind of insulation inside those baffles, the outer material, the lining…That’s why Olympic gold medal winning freeskier Sarah Hoefflin wears Columbia’s Infinity Summit Double Wall down hooded jacket on colder days. “This is my favorite layer on colder days because it’s really warm but packs down really small so it doesn’t add weight or take up space in my pack if the afternoon gets warm,” Hoefflin says. The secret is Columbia’s Omni Heat Gold, a lining with thermal-reflective technology that maximize the heat your body natural creates, while still allowing the layer to breathe so you don’t “sweat out.”

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Starting off with warm boots and gloves is a great way to keeping your digits warmer for longer. Ski boots go near the car’s heater when you’re making your way to the mountain. Crank that seat-heater and sit on your gloves, too. Also pay attention to your core temp, because your body will rob heat from your extremities to keep your organs warm. The outer layer is key, according to Sarah Hoefflin. “Match your outer layer to the weather. If it's raining or the snow is really wet, wear a waterproof outer layer to avoid getting your clothes wet and getting cold.” Columbia’s Powder Peak Pursuit is a three-layer waterproof shell built for long resort days thanks to features like a ski pass pocket, goggle pocket, adjustable hood and underarm vents for when you heat up.

Pre-warm Your GEAR

Whether you’re heading out for a serious winter hike or a leisurely snowshoe, you should always pack a double-wall thermos filled with hot tea or cocoa. It’s not a bad idea to pack a second thermos full of soup, too. Or even better, bring a small backpacking stove on a day hike and cook a fresh batch of coffee or soup at the summit for a mid-adventure warm-up. “My unofficial rule is always stop for hot chocolate when your hands get cold,” Sarah Hoefflin says. “If you stop for hot chocolate halfway through your day, nothing can stop you from enjoying the fresh snow!”

Hot Drinks Are Always a Good Idea

If your fingers and toes are cold, you’re not going to have fun. And that’s especially true for your children. The Whirlbird Mitten has an Omni-Heat thermal lining that reflects body heat and is stuffed with insulation to keep your kid’s digits warmer for longer. If you’re sledding or building snowmen, bring a second pair of gloves for your kid so you can switch them out if they get too wet half way through your adventure.

Pay Special Attention to your Digits

One of the silver linings of the pandemic? We’re in love with parking lot lunches and al fresco après ski sessions again. “It was so fun to see all the tailgating at the base of Highlands Ski Area,” says Alex Ferreira, who lives in Aspen. “People were sledding and hanging out behind their cars…it had those old school vibes, like what winter probably looked like a few decades ago before skiing blew up.” Make the most out of your tailgating session and bring savory items like salami and cheese, and a stove so you can heat up some soup. Or do what Ferreira does and bring a hot dog toaster to the mountain. “I can toast two dogs and two buns in about five minutes. There’s nothing better in the middle of a ski day.”

Your Tailgate Is the New Lodge

There are SO MANY friends on a powder day

We know the “cool kids” ditch their friends to maximize their laps on a fresh powder day, but sharing that pow with others makes the experience so much richer. And stop treating the lift line like a competition. “I get chapped when people cut in line,” Ferreira says. “Just alternate and wait your turn. Everyone’s gonna get on the lift. Your life is so good. You’re skiing. People travel from all over the world to do what you’re doing. It doesn’t hurt to be kind. It’s simple.”

Layers save lives

Yeah, that’s dramatic, but it’s true. Layer properly (wicking baselayer, insulating mid layer, waterproof outer layer) and you can thrive in the worst conditions. And even if a proper layering system isn’t saving your life, it’s making you more comfortable during winter. “I actually don’t like the cold, but as long as I layer appropriately, it’s never too cold to ski,” says Alex Ferreira, an Olympic silver medalist freestyle skier. Ferreira’s layering system starts with the baselayer. “Columbia’s Omni Heat is the real deal. I love it. We’re always freezing, skiing in Northern China or Calgary…These baselayers keep me warm and performing at my best.”

BASE LAYER: Men's Omni-Heat 3D™ Knit Half Zip Baselayer Shirt. Whether you're on the mountain or a chilly bike ride, you'll stay nice and toasty in this comfort-stretch, heat-packing baselayer.

Men's Hart Mountain™ II Crew Sweatshirt. Inspired by the outdoors, this cotton-blend crew neck keeps you warm from season to season.

Some Trails are Even Better in Winter

Winter isn’t only about deep powder. In the snow-deprived South, for instance, epic views appear when trees shed their foliage. In the desert, trails that are off-limits during the summer because of high temps are suddenly downright pleasant. The skies are more clear during winter as well, thanks to the lack of summer haze, so you’ll bag long range views that are obscured during the summer. And the best part? The trailheads are less crowded, making winter the perfect time to tick off bucket list trails in some of our busiest national parks.

Oh, and You Can Camp in Winter, Too

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Mind the Line

Snow, and winter in general, is a precious resource that is becoming increasingly rare. More than 200 ski resorts have been shuttered in the Italian Alps in the last 50 years because of a shrinking snow season. Protect Our Winters is pushing leaders to adopt renewable energy, electric transportation and carbon pricing policies in hopes of saving our winter playgrounds. But saving your favorite powder stash starts at home. Lobby your local resort to look into solar power, avoid single use plastic, and consider plant-based ski and board wax. And most importantly, think about your transportation practices. “I tend to take public transport as much as possible when I go skiing to lower my carbon emissions,” Sarah TK says.

Think about next winter

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40 years

Gold is better. Gold teeth. Gold rims. Gold watches. Gold insulation…Yep. Your favorite puffy jacket has been given a golden upgrade; Columbia’s Omni Heat Infinity offers next-level warmth thanks to a lining that’s covered with an expanded pattern of gold dots that reflect more of your body heat. To celebrate the innovation, we’ve outlined the new Golden Rules of Winter, with a little help from two world class athletes and Columbia ambassadors who live the gold standard all winter.

Men's Titan Pass™ Omni-Heat™ Infinity Double Wall™ Insulated Hybrid Jacket. A multi-layer insulating construction combines with our most advanced thermal-reflective lining to trap heat, block cold, and maintain breathability.

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