by Anne-Marie Gauthier
Dear winter... We love you with love, for your snow, your board sports, the blue of your sky and the Nordic exoticism in which only you know how to immerse us. But sometimes, we'll tell each other, you torture us. We could do without your freezing humidity and your wind factor.
This is where the well-known adage “there are no bad temperatures, only bad clothes” takes on its full meaning.
Hi! I am Anne-Marie, KSL ambassador for several years. I'm called a multi-sporter who's on the move, and I have an unwavering love for the mountains, sunrises and the cold season. I am often asked, in my circle of friends or on the KSL group and its wing deployers , with this question: “what do you do to not be cold and enjoy playing outside so much?” ?
Very humbly, I thought I would share some tips with you here, to inspire you to enjoy winter.
Ah, the essential first layer
The first layer is the base. We want fitted clothing that covers the body well and that we wear like a second skin. When it's very cold, I favor a composition including merino wool, for its warm, durable, wrinkle-resistant and anti-microbial properties. The Fanny sweater and the Marino leggings are good examples. Does wool itch you? Apply body cream first!
Covers all that skin!
In winter, particularly when downhill skiing, skating on a frozen lake or fat biking, the wind or our dizzying pace can cause frostbite. We therefore have to cover ourselves. Personally, I adopted the fabric mask in alpine. For compliance with health measures, of course, but also and above all to protect the southern hemisphere from my appearance... and to add a nice touch of color, I agree!
I am thirsty!
When you're thirsty, there's nothing more unpleasant than finding that the water in your bottle is frozen. Something too simple? Fill your bottle with lukewarm water, which would take much longer to freeze than water that is already cold. Something foolproof? Carry around an insulated double-walled water bottle, like the KSL bottle , which I have in my water bottle holder or in my alpine ski backpack, often for several hours, outside, at polar temperatures, and whose contents never froze. Pssst! It is also ideal for a broth or hot tea!
I'm hungry!
This is some mom advice. You know, our dear children are hungry. Normal, they grow. Additionally, in winter, the body expends a significant amount of energy just to keep warm. When playing outside with the kids, my best advice is to see energy dips coming and feed those little tummies before they cry. Because when you hear “I’m hungry!” ", it is a trigger that often undermines the enthusiasm and interest of our descendants to pursue the external activity in which we are immersed.
If I were a hand, I would claim the right to cloister myself without the possibility of going outside, from December 15 to March 15. Our ten fingers are so useful in skiing, we can hardly do without them. However, just one hand out in the wind at the top of a mountain (to take a photo, attach a binding, take said bottle out of the bag or give a few almonds to the child) can cause it to transform into ice cubes in just a few moments. My thing? Wear a first layer, even on the handcuffs. I like magic gloves or, even better, a small glove made of merino or insulated material, which can be inserted under big mittens. This way, we keep our hands warm, even when we take off our mittens for additional dexterity!
And you? What are your winter tips that you would like to share? (Don't tell me about the black pepper in the stockings, I tried it, and all it gives is a feeling of sand between the frozen toes.)
We'll meet on a track, in the woods or on an ice rink soon!
Instagram: @am_gauthier