The Visma Ski Classics events take place in different weather and temperatures. What should you wear when cold, rainy, snowy, or windy? Here you find some advice.

Remember that it is easier to keep warm during a 2-hour high-intensity race than being out for 10 hours.

FOR COLD WEATHER

Warmer Boots

The ski boots in carbon fiber that the Pro Team skiers are wearing are light and thin. And cold. The best investment for cold feet is usually more insulated boots. It is possible to win ski races even though you carry some extra grams on your feet.

Boot Covers

Insulated boot covers, not just models with neoprene, are great in cold temperatures. For racing, they could potentially be a problem since they might touch the track’s edges. An alternative is to cut a pair of wool socks and use it as boot covers.

Electric Heated Socks

In general, electric heated socks are prohibited in races, but sometimes the organizers can make an exception. A new rule for Visma Ski Classics events on the Pro Tour is that heated socks, insoles, and gloves are allowed in all conditions. This product is excellent when used correctly. Try to get the best battery since the colder it gets, the shorter the battery time. Also, remember to charge them after each use to make it a habit.

Electric Heated Insoles

Getting electric heat from the insoles has similar characteristics to getting electric heat from the socks. A drawback could be moving the insole between different boots if you have more than one pair.

Extra Socks and Insoles

One of the best ways of getting warmer feet is to get higher up from the ground. Two ways of doing that are to add an extra insole underneath the original one and to wear two pairs of woolen socks.

One of the pairs could preferably go high up on your leg. Remember that you might need bigger boots to fit an extra insole. Generally, ski boots that are tight on your feet are also cold.

Hand Warmers

Reusable and non-reusable hand warmers are small units that release heat for a few hours. If you have space and fit well, you can put them in your gloves and ski boots.

Mitts and Liners

Mitts or lobsters gloves usually are warmer than ordinary gloves. To get even warmer, you can use woolen liners, which is a pair of thin gloves you use under your ski gloves. There are also a few models of heated gloves, but they are usually hard to fit in regular pole straps.

Earmuffs

Your ear lobes are exposed parts, especially if your hat tends to slide upwards slowly. A pair of earmuffs will solve that problem.

Frost Tape

You can use frost tape to protect your face to cover exposed parts such as the nose and cheekbone. Whether you have frost tape or not, examine each other’s faces now and then and look for white spots.

Breathing Mask

When using a breathing mask, the air is heated up before reaching your lungs. It can save your lungs when training in cold weather; a breathing mask can make getting enough oxygen when panting more difficult.

Goggles

Sunglasses don’t cover your eyes as well as goggles. Wear goggles as a cross-country skier will not make you look hot, but it could save your eyes if they are sensible for cold temperatures.

Clothes in Wool

In general, wool is warmer than polyester. Choose wool as the primary material for underwear, base layers, and neck tube. You can also use a thin woolen hat underneath your racing hat. Also, remember that water leads to the cold 25 times faster than air. Stay dry.

Clothes in Down

Something you rarely see in Visma Ski Classics are athletes racing in a down vest or down shorts/skirt. It gets less aerodynamic, but it might be needed when it gets colder than -25 degrees Celsius.

Since those clothes only cover parts of your arms/legs, they still give you freedom of movement. In extreme conditions, the race jury may decide to let athletes wear isolation clothing covering the race bib.

FOR WINDY CONDITIONS

Wind Protecting Clothes

In windy conditions, you need wind-protecting clothes. You can find it on both base layers and underwear, but nowadays few brands produce base layer jerseys with wind protection at the front side, maybe since the breathing ability will decrease. Instead, you can add a vest on the outside.

Remember that a strong wind during the winter significantly affects the cold factor, so dress warmly. And don’t be afraid to use goggles instead of sports glasses if needed.

FOR RAIN

Thin Jacket

It is difficult to dress for rain since all clothes that fully protect against rain are terrible in breathing, so you capsulate your sweat and get wet from the inside.

Pro Team athletes are using their race suit even if it is raining, but that might not be the best alternative for recreational skiers in an event that lasts for several hours. In that case, a thin and light jacket with some rain and wind protection could be the best alternative.

Boot Covers

Since lined boot covers tend to get wet and heavy when raining, a model in neoprene is recommended.

Wet Weather Socks

Some orienteers appreciate wet weather socks in neoprene when running in swamps. That might be something for skiers in heavy rainfall.

FOR SNOWFALL

Snow Visor

Traditional sports glasses are usually not optimized for snowfall. Since the humidity tends to be high during precipitation, they often fog up. The best alternative might be the snow visor.

You rarely see them on Pro Team athletes, maybe due to sponsorships where the brand doesn’t have a model like that.

Right Hat

When it is snowing, you don’t want a huge woolen hat, since you will look like a snowman after a while. Grab one in polyester instead that doesn’t catch so much snow.