A lifetime of snowboarding in New England has exposed us to the broad spectrum of temperatures and snow conditions that Old Man Winter has to offer. How is a rider supposed to be able to sneak out early in the morning for first chair, and then spend the entire day chasing it in the same gear? Proper layering is the start of prepping yourself for hours of fun in the snow without the pains of gear swapping.
It all starts with your base layer. Creating the first level of warmth is what sets you up for success. Lightweight, midweight, or heavyweight? That all depends on your plans for the day.
If you’re going to be up before the sun and split boarding your way to the peak long before the parking lots start to fill up, then a lightweight moisture wicking base layer is going to keep you plenty warm as you work your way up and dry as you reap the rewards of your efforts on the way down.
If it’s early season in Maine, you’re going to be lapping your favorite high speed quad and the temps are still somewhat mild, 15 - 30 deg. F, then a nice midweight moisture wicking base layer like the Burton Midweight Base Layer Pant or Burton Womens Midweight Base Layer Crew is what you need. It will keep your temperature up while you’re exposed on the chair lift ride, and won’t leave you overheated as you work yourself down the trails or through you’re favorite glades.
In the heart of Winter, logging full days of non-stop fun, a heavy weight base layer is going to deliver the insulation and moisture wicking a rider needs to keep grinning through the powder, the chair lift ride, and the cold breathe of January in New England.
Also included in the base layer category are other important snowboarding accessories such as; facemasks, clavas, glove liners, and snowboard socks. Each taking on its own role in creating and maintaining a proper base warmth. Some of the most effective being the Burton Emblem Snowboard Sock, the Burton Merino Phase Sock, the Burton Expedition Weight Clava Facemask, or the Burton Expedition / Lightweight Neck Warmer.
Although a proper base layer is what kicks off your first level of warmth, it is just the start of successful layering. Wicking sweat from the body to the outside is the most effective way to keep yourself warm and dry during your days of shred. Focusing on synthetic materials such as polyester, acrylic, nylon, and polypropylene, or natural materials such as merino wool will deliver the best abilities to pull sweat from the skin and through your layers.