Take Along These Extra Four

16 May Take Along These Extra Four

You get out of bed on a cold, wintry morning, but it’s that sort of morning that seems full of extra excitement. Powdery snow has fallen for the last week, and accumulations are crazy at the resorts. The temps are moderate this morning, yet, and the piece of sky that you can see from your bed is clear and beckoning. When you go to the bathroom to splash your face, the whole sky greets you as one big blue blanket and the sun is almost to pop over that horizon and bathe your valley in golden light.

With such a glorious day in front of you, what are you going to do?

Ummmmm … go skiing, surely! What else would you do? There’s nothing quite like escaping up into the mountains to breathe the fresh air, clear your head, work your body, and enjoy some quiet.

So, you run downstairs for a cup of coffee, a glimpse at the ‘ole newspaper on the counter, and a bite or two of the muffins your mom sent home with you the night before last. Honestly, you’re just itching to hit the slopes.

When you’re headed up the mountain, you’re not going to forget the basics that you need to get down the mountain. Here are four other things to have along that might make you a little more comfortable and contribute to a better day overall.

Sunglasses. You don’t always consider this one, but if you’re preceded to ski when the weather is spectacular out, it can be really bright when the sunlight strikes that fresh, white snow. Having some sunglasses with you can help you to stay away from squinting, stinging, watery eyes. You’ll thank yourself later.

Sunscreen. You’re not always thinking about what else is happening– like your face getting fried when you’re busy skiing and enjoying the fun of it. Even though you are having fun in the moment, you might look like a lobster later. Apply some protection for your skin, and you’ll be glad you did.

Chapstick. When you’re outside all day cruising down the slopes and being exposed to wind and sun, your lips might get a bit dry and start to hurt. It’s a small price to pay for the relief it can give you after you’ve been going for a few hours.

Hand warmers. Probably you’re the person that always has warm feet and hands, but a few of us folks are constantly cold. You might benefit from purchasing a box of hand warmers at the beginning of the season and bringing some along every time you go if you fall into the latter category. Being able to tuck one in each glove and each boot can go a long way to helping you stay comfortable, especially if it’s a day (or night) that’s particularly chilly.

Always remembering to bring these simple extras can go a long way to making your day on the mountain a better experience. And yeah, they’re not important, but once you get used to skiing with these added bonus items, you’ll see how much of a difference they make if you find yourself suddenly without them again. Often it’s the small things that end up making a big difference.