How to Keep Your Mitts Toasty While Shredding: A Snowboarder’s Guide
Yo, frosty-fingered friends! Let’s talk about one of the biggest buzzkills on the mountain: cold hands. Nothing ruins your vibe faster than frozen fingers when you’re trying to lock in that grab or snap the perfect pic of your crew sending it off the jump. But fear not! I’ve carved out the ultimate guide to keeping your digits toasty while still looking steezy on the slopes.
1. Gloves vs. Mittens: The Great Debate
Let’s kick this off with the classic showdown: gloves or mittens?
- Gloves: Maximum dexterity, so you can adjust your bindings, text your crew, or throw a casual shaka. But let’s be real—they’re not always the warmest, especially when the wind starts biting harder than a hungry yeti.
- Mittens: The ultimate hand oven. Sure, you lose some finger freedom, but who needs dexterity when your hands feel like they’re chilling (literally not chilling) in a cozy lodge? Bonus points for lobster mittens, which give you the best of both worlds—plus, you’ll look like a clawed beast.
Winner? It’s all about your priorities. Warmth? Go mittens. Style and multitasking? Gloves all day.
2. Hand Warmers: Your Secret Weapon
Hand warmers are like the pow stash you didn’t see coming. Slide a couple of these bad boys into your gloves or mittens, and you’re set for hours of toasty bliss.
Pro tip: Always have extras in your pocket, because nothing says “hero of the day” like handing a hand warmer to your freezing buddy on the lift. That’s shred etiquette 101.
3. Twiddling Your Thumbs: The Lift Line Hack
If you’re stuck in a lift line or on a long, frigid ride to the top, don’t just sit there like a human icicle. Put your thumbs to work! Twiddle them inside your gloves or mittens to generate a little heat. Bonus points if you come up with a rhythm to match the music in your head—or the soundtrack blasting from someone’s backpack speaker.
Twiddling your thumbs is low-key underrated. Not only does it keep your fingers from freezing, but it’s also a solid warm-up before you send it off the next jump.
4. The Layer Game
Think of your hands like your core—they need layers, too. A thin liner glove under your mittens can make all the difference, especially when it’s nuking out there. Bonus: liner gloves make it easier to fiddle with zippers and bindings without exposing your fingers to the icy abyss.
But beware: too many layers, and you’ll end up looking like the Michelin Man’s clumsy cousin. Keep it functional, not ridiculous.
5. The Shake-and-Bake
Sometimes, you’ve got to get primal. If your hands are feeling frosty, shake them like you’re trying to launch into a Method grab. Or do the windmill arm swing to send some warm blood back to your fingertips. Sure, you’ll look like a total Jerry for a hot second, but better to shake it out than frostbite it out, am I right?
6. The Snack Strategy
Stay with me here—eating can help keep your hands warm. When your body’s fueled, it’s better at keeping the blood flowing to your extremities. Pack some jerky or trail mix and munch while you’re riding the lift. Your hands (and stomach) will thank you.
7. The Power of Gore-Tex
If your gloves or mittens aren’t waterproof, you’re fighting a losing battle. Wet hands = cold hands, no matter how many warmers you stuff in there. Invest in gear with Gore-Tex or another solid waterproof membrane. It’s like a VIP pass to the dry-and-toasty club.
8. Embrace the Hot Chocolate Break
Sometimes, the best way to warm your hands is to surrender to the lodge. Wrap your fingers around a steaming mug of hot cocoa (extra whipped cream, obviously) and let the fireplace do its thing. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to recap your epic runs so far.
Final Thoughts: Keep the Stoke, Not the Cold
Cold hands can turn a sick shred sesh into a survival mission, so don’t skimp on the warmth game. Whether you’re a mitten loyalist, a hand-warmer fanatic, or a thumb-twiddling pro, the key is keeping the stoke high and the frostbite low.
Stay warm, stay rad, and keep sending it—fingers intact.
PP WaxShop 