Are you intrigued by the idea of skiing farther this winter? Finding the incredible vista, pushing yourself, getting to the more remote areas of nature, where it’s quieter, wilder, and more pristine? Finding yourself in places that remind you of the vast greatness of this beautiful world? We are, too.
Skiing farther doesn’t only have to do with your technique and your skis. How you dress for cross country skiing has an awful lot to do with it. Fine-tuning the clothing kit is an ongoing discovery for us, fueled by trial and error, and infused with ever-evolving fabric technologies.
Lynne Frye has been skiing farther for over 50 years. Along with founding Cross Country Ski Headquarters with her husband, Bob, and raising four children, she has never stopped adventuring.
From skiing hut-to-hut in the Tenth Mountain Division trail system of the Colorado Rockies, to crossing the 3 mile ice bridge of frozen Lake Huron in the straights of Mackinac, Lynne knows a thing or two about going the distance.
What’s her secret? One of them is knowing how to dress. Her layering program includes an unexpected piece that is often overlooked by cross country skiers: the layering jacket.
Here’s Lynne’s opinion on why a layering jacket makes a world of sense for the skier who wants to ski farther:
The Case for a Midlayer Jacket
by Lynne Frye
The subject of layering clothing for winter sports and activities never gets old. It’s not a perfect science and so never really gets solved either. But it does evolve and favorite types and pieces of clothing become more or less comfortable as we age. Call me crazy, but I’ve found that the more birthdays I have, the less I tolerate being cold. Because I don’t like being cold, I have become very careful and particular in my clothing and layering selections, especially for longer days of ski touring.
I think we can all agree that our first layer needs to be breathable and wicking, whether it’s lightweight or warmer. Done. Our second layer is for warmth, if one needs it. I have come to actually love a lightweight fleece or power stretch jacket with zippered pockets and maybe even a hood as my second layer. One reason for this is obvious. It’s a jacket. It has a full front zipper for venting. It can be the perfect outer layer some days when the temps are up and winds are down. Jackets with pockets and hoods are practical. Who doesn’t love being able to reach for a Kleenex, a camara or some chapstick while out on the trail? That’s what pockets are for. And the hood? Hoods can be popped up right over your hat to take the chill away when you stop for a breather, a drink or to take in the beautiful scenery around you. My third layer, if needed, is breathable wind protection, with a bit of insulation if it’s extra frigid out, or without if it’s a warmer day. With the right second layer jacket, the third layer may not even come out of my pack unless I stop for a lunch and bonfire break.
So next time you’re searching for an extra layer, try opting for a layering jacket. It just might be the missing layering piece you’ve been looking for. One of my favorites is the North Face Canyonlands Hoody. I liked it so much, a had to have a second color. Happy Trails!!
