Layering and Cold-Weather Readiness as November Arrives

November temperatures drop fast, and high glaciers are colder still. Getting your layering right is the difference between a comfortable day on the snow and a miserable, shivering retreat to the cafe. The good news is that the system is simple once you understand it.

The Three-Layer System

• Base layer. A snug merino or synthetic top and bottom that wicks sweat away from your skin. Never cotton — it holds moisture and chills you.
• Mid layer. A fleece or light insulated jacket that traps warmth. Adjustable, so you can add or shed it as effort changes.
• Outer layer. A waterproof, breathable jacket and pants that block wind and snow while letting sweat escape.

The Details That Matter

1. Cover the extremities. Warm gloves, a helmet-compatible beanie or liner, and good socks. Cold hands and feet end days early.
2. Protect your face. A neck gaiter and goggles shield you from wind and high-altitude glare.
3. Carry a spare layer. A packable extra mid-layer is cheap insurance against a sudden cold front.

Adjust as You Go

The whole point of layering is flexibility. You will warm up riding and cool fast on chairlifts, so vent zips and a removable mid-layer let you regulate without overheating or freezing. Slightly cool when you start moving is the right feeling — you will warm into it.

Plan your day around the conditions too. Check Bonvo for the open runs and terrain before you head up, so you spend your warm, well-layered hours riding the slopes that suit you rather than figuring it out in the cold.