Ski warm. Yes, you can! Insider tips on how anyone can stay warm skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing, dog sledding and anything else you like to do in the snow.

1.    Face Mask. No more frozen nose and ears with the ColdAvenger, which delivers humidity to warm your lungs while keeping your face dry. The air under the mask will be 40 to 60 degrees warmer than the outside temperature, and you’ll breathe easier than ever before, even when you ski double black diamonds. No more fogged goggles, and you can choose a balaclava style for total coverage. Cheaper alternative: regular fleece balaclava.

2.    Gloves. Swany gets the nod, with accolades from skiers and mountaineers alike. Choose a style with a pouch for warm heat inserts, or go with recyclable polyester. And for additional warmth with any glove, use a silk, merino wool, or fleece liner. The air caught between the liner and your glove will provide extra insulation no matter how cold it gets on the ski slope. Cheaper alternative: use glove warmers inside the gloves but on top of liners.

3.    Heated Gloves. Pass by the cheap styles that leave disappointing hot and cold spots and invest in a pair of Hammacher Schlemmer’s toasty electric gloves with 7-volt rechargeable battery. A leather palm and soft interior cover wires so thin you won’t know they’re there let you ski warm and in comfort. Thinsulate insulation and a zippered cuff seal add to the appeal. Cheaper alternative: use air-activated glove liners in your regular gloves or mittens.

4.    Socks. An easy choice, high performing SmartWool mountaineering socks provide extra-thick protection with spandex arch and ankle braces so they won’t slip down. Best of all, they’re made of no-itch merino wool that insulates even when it’s wet and stays comfy all day. Check out their website for slightly longer socks in chic patterns and colors made just for skiing and boarding. Cheaper alternative: toss a toe warmer in your boot and wear polyester socks if you must.

5.    Tops and Bottoms. Go ahead and buy stinky polyester if you want to, but our vote is once again with SmartWool’s merino wool products. The long, silky fibers feel great against your skin and keep you warm even after you sweat, because wool insulates even when wet. And if you’re used to poly fabrics making you a stink bomb after a few hours of exertion on the ski trail, you’re in for another surprise. Wool can go with you for days on the hardest backpack trip and only absorb trace amounts of body odor. Layer several wool tops or bottoms to pour on the warm where you really need it. Cheaper alternative: polyester will work, but avoid cotton, which will chill you down if it gets wet from snow or sweat.

6.    Jacket. The best ski jacket is a Gore-Tex shell with man made insulation, such as the Arc'teryx Sentry for men or Sceptre (women). Ski warm with the highly breathable, waterproof outer layer and powder skirt to keep snow from shooting up underneath. Seam taping keeps the wet out, but you’ve got pit zips (underarm zippers) to let you cool down fast after a hard run. The stowable hood fits your helmet, and an inner pocket holds your tunes. Cheaper alternative: seek out a similar product at your local gear swap or used clothing store, or buy a discounted model online.

7.    Pants. A soft, fleecy lining and styling that works with almost anyone makes the North Face STH  our pick for best ski pant. Even better, they come in short, medium and long inseams to fit a variety of bodies, and four colors make sure you look good après ski as well as on the mountain. For miserably cold conditions, layer with SmartWool bottoms and keep cozy while others spend the day in the warming hut. Cheaper alternative: wear rainproof pants or spray polyester pants with waterproofing and pull them on over twoor three base layers.

8.    Ski Wrap. Adaptive skiers can keep extra warm from waist to toes with Mountain Mama’s ski wrap, a thermal fleece that sheds water while it provides wind protection. Made to be sleek and aerodynamic, it also accommodates straps and features of all the latest monoski and bi-ski equipment. The ski wrap will slide on over your other clothes, fastening with Velcro so it adjusts easily. The same company makes a race cape to keep adaptive skiers toasty while awaiting their turn at the starting gate. Cheaper alternative: wrap up in a fleece blanket.