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More Sun Protection for Backcountry Skiing, and tip 10, Hydration

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A couple of blog readers have pointed out that I missed talking about lip protection in the backcountry skiing sunscreen tips below. It’s difficult to protect your lips from the sun. A good hat and frequent applications of sun-block lip balm work for most people, but some need more. If so, along with an effective wide-brim hat, try using an opaque lip balm such as Labiosan. Apply frequently.

10 Tips for Spring Backcountry Skiing
Today’s Tip: #6 – Hydration

Hydration bladders (Camel Back, etc.) are problematic for winter backcountry skiing. They work fine for short casual trips, but when the going gets rough and long, and you need them the most — that’s when the sip tube freezes and you spend the day in torture or worse.

But hydration bladders are perfect for spring backcountry skiing, when the days are warm and you need huge amounts of fluids. If you’re on a budget get a bladder at WalMart and throw it in any backpack. For the ultimate, get a Hydrapak brand bladder. Hydrapak has all the bells and whistles: special materials that prevent bacterial growth; reversible reservoir that you can turn inside out to clean; easy flowing bite valve that doesn’t leak, and more. Whatever your choice in hydration bladders for backcountry skiing, for quick and easy storage at home throw it in the freezer so you don’t start a science project (even the anti-bacterial reservoirs will eventually start farming bugs if not cared for).

What you drink is key as well. Plain water works fine if combined with scarfing the occasional energy gel pack. We like Cytomax energy drink (it’s amazing stuff that truly does give you more umpf), but diluted orange juice works well, as does any other diluted fruit juice. Experiment.

We recommend shopping for Cytomax here.

Posted by Lou on March 18, 2005 | Filed Under Technique 

previous post: 10 Tips for Spring Backcountry Skiing
next post: Dawson Video Interview and Spring Backcountry Skiing Tip No 7 — bring your essentials!

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Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information and opinion website. Lou's passion for the past forty years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about backcountry skiing and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the Fourteeners! Books and free back country information here, and tons of Randonnee rando telemark info.

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