Ski Essentials - Must Have Gear and Accessories For Ski Activities

Winter time is the best time for ski lovers out there.  The weather poses a great opportunity to engage in ski sports and other snow-related adventures. And of course, when you are out and about in the snowy ski resort of your choice, you have to be prepared and ensure you have all the essential must-haves for a ski fun.
Check out this list for your quick guide on what you must have when engaging in ski activities.

Ski outerwear

First of all, you have to be fully dressed to the occasion. Remember, you are in a very cold place where there are lots of snow and the chances of you getting warm is only when you go inside the lodge, hotel, cafe, bars and any public places during a rest or a break. But if you're skiing down snowy slopes, expect to get cold and chilly.
Be prepared and check your ski outfit!

Kjus - Formula Insulated Ski Jacket Men

Buy a ski jacket that is well insulated like this Kjus Insulated Ski Jacket to keep you warm and dry.
Kjus - Formula Insulated Ski Jacket Men's P84314 - $598.90, Free shipping - Available at St. Bernard Sports

The North Face - Men's Seymore Ski Pants

Pair your ski jacket with a ski pants too that can keep you warm and dry.
The North Face - Men's Seymore Ski Pants : Asphalt Grey : Medium Small0.5T - $99.00, Free shipping - Available at The North Face

Skea - Effie Down Ski Jacket Women

Skea - Effie Down Ski Jacket Women's P88446 - $359.99, Free shipping - Available at PeterGlenn.com

The North Face - Women's Freedom Lrbc Insulated Ski Pants

The North Face - Women's Freedom Lrbc Insulated Ski Pants - $104.99, Free shipping - Available at 6pm.com

Ski Accessories

Now that you have your ski outerwear ready,  it's time to check the other essentials such as your ski accessories.

K2 - Phase Ski Helmet White

This is an essential to skiing no matter how professional you are. Some prefer not to wear ski helmets for some reasons, but for your safety and if you're not competing anyway, wear a ski helmet to keep your head warm and well protected for any bumps.

K2 - Phase Ski Helmet White - $51.95, Free shipping - Available at The-House.com

Smith - Smith I/O Ski Goggle

After protecting your head, protect your eyes too! Those endless pearly whites of snow scenery can cause glare and the air can dry up your eyes.

Smith - Smith I/O Ski Goggle - Men's - Black Sabotage/Blackout / Red Sensor - $175.00, Free shipping - Available at campmor

KingMas - Fleece Winter Neck Warmer Balaclava Ski Motorcycle Cycling Face Mask Hat Hood CS

You can include this in your ski must-haves - neck/face ski mask.
This will keep your face and neck area warm and covered from the elements.

KingMas - Fleece Winter Neck Warmer Balaclava Ski Motorcycle Cycling Face Mask Hat Hood CS - $3.84, Free shipping - Available at Amazon.com Marketplace

Full Tilt Boots - Drop Kick Ski Boots 2014 - 27

Skiing won't be complete without your ski boots. Choose ski boots that can be tilted.

Full Tilt Boots - Drop Kick Ski Boots 2014 - 27 - $305.90, Free shipping - Available at evo.com

Salomon - Salomon L10 Ski Bindings

This is used to attach your ski boots to the skis.

Salomon - Salomon L10 Ski Bindings - $87.90, Free shipping - Available at evo.com

Salomon - Salomon Shogun Skis Green/Brown/White

Don't forget your skis! And poles!

Salomon - Salomon Shogun Skis Green/Brown/White - $470.95, Free shipping - Available at The-House.com

DIAMOND - Black Diamond - Alpine Carbon Cork Poles

Ski poles!

DIAMOND - Black Diamond - Alpine Carbon Cork Poles - $114.95, 6.95 shipping - Available at Sunny Sports

Now that you are fully geared to go out on the snow for a great ski adventure, don't forget to practice common sense and caution. Don't go skiing alone. Ski with a buddy or in a group. Don't ski at night time and try to stay on course.

Freezing New York in February 2014

I love the cold season but not the freezing one where the temperature dips to negative. We were in New York from Feb. 7 to 10 for a short winter break. I checked the temperature and knew it was below 0 for all the days that we would be there. I didn't know how cold a -4 to -8 Celsius is until we were there.

We've been to NYC countless of times already but mostly during spring and autumn. This winter was the first time we visited the freezing and cold NYC. I could feel the bitter cold piercing through my down jacket even with my thermal sweater as an additional layer of clothing. I wore my thermal leggings as well underneath my jeans and yet, I could have sworn, at one point, I couldn't feel my buttom already.

One thing I liked though, my daughter and I enjoyed watching the falling snow. It was a first time for us because it wasn't snowing when we visited Niagara. It was just flurries but this time, it was snow and I could touch it for a fleeting second. Too bad, we couldn't make snow angels because it's not possible. But, seeing all these wonders of nature is a dream come true.

Freezing New York is the least of my favorite time to visit it. I still prefer going around on low 5 - 10 Celsius because that kind of cold will be bearable for us. So, are we visiting NYC again during winter time? Maybe but I will bring thicker jacket next time!

NY Snow in February

We wanted to see and touch snow. That is one of the reasons why we're flying to New York in few weeks. We are hoping for snowfall, albeit na blizzard or hale type but snow that we can touch.

snagged from Accuweather.com today

I checked Accuweather.com yesterday and I am so happy to see that on the day of our arrival in NYC, there will be snowfall in the afternoon. And then there will be rain and ice on Feb. 9. I am so curious about the "ice" thing. I hope it's not stormy. We've been traumatized by Hurricane Sandy last year.

I'll be checking the weather forecast every week until we leave for NYC. We just want to make sure that we have enough winter clothing to keep us warm because I have heard that the weather right now is absolutely crazy and cold due to the polar vortex.