lal_truckee wrote:
Tim wrote:

My wife needs to get the warmest coat possible before she'll even
THINK of skiing with me.

First you've got to convince her that what she wants is to be warm, not
just having the "warmest coat."

To be warm she needs to layer, starting at the skin with good poly
undies and ending with a wind and water proof shell layer.

Merino wool undies are a good alternative, and don't get so smelly in
use. Windporoof top is essential for maximum warmth when skiing, but
waterproof isn't needed if it won't be damp, and would inhibit
breathbility which is an own-goal.

The "warmest
coat" idea will leave you with a puffy woman who can't move - not good
for skiing.

Agreed. The warmest coats available are designed for standing around
doing nothing much active in temperatures below -40. They are wholly
unsuitable for the majority of skiing opportunities and stands little
chance of /ever/ being useful outside of the polar regions.
You can be incredibly toasty in a good set of layers topped off by a
/light/ down or Primaloft jacket. A warm hat makes a huge difference
(get a windproof one, think of using it on top of a light balaclava, and
goggles are a lot warmer than glasses. Don't forget to protect the
legs, total warmth needs everything looking after, not just the bits a
coat covers.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/