Believe it or not, studies show that people are more susceptible to dehydration when exercising during the cold weather months. Because it is necessary to wear extra layers of clothing, you actually sweat more and generally do not even realise it because all the perspiration is absorbed by the extra layers. You can feel like you are freezing, yet you are still losing essential moisture simply because you are breathing.

Thus, a lot of people do not feel as thirsty in winter as they would if they were sweating just as much in the summer, and as a result they do not drink nearly enough. This is especially common when you are skiing. You are usually wearing even more layers of clothes than usual, you are flying down slopes at fast speeds in the cold air, and you are having fun it is pretty easy not to notice you are thirsty. So take precautions in order to stay hydrated when you go skiing there are lots of easy ways to help you do so.

First of all, carry your own water. The act of downhill skiing can make you lose as much as two pints of sweat because you are exerting so much energy. It is essential that you do not wait until you get thirsty, but rather drink steadily and at regular intervals the entire time you are out skiing. It is best to take a minimum of a litre of water along with you. Water is the best thing to drink to keep yourself hydrated and you should steer clear of fruit juices and sodas. They are diuretics and the high sugar content can simply make you thirstier than before. If you also bring snacks to eat during breaks, make sure you do not eat anything high in salt or sugar.

You should also bring a back pack naturally, of course; you have to carry the water somewhere. However, you can also carry more than a litre of it in a bag, especially if you think you will be out longer than two hours.

You can consider getting a camel pack to help you stay hydrated as well. A camel pack fits like a vest around your torso. It closes by zips or clips down the front and there is a reservoir within the pack that can hold various amounts of water. There is also a tube which can connect to your mouth; it is basically just a straw that lets you pull liquid from the camel pack.

By tucking the end of the tube inside your waist band or jacket, you can prevent it from freezing on particularly cold days. However some camel packs employ a system which keeps the tube from getting frozen.

Lastly, simply do not overdo it. Allow yourself to take frequent or at least regular breaks, and take the time to utilise whatever water reservoir you decide to use, and of course, have fun!

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