Reddit reviews Schampa WarmSkin Balaclava (Black)

You'll probably be renting most of your ski gear, so here are the warm items you'll want:

1. GLOVES. Since you're just going on vacation, get a moderately good pair that are waterproof, and buy some cheapo glove liners (example glove, example liner).
   
2. Scarf. Thick scarf preferably.
   
3. Balaclava (example here) - optional if your scarf is really good, but recommended.
   
4. Overpants (wear underarmour and jeans underneath). First time I went, I went to target and got a pair for about $15. (example here)
   
5. Beanie.
   
   Now my personal two most important, but expensive items:
   
   
6. Socks! Go to rei and get yourself a pair of these ski socks. Nothing is worse than freakishly cold feet, or feet that get destroyed by the crappy rental books. These socks are built to keep your feed warm and padded.
   
7. Jacket. Ok...here you can cheat a bit by layering. The 'real deal' would be to get something like this. OR, do what I did (and continue to do): underarmour + long sleeve shirt + sweater + rain jacket. Yeah, you don't have a good seal, and you'll end up getting snow on your clothes and be a bit cold by 2pm, but if you don't have hundreds of dollars for a ski jacket it's a good deal. Note: i've found that cheap ski jackets are garbage, and you will pay the price for them.
   
   Hope this helps! You can buy pretty much all this except for the jacket for under $100, and maybe even less if you're really thirfty. Helmet, boots, and skis should be taken care of by the rental folks.

It is ~$13USD, and it is a Schampa Warmskin.

Have gone through a few different from local outlet stores and finally settled with this one, very warm. Highly recommend for winter squidding

Nah, wear this balaclave combine with this neck gaiter and your head should be fine from the cold.

I don't know why it has so many negative reviews, I imagine they can't breath because they have it jammed down their throat.

For winter I just use my normal gear with a ski coat that's slightly to large to fit over my moto jacket, ski pants to keep the wind off my legs, knee high thick socks because some air does go up the pant leg. Winter motorcycle gloves.

So basically I just wear what I would if I went skiing over my normal summer motorcycle gear. Oh and this IS A MUST: Balaclava

Right?! This is the balaclava I bought. Total stealth mode.

I've had similar problems. Here's how I do it:

• When you put on your balaclava, check yourself in your side mirror. It will show you that it's a bit off center, even though it seemed fine.
  
• Get your balaclava on tight. Pull it all the way down so there's nothing left for the helmet to pull. Pull it down in the back to keep too much material above your eyes. It should be nice and smooth - no crumples for the helmet to snag on.
  
• Then put on your neck warmer. I use this one. This cheaper one also looks good.
  
• When you put on your helmet, roll it onto your head. Start by looking into it, like you're putting it on your face rather than your head. And roll it into position - even overshoot so the chin portion thing ends up too high, then bring it down into position.
  
• Ride to work, take off your helmet, and walk around the rest of the day with the most absurd looking hair.
  
  Then you should be good to go. I use a cheap flimsy t-shirt headsock I got free from the go-kart track on mild days, and I use this balaclava when it's super cold
  
  Good luck!