Alright so I'm from southern California but will be spending the spring semester (jan-april) in Colorado Springs, CO. I've NEVER lived in a cold area (I mean, I pretty much just have a peacoat, rain coat, and rain boots for when it's below 60 degrees haha) and have no idea what to make sure to have!

I'm planning to invest in a nice warm down jacket and a pair of boots that would endure snowy weather, but what else do I need to make sure to have? Leggings? Sweaters? High socks? Scarves? Thermals? What kind of boots? Any other jacket suggestions? My peacoat is warm but not built for snow, really, and my rain coat is waterproof but not that insulated. I'm thinking layers...but like, are leggings and jeans gonna be enough?

Thanks guys! If you live in Colorado in or near that area I'd love your input specifically, since you'd know the average weather for that time of year. Otherwise anyone who lives in cold weather would be able to help me out in what to have in order to be prepared.

Thanks in advance!

As a longtime Colorado resident (Boulder), I'm happy to answer your question.

Colorado winter weather is generally more pleasant than outsiders realize. We have more than 300 sunny days each year, so daytime winter temperatures usually reach the mid 30s. However the lack of clouds means there is no thermal blanket to hold the daytime heat, so as soon as the sun goes down, temperatures plunge below freezing fast.

At least once a winter, the jetstream moves South of us and we get a week or two of really cold weather (below zero daytime).

Jeans are perfect to keep your legs warm. Except on those really cold days, you won't need to layer anything under them. Up top, dress in layers so you can cope with the cold outside but not roast when you come indoors. Thermal polar fleece sweaters are great.

You'll need gloves and a hat that covers your ears (ski style). Keeping spares in your car is a smart thing to do. 40% of your body heat exhausts from your head, so covering it keeps you warm.

Day hiking boots (the short ones that don't cover your ankles) will keep your feet warm on dry days, although many people just wear sneakers. When it snows, you'll want Sorrell style snow boots that come up high enough to keep snow from coming in the top.

Your jacket needs to be a parka style, with a nylon windstop outer shell and some insulation inside. That used to mean goose down, but artificial insulation fabrics like fleece are a lot less expensive. Go to a serious store and be prepared to spend serious money to buy a name brand jacket. It could save your life!

One other thing is to respect the altitude and dry weather here. Expect to feel a bit out of breath if you sprint up a flight of stairs. Drink LOTS of water! Water evaporates from your body quickly here and its really easy to get dehydrated without being aware of it. If you get headaches or have trouble sleeping, drink more water. The sun is twice as bright as SoCal, so wear dark glasses outside and remember to use sunblock if you're going to be outdoors for more than an hour. Oh, and did I mention you should drink more water?

Enjoy your stay in Colorado. It's a great place.

Thanks so much! Haha....30 degrees...we consider it cold here if it drops below 60! We've had some days where it's mid 50s high and upper 30s low, but I can tell you that the majority of people don't have ANYTHING to deal with weather like that. Heck, I have friends who don't even own rain boots or an umbrella...and yeah we do get rain! So 30 degrees is COLD for me.

I won't be having a car but will definitely keep in mind having stuff in my backpack/book bag whatever while I'm on campus in case I'm unprepared. I have a good pair of gloves and a couple hats but they aren't very warm ones, so thanks for the suggestion.

As for a jacket, yep, I've been checking out some ads. Believe it or not it's hard to find good quality jackets here since we never need them. But thanks for the criteria - super helpful!!

As for water, I get easily dehydrated and therefore get lots of headaches even here, so I'm in the habit of doing that already. Will most definitely keep that in mind and I plan to take multiple water bottles up there with me haha.

Thanks for the input! It's really nerve wracking for me to start planning because I've never left home to begin with, and never had to think about packing things for months at a time without being able to easily go back and grab it from home.

Thanks again

What's your budget? NorthFace jackets are incredible. You also want to make sure to get other gear...hat, scarf and gloves. They're spendy, but good.

For boots, go with anything waterproof. You can get Uggs and waterproof them, or go another route. I've found that Uggs work best in cold areas with no snow, so they might not be the best option. You absolutely want something you can tuck pants into, because the water tends to creep up the back of your jeans if you wear them normally.

The most important thing to learn about the cold is LAYERS. You want to be able to be comfortable walking around outside as well as inside, and you never know what a building will be like...some are about 90 degrees from the heat, some are so cold you can't take off your jacket. Wear leggings under any pants, cold legs are no fun! In the winter (I'm from Minnesota, where it was regularly below zero), my outfit generally consists of leggings under jeans, tucked into tall boots, a tank top under a long sleeved shirt, a cozy cardigan, then my jacket if I'm outside. That way, I'm bundled up if it's cold inside, but if it's warm I can take off the cardigan and still have a real outfit.

Go to the library and get "How to Keep Warm." Cunnigham, Gerry (1971). Despite advances in technology, I have not found a comparable reference.

Here are two other references:
ezinearticles.com . . .
blogs.dailyrecord.com . . .


And yes, I know how one can become thin-blooded in California. I remember one day, pre-dawn, when the sign outside the Savings and Loan was flashing 1¢. I was on motorcycle. I kept stopping to offer rides to people waiting for the bus - no takers.

Your jacket needs to be a parka style, with a nylon windstop outer shell and some insulation inside. That used to mean goose down, but artificial insulation fabrics like fleece are a lot less expensive. Go to a serious store and be prepared to spend serious money to buy a name brand jacket. It could save your life!

This is so true...invest in something good! I've been wearing my Eddie Bauer coat for something like five years now and it's still in perfect condition despite my abuse. I have a basic black, full length one...they have "tall" sized, so the sleeves are actually long enough and it really does go down almost to my ankles! Plus there's a removable hood for when you want it. It's the best coat I've ever had.

Thanks ladies! I'll definitely plan for layering..I have a few good sweaters but would like to invest in some good long sleeve thermal tops or something, for under jackets and such. And some scarves too!

Any other boot/footwear suggestions? Like brands that are good? Uggs aren't good for my feet, but I definitely want to get something heavy duty. Like I said though, there's not a big selection in So Cal! Haha.

there's not a big selection in So Cal!

Go to REI.

One thing I've noticed is that a person's definition of "cold" very much varies on what they're used to. So a Colorado native might not need tights or leggings under jeans, but someone from California would. When I went to Spain in January I thought the weather was lovely considering how cold it would have been back home, but all the locals were walking round in winter coats and scarves while I was just in a t-shirt and light hoodie. You'll acclimatise, but it can't hurt to have some options just in case you find the cold hard to deal with to begin with.

Reel wrote:

Thanks ladies! I'll definitely plan for layering..I have a few good sweaters but would like to invest in some good long sleeve thermal tops or something, for under jackets and such. And some scarves too!

Any other boot/footwear suggestions? Like brands that are good? Uggs aren't good for my feet

I'm a guy - not a lady, but I'll take your thanks in the spirit you meant it.

Shopping in SoCal might lead you to buy things that really won't work in colder climates. Even ski shops there are prone to carry jackets more appropriate to skiing in the Sierras than the Rockies. So if you can cope when you first arrive in COLDERado, you'll find better selections here.

Sorrell makes good heavy snow boots that are much more appropriate than Uggs, although I see lots of Uggs around.

For parkas, look at brands like Columbia, Mountain Hardware, Marmot, and North Face. Hoods that have stiff brims and hang outside your jacket are better than the ones that roll into the collar.

Jeans come in various weight denims (something that's not obvious until you compare: my Levis are twice as thick and stiff as my Luckys). You can even find them with an inner liner of wool or fleece.

Again, I don't want to make it sound like we live in the frozen tundra and have to saw the icicles off our noses when we come in from outside. Most days are really pleasant, with just enough bad weather to drive the wimps away.

BarreTalk wrote:


I'm a guy - not a lady, but I'll take your thanks in the spirit you meant it.

I was referring to Kekoa, madmilt, and Munk

Louise - Good point. I'm not a cold weather wimp, but I'm also not really used to it, so, that's definitely something for me to consider.

BarreTalk - Thanks for the brand suggestions. When I'm looking for good stuff it's easier to go off a brand than it is a style or something, because I don't know EXACTLY what I'm looking for. Of course I have ideas, but I've only ever been to the snow in Big Bear which is nothing, and I've never been IN the snow when it's snowing.

Didn't even think about REI!

I have a much better idea of what I need now, so thanks everyone

^Like the boy who sat behind you in school and dipped your braids in the ink well, you must be after my own heart! Where did he find an ink well anyway?