What do you use for mid-layer bottoms for resort skiing?

[x10003q]

I have been using these Swix Manali insulated shorts for years. The ones I have do have a snap and zipper fly. I cannot tell if the current version has a snap or zipper fly. They do have full side zippers. I wear them over various long underwear and under shell pants or, for colder temps, insulated pants.

Menali Insulated Shorts 2.0 Ms | Swix

An further developed and customized version of the original insulated shorts

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Phenix has a version with side zippers , but no front fly as does Elevenate (also no fly, but does have side zippers).

Phenix Adult Training Shorts 2022

Our best selling adult training short! Worn by the Norway Alpine Ski Team, but reproduced for the race community. Four-way stretch and Aerothermo material keeps your thighs warm while you're training and sits tight on the body so not to affect your time. The front facing waterproof zippers make...

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Men's Transition Insulation Shorts

Insulated shorts for lightweight warmth on the mountain. A stretchy and breathable extra layer for ski touring, skiing and all kinds of outings in cold temperatures.

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[BLiP]

Because it's amazing how much warmer your toes will feel.

On the other hand, too much insulation makes you sweat. And sweat makes your toes very cold. I'd rather be slightly cold the first couple runs, then comfortable the rest of the day after I warm up. But that's me. To each their own. OP asked "Am I missing something here folks? What are you all doing?" He's gotten some varying answers about what people are doing. Really depends on your personal temperature tolerance/comfort level. Perhaps worth OP experimenting with some different options.

Best day of the year skiing for me last season it was around 0F at the start up to 8F by the afternoon.

Best day I had last year was -20F. We could only manage 2-3 runs at a time before going in to warm up, but there were perfect snow conditions and no crowds. The few people there were all exceedingly friendly and excited as we reveled in our joint suffering/enjoyment.

 

[tomahawkins]

Going to try something new this season. Dropping the 3/4 Smartwool tights and just going with N number of Nike sweatpants under insulated Norrona Lofotens, where N >= 0 and probably not to exceed 2. Actually last year during a storm day, forgot my snow pants and just skied in sweats. Worked fine. I might keep a pair of jeans in the car just in case.

 

[AltaSkier]

Jeans are really the only answer. Wait, wet jeans are the only real answer.

 

[Sibhusky]

I guess I should be happy a lot of people can't/won't handle cold weather.

Best day of the year skiing for me last season it was around 0F at the start up to 8F by the afternoon. Overnight low way below zero F. I dressed for it including with base layer plus thick softshell pants under insulated ski pants on my legs. The snow was old and highly transformed, so not slow.

And the mountain was almost empty since so many people stayed away - so almost no lines at the lifts. I can only ski on weekends, so this helped make it great. On my second run I was thinking "This rocks!" because the snow was good and I could let it rip even on the trails that are sometimes pretty crowded. I felt bad for the lifties, but it was soo good (and they were dressed right too).

It was so easy with the right clothes.

Exactly! Sibby don't go in. Sibby skis. Others like powder? My favorite condition is empty trails.

Dec. 29, 2014. Single digit day on the Ant Hill. I'll even ski Christmas week in single digits.

 

[Noodler]

Going to try something new this season. Dropping the 3/4 Smartwool tights and just going with N number of Nike sweatpants under insulated Norrona Lofotens, where N >= 0 and probably not to exceed 2. Actually last year during a storm day, forgot my snow pants and just skied in sweats. Worked fine. I might keep a pair of jeans in the car just in case.

You forgot the winky emoji. Here... I found one for you...

 

[tomahawkins]

Exactly! Sibby don't go in. Sibby skis. Others like powder? My favorite condition is empty trails.

Dec. 29, 2014. Single digit day on the Ant Hill. I'll even ski Christmas week in single digits.
View attachment 216951

Storm days and cold days are the best. Baker doesn't have cold days, but plenty of storm days.

 

[tomahawkins]

Jeans are really the only answer. Wait, wet jeans are the only real answer.

Yeah, once that outer layer freezes, nothing gets through.

 

[Paul Lutes]

Storm days and cold days are the best. Baker doesn't have cold days, but plenty of storm days.

Please, Sir, can I have good visibility on storm days?

 

[cantunamunch]

Please, Sir, can I have good visibility on storm days?

Nike Solo Swoosh Fleece Shorts. Nike.com

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Orange Fleece Shorts

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...or, for the skier who's already well Peaked,

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/embossed-logo-plaque-sweat-shorts/7187966?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FMen%2FClothing%2FShorts%2FSweat%20Shorts&fashioncolor=Green&color=330

 

[Paul Lutes]

TOO MUCH VISIBILITY !!! TOO MUCH VISIBILITY!!!!!!!!!

 

[Olesya C]

No midlayer, base-layer only:

X-BIONIC® Swiss-engineered performance base layers & sportswear

Sportswear brand led by technology, produces high-tech clothing. Highly innovative Swiss design made in Italy - view wintersports outfits & many more

www.x-bionic.com

Those look cool! Are they as awesome to wear as they appear in the description? Warm you when you are cold and cool you when hot?

 

[Tony Storaro]

Those look cool! Are they as awesome to wear as they appear in the description? Warm you when you are cold and cool you when hot?

They are very good, especially the Radiactor series. I wouldn’t wear anything else for a baselayer.

 

[dovski]

So I grew up skiing in -20 weather, and kind of like it when I have the right gear. Living in the PNW means I need a spectrum of options/layers so have the following:

1. Smartwool base layer
2. Gortex shell pants
3. For colder weather inuslated Gortex pants instead of the shell pants
4. For really cold weather I add my Marmot Variant Boot Top Tights

Mixing and matching the above lets me ski pretty much any conditions comfortably ... have the same setup with ski coats and midlayers

 

[markojp]

I just picked up a pair of these, and I can't stop wearing them. The bottoms aren't too bulky and fold up easily over ski boots.

Same, but in 3/4 length. Archteryx, Stio, and others all make them. Game changer. The 'sliced bread' of clothing.

 

[dovski]

I forgot to mention, and I realize this is a little off topic, I also use heated gloves (@BS Slarver sold me on these), Heated Goggles (Abom's have been a game changer for me) and occasionally boot heaters if it is really really cold. I now see they have heated jackets and mid layers though I have yet to dip my toe in those waters,

 

[trieu]

No kidding! There's a lot of stuff that needs plugging in, and recharged at the end of the day. Heated boot bags, socks, goggles, vests, gloves, radios etc... But, it is all worth it , when you are comfy regardless of the cold conditions.

 

[KingGrump]

To power that many heating appliances, gonna need a long extension cord.