When you downhill ski for an extended period of time, you have a tendency to sweat a lot - up to a quart of water per hour - because you are working hard. The key is to hydrate before you get thirsty, and drink regularly throughout the day.
The best way is to carry at least two quarts of water with you. Water is the best fluid to drink since our bodies are made up of 70% water. Fruit juice and soda pop are diuretics that can make you even thirstier after you consume them, so you want to avoid these fluids.
How do you carry two quarts of water with you?
Bring a Backpack
In the backpack you can put the water you need in two X 1-quart plastic containers, along with accessories and clothes. When you stop for a break on the slopes remove your backpack and pull out one of the water bottles. If you find that the extra weight on your back effects your skiing or that is quite difficult to removing a back pack two or three timer per hour, than it might be better to get a camel pack.
Get a Camel Pack
A camel pack is actually a vest that fits around your chest and is zipped or clipped in the front. The pack contains a reservoir that holds between one and three quarts of water or energy drink, as well as a tube that transports the fluid from the reservoir to your mouth on demand.
If you tuck the end of the tube inside your ski jacket you should be able to keep it from freezing up on most winter days, but some hydration packs come equipped with a system that prevents the delivery tube from freezing up.
You must make an initial investment for the pack, but you will recover this cost in one ski season by not buying bottled water, pop, and juice. And also you can use the camel pack for other sports like inline skating, hiking, and cycling to keep yourself hydrated during these summer activities.
