I have a way to deal with cold hands.  Perhaps it can be adapted to skiing.  I use it for all cold weather work, but don't need it for skiing.  Most who have tried this method like it.  Just before the hands become uncomfortably cold, warm them back up, beginning with some gentle external warmth.  Warm water works best.  Gradually make the water comfortably hot.  Then go back outside.  Do this once or twice more, always before the hands become uncomfortable.  After that, most persons notice that their hands can withstand the cold much better than before. This method keeps the hands from going into shock, and the thus keeps the circulation from shutting down.

Best remedy for cold hands I've found has been to alternate running the hottest and coldest water I can stand over both hands in 5-10 second increments, back-and-forth 4-6 times, ending with hot is my preference. Dry off completely, then put on gloves/mittens and head outside immediately.  I have done this for very long days (even when standing still for hours at a time) at ski events or ski instructing/coaching and it can help keep hands warmer for up to 3-4 hour stretches. When actually skiing the positive effect should last indefinitely. Physicians I've talked to have guessed that the temperature differences between the hot/cold stimulates enough flood flow to make a lasting difference. But you really do have to have large differences between the hot and cold for it to work the best. J.D. Downing AXCS -- xcskiworld.com XC Oregon --

I have a lot of experience with cold hands, as I DO have Raynaud's Syndrome.  If my hands get cold, I'm done and I cannot warm them up again out on the trail.  Here are some things that have worked for me:  1.  Start out warm.  I will warm up my hands over the car heater vent, by a fire, or by running warm water on them in the restroom prior to going out.  If I start with warm hands, I have much better luck through the whole ski. 2.  I gave up long ago on gloves, choosing the  function and warmth of lobster claws or mittens over style.  3.  Lobster claws with a thin glove liner underneath work pretty well in many conditions.   4.  A while ago, Yoko made a lobster claw insulated overmitt, which worked with their 232 grip system.  This is very warm.  You can use this overmitt with either gloves or regular lobster claws.  They have a slot between thumb and forefinger to permit the 232 pole strap tab to protrude out.   5.  When all else fails, I use a wool mitten liner and waterproof outer mitten.  Mine are older, made by Smartwool, but many brands offer them.  I put chemical heater packs in between the two layers.  These float around a bit during skiing, but I usually keep them up near my fingertips where I need warmth the most.  If my pole straps are too tight with all this mitten material on the hand, I extend the straps with a strip of Velcro I bought at REI.   6.  I've heard that swinging your arms around energetically in big circles can force some blood into your fingertips and warm them up.  This has never worked for me, but it might for others without medical issues.   7.  I have some pretty expensive battery-powered heated gloves that I wear Alpine skiing.  Mine are Zanier brand, but I suspect there are other choices, also.  On low setting, the battery charge lasts about 6 hours.  I've never worn these XC skiing due to their weight and the battery location on the back of the hand, exactly in the way of pole straps.  Someone else might overcome these issues, and make them work.  They definitely keep my hands warm for a whole day of downhill skiing.  Mine are at least 5 years old.  According to the website, new models (for twice the price) have smaller batteries, last longer, and are lighter.  These might be better suited for Nordic skiing, but I've never even seen a pair, much less tried them out.   Good luck up there in Anchorage, stay warm, and keep skiing.

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