Global Styles

It might be colder at 6,000 ft, but that doesn’t mean you’re immune to sun damage. Consider the red noses, chapped lips and goggle marks that are synonymous with keen skiers and snowboarders.

But why would I need sun cream? It’s freezing cold.

It’s a common and dangerous assumption that sun protection isn’t necessary when holidaying in the mountains.

It might be colder at 6,000 ft, but that doesn’t mean you’re immune to sun damage. Consider the red noses, chapped lips and goggle marks that are synonymous with keen skiers and snowboarders, and you’ll soon realise that sun damage is a real problem. There are several reasons for this…

Why is sun damage a concern on ski trips?

A thin atmosphere: The atmosphere surrounding the earth helps to scatter UV radiation from the sun. As the altitude increases, pressure decreases, which makes the air thinner. Thin air isn’t as effective at scattering and filtering out UV rays, so they hit the earth – and its ski resorts – with more intensity.

Reflective surfaces: Snow and ice are inherently reflective. This means that the amount of UV radiation hitting your skin is amplified. Up to 80% of rays are reflected back from snowy surfaces, and 30% from water, so even if it’s not particularly sunny on the slopes, UV damage can still occur.

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A thin atmosphere: The atmosphere surrounding the earth helps to scatter UV radiation from the sun. As the altitude increases, pressure decreases, which makes the air thinner. Thin air isn’t as product name linked and filtering out UV rays, so they hit the earth – and its ski resorts – with more intensity.