Base Layers!

At those temps I normally use an insulated jacket and pants. Underneath I wear, Bottom - micro-fleece thermals and and regular fleece pants over (sometimes silk or wool light weight long johns under those). Top - I wear a thermal turtle neck, a micro fleece top, and a soft shell jacket, or heavy fleece (sometimes a quilted jacket).

Boot gloves are great and really help. Charcoal toe warmers work very well, and charcoal hand warmers too. I have even used the hand warmers in interior mesh pockets of jackets in extreme conditions. A thin micro-fleece balaclava is good to make sure you have no exposed skin.

So much depends on the other weather factors. If the sun is out, or if it's dull and overcast, and especially the wind. Even though there doesn't seem to be any humidity, it can also affect how cold you feel.

Goodness me Trencher, do you have a circulation issue? - )

The main purpose of the base layer is to transfer moisture away from the skin to the next layers, so it should be close fitting and made of something that wicks moisture; such as polypropylene, polyester or merino wool, it doesn't need to be very thick. To keep warm wear as many insulating layers as necessary, its best if these aren't too thick and not too tight. It doesn't really matter what these are made of as long as it isn't cotton.

Don't take too much notice of those long range forecasts; there only predictions based on computer models, Swiss Meteo can only forecast Saturday's weather with 60% certainty. In any case when it's that cold up there it's often windy as well, so they have to shut the Kleine Matterhorn cable car and the link to Cervinia.

Dave Mac wrote:Goodness me Trencher, do you have a circulation issue? - )

Windy evening sessions at -30, you don't need any circulation problems to get cold. I've also been stuck on a lift for 30mins in those conditions. That's when you really appreciate being prepared (or wish you had been).

Only skied in -23, it was a bit cold on the lift, but no extra layers

Once it gets to -10 I tend to pop on the thermals; Primark do ones for £2.50 tops and bottoms that do exactly the same as branded ones that are sold for over £30.

The Merino base layers are fine if you have skin like a rhino. Otherwise they will itch like you know what.

I have Horizon baselayers, purchased from TK Maxx at £8 last year in the sale, normally something like £40 rrp. They've got a Merino content in their material, but the amazing thing is they prevent me from sweating, as bizarrely my body sweats when I'm cold, not hot!

ON cold ski days I wear thermal vest and long johns, normal sallos, baselayer, microfleece mid layer and either my heavier ski jacket which is lined or a softshell jacket with a waterproof/windproof layer over the top.
Its all about the layers, darling.

I used to have, actually it's still floating around somewhere in a bag, one of those neoprene face masks.
Keeps the face warm when it is truly horrible weather, but, I must admit, if/when it is like that now I tend to run back to the bar!
Far more sensible way of keeping warm

I have bought me and the Mrs some Skins S400 Thermal 3/4 tights so will put them to the test at Christmas in the cold of Cervinia and report back