But do so only after you've had the necessary instruction. Sure, it's fun to launch off cliffs and bumps, but get some instruction if you're a novice, then start small to hone your technique. Hypothermia Hypothermia is an insidious killer of the unprepared. Due to the gradual lowering of the body's core temperature, it's often associated with raging blizzards and treks to the North Pole. But hypothermia is more likely to hit in relatively mild weather when an unprepared snowboarder gets stuck high on the mountain in an unexpected wet snowfall with inadequate clothing.
Symptoms progress from mild to uncontrollable shivering as the body tries to warm itself.
Victims become fatigued, lose their sense of time and distance and gradually become so confused that they make irrational choices like abandoning gloves or parkas. When shivering stops, a sense of profound apathy takes over and many victims die, unable to find their way to safety or perform simple survival tasks like starting a fire. Avoid hypothermia by dressing in layers. Always wear moisture-wicking clothing instead of cotton. Be aware of weather patterns in your area and dress accordingly.