Heavyweight insulation (200g+) is your best bet when you're dealing with genuinely cold conditions—think single-digit temps, high-altitude riding, or those brutal long chairlift rides where the wind just cuts through. If your hands run cold naturally, heavyweight can be a game-changer for keeping you comfortable all day.
The trade-off is bulk. Heavyweight gloves and mittens sacrifice dexterity, so fiddling with buckles, zippers, or your phone becomes noticeably harder. They're also overkill on milder days—if you're spring skiing or working hard touring uphill, your hands will overheat and sweat, which ironically leads to cold hands later.
Go heavyweight if you're riding deep winter storms, spending time at high elevation, or sitting on slow lifts in frigid weather. For most typical resort days, midweight hits the sweet spot. And if you run cold but still want some dexterity, consider a heavyweight mitten—mittens are warmer than gloves at the same insulation weight.