I know "avoid cotton" is pretty standard advice for base layers, but I've done it anyway because that was is available. Typically, my top layers are:

• cotton undershirt (sometimes long sleeve)
• thermal shirt
• sweatshirt
• hockey jersey
• parka

That's done pretty well for me over the years. On sunnier days, I've even gone without the parka and had the hockey jersey as outerwear. My Columbia snow pants and long johns worked fine for my legs.

However, Super Bowl Sunday evening skiing it wasn't enough. Granted, the freezing toes and fingers were more of a problem, but it got me thinking if I already have something that help keep my core warmer. That was the coldest I had skied in a looooong time.

Has anybody used a bike jersey as a base layer? I'd have thermal shirt and every thing else over it. While they wick away sweat fairly well, they aren't as great at keeping warm. Would the other layers mitigate the heat loss effectively? 

I'm hoping to go to Elk on Saturday with the forecast being about freezing and cloudy. Also, for those who don't know, I only ski 1 - 3 times annually, so I don't anticipate buying much new gear, though I'm certainly open to it if there is a good deal in the offseason.

I have an assorted of vests of different materials.  Regardless of what other layers I have, makes it much easier to keep my core warm.  Usually warm core means feet and hands don't get cold as quickly.

Thrift shops can be a good place to buy base layers.  Even in the southeast.