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In the popular ski areas of the country, the slopes are set to open in the next month or so if they’re not open already. Ski season brings a lot of weekend warriors into the beautiful, mountainous areas of the world, and unless you live or work around a ski town, you only get a precious few days to ski each year. On top of that, skiing can rack up quite the vacation bill. Ski or board rentals, lift tickets, lodging and transportation costs can turn a ski weekend into quite the investment.
With all the “getting there” costs, it’s wise to plan out what to wear carefully. Unless you’re that true original that’s been rocking a classic ski onesie for years, you need to choose gear that works both on the slopes and elsewhere the rest of the winter. We’ve picked out some equipment you can get right here at Gritroutdoors that will work great both on and off the slopes.
Terramar Thermasilk Baselayers
We start with the base layer, because if you’re tackling a cold, windy slope without one, you’re asking for trouble. A good base layer is the first step to proper layering, and while they obviously keep you warm, they should also wick moisture away so you don’t get all sweaty on the way down the slope and then freeze on the lift back up. We’ve picked out Terramar’s Thermasilk base layers (mens and womens) with their CilmaSense technology for the job.
When the weather is cold, the ClimaSense base layer constricts to trap heat and let only a little moisture evaporate. However, when the weather warms up or you become more active, ClimaSense opens up its fiber structure and wicks all the excess moisture and water vapor, keeping you cool and dry. As a bonus, you can shed the top layers on a warm sunny day and still ski in your Terramar base layer. Once back at home, Terramar base layers are great for winter hikes, hunts and other outdoor activities. All base layer articles are under $30, which means you won’t spend a ton on these necessary but often hidden clothing items.
Midlayers
Men’s Sierra Designs DriDown Vest
The midlayer should be more substantial than the base layer and provide insulation, but it doesn’t need to battle elements like rain and snow. A fleece is the classic choice for midlayer clothing, but for something a little different, check out the Men’s Sierra Designs DriDown Vest. This is a half-zip pullover vest with sleeves that helps trap warmth better than a traditional vest. It is extremely light and fairly thin so it won’t bulk you up, but a 800 Fill duck DriDown will keep you warm on those colder ski days. The absence of sleeves may make this a deal breaker for some, but for men who tend to be warmer, this may be all they need in a midlayer. Plus when you’re not on the slopes, this is a stylish spring or fall vest perfect for warmer days that still require some protection.
Women’s Outdoor Research Aria Night Vest
Sticking with the vest as a midlayer theme, the Aria Night and Ultraviolet Vest from Outdoor Research makes a great layering option for women. It utilizes a 650 Fill goose down for insulation, and a rip stop polyester shell ensures the vest will sit comfortably under your top layer without snagging. This vest includes an integrated hood, which may make it somewhat incompatible with top layer jackets that also have hoods (unless the top layer has a removable hood), but when worn as a stand-alone article outside of skiing, many may prefer the hood. Plus it looks great and would be a valuable addition to any winter wardrobe.
Top Layer
Men’s Outdoor Research Vanguard Jacket
This Outdoor Research jacket is specifically designed for the slopes, but you’ll find yourself using many of its features at home as well. It sports a 3-layer Gore-Tex softshell to shed snow and fully taped seams keep any water from seeping into the jacket. The hood is ski-helmet compatible, and its articulated sleeves allow for a full range of motion, perfect for when you’re skiing those black diamonds. The jacket also has a removable powder skirt for heavy snow days. Finally if you like to listen to tunes while skiing down the mountain, a specialized zip pocket with a headphone port makes it easy to listen to music without getting your phone or device wet. You may find yourself using the headphone port while waiting for the bus on a cold day as well.
Women’s Outdoor Research Skyward Jacket
This stylish companion to the men’s Outdoor Research jacket features all the weather resistant specs you want in a ski/winter coat including a waterproof and wind resistant outer layer, fully taped seams, and YKK AquaGuard zippers. The Skyward jacket’s hood is ski helmet compatible and the coat features a ton of zip pockets including an internal media pocket. Finally articulated elbows make it easy to keep the poles moving when you’re heading down the mountain. Away from the slopes, this is a stylish jacket that will fit right in on any winter excursion.
Outdoor Research Stormtracker Gloves
Finally, don’t forget a thick pair of gloves for the slopes. You’ll want a glove that sheds water and resists wind but is still agile enough to perform both on the slopes and at home. We’ve picked out the perfect glove for skiing in the Outdoor Research Stormtracker Gloves. They are water-resistant and windproof, and they wick moisture away and dry quickly when wet. An impressive bonus comes in the agile leather palms that are touch screen compatible. A zippered gauntlet and tapered wrist ensure the gloves fit well inside your coat and keep any rouge snow out.
Prices and availability subject to change at gritroutdoors.com.
