Mountain towns are known for having great powder skiing at higher altitudes, but they are also notorious for below zero temps and chilly days and nights. Below is a complete guide to what to pack for ideal ski performance while on the slopes.
Pictured: Mountain Hardwear AirMesh Long Sleeve Crew and Icebreaker Jacket
Every good skier knows a base layer is vital, but Mountain Hardwear has released an AirMesh Long Sleeve Crew with a fleece inner lining to keep you warm and cozy. The unique active mesh consists of hollow, tube-like fibers with radial extensions that absorbs sweat and dries quickly, supporting insulation and heat-shielding properties, weighing virtually nothing. To top it off, the Icebreaker Women’s MerinoLoft™ Collingwood II 3Q Hooded Jacket withstands any wind, snow, hail, and pretty much anything Mother Nature throws at you, with a hood, zipper pockets and covered neck you can zip all the way up. An elegant updated version of the classic down jacket, the Collingwood II MerinoLoft™ Hooded 3/4 Jacket features our MerinoLoft™ insulation—an innovative, natural and ethically sourced insulation that harnesses the natural properties of merino wool.
Pictured: Under Armour Fleece Jacket and FLEO leggings
My legs always get cold, so I make sure to layer with a few pairs of pants, but my base pants are always made of stretchy nylon. Under Armour, FLEO and Zoelle offer great options. Zoelle, helps women embrace a high-fashion lifestyle with tattoo-inspired, ultra-comfortable and versatile leggings. Made with exclusive four-way stretched premium fabrics, they come in three contour-flattering cuts, so you stand out no matter where you go.
Pictured: Zoelle leggings
FLEO Leggings are intentionally made with stitches that are the strongest, while maintaining a buttery-soft feel to withstand any weather or flexible body movements.
Pictured: Outdoor Vitals Vario Jacket
I paired this with the Outdoor Vitals Vario Jacket, a versatile 9-ounce jacket with breathable insulation designed for active performance. Both the 3DeFX insulation and durable Ripstop Nylon fabric stretch with you as you move. This causes tiny coils to expand, allowing more heat to escape and the hoodie to breathe with you.
Pictured: Alps & Meters Turtleneck
For dinner, a great option to throw on is the turtleneck by Alps & Meters, a luxury sportswear brand of the highest quality knitwear. Founded upon upholding the classic traditions of alpine sport, Alps & Meters’ products combine the world’s best natural materials, classic construction techniques, and contemporary technologies for high performance garments that are tailored, technical and timeless.
To capture the footage on the slopes, I used the new GoPro HERO11 Black in the snow and on the lift. I was able to send highlight videos to my phone automatically and the new, larger image sensor captures more of the scene with higher quality for social media. New Night Effects let you get creative after dark, and 10-bit color brings all your videos to life.
I stored the GoPro in my Under Armour backpack, which holds all of the essentials and is made for the mountain, with lined fleece pockets specifically made for smaller items. The UA Storm technology delivers an element-battling, highly water-resistant & stain-resistant finish with an added back panel and ergonomic straps for comfortable carry. I was even able to carry my Mac computer in the soft-lined laptop sleeve.
Pictured: Jules B Sorel Boots
Jules B shoes are the perfect snow boots, with a furry lining inside and grips on the sole of the show to keep you stable in the ice or snow. Combining a warm and sporty design; the Sorel Whitney II boots are perfect for the winter and snowy weather, crafted from waterproof nylon. Boasting a faux fur cuff with microfleece lining and 200g of insulation, they feature a lace up fastening and branding at the ankle and the heel.
Pictured: TUMI suitcase and Backpack by Under Armour
My recommendations for ski travel suitcases if you plan on staying a while on the mountain is TUMI. With wheels that slide easily and a sleek and shiny design with ample room, you can fit all of your jackets and ski pants in one place. If you are going on a short weekend trip, My Style Bags is a Milanese company specialized in the design of travel bags, handbags and accessories and the TROLLEY DELUXE is the perfect selection. If you aren’t sure if it will be a shorter or longer stay, BJ’s Wholesale Club’s Berkley Jensen 3-Piece Expandable Spinner Set is made for all types of trips. All three size 20″, 24″ and 28″ luggage have an expandable gusset that helps to add extra space.
