Powder hound. Ski bum. Pow stash finder. Drop in queen.
Do any of these terms describe you?? At one point, I was a “ski bum” at Vail Ski Resort, and it was one of the best (and coldest haha) seasons of my life! Believe it or not, I took the 5:45 AM bus in order to get on the mountain and help get the lift running by 8:30 AM. There were some COLD mornings, but I finally found my go-to ski gear that keeps me warm, but also wicks away sweat.
If y’all enjoy skiing moguls, then you know that those technical runs can be *serious* workouts haha. Have y’all ever skied Vail? I used to lap “Highline,” a steep mogul run, because I loved the workout I got from it. I used to get to the bottom of the run almost drenched in sweat!! I knew I needed to find the best gear that would allow me to keep going even when my temperature was changing from hot to cold. Here’s what I found:
Base Layers
Skiing in cotton is not recommended. When you sweat, the cotton will stick to your skin, and you’ll just end up cold and miserable. Not ideal! I always look for base layers that are 1. made of polyester and 2. designed to wick away moisture from your skin.
Tops
Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Zip Neck Tee
This top is great for really cold days. I love it because it’s warm, breathable, and the front zip can easily be unzipped if you need to cool down. If it’s really cold, I’ll wear a vest over this.
Patagonia capilene thermal weight crew
Typically, this top is my go-to. It has an open grid pattern that keeps you warm, but is still breathable. The thumb loops are also great because you don’t have to worry about your sleeves riding up!
When it warms up in April, I’ll usually just wear a short sleeve shirt under my ski jacket. Even though it’s warmer out, it’s still SO important to a wear moisture wicking fabric. This top is perfect for spring skiing, and it’s also great for running! See how excited I am to be wearing it below!!
Outfit Details: top | leggings | jacket | socks | sunglasses | mittens
Leggings
Patagonia capilene thermal leggings
Patagonia is one of my favorite brands for ski gear, because I know their products last for years and years. These leggings are the same material as the long-sleeved crew mentioned above. IMO they’re the perfect pair of leggings because I never even notice them when I’m skiing!
Outerwear
Jacket
Patagonia 3-in-1 snowbelle jacket
Being able to get three jackets for the price of one?! Sign me up! This jacket is a little expensive, but it you ski a lot, it’s worth it. It’s basically an outer shell, a puffy, and a ski jacket all in one. On warmer ski days, the shell is perfect because it’s a wind breaker and it’s water resistant. The puffy is great to wear by itself for running errands or hiking.
Pants
Patagonia insulated snowbelle pants
Y’all know I have long legs, and these pants are *perfect* for a few reasons:
- They fit all shapes & sizes: They’re available in short, regular, and long lengths. Score!
- Weather proof: they’ll protect you from wind and water, but you won’t feel constricted.
- Breathable: Zippers on the inner thighs reveal mesh lined vents which are perfect for when you need a little fresh air.
- Extremely durable: Whether you’re skiing in the trees or hiking, they won’t easily be torn or ripped if you accidentally get too close to a branch!
Head Gear
Protect yo’ noggin!
Helmet
Wearing a helmet is so important!!! I used to think “I’m not going to run into a tree. Why should I wear a helmet if I’m confident in my skiing abilities?” Well, because accidents happen, and while it may not be your fault, you need to be prepared. This one piece of gear could save your life. I have this helmet and love it because it keeps my head warm, and it protects my noggin. I’ve been known to take a few tumbles now and then….
Goggles
Investing in a good pair of goggles is important, because nobody wants their lenses fogging up halfway though the first run! This pair comes with two lenses – one for low light (cloudy) days and one for sunny days. Changing the lenses out is a breeze! I love this pair because they fit snugly underneath my helmet, too. #notagaper*
*Find “gaper” definition here.
Miscellaneous Gear
Mittens
Gordini gore-tex gauntlet mittens
I have had this pair of mittens for a long time – at least seven years – and they are perfect. I have poor circulation, but these keep my fingers SO warm. The price point is great as well!
Neck Warmer
Socks
A good pair of ski socks is a must because as soon as your toes go numb, it’s all you can think about (or at least that’s how it goes for me haha.) I love the medium weight Smartwool socks for the really cold days, and the Darn Tough socks are great for warmer days.
Yikes that was a lot of info, but I hope y’all find it helpful!! After being on the mountain for a season, these items definitely became my favorites. They keep me warm, dry, and they allow me to ski until the mountain shuts down in any kind of condition!
Where do y’all like to ski?!
Thanks for reading!
p.s. if you’re looking for more travel ideas, click here!
How fun does this look! I love to hit the slopes. Great advice!
Isn’t skiing a blast?! So glad you enjoyed this post!
Girl you always impress us with your athletic skills. We have never snow skied before but I love your detailed breakdown of the gear!
Y’all need to come out to CO and we’ll go skiing together!! 😉