In packing for a recent ski trip (my first in… a lot of years), I was blown away by the sheer volume of stuff you need to properly prepare for the piste. My list of “things to buy” grew by the day, and I realized that strutting onto the slopes in a cute jacket and waterproof leggings simply wasn’t going to cut it.
As I learned, the key to putting together a proper ski outfit is finding pieces that you can move in. Plus, they need to keep you warm enough so that you’re not miserable on the chairlift, but not so warm that you’re spending the day sweaty and uncomfortable. Looking cute, of course, is a bonus (though for me, it was a non-negotiable). It’s a tall order, and for the uninitiated (read: me), it can be hard to figure out WTF to buy.
“Conditions on the mountain can change in a blink of an eye, and it’s important to come ready for sun or slush,” says Kari Traa, a former Olympic freestyle skier and founder of her own eponymous ski-wear brand. “You should start with base layer, the layer you wear next to your skin. Next up is the mid layer, whose goal is to keep you warm through insulation and protect you from the cold. The final items in your layering system for skiing are your outer layers or shells, which are most important in keeping you protected from the elements.”
With that in mind, we rounded up our favorite picks in each of these three categories. And the best part? SO many of them are currently on sale, which means it’s the perfect time to stock up for next ski season.
Base layers
Base layers serve two main purposes: Keeping you warm, and siphoning off all of the sweat you produce while you ski before it freezes onto your body. With that in mind, “for base layers, you want to look for breathability and a tighter fit,” says Kylie McKinnon, former Olympic freestyle skier and co-founder of Halfdays, a sustainable outerwear brand. “While your instinct might be to put as many layers on as possible, it’s important to consider that your body will work up a sweat as you move down the mountain and to look for layers that allow your body to more naturally regulate temperature.”
On colder days, Traa recommends choosing a thermal fabric, but when temps climb you can choose a lighter-weight base layer. “Merino wool is your best friend for its technical features like odor-management and temperature regulation,” she says.
Shop base layers
Originally $108, now $64
This top is next-level warm, but also has A+ sweat-wicking properties so that you won’t be stuck shivering in a pool of your own frozen sweat on the chairlift. Plus, it’s antibacterial, which means you won’t have to worry about any post-ski day stank when it comes time for après. There’s a set of matching pants (that have all of the same benefits and are also on sale for $64) and the styles come in a slew of different colors so that you can rock a different base layer look every day.