During my childhood, I was lucky enough to spend many winter weekends skiing at a small private club in Upstate New York. As I grew up, I was lucky enough to be able to explore the slopes in New England, the Rocky Mountains, and most recently, the Swiss Alps. My husband and I even got engaged on the way home from a ski trip to British Columbia. It has been a few years since we have been to Verbier, but I am always looking for the next opportunity to follow the snow. Fingers crossed we get to to Copper Mountain in Colorado, USA in January as planned.
No matter where in the world I am going to ski, I will always have to pack my gear ahead of time as the mountains are unfortunately not on my doorstep. I have found that having the right equipment on hand makes my time on the slopes much more enjoyable.
Here are my suggestions on what to have to survive the elements:
1. Merino base layers and socks– Merino wool helps keep regulate body temperatures by wicking moisture away from your body and doesn’t smell even when you sweat. Cotton will keep wet fabric near your skin and that will get cold quick. The Ski Thermo Compression socks from CEP combine comfort and performance in a range of Nordic designs.
2. Waterproof trousers– I love these Salomon PROOF LIGHT trousers. These have high breathability with a standard fit, giving you plenty of room to manoeuvre on the slopes. Intermediate to high warmth with 20K/20K fabric and Primaloft Eco 40g insulation means you can stay out on the slopes all day without worrying about being wet or cold. Believe me, no one likes a wet bum from sitting on the chair lift when it is dumping powder.
3. Sunscreen– The snow can reflect the sun and the cold wind can make your cheeks turn red too. Keep your skin fresh by applying high-performance sunscreen from Pelotan before you head out in the morning. (Although having a ‘ski google tan’ when you arrive back at the office is priceless).
4. Helmet– It is important to play it safe these days. When selecting a helmet, be sure to get one that observes the CSN EN 1077 European Standard. Also, find one that has enough ventilation holes for you if you tend to overheat when you exercise. If you are travelling with your helmet, try to keep it on you to avoid it being damaged during transit.
5. Sunglasses– If you are lucky and it is sunny when you are on holiday, you need to protect your eyes. dewerstone have very affordable polarized sunglasses, such as the Bantham which is made of wood and acetate. What else is cool is that these are plant-based, certified as Climate Neutral, every pair sold plants one tree, and dewerstone gives 1% of their total sales to environmental non-profits.
6. Gloves– This is another piece of kit that you want to be waterproof. Consider it an investment into your long-term happiness out on the slopes all day. It also needs to be breathable so your hands don’t sweat. I recently received a #gifted pair for SealSkinz Waterproof All Weather Gloves for winter dog walks and paddleboarding. I don’t see why these gloves wouldn’t work on the slopes as well.
7. Something cozy for by the fire– After getting first tracks, my favorite part of the day is après ski. Relaxing with friends around a fire, surrounded by gorgeous views, is not a bad way to end the day. If I am in The North Face ThermoBall Tent Mules from Ellis Brigham, I am even happier as my feet are toasty warm and not at risk of getting wet from melted snow on the floor.
These are just a few suggestions from my personal experience out in winter conditions around the world. What can I say? I like to be warm and dry. What essentials would you suggest to someone going to ski or snowboard for the first time? Let me know in the comments below.
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