Ski Gear Help
In the next few weeks I’m going on two ski trips to two different mountains. The first with my older daughter, the second with my younger. I have not skied since we moved and I’ve torn the place apart looking for my gear — helmet and ski pants are nowhere to be found. Frankly, both were as old as my oldest and should’ve been replaced ages ago. I know that many of you are serious skiers and I welcome your gear recommendations.
Watercolors by Suzy Malloch
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I love my Perfect Moment ski pants for cold days. They are warm and stylish at the same time. If you are skiing in Vermont it also good to have a pair of ski pants that are truly water resistant. It can get pretty wet when temps are higher than normal.
I have been loving Stio and Arteryxx . If you are looking for more fashion forward – Perfect Moments is a good place to start.
I live in the Perfect Moment down sweater — LOVE.
I live in Switzerland where I learned about Fusalp – I love my Fusalp ‘Tipi’ ski pants and having them in navy, black and white. Fusalp does a really great fitted and flattering ski look and is petite-friendly (I’m 5’2″ and their ski jackets fit perfectly).
I have that exact helmet! It’s great!
Agree re: Fusalp & Perfect Moment! Just for a visual, check out the Chloé x Fusalp collaboration. It’s really quite stylish. Cordova is also popular (too trendy at times) but worth looking through.
Also, would recommend Bogner or Bogner Fire + Ice. I love North Face’s white ski pants and have worn them for years. Giro for the helmet.
I like the Ski Edit on Matches right now although I’m sure you’ve seen it. Good luck!
https://www.matchesfashion.com/us/womens/lists/for-skiing
I love the watercolors on this post! I’m on a ski trip now and am wearing the green perfect moment pant , but I chose the high waisted model for a much more comfortable and flattering fit, IMO. (The lower waist tends to ride down on me.) I hope you’ll share what you choose. Happy Skiing!
All of these years of you being a guide for me, lead me to be grateful for this moment where I actually have something useful to share with you. First, no matter what any “ski” company tells you, waterproof is absolutely essential. I ski a lot, and the correct gear often has a lot to do with where you are skiing. We categorize resorts on a gortex to fur scale. Example, Aspen, 1 gortex, 9, fur. Jackson Hole, 10 gortex, 0 fur. Beaver creek/vail 3 gortex, 7 fur. St Moritz, 10 fur. etc. If I wear a fusalp jacket to Jackson hole, it doesn’t play well. Likewise, if I wear stio to vail, it really isn’t right. Brands that I think really flex well, are bogner and kjus. If its a furrier spot, authier is amazing. more gortexy, try stio. and helmets and goggles get purchased together to prevent a gap. welcome back to my favorite sport. looking forward to see where you land with this!
Hi Preston! We’ve owned a house near a major ski resort for the last 15 years. Given Anne’s rating system, which is great, we’re in a “Gore-tex” community. My advice before purchasing any item is to think about dirt and mud. Ski clothes can get so dirty just from the gondola and walking through the ski village. I’d check out Spyder (my fav and the outfitter of the U.S. Ski Team) North Face, Obermeyer, Arctetyx, Patagonia and Smartwool makes great sweaters and socks. If you’re headed more towards a “fur” community, go right to Gorsuch’s web site. They’re one of the original stores in the Village of Vail. Have fun on your trip!
A vote for Helly Hansen from a New England skier.
I second Bogner. I’ve had Bogner powder pants for years as well as a shell parka. The parka’s washable and turns out great. Down jacket’s and/or sweaters can go underneath depending on the temperature.
Are people skiing in fur? I would imaging that is for apres ski_but I may be wrong!
We are in Lake Tahoe. The girls with steez are wearing the overall bibs. I purchased the manifest -2 jacket and matching bibs in red maple from FW apparel. It’s bright, visible, functional and new school. The bibs don’t cut into you when sitting on chairs or adjusting boots and are more comfortable than pants. The longer jacket feels fresh. In the spring, I plan on wearing just the bibs and a sweater. I am a resort skier most days of the week. I’m glad I went for something out of my comfort zone. Yes, it does require skill managing bibs in the bathroom!
Kjus and Frauenschuh are good options as well. Check out the Gorsuch (Vail) and Cole Sport (Park City) websites for a wider selection of other brands/ style options.
Frauenschuh or Fusalp are great performance wise, fit / style. I’ve skied in Frauenschuh for years in the coldest winters in Switzerland and The Dolmites, Italy. Ordered from their site directly !
A big, BIG thank you for all of the recommendations. We’ll be skiing both the east and out west. To really get back on the slopes is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I grew up skiing Vermont and Vail and miss it tremendously. Thank you, again, for these great suggestions! xp
I too love Stio and Arcteryx. Need to check out Perfect Moment.
Such a fabulous post Preston. I am also fond of Kjus and Perfect Moment. Astis mittens and Hestra gloves are chic and functional. Eager to try Denver based Halfdays Ski Wear’s base layers. Don’t forget Barbara Sturm’s Ski Cream! Xx
I spend the winter in Jackson and will confirm it’s a Gortex/shell layering mountain. As Stio is based out of Jackson, it’s a community favorite. Arc’teryx, Kjus and Mammut also fit the bill. For tall skiers, Norrona is popular and shorter/petite friends love Flylow. If you see skiers in fur (real or fake) or ‘fancy’ togs here – on or off the mountain – you know they’re not local! FYI – for hand warmth, Hestra mittens are the best, heated or not.