The Utimate Guide for Winter Gear
Let us get you ready to hit the slopes in style. (Photo by Ian Lishman/Juice Images/Corbis. Design by Lauren DeLuca for Yahoo Travel.)
With El Nino pummeling ski resorts with early season snow and your wallets filled with holiday gift cards waiting to be spent, now is the time to start acquiring this season’s perfect winter gear.
Whether you ski, snowboard, sled or just apres-ski in the lodge, you will need to be dressed appropriately for the conditions.
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Dressing for winter fun is all about layering, we were informed by Lexi DuPont, an Eddie Bauer athlete and professional big mountain free skier who promises that the most important thing about dressing for winter is thinking about temperature regulation.
“Sweating can be lethal because it will freeze and make you extremely cold,” she tells Yahoo Travel. “Layers are extremely important.”
“You should remove layers before you sweat and if you start to get chilly again, you can always throw them back on.”
Another interesting tip she gave us: Cotton Kills!
“When cotton gets wet it will not keep you warm and takes forever to dry so steer clear,” she advised.
Just in time to hit the mountain, Yahoo Travel pulled together a list of the winter gear that will keep you warm, sweat-free and looking darn good.
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Layers
A good base layer should keep you warm and insulate your body while wicking sweat off your skin to keep you dry. They also need to have the flexibility for you to easily move around, and be lightweight enough to wear underneath other layers.
We’re obsessed with the brightly colored Corbeaux base layers like this Silverqueen Long Sleeve ($98). They’re comfortable, flattering and come in a whole range of patterns. Both the sleeves and the body are cut extra long to ensure they stay tucked in to your pants at all times. Plus Darcy and Adam, the husband and wife team behind the brand are some of the coolest folks we’ve met on the mountains. Both of them are sponsored skiers and mountaineers who have have traveled the world climbing, skiing and hiking. They came up with the idea for the socially conscious brand (which also donates gently used outdoor gear to mountain guides in underdeveloped countries) while on honeymoon climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.
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Base layers no longer have to be boring. (Photo: Corbeaux)
The men’s Volcom base layers like the First Layer Crew ($60) and matching First Layer Bottom ($55) are designed to pull moisture away from skin while being stretchy for flexibility. They are also cool enough to wear solo around the lodge if you’re a super-confident guy.
You can stay warm and stylish at the same time (Photo: Volcom)
Jackets
A favorite of Lexi’s, the Micro-therm Stormdown jacket ($199) is ultra lightweight, windproof, water resistant and insulating making it the perfect outer layer when it is cool, and the ultimate mid layer for more extreme weather. It folds down to a small square making it easy to stuff in a backpack or even a large pocket. And Eddie Bauer recently launched EB Custom, meaning you can create your own from over a dozen different colors and endless combinations. Men’s and women’s options available.
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These lightweight jackets come in lots of great colors. It might be hard to pick just one (Photo: Eddie Bauer)
The women’s Eddie Bauer Neoteric Insulated Jacket ($549, but currently on sale for $384.30) is waterproof, windproof and triple layered to keep you warm, It also has a classic fit, making it flattering but roomie enough to wear over layers.
Get noticed on the mountain in this colorful jacket (Photo: Eddie Bauer)
This men’s Volcom Burl Insulated Flannel Jacket ($120) has a trendy plaid aesthetic making it look more like a flannel shirt than a jacket. Still, it is extra insulated to keep you warm and dry on the mountain.
Is it a shirt? Or a jacket? (Photo: Volcom)
Am I the only one who dreams of a jacket that feels like wrapping yourself in a sleeping bag? In that dream I am not only warm, but tremendously stylish.
That dream is now a reality with Aether’s Capsule Down Jacket, a completely insulated city outwear jacket that has the perfect slim fit to wear out to dinner.
You don’t need a scarf with Aether’s capsule down jacket. (Photo: Aether)
Ski Pants
The lady’s Aether Descent Ski Pant ($375) might just be the most flattering ski pants you will ever buy. Designed to be worn by both ski and snowboarders, this pant will keep you warm, dry and make your booty look amazing. The pant initially feels tight, but I promise it is comfortable enough to wear out to the bar after you hop off of the slopes.
Does my bum look good in these? (Photo: Ascent)
Guys will want to check out the Volcom Stretch Gore Tex Pant ($330) high-tech ski pants which are made from the newest development in outerwear fabric that guarantees to keep you warm, dry and comfortable while cruising down the mountain. Fully breathable, they will also keep you from overheating.
High tech and good looking (Photo: Volcom)
Ski Suits
Tipsy Elves Ski Suits ($179.95) colorful, retro ski suits are a must if you want to make a big impression on the slopes. With both mens and women’s sizes available, and a whole host of crazy color combinations you might have a hard time picking which one to get. These nostalgic pieces are also wildly functional with an insulated lining, ventilation zip and pockets in all the right places.
Be the envy of everyone on the mountain in this ski suit. (Photo: Tipsy Elves)
Helmet
The Smith Pointe Snow Helmet ($160) is adorable, but more importantly it is incredibly well-designed so that it will protect your valuable noggin and your street-cred with modern styling and comfortable fit that is both beanie and goggle compatible.
Wearing a helmet is cool! (Photo: REI)
Gloves
Featuring the beautiful artwork of Vanessa Stark, Volcom Laver Gloves ($50) gloves are lightweight but triple layered and water resistant. They also have a handy silicone print on the bottom side for extra grip.
Frostbite is no fun. Pack your gloves. (Photo: Volcom)
The men’s Eddie Bauer Guide Gloves ($129) are made from goat skin leather They are both rugged and durable while being supple and comfortable. They sport a slim fit and are incredibly flexible for extra dexterity on the slopes.
Finally! Gloves that will keep you warm and dry, but still give you use of your fingers (Photo: Eddie Bauer)
Scarf
The Sherpa Lined Snood ($50) cozy is like a sleeping bag for your neck. It will keep you snug and warm no mater how cold it is outside. Available at Eddie Bauer in neutral oatmeal or bright red colors.
This snood is so soft and snuggly you will never want to take it off! (Photo: Eddie Bauer)
Goggles
Church and State Optics goggles, like these Tough Cookie Jelly goggles, are not only stylish but designed with performance and functionality in mind. With dual, anti-fog lenses and an integrated ventilation system you are guaranteed optimal clarity, whatever the weather.
Colorful and comfortable (Photo: Church and State)
Hiking Boots
The Salomon Quest 4D 2 ($230) lightweight boot is designed to provide an outstanding level of protection and stability. Featuring a molded, cushioned footbed and an ergonomic tongue, these boots will keep you snug and dry while allowing for a high level of foot control on any terrain.
Guys will want to grab a pair of the Merrell Annex Mid Gore Tex ($180) to get through snow, ice, rain, mud and rock while keeping perfectly warm and dry. They are also lightweight enough to wear casually, while running errands, or hanging at home.
Boots that mold so well to your feet, you might never take them off (Photo: Merrell)
Sunscreen
Many of us assume that when it is cold outside we won’t get a sun burn, when actually the sun’s power is amplified when on snow. DNA Renewal Defense SPF 50 + doesn’t just protect you from the sun’s harmful rays, it has the added benefit of actually helping reverse any previous sun damage. It also absorbs fast and is available with a tint so you aren’t left looking washed out and pale.
This stuff moisturizes and protects without making you look like a ghost! (Photo: DNA Renewal)
Lip Balm
Your lips need protection from the sun too, and the Lip 20 kit from Kaplan MD, which consists of a balm and a mask, is ultra hydrating to help sooth chapped skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines while protecting with an SPF 20. Hyaluronic acid in the mask also helps plump your lips for a fuller looking appearance.
Your lips will never look, or feel, better (Photo: Kaplan MD)
Leisure Wear
The Skea Moyo Short Skirt ($218) is water repellant so it can be worn over long underwear to go skating and snowshoeing, or thrown on in the lodge for the perfect apres-ski outfit upgrade.
Who doesn’t love multifunctional clothing? (Photo: Skea)
Water resistant and well constructed, the feminine Church and State Ski Belts ($49) feature pretty Swarovski crystal details and are available in a whole host of different colors and styles making them practical but pretty.
A belt for your ski pants doesn’t have to be plain (Photo: Church and State)
Luggage
One of the most resilient and durable bags you will ever own, the North Face Base Camp Duffel comes in a huge range of sizes and colors and is designed to be lightweight so you can take it everywhere.
The most versatile bag ever made? Quite possibly (Photo: North Face)
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