Sure, skiing is cool, but have you ever had a hot toddy and fondue on top of a mountain in the late afternoon with the sun glinting off the snow and nothing but a good nap and a fireplace in your future? It’s the stuff dreams and Slim Aarons images are made of.
There’s a lot that comes to mind when we think of snow sports, but chief among them is gear. Skiing and snowboarding require no small amount of, well, stuff—which takes up all of the space in even your largest suitcase. In the event you don’t pack like a Real Housewife going on a girls’ trip (ahem, 8-10 bags minimum), the trick to preparing for the après-ski outfit portion of your getaways is finding winter wardrobe essentials that work hard for you. Shop your way through four steps to achieving the ideal after ski look, from knits that work double duty, to snow boots that will make sure your hike to the lodge for cocoa never looked better.
Vogue’s Après-Ski Outfit Essentials:
Step 1: Double-Duty Ski Sweaters
One surefire way to cut down on your packing list is by sourcing knits that work just as well with ski pants and salopettes for skiing early in the day as they do with denim and stirrup leggings for fireside chats in the afternoon. That means they have to both look good and keep you warm. Good cashmere and wool is the way to go whether you’re a classic Fair Isle type, or veer more towards sleek and sporty. There’s also room for a more minimal approach in fisherman sweaters and chunky turtlenecks. So whether you’re planning on spending two weeks in the Dolomites for the holidays or taking a quick trip to Stowe or Tahoe for the weekend, be prepared, and shop knits that earn their keep on and off the slopes.
Step 2: Slopeside Salopettes and Ski Pants
Ski pants and onesies are offered in as many iterations as denim these days, which means your options for suits and bibs are almost endless. We love an all-in-one that keeps you warm on the mountain and that can be pulled halfway down for a cool take on après ski style. A legging with or without stirrups is perfectly sleek and sporty and looks great with an oversized knit, while a flare pant lends just the right drama at high altitudes. And you can never go wrong with a great salopette with a bib for easy layering—just add a heattech turtleneck underneath and be on your way.
Step 3: Alpine Accessories
Accessories absolutely make the look and that standard holds true in winter sportswear as well. Balaclavas have been heralded as a trend, but the truth is these do-it-all accessories have been around forever. Come prepared with mittens, beanies, aviator sunnies, a great scarf and wool socks to help you look cool while you stay very, very warm.
Step 4: No Ski Boots, Yes Snow Boots
While it’s a little surprising that ski boot technology hasn’t resulted in something slightly less heavy and clunky, the truth is they’re best left next to your skis and poles after your last run of the day. Invest in something shearling-lined or down to gracefully maneuver slippery paths on your way to post day-on-the-mountain mountain dinner, drinks, or shopping.
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