Skiing is a challenging sport, to pack for especially. Being comfortable and warm when skiing is all about quality base layers and technical fabrics. But you also want to look stylish from first chair to après ski. Friends ask me how I dress for a ski day and après ski, and how to pack for a week skiing out West or the Swiss Alps – packing all your gear in a Kulkea ski boot bag. Details for your next downhill destination:
Ski clothing success starts from the inside out. Nothing keeps you protected like technical fabric base layers – tops and leggings, in fun festive colors. Montec (and Dope Snow for snowboarders) makes stylish matching base shirts and leggings that fit, and wick away moisture – perfect! Rossignol, the French ski company since 1908, makes classic quality ski apparel – zip t-necks and long underwear to cool retro ski sweater and fleece! Alp N Rock ski shirts in merino wool, moisture wicking, look wonderful for ski lunch, skiing to après ski.
SmartWool Ski Sox, the U.S. Ski Team’s official sock, are the best. These socks fit snug, keep me warm, dry, and on the balls of my feet so I am fast like Lindsey Vonn and bold like Bode Miller.
For outer layers, I love Rossignol for their classic colors and timeless quality, they continue to make well-fitted technical jackets and coordinating pants that hold up to the elements- read: wind, cold, wet, snow. SKEA & Perfect Moment ski apparel is more fashion trendy, but still reliable, with a nod to style and shine. British Dare2Be and Aspen-based Obermeyer make traditional, well-priced, well-fitted technical jackets and coordinating pants that hold up to the elements- read: wind, cold, wet, snow.
My frivolous alpine accessory is a blingy belt for my ski pants – fashion meets function – it keeps my pants up (not a proponent of the boxer thong display trend) and makes me feel stylish even if it’s only seen at lunch and après ski. I also love a furry neck gator (Turtlefur made in Vermont) or Skida (also Vermont based) makes lighter weight stylish neck ups that protect from wind, cold, sun – and come in fun patterns!
Smith IO Goggles or Oakley Prism are the best. The big lens provides super peripheral and great definition in the snow from flat light to full sun, and they look “sweet” with their reflective crystal rose finish.
My pack a day habit? My hands get cold, Reynaud’s, and an occupational hazard when taking notes on chairlifts, so inside my Rossi leather mittens I fire up a pair of HotHands disposable hand warmers (I have blasted through boxes of brands – these last longest and best for me).
Thin is in, so I love my Rossignol Bamboo Ski Poles. I may not always pole plant properly, it’s a 
work in progress, but I try to keep my light bright pretty poles visible, out in front – a sign of good form.
Best skis please! See our Top Men’s Skis Review and Top Women’s Skis Review. I have skied on everything from 200-centimeter skinny Dynastars to K2, never forget my first short shaped Atomic Betas at 155, from slalom race carvers, to reverse camber pow skis, even neon. Nothing compares to my Blizzard Black Pearls, yes – a girl loves her pearls from powder to hard-pack, this quiver solver ski carves, dices moguls and plows through pow and crud thanks to the rocker tip. For a wider underfoot ski, all-mountain conditions – the Blizzard Sheeva is sheer bliss. My Volkl Secret 101 for pow days are floaty and fun, blow through the mix like a boss, but they still carve on groomers., so the secret on this top women’s ski is out! How far I have come since my first pair of Rossi FP 190s in Day-Glo green I financed as a ski instructor in 1985.
My Rossignol All Trek Pro ski boots (not a brand manager for them – just find Rossi is making quality affordable boots) are snug and stiff but flexible and fluffy furry inside. And they’re sassy cute pink but super performance-oriented too! I plug in my $19 Seirus Ski Boot Sticks to dry my boots every night, and they’re toasty warm in the morning for me.
My ski pocket contents: Burt Bees Lipbalm with SPF, Kleenex, ID and credit card, and cell phone – in an inside pocked (batteries don’t like cold).
Look pro at Après Ski. Switch out your helmet for a cute pom hat or headband. Ladies, remove ski pants and don a cute après ski skirt as a cover up over those fun base layer leggies. Guys, I love a ball cap with your favorite ski resort logo and a funny ski-themed graphic T, like the trendy AllAboutApres ski swag our friends design, great conversation starters at the bar. See our favorite Apres Ski spots in Vail, and Best Apres Ski at Breck, and Top Après Ski in The World
Traveling for a few day or a ski week, I bring a few black coordinates – European and simple. Black lycra travels seamlessly, coordinates easily, hides stains, and helps you blend in at the best après ski parties and restaurants, when bulky jeans don’t fit the bill. Toss in a furry scarf and après ski boots to jazz up your look for a nice dinner out!
Plan your outfits, pack two shirts or light sweaters that coordinate, a t-shirt in the event its warm and sunny spring skiing, and pants (or tights and a skirt for the ladies and a scarf to accessorize).
Always bring a swimsuit – can you say hot tub? However in the Alps many spas are “no textiles” adult-only, aka nude, so wrap in a towel if you’re a prude.
Finally, attitude. Skiing requires that you are in the zone – mentally, physically. Every day is different in downhill skiing depending upon conditions, weather and your whereabouts. So I minimize the mayhem with my traditions, a good night’s sleep and decent breakfast, my lucky bracelet, stretching before hitting the slopes, and happy self-talk on the slopes.
Ski /Snowboard Boot Bag Checklist – Everything you need to pack in a Kulkea boot bag for a ski week or weekend:
Ski or Snowboard Boots (in a separate compartment)
Ski Pants for colder days, Wind Pants for the warmer days
Ski Jacket for wintry conditions, Windbreaker/Shell for warmer weather
Base Layer/Long Underwear
Two Pair of Ski Socks (travel-size Tide packets to handwash if you have stinky feet)
Helmet/Hat
Goggles and Sunglasses in their protective cases
Gloves/Mittens /Disposable Hand Warmer Packets
Neck warmer/Balaclava/Facemask
Pocket size sunscreen and lip balm
See our Top Ski Destinations for a Luxury Ski Vacation
And “How to Pack for Luxury Vacation”
“I don’t do fashion. I am fashion.” — Coco Chanel
