Today, we’re chatting about ski gear! Skiing is one of the Stassinopoulos family’s FAVORITE winter activities. It’s one of those activities you can do with anyone: I love going as a family, just Jerry and I or with other couples! Being that we live in Colorado, skiing is the THING to do in the wintertime so there are plenty of mountains to go to. A couple of our favorite spots are Keystone & Beaver Creek. Both have wonderful resorts and many family-friendly restaurants. I posted a Reel about our favorite restaurants in both spots on Instagram!
I also have a post here, to help prepare your skin before a day out on the slopes.
Next weekend, we are headed back to Beaver Creek for a couples weekend with friends. We are going for the Winter Culinary Weekend & we can’t wait to enjoy all the tasty food! Now let’s dive into what this blog is really about my ski gear must-haves! Keep reading to learn about my favorite base layers, sweaters, ski suits, ski jackets, ski pants, ski boots, ski helmets, ski goggles, ski gloves, ski socks, and winter boots. Hoofta, that was a mouthful! Now, let’s jump in!
BASE LAYERS
All of these options are made with a moisture-wicking material. Good base layers are made from synthetic, wool, silk, or bamboo fibers. Whatever you do, don’t wear cotton! You will sweat and cotton takes too long to dry. It pulls heat away from the body, which will leave you cold and uncomfortable.
SHOP NICOLE’S PICKS: BASE LAYERS
SWEATERS
Even if you don’t ski, these sweaters are a perfect après ski look paired with jeans & winter boots!
SHOP NICOLE’S PICKS: SWEATERS
SKI SUITS
SHOP NICOLE’S PICKS: SKI SUITS
SKI JACKETS
SHOP NICOLE’S PICKS: SKI JACKETS
SKI PANTS
SHOP NICOLE’S PICKS: SKI PANTS
SKI BOOTS
Ski boots can be tricky…depending on your foot, each brand will cater to your needs. Personally, K2 fits me the best and I have tried several brands. I have a very wide foot and a high instep (arch). I also liked Solomon a lot but my feet like K2 the best!
That said, there is a company called SureFoot that custom-fits your boot. It is an amazing experience that takes approximately 1 hour and they are all over the mountains here in Colorado. If you’re just coming for a visit there are plenty of options to rent. However, renting will really diminish your skiing experience. Rentals are unable to hold your foot in the proper place causing your foot to slide around, which reduces your ability to control your skis. I know this firsthand! A pair of properly fitted boots is one of the best ways to improve your abilities and have a great time!
SHOP NICOLE’S PICKS: SKI BOOTS
SKI HELMETS
Safety first with ski helmets! Make sure to look for the MIPS technology symbol. This technology reduces certain forces by redirecting impact energy helping reduce rotational motion to the brain. My husband is a trauma surgeon and he swears by this safety feature! A couple of popular brands are Giro, Smith, POC, and Bolle. My boys love to wear balaclavas under their helmets to keep their ears warm. I highly recommend adding a Bluetooth headset to your helmet, it enhances your whole experience.
SHOP NICOLE’S PICKS: SKI HELMETS
SKI GOGGLES
SHOP NICOLE’S PICKS: SKI GOGGLES
SKI GLOVES
My favorite brand of ski gloves is Hestra. Tip: to keep your hands warm I recommend wearing mittens, not gloves. The warmest mittens are made of down. I hear heated gloves/mittens are a game-changer! However, they’re pretty expensive. That said, they keep your hands warm!
If they’re not in your budget, you can always throw the disposable hand warmers in your mittens. They work really well for about 4+ hours. I suggest bringing a backup pair. Note: if you buy these on the mountain they will double the price.
SHOP NICOLE’S PICKS: SKI GLOVES
WINTER BOOTS
I always bring a pair of winter boots to complete my après ski outfits!
SHOP NICOLE’S PICKS: WINTER BOOTS
Whether you’re planning a ski trip in Colorado, or you’re just looking to refresh your ski wardrobe/gear, I hope this was helpful. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter HERE for fashion tips, recipes, notifications of future blog posts, and MORE delivered straight to your inbox! If you missed my last blog post, catch it HERE!
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XOXO, Nicole
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