Whether you’re a beginner on the bunny hill or an expert tackling double black diamond runs, it’s important to have the right gear to enjoy your time skiing. This list covers everything from a warm parka to an emergency personal locator beacon that you can stash in your backpack for peace of mind.
Smith Helmet
If you’re planning to hit the slopes, a helmet is an essential piece of gear. Not only will it protect your head from potential crashes, but it will also ensure that you can enjoy clear vision while you’re zooming downhill. A good helmet should have enough venting to keep you cool while preventing fogging in your goggles. It should also be a comfortable fit to prevent headaches and make sure it stays on your head in case of a fall.
The Smith Vantage MIPS is a quality helmet with an excellent price point. It has a nice suite of safety features that includes an MIPS liner and zonal Koroyd protection. It has 21 vents that are spread throughout the helmet to offer a decent amount of airflow. The airflow helps reduce the chance of fogging in your goggles and keeps you cool, even on a windy day. You can easily adjust the ventilation via two sliders, which are easy to use even with gloves on.
MIPS helmets are recommended for people who take a lot of jumps or crash a lot. They are designed to absorb shock and redirect forces away from your brain, which can help prevent concussions in the event of a crash. A good helmet should be able to accommodate MIPS-compatible goggles as well. Smith’s AirEvac system is one of the best in the industry and maximizes airflow to minimize fogging and sweating.
MIPS is not mandatory in most states, but it is highly recommended for alpine and freestyle skiers. The helmet is lightweight and comfortable with a soft, supportive chin strap and liner. It does not have the utmost built-in features of a premium helmet, such as a BOA dial or closeable vents, but it does the job just fine and fits most users well.
Camelbak Women’s Hydration Pack
The Camelbak Women’s Hydration Pack is the perfect addition to your ski gear, providing you with a way to stay hydrated on the slopes. You can easily fit a two-liter Crux reservoir into this hydration pack, which is plenty for a short after-work lap session or a quick lunch break ride. You can also store essential riding tools, your helmet, and a light jacket in the dedicated storage space. The pack’s front pocket features a zippered pocket for stowing your keys or phone and a convenient hook for securing your water tube. The pack also has a hose clip to manage the hydration hose, though we wish it had a better option for routing the tube over either shoulder.
The pack’s design is thoughtfully crafted with women’s torsos in mind. Its body mapping technology uses a ventilated S-curved harness with an Air Support Light back panel to enhance comfort and breathability. Its pack shape and strap length are also tailored to women’s bodies, making this pack a comfortable choice for day hikes or short mountain bike rides. Other women-specific features include a zip-up pouch for stowing small items and an adjustable sternum strap that helps keep the pack secure and stable.
The hydration pack comes with a 100-ounce (3-liter) Crux reservoir housed in a dedicated bladder pocket, which is big enough to throw in a couple of medium-sized ice cubes for an extra chill factor. Its large circular lid opening is easy to access and has a short handle to make pouring and drinking effortless. For added value, the pack is equipped with a reflective panel and a zippered pocket for stowing a headlamp or bike lights, all available with Evo Coupon for an enhanced shopping experience.
Columbia Three-in-One Parka
Columbia has a long history of producing high-quality winter gear, and its Three-in-One Parka is no exception. It features a durable, waterproof shell that can be worn alone or zipped into a warm fleece liner. The liner is full of cozy features, including a detachable faux fur lining on the hood and comfortable cuffs with thumb loops. Additionally, it boasts a water-repellent membrane, a protective flap over the zipper, and seven exterior and interior pockets—including a pair of hand warmers.
3-in-1 jackets offer tremendous value by combining the features of both a waterproof shell and an insulated puffy mid-layer, which are typically sold separately. While 3-in-1 jackets don’t perform as well as stand-alone layers in any one particular area, they can be the best overall choice for skiers and snowboarders who frequently hike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, or take on the occasional resort day in moderate weather conditions.
The Whirlibird IV Interchange Jacket from Columbia Sportswear is a good example of a great value 3-in-1 jacket. Its outer shell offers a sleek look and Omni-TECH waterproofing, while the inner down puffy jacket layer is extremely warm with a soft feel similar to a down sleeping bag. However, the jacket’s pit zips don’t extend through to the outer shell, meaning that wind and cold air can pass through the gap in the zipper.
Patagonia’s Fitz Roy is another great option for a versatile 3-in-1 jacket that works as well for mountain hiking as it does for a day at the ski resort. The jacket is very lightweight (it stuffs down to the size of a 1-liter Nalgene in its left chest pocket) and has excellent warmth with 750-fill down, including synthetic insulation in moisture-prone areas.
Smith Goggles
Whether you’re a skier or snowboarder, the right pair of goggles are essential to protect your eyes from bright sunlight and UV rays, while also delivering clear and crisp vision. However, with so many options on the market, how do you know which pair is best? Smith is one of the top snow and ski goggles brands around. Their goggles are robust to withstand harsh conditions, designed for performance and style, and packed with the best technical features available.
There are a few things to consider when selecting a pair of Smith goggles, including the field of vision they offer, how well they vent, and how easy it is to remove and replace lenses. In terms of field of vision, Smith’s latest goggle model, the Smith 4D Mag, is said to have a 25% larger field of view than its predecessor. This means you’ll have more peripheral vision to spot other skiers or riders on the slopes.
The 4D Mag goggles are also known for their superior venting, thanks to air vents along the top and sides of the frame. This helps prevent fogging and keeps your vision crystal-clear in all conditions. The lenses are coated with ChromaPop technology, which enhances contrast and definition, ensuring you always have the best visibility possible.
For comfort, the goggles are equipped with Smith’s DriWix face foam. This dual-layer foam creates a soft seal on your face while wicking away sweat. They also have a QuickFit strap adjustment system and a clip buckle for fast on-the-go convenience. To make the goggles even more user-friendly, they feature a hydrophobic lens coating that repels water, grease, and dirt for a clear, pristine lens, all available with Evo Coupon for a great deal on your purchase.
Plush Fleece Bucket Hat
If you’re looking to add some extra warmth to your winter outfit, look no further than a plush fleece bucket hat. These hats are the perfect combination of style and comfort, making them ideal for outdoor activities. In addition, they can be easily folded and stored in your bag or purse, so you can take them with you wherever you go.
Plush bucket hats are typically made from cotton or wool, which are both breathable and comfortable to wear. They’re also great for keeping the cold wind out of your head, and many have a shearling or fur lining that provides extra warmth. You can even find a few that are designed to be water-resistant.
These hats are easy to clean and can be machine-washed. They’re also available in a variety of colors, so you can choose the one that best matches your outfit. Some bucket hats have a reversible design, so you can change up your look depending on the weather.
For those who want to give their outfit a unique touch, you can buy a bucket hat that has a different color than the rest of your clothing. This can help you stand out and be noticed by other people. It’s a good idea to match your hat with your jacket, pants, or jumpsuit so that you create a cohesive color scheme.
If you’re a fan of Netflix’s Emily in Paris, then you will love this super soft, fluffy bucket hat from Forever 21. The hat features a faux fur design and is available in several sizes, so you’re sure to find the right fit for your head. It’s the perfect accessory for a winter getaway or just to wear around town.
Conclusion
When it comes to having an unforgettable winter vacation, having the right ski gear is essential. Some of the top ski gear items to consider include a high-quality ski jacket, waterproof gloves, goggles, a warm hat, and reliable ski boots. With these items, you can stay warm, dry, and comfortable while hitting the slopes and enjoying all that the winter season has to offer. Don’t forget to invest in quality gear that fits well and suits your individual needs and preferences.