Skiers in the Pacific Northwest get good at paying attention to the freezing level, and the snow line. In the damp mountains of the Coast Range the snow can come down in feet, or it can come down as raindrops, so, if you want to get deep, you have to be prepared to get soggy. Your best tool? A good gear set-up. Here’s what we wore on a recent trip to B.C. Arc’teryx Alpha SV Jacket ($625)
Photo: Courtesy of Arc’teryx Made by Vancouver-based designers who are also avid skiers, the Gore-Tex Alpha SV jacket is purpose built to hold up in harsh, drenching conditions. I’ve never stayed drier in a storm, even when all my friend’s jackets were soaking through, which means I could stay out and ski longer. Dakine Inverness Pants ($127.50 – $170)
Photo: Courtesy of Dakine Built by another PNW company, Hood River, Oregon-based Dakine knows a thing or two about looking good and staying comfortable. The stretchy Inverness Pants are made of a two-layer softshell, which moves with you, and the taped seams keep water out. The best part is the cut, which is flattering without being constricting. Fair warning: they run small, so you might want to size up. Skida Tour Neckwarmer ($20)
Photo: Courtesy of Skida The do-everything Skida Tour keeps your face warm and your neck dry, and you can use it a goggle wipe or a headband (or a hair tie in a real pinch). But most importantly, it’s cute and cozy and makes everything feel a little bit more fun. I bring a couple on the hill. Skigee Goggle Wiper ($2.50)
Photo: Courtesy of Skigee We’re serious. Laugh all you want, but when it’s dumping rain, or snow just on the cold side of freezing, and your goggle lenses are soaked, you’re going to wish you had a skigee, Blizzard Rustler 11 skis ($700)
Photo: Courtesy of Blizzard Skis The charging all-mountain Rustler 11 (my 180 is 112 in the waist), has tip and tail rocker, but camber under foot, which makes it fun and playful in all types of conditions. That’s helpful when it’s blower pow up high, but slush at the base, which Whistler often is. It’s titanal core gives it a stiffness that holds an edge at any speed, so you don’t have to be scared to open it up. Wild Rye Baselayers ($109, $99)
Photo: Courtesy of Wild Rye Baselayers Wild Rye’s wool baselayers, the Penny Raglan top and KT Leggings, are made by women who ski, for women who ski.That shows in the details, like ¾ length leggings with a wide waistband, and a top that’s cut like your favorite lounge around shirt, but is still wicking and breathable. Wool stays warm when it’s wet, which means you won’t be cold even if you’re clammy. Nuun Tabs ($7)
Photo: Courtesy of Nuun There’s nothing better than having a hot drink in your pack on a soggy day when it’s hard to get warm. Toss a Nuun tab in your thermos and you’ll have an electrolyte drink without much sugar ready to go. Plus, the tabs are small, so you can stash them in your pack for easy refills. Black Diamond Guide Gloves ($170)
Photo: Courtesy of Black Diamond Black Diamond’s warmest, most dexterous gloves are made of Gore-Tex, so they’re fully waterproof, but unlike some other turbo weatherproof options they don’t make your hands feel like they’re jammed into clammy marshmallows. You still have good grip and agility, which also means less time taking your gloves on and off.
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Skiers in the Pacific Northwest get good at paying attention to the freezing level, and the snow line. In the damp mountains of the Coast Range the snow can come down in feet, or it can come down as raindrops, so, if you want to get deep, you have to be prepared to get soggy. Your best tool? A good gear set-up. Here’s what we wore on a recent trip to B.C.
Arc’teryx Alpha SV Jacket ($625)
Made by Vancouver-based designers who are also avid skiers, the Gore-Tex Alpha SV jacket is purpose built to hold up in harsh, drenching conditions. I’ve never stayed drier in a storm, even when all my friend’s jackets were soaking through, which means I could stay out and ski longer.
Dakine Inverness Pants ($127.50 – $170)
Built by another PNW company, Hood River, Oregon-based Dakine knows a thing or two about looking good and staying comfortable. The stretchy Inverness Pants are made of a two-layer softshell, which moves with you, and the taped seams keep water out. The best part is the cut, which is flattering without being constricting. Fair warning: they run small, so you might want to size up.
Skida Tour Neckwarmer ($20)
The do-everything Skida Tour keeps your face warm and your neck dry, and you can use it a goggle wipe or a headband (or a hair tie in a real pinch). But most importantly, it’s cute and cozy and makes everything feel a little bit more fun. I bring a couple on the hill.
Skigee Goggle Wiper ($2.50)
We’re serious. Laugh all you want, but when it’s dumping rain, or snow just on the cold side of freezing, and your goggle lenses are soaked, you’re going to wish you had a skigee,
Blizzard Rustler 11 skis ($700)
The charging all-mountain Rustler 11 (my 180 is 112 in the waist), has tip and tail rocker, but camber under foot, which makes it fun and playful in all types of conditions. That’s helpful when it’s blower pow up high, but slush at the base, which Whistler often is. It’s titanal core gives it a stiffness that holds an edge at any speed, so you don’t have to be scared to open it up.
Wild Rye Baselayers ($109, $99)
Wild Rye’s wool baselayers, the Penny Raglan top and KT Leggings, are made by women who ski, for women who ski.That shows in the details, like ¾ length leggings with a wide waistband, and a top that’s cut like your favorite lounge around shirt, but is still wicking and breathable. Wool stays warm when it’s wet, which means you won’t be cold even if you’re clammy.
Nuun Tabs ($7)
There’s nothing better than having a hot drink in your pack on a soggy day when it’s hard to get warm. Toss a Nuun tab in your thermos and you’ll have an electrolyte drink without much sugar ready to go. Plus, the tabs are small, so you can stash them in your pack for easy refills.
Black Diamond Guide Gloves ($170)
Black Diamond’s warmest, most dexterous gloves are made of Gore-Tex, so they’re fully waterproof, but unlike some other turbo weatherproof options they don’t make your hands feel like they’re jammed into clammy marshmallows. You still have good grip and agility, which also means less time taking your gloves on and off.
Spring Out of Winter With These 6 Cross-Over Footwear Options
Read article
Gear News: Dakine Launches John Florence Surfboard Day Bag
Read article
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
Spring Out of Winter With These 6 Cross-Over Footwear Options
Read article
Spring Out of Winter With These 6 Cross-Over Footwear Options
Gear News: Dakine Launches John Florence Surfboard Day Bag
Read article
Gear News: Dakine Launches John Florence Surfboard Day Bag
More News
Surly Releases Preamble: New All-steel 'Pavement Bike'
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Keep Your Food Fresh With This Food Storage Containers Set
Fix Home Problems Yourself With This Cartman 148Piece Tool Set
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Enjoy Gorgeous Picture With This LG CineBeam Portable Projector
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Keep Your Food Fresh With This Food Storage Containers Set
Fix Home Problems Yourself With This Cartman 148Piece Tool Set
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The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
More News
Surly Releases Preamble: New All-steel 'Pavement Bike'
Enjoy Gorgeous Picture With This LG CineBeam Portable Projector
Kick Back With The RENPHO Foot Massager During Downtime
Keep Your Food Fresh With This Food Storage Containers Set
Fix Home Problems Yourself With This Cartman 148Piece Tool Set
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The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
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The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
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Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City