BEST DRESSED ON THE SLOPES
This is a year of transition for what we wear on the slopes.
On the colour side, earth tones will continue to dominate, but (thankfully) from the brighter and cheerier side of the tans, browns and greens rainbow. Colour blocking is also building. Think contrasting colours in squares and patches.
Shape-wise, pandemic comfort is hitting the lifts. There are still a few nicely tapered jackets and snug pants. But baggy and boxy is in with anoraks, straight legs and lots of room for layering, especially for women.
The biggest change, though, is hidden beneath the cuts and palettes, as brands ditch PFAS from technical fabrics. These are a class of fluorinated, “forever chemicals” suspected of causing cancer. They are a common molecule in many everyday products including outerwear water-repellent treatments. The European Union and several U.S. states are banning PFASs for 2025. Health Canada continues to study the chemicals, but the foreign moves and health concerns are enough to encourage many apparel brands to seek alternatives. Patagonia, Flylow, MEC and Helly Hansen are among the companies eliminating PFAS from their product lines. And Hestra and Seirus switched leather suppliers to rid PFAS from their gloves. Like with all trends, some are moving faster than others.
EARTH TONES
Head Kore Jacket
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Burnt yellows and oranges complement the stretchy fabric on these shell-style jackets and pants. $850;
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Rab Khroma Diffract Jacket
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An insulated ski jacket with a waterproof exterior and pockets right where you need them.
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Norrøna Møre
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The pastel-y sage green in this lightweight, backcountry-focused kit is a new colour on the slopes.
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MEC Couloir jacket
_ MEC has upgraded the Gore-Tex membrane on its top-of-the-line Couloir jacket and bib set. Oversized chest pockets take the place of belly pockets and the back of the bib pant can drop without slipping off suspenders.
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Helly Hansen Kvitfjell Infinity Down Jacket
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Helly was one of the first to start eliminating PFAS from its ski wear, like the toasty warm and fully featured Kvitfjell.
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Patagonia Insulated Storm Shift Jacket
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True to form, Patagonia continues to lead on health and environmental issues while still designing top-shelf gear like this cozy insulated jacket.
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Hestra Fall Line
_ Leather tanning is another potential source of PFAS chemicals and other toxins and Hestra is cleaning up its supply chain.
COLOUR BLOCKING
Trew Powfunk Jacket PRIMO
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With burly PFAS-free fabric, a roomy cut and fun colour combos, this hits all the trends.
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Rossignol Corbetts Parka
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A nicely tapered, insulated women’s jacket that’s toasty warm and super cute. $475;
BAGGIER AND LOOSER FITS
Arc’teryx Sentinel Relaxed Jacket
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The Bird loosened up the fit on its popular freeride kit to add a younger style and more room for layers.
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Helly Hansen Powchaser Asym Jacket
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This anorak epitomizes the looser look. The Powchaser keeps the style but adds more functionality with a full-length zipper.
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MEC HELIX JACKET
_ Finally a jacket that fits! Tried and tested by plus-size skiers in varying conditions, the Helix Jacket by MEC keeps riders warm and dry while fitting well in all the right places and offering unrestricted movement. Contoured cuffs tuck smoothly into gloves and mitts. High pockets mesh nicely with backpacks.
QUIVER OF KITS
Whether it’s due to weather extremes or the fact that skiing is splintering into more specific niches, the modern skier is diversifying beyond a single ski jacket and pant into a portfolio of outerwear: a lightweight kit for spring skiing or backcountry touring, an everyday resort outfit and an insulated combo for cold snaps.
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BACKCOUNTRY
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR HIGH EXPOSURE GORE-TEX C-KNIT
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The lightweight and packable shell jacket and pant use a PFAS-free Gore-Tex membrane to crank up the weather protection and breathability, the twin priorities outside the resort. Long side vents help dump extra heat and big front pockets provide plenty of room for gear.
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INSULATED
MEC BROMONT RECYCLED DOWN JACKET
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Soft and fluffy yet slim and comfortable, MEC’s Bromont kept us cozy and dry without restriction of movement. Deep pockets, a powder skirt, lots of loft and a helmet-friendly hood were welcome on frosty days. Better yet, this good/bad-weather jacket is constructed from recycled polyester—one small step in the right direction for sustainability.
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RESORT SHELL
DESCENTE SWISS 3L HARD SHELL JACKET AND HARD SHELL BIB PANT
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This matching jacket and bib combo helps adjust to the variables of resort riding. The waterproof and breathable jacket has room for layering and several vents for temperature control. The bibs are equally weatherproof and also have Heat Navi, which uses nano-technology to convert sunlight into heat, upping the uninsulated shell’s versatility. Both pieces are patterned for movement and the pants include stretch zones for unrestricted carving and jumping. We also like that the pants have long zips for easy on and off and plenty of adjustment points for dialling in the fit. Pricy, sure, but also ready to rip no matter what Mother Nature brings.
PFAS-free
Ortovox Guardian Shell
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Building off the success of its hybrid Mesola (soft/hard shell), Ortovox brews up another sweet concoction by melding a weatherproof/breathable, PFAS-free outer membrane and a soft merino wool liner to regulate temperature and moisture. The freeride-oriented jacket has spacious pockets, pit zips and hood and hem adjustments, but keeps it real with a ski pass pocket for riding resorts.
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COLUMBIA SNOWTROT MID BOOT
_ Columbia’s Snowtrot Mid Boot hopes to outshine last season’s winner in the women’s boot category, the Moritza Shield, both of which keep toes Omni-Heat Reflective warm, dry and comfy through all winter weather. Light in weight, the Snowtrot punches heavy weight with a super grippy outsole.
