Zooming, racing or elegantly shoop-shooping – whatever your skiing style, you want to be comfortable and protected from the elements in your slope-side ski gear. Let’s be honest though, it’s also a great excuse to crack out a stylish sportswear wardrobe – and we’ll take any excuse for that!
Ideally you want something that keeps you warm from first lift to apres, so you can make the most of your adrenalin-fuelled days. Luckily, the team at Helly Hansen are nailing high performance ski gear that also makes you look the part. We took it to the Alps for a slope-test – find out below how we got on.
High performance ski gear
The ski slopes are the perfect place to embrace your inner exhibitionist – clashing colours and patterns are pretty much a must. Any combo goes against the gorgeous snowy backdrops, so let your imagination run wild and try out some bright colours and fab accessories (in our eyes, you can never have too many apres hats!).
All the gear…
Whether you have no idea, or are a pro with miles of black runs under your belt, you’ll love Helly Hansen’s range of ski jackets and trousers. We were looking for something fitted, waterproof, breathable, stylish and with plenty of pockets. We know, we don’t ask for much do we?! Luckily, the Rocker jacket was right up our street. This jacket is super-warm but not bulky. It has an insulated lining, gorgeous Seabreeze colour (which goes with a range of trouser colour options!) and plenty of pockets for all your essentials (phone for photo snaps, lip balm for cold lips and cash for apres drinks *ahem*). The splash of bright neon pink on the hood was a favourite detail – not least because it makes you easy to pick out in a crowd of incoming skiiers.
Every great jacket needs a good pair of trousers and this Switch cargo pair are fab. The fit and flare design is a flattering look, while still baggy enough to be comfortable sitting on chair lifts. Like all good ski trousers, the Cargo range come in a rainbow of colours, but with the bright Rocker jacket we decided to go for this grey, black and white camouflage combo to contrast with the blue jacket. Lots of pockets to store a bit of cash for mid-morning hot chocolate stops and plenty of ventilation zips for when your skiing is just too damn hot! We also want to give a nod to the dusky pink inner lining, a nice little touch when you’re taking your boots on and off.
Rocker jacket in Seabreeze, currently on sale at £231
Switch cargo pant, currently on sale at £98
A whole lotta layers
Like all the best Autumn/Winter wardrobes, layering up is super-important when planning your ski gear. A lovely soft base layer is ideal for keeping you toasty warm and looks great at lunch or apres too when you want to strip off your outer layers. We picked this number from Helly Hansen because of its pretty colours and subsequently realised it’s the official base layer of the USA Olympic ski team (don’t think we fooled anyone though…).
Active Flow Base Layer, currently on sale at £28
From first lift to apres
Finally, for those really crisp days, you want a layer that will keeping out the biting cold, from first lift to apres. We have an absolute new fave in the sexy fitted W Astra jacket – it’s a bit pricey, but add it to your wishlist for future pre-trip presents as it’s just gorgeous. Smart herringbone design and super-warm, bright red funnel neck – perfect for snuggling into on ski lifts – or…errr…for *hilarious* photo opps… It’s great under your ski jacket or as it’s own layer for some seriously stylish apres.
W Astra Jacket, £110
That’s our pick of stylish, high performance ski gear from Helly Hansen – perfect for hitting the slopes.
What ski gear are you loving this season? Share your slope-side pics with us – @tweetjanes.