Just like that – the most wonderful time of the year is here again. That’s right. ski season, baby!
Crisp mountain air, warm cups of cocoa, late nights by the fire and quite mornings surrounded by stunning snow-covered mountains and let’s not forget cute women’s ski outfits!
Below, you can find my recommended women’s ski clothes to keep you warm, dry, and looking good on the mountain!
Watch my video review, learn more about why I love women’s ski clothes, how to pack for a ski trip, see a list of most recommended products, or get more general tips for a successful ski trip.
Follow me on Social Media
Why I Love Cute Women's Ski Clothes
I look forward to ski season every year because it means I get a fresh dose of nature, leisure and luxury!
There is nothing sweeter than the simple rhythms and routines that come with mountain time. First we brunch, then we ski, then we après ski, then we sleep, and we do it again! Spending time on the slopes is an amazing way to disconnect from this chaotic world and reconnect with loved ones, yourself and the natural world – while also giving your body a killer workout!
Whether ski slopes feel like your second home or this is your first year braving the mountain – you will quickly find that what you wear and how you prepare will make all the difference!
I am going to be honest – I ski the best when I am feeling confident in my skin!
I am sure you do too. It’s no secret that inner confidence is the key to performing well in anything. It’s also no secret that what you wear has a huge impact on your overall confidence levels and sense of individuality. It can often be so disheartening trying to find women’s ski apparel that is sexy, expressive and functional!
It wasn’t until recently that I stumbled upon the best designer ski brands while walking though Vail Village. Nils and Descente are the best women’s ski clothes brands in my eyes. These designer ski brands are not only fashionable for the slopes, but also extremely high quality and functional. As an avid skier, and an avid fashionista – I couldn’t be happier to see my two worlds collide into one. My Descente women’s ski jacket is seriously the most incredible ski jacket I have ever owned and has made me fall in love with skiing all over again! My Nils ski pants are not bulky or baggy.
They fit me perfectly and allow me to feel more confident, and sexy in the snow! I have been waiting years to find the best women’s ski clothes that allow me to perform well and express myself fully and, ladies – I have FINALLY found it.
So here a few things I have learned over the years as an avid skier. These clothes and tips will help you navigate through this ski season with ease.
How to Pack for a Ski Trip
Packing for a ski trip isn’t like packing for most trips you take. When it comes to ski trips, do not worry so much about packing minimally – just worry about packing enough to keep you warm! The key to the perfect ski outfit is having multiple waterproof layers that are easy to take on and off. The weather in the mountains is unpredictable and always varying, so you’ll need to prepare for a variety of temperatures.
Pack a few cute outfits that you can wear to après ski, to dinners, brunches and out shopping. You cannot go wrong with a turtleneck and jeans. Pack a few extra hats and beanies to hide your hat hair after a day on the mountain. Of course, bring cozy socks and a cozy pair of pajamas for when it is time to relax and recover. For shoes, all you really need is some shoes the nightclub, a pair of comfortable walking shoes, and some comfy snow boots. And do not forget your swimsuit and flip flops for those après ski hot tub soaks!
As far as ski equipment goes – you will need your skis, ski helmet, neck scarf, ski boots, ski goggles, ski poles and ideally a ski bag to store it all! If it is your first time, do not be afraid to rent some gear before buying brand new.
Use Compression Packing Cubes
Ever since I started using Bagail Compression Packing Cubes, packing up all of my ski gear and layers upon layers of clothing has never felt easier. Thanks to my wonderous packing cubes – I can finally stay somewhat organized while traveling from one place to the next! Check out more about compression packing cubes here.
My Favorite Women's Ski Outfit Items
I have had my Descente Women’s Ski Jacket for over a year now and I couldn’t be more in love with it. This ski jacket is unlike any other because it’s a flawless combination of luxury and sporty. I feel confident skiing in it and drinking wine in it! If you are looking for a ski jacket that is both glamorous and high performance, then you cannot go wrong with Descente’s Women’s Ski Jacket or Nils Women’s Ski Jacket. They are the highest quality and most fashionable ski jackets on the market for women and I couldn’t recommend them enough! Check out my list of great women’s ski jackets here.
Order this Descente Ski Jacket here
No joke – I have had the same pair of Swany ski gloves for almost a decade now! They are they high quality, 100% leather which means I never have to worry about my hands being wet or cold! I love to pair my Swany ski gloves with a pair of thermasilk glove liners and a fresh pair of hand warmers!
Get Swany Ski Gloves
Columbia’s Base Layer Pants are fantastic because they are barely noticeable under ski pants or jeans! Since you will likely be wearing a pair of base layer pants throughout the whole trip – you want to make sure they are easy to move around in. Columbia’s base layer pants are stretchy, breathable and take up little room in your suitcase. The fabric is made with omni-heat technology which dries quickly if they get wet and helps to keep your legs warm. I do not think I would survive winter without these babies!
In my opinion – every ski chick should have a pair of Nils ski pants! Along with an adorable slim fit, they are fully waterproof, have 3 layers of fabric to keep you warm and a hidden elastic bottom to help keep snow out of your pants. I am so happy I no longer have to deal with baggy, bulky ski pants. Nils and many other women’s designer ski brands have mastered the art of a complimentary ski pant. If you are like me and love to have multiple outfits to choose from for the slopes, then Columbia Women’s Ski Pants and Descente Women’s Ski Pants are amazing options too if you want to switch it up.
Buy your Nils ski pants here
When it comes to all day comfort on and off the mountain – base layers are everything. Hot Chillys Base Layer Women Tops are specially made with the softest microfibers and high-quality spandex so that it resists moisture and fits any body type. These tops are so comfy to wear all day, doing any activity. Most importantly – these tops are easy to pack and are machine washable!
Buy your Chillys base layer top here
When I am in Vail, I basically live in my North Face Women’s Vest. On the mountain, I love to throw on this cozy vest in between my base layer and my ski jacket. At dinner, I’ll pair my vest with a sweater, jeans and a beanie. The North Face Women’s Vest was made for layering – it’s insulated, water-resistant, and easy to zip on and off. Simply a staple in my winter wardrobe!
Buy your North Face Women’s Thermoball Vest
Having wide frames that securely fit around my helmet while skiing does wonders for my perfmonance on the mountain. Oakley’s Women’s Ski Goggles are gamechanger when it comes to having crystal clear vision, ultimate comfort and anti-fog technology. I have had my pair of Oakley Women’s Ski Goggles for years and I don’t plan on getting new ones any time soon! The wide, rimless frames allow for wide peripheral vision and lenses that allow you to see sharp in any snow conditions.
Check out the Oakley Women’s Ski Goggles here
There are many different methods to keeping your neck, mouth and nose warm on the mountain. I definitely prefer wearing a neck warmer rather than a scarf or bandana because they the most comfortable and are the easiest to slide on and off your face between sessions. This Tough Headwear Women’s Neck Warmer is so versatile and I love all the color options. It can be worn as a neck warmer or an ear warmer in various different ways. It’s reversible so it can match with more than one outfit and they are made with soft, microfiber fleece!
Find your unique pattern Tough Headware Neck Warmer here
I cannot stress enough how crucial it is to have a proper helmet to protect that beautiful head of yours! Giro’s Women’s Ski Helmet is well-ventilated, well-cushioned and light-weight. This helmet is perfect for packing up and taking on long ski trips. When you are wearing ski gloves, it can sometimes be a struggle to take on and off your helmet. However, Giro’s Women’s Ski Helmet is effortless to take on and off and allows for a stress-free time on the slopes.
Get your Giro’s Women’s Ski Helmut
This is not sexy, and it will ruin your hairdo for après-ski, but I believe wearing a skull cap under your helmet is a necessary evil. I am always cold, and the right beanie not only keeps me extra warm, it also protects my forehead and ears from the wind. I promise, there is nothing worse than getting an ‘ice cream’ headache when the wind is beating your forehead as you schuss down a mogul run. I like the Turtle Fur Skull Cap because it’s a bit more feminine, and it covers the bottom of my ears and forehead between my helmet and googles. Remember, you don’t want a skull cap that’s too thick or bulky, think ‘second skin’ when making this purchase.
These are the perfect women’s ski socks because they keep your entire calf warm, they’re breathable, waterproof and they have an extra layer of padding on the front to protect your shin from your ski boots. Don’t be afraid to pack a few extra pairs of ski socks to have on hand just in case!
Buy Smartwool Ski Socks here
Odor-resistent, soft base layer from KÜHL
I just added this thermal to my bag for skiing. Click to check out the Kaskade Krew from the brand KÜHL. This base layer is odor-resistent and super soft, made out of merino wool and modal.
Additional Tips for the Best Ski Trip
1. Waterproof and high quality gear is everything
Here’s the thing. Your ski gear is ultimately going to make or break how your trip goes. You want to do whatever preparation necessary to decrease your chances of becoming wet and cold on the mountain. If you are warm and dry – you’ll undoubtedly have a blast, but – if you are wet and cold, you will probably be miserable. If you are in ski clothes that don’t fit properly, you’ll likely end up with blisters and rashes. If your goggles are constantly foggy, you won’t be able to see! In this case, investing in high quality gear and the best women’s ski clothes you can afford will make all the difference.
2. Wear bright colors
It is too easy to get separated from your friends as you are all riding down the mountain. Wear bright colors so your friends or lover can easily spot you on the mountain …and because they’re cute. Duh!
3. Rent high quality ski equipment
Don’t skimp on your ski rentals. It’s so important that the rental shop you use is knowledgeable and will properly fit you. There is nothing worse than having boots that are too big (much more likely than too small), or having skis that don’t have any wax or edges. Do your research, and find the best quality rental shop in town. It’s so worth an extra $10 a day to have great equipment.
4. Hire a ski instructor
As mentioned above, I am a certified Austrian Ski Instructor, and you should not head out to the slopes without proper instruction….and that doesn’t mean your husband or best friend. Remember, skiing is a serious sport and has serious consequences if you don’t know what you are doing. It is best to pay for a few days of group or private lessons each year to improve your skills.
5. Enjoy the view, the slopes and the mountains
One of my favorite things about skiing is that it is basically a gateway to the present moment. One of my favorite feelings in the world is getting to the top of the mountain and just taking a second or two to feel the wind and sun in my face, breathe in the mountain air and soak in the view before sending it down. Remind yourself to do the same as often as you can!
From one female traveler to the next, I challenge you to try something new in 2020…like skiing! Especially if cold weather isn’t your thing. It can be so empowering to step outside of your comfort zone and find new ways to be active in nature. You might end up pleasantly surprised by how much your body is capable of! And if all else fails, you can still have an incredible time relaxing at the resort, shopping, eating and hot tub soaking. On that note, I hope to see you all on the slopes in Vail this season!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products that I personally know and use, and the income helps to keep this site updated and free for everyone.
What are your favorite ski brands?
Who do you think makes the best women's ski clothes?
Let me know in the comments below
Do you really need all this gear for skiing yes stick around and find outmore I’m Kim the abundant traveler and welcome back to the channel I’ve beenskiing since I was a little girl but in my 20s I was a certified Austrian skiinstructor I lived in Kitzbuhel Austria. I’m headed to Vail and it’s soimportant to have the right gear when you are on the mountain. Let’s talk aboutwhat to wear when you’re going up the mountain. Right first of all let’s talkabout underwear. Underwear? yeah underwear. So girls you can wear yoursports bra if you want and personally I just wear a regular bra. Make sure towear comfy wicking underwear if at all possible because you’re either gonnafall and get wet or you’re gonna get hot and sweaty and get wet and once you getwet you don’t stay warm second of all what is most important after yourunderwear the most important layer is is the base layer I would suggest justwearing a gorgeous I love this pink this is a bula it is a base layer it is superwarm it is super long what I love about it is it covers my heinie just a littlebit another thing that I like about this bula actually is the sleeves are extralong and you can pop in your thumb through here which keeps your wrist coldI mean your wrist warm which keeps your wrist warm not cold! On the bottoms youneed to have a great pair of long underwear this is just a simple blackpair there are different weights and different strengths of long underwearI like this these are from Patagonia I wear these all the time they’re women’sthey’re long what is super important about your long underwear is you want tomake sure that it either goes higher than your ski boot or all the way downto your ankle in your ski boot so you’re not going to get any blisters when youbuckle down your ski boots it’s very important to have good quality skissocks I love these Thor loaves I love the fact that they have a little bit ofextra padding a little bit of extra heel and what’s really great on a ski sock ismore padding on your shin because you will actually lock down your bootstighten your boots and to have that extra shin guard is fantastic and thenext step is for me I wear a vest however I’ve got to go get my vestbecause I forgot it over there in my stuff that I’ve already packed for Vailso I’ll be right back okay so I’m back. I love this vestit’s a Patagonian vest they have great gear it lasts a long time it’s fantasticand what I love about this is it zips from the bottom all the way to the topit’s extremely important when you are skiing on the mountain or snowboardingto have layers lots of lots of layers and it’s also important to be able totake on and off your layers very easily and then we get to the outer layer sothe outer layer is where you want to be stylin I love these nils ski pants Nilsis not the least expensive option out there but they’re super high qualitythey’re really really long because I am 5 foot 11I need long ski pants and it is great you want to have a ski pant that has asnow guard that goes over your ski boots so this will actually go over the top ofyour ski boot so when you fall or in your skiing and powder or whateveryou’re doing the snow will not get up inside and make your feet cold your legscold and everything like that I love these Nils I suggest buying justa straight black pair it doesn’t matter what new ski coat you buy what baselayer you wear it’s like having an LBD a little black dress just having a blackski pants so after the ski pants this is my favorite thing it is brand new forthis season it is from days aunt or if you’re living in Italyit’s called agente depending but it’s a French brand this is the mostjust sceeto I have ever had in my entire lifeit’s nice to be stylish but if you’re cold and miserable then it doesn’t it’snot worth being stylish so these coats are not only stylish but they arefunctional as well I think I’m gonna put it on it looks good in my little hood soI could do the rest of video like this in this particular hood goes over thetop of most ski helmet so if you’re riding up the lift and it’s a littlecolder than normal you can just pop this up like this over the top of your skihelmet and you’re good to go or when you are after skiing and you’re going toapres and you have hat hair and you didn’t bring a hat you canactually walk around town like this and look very cute very cool and very chicok I’m in Austin it is 70 degrees it’s too hot to be wearing my jacket so I’mgoing to take that off this is the most important thing out there on themountain you have to have good gear to stay warm and comfortable but the mostimportant thing is to have your helmet to stay safe it is just not cool to notwear a helmet anymore so this is my helmet I love it I’ve had it for acouple years it was a gift from my dad for my birthday because he didn’t wantme to crash and kill myself most people are satisfied with your helmet justhaving this me personally I like to wear these little beanies this is turn of furand I put this beanie on like this make sure that whatever you put underneathyour helmet that it covers your forehead here between your goggles and yourhelmet or your and you will end up with a terrible headache just because of thecold right here so I put my beanie on then I put my helmet on then the nextstep is good quality goggles this is extremely extremely important if youcan’t see you cannot get down the mountain the best goggles in flat lightare either yo or orange or pink hues Rose hues onceand our lighter lenses are better because they allow more light in and Ilove these yeah guess what they’re pink you’d they attach to the back of myhelmet and so they are on all the time so I’ve got my head covered I have myhead warm I have I can see while I’m skiing I’ve got my helmet I’m doinggreat but there are a couple of accessoriesthat I think are really necessary as I pull this off and I have hat head yeahhat head let’s talk about hat head for a moment I was bring an extra hat for myhat head these are just a couple that I love that I love to bring with me thisis one of them and it just depends on how I feel so some days I’m wearing thisone I just know do do my thang ready to out price key sing it all the songs weall know and and have a drink after skiing so this is one of the hats andthis depends on how I’m feeling this is another one and this is soo fun withthis little thingamajig ease here so here’s my hat there are a couple ofacessories that I like to use all of the time I have an extremely long neck Ilike to wear these fun colorful turtle fur neck warmers so I have really longhair as well and I like to twist up my hair and just put it back here like thisand you just do this with your helmet your goggles it drops down here andyou’re good to go or you can be abandoned I like these better than thefleeces because they’re thinner I also have three or four of these becauseevery day I wear a different one and as girls we like to change our outfits andit’s a cheap inexpensive way to change your outfit also after you’ve beensneezing and breathing in this all day you definitely want to have a clean onefor the next day it’s like changing your and wear high-quality gloves again ifyour feet are cold your misery well if your hands are cold you’remiserable I do love these swanny you can see they’re kind of worn out I’ve hadthese for years I probably had these ten years I love them they’re fantasticthese particular gloves have a place to put in a hand warmer here they’releather on the top and leather on the bottom which means that they’re notgoing to get wet another accessory that I always bring with me because at theend of the day you’re cold you’re wet you’ve either sweated through your stuffor you’ve fallen down and you’ve gotten your clothes wet or you’re badass andyou’re just skiing powder nothing but powder and it’s all up in your face andyou got wet anyway so this is an accessory that I absolutely love this iscalled a hot tonic and this dries your boobs out it drives your boots out itdrives your gloves out you can put it on anything it works for you simply justlike this you turn it on and it just blows hot air through these little tubesinto your boots sometimes I take it and I just do this and I dry up my glovesevery day because after 2 or 3 days you have sweated in your gloves and they’re gonna be wet the entire time so this was believe it was less than a hundred dollars again I’ve had this for years so it is definitely worth buying one of these and having one of these so this is everything that I would be wearing when I go up on the mountain and there is nothing like skiing if you’ve never been it is worth going it is an amazing experience to be on the mountain just you the snow the beautiful Bluebird day hopefully and the wind just going by it’s just it’s just a phenomenal experience do go do get ski instruction very very very necessary do get ski instruction don’t go up there by yourself and think that it’s no big deal it’s a big deal I hope you enjoyed this video thank you so much for watching make sure to subscribe let me know if you have any great gear that you like to wear when you’re going skiing I’m Kim the abundant traveler and I’ll see you on the next adventure
