February and March are the best months to take a ski vacation: you skip the holiday crowds and ticket prices, and typically you can access more terrain, thanks to deeper snowpacks. Plus, even if snow conditions aren’t spectacular, milder weather means a better outdoorè-쾱 scene. So whether you’re just heading out for a long weekend or planning the ultimate spring-break trip, here’s what to throw in your bag for brews at the base village or hot toddies back at the chalet.
Shirts
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PatagoniaRecycled Wool Shirt($90)
I live in all winter—it looks great, keeps me warm, and, best of all, isincredibly durable. Given that the ski industry is particularly subject to the , you can feel good while looking good since it’smade from 100 percentrecycled materials.
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Smartwool Ripple Creek Tunic Sweater($120)
Your midlayer needs to be warm enough so you don’t freeze when you take your jacket off at the bar. Enter . Its blend of nylon and merino wool will keep you toasty, and its cut is long enough that you can wear it with leggings or base layers. Or so my wife tells me.
Jackets
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Flint and Tinder Sherpa-Lined Waxed Trucker($248)
Save the bright colors and puffy jackets for the slopes, and go with a classic waxed-canvas jacketfor the bar scene. You’ll get all the weather protection you need and won’t look like you jumped out of an REI catalog. There are plenty of good options, but this one earns its price tag witha tough sailcloth outer lined with Sherpa fleece and quilted polyester, which is plenty warm enough to keep you cozy.
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Burton Bixby Down($284)
The gives you the warmth of 650-fill down without the Michelin Man look. The outer polyester-twill fabric is weather resistantfor mountain-town exploration, and the microfleece-lined pockets keep your hands warm.
Pants
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Eddie Bauer Flannel-Lined Flex Jeans($55)
Spring skiing may mean warm weather by day, but once the sun sets, temperatures drop quickly. Keep your lower half warm while barhopping well into the night with . My friend swears by them: just enough insulation to keep your butt toastyandstretch built in to help keep those tired legs comfortable.
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Athleta PrimaLoft Alpine Valley Tight ($98)
My wife loves . First, they’re fleece-lined, so they’re warm enough to double as a base layer for skiing, which makes transitioninginto your après kit after a day on the slopes quick and easy. Second, they hold their shape better than any other tights she’s tried, so you won’t get that baggy-bottom look.
Hats
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Patagonia Recycled Wool Ear Flap Cap($49)
Stand out from the sea of trucker hats with the. It’s the perfect inside-outside transition headwear, and you’ll be the envy of all thecold-eared ski bros at the bar.
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Turtle Fur Whirlaway Pom Beanie($60)
If you’re noticing a wool pattern here, that’s because there’s no better winter material. from Turtle Fur not only looks greatbut will keep youstink-free and warm even if it gets wet from dumping snow.
Gloves
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Outdoor Research Aksel Work Gloves($65)
There’s a good reason leather work gloves are having a moment right now: they’re warm andweather resistant, and if you treat them right, they will last forever. has a wool, acrylic, and polyester liner that’s warm enough for skiing, which means you can get away with packing one set of gloves on your trip.
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Astis Muchu Chhish($165)
Astis’s gloves are .Hand-sewn in the U.S.andfeaturingstitched beadwork on the back, theydefinitely make a statement—everyone I know who owns a pair is constantly stoppedand asked about them. The Polartec Thermal Pro High Loft insulation means they’ll work just fine for actual skiing, too.
Boots
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Kamik Yukon C($110)
There is really only one thing that makes fora great après boot—how easy it isto get on and off. slips on with no laces to fuss over, a nice change after a long day of battling the buckles on your ski boots. They also feature completely waterproof leather uppers and are rated to minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit, so your toes are guaranteed to stay warm.
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Bogs Sweetpea($70)
Slip-ons that are both moisture wicking and waterproof, the are so comfortable that my wife wantsto buy a pair in every color. Better yet, their lightweight design means they can easily be tossed in your carry-on for quick trips.