All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may earn affiliate revenue on this article and commission when you buy something.
Sure, skiing is cool, but have you ever had a hot toddy and fondue on top of a mountain in the late afternoon with the sun glinting off the snow and nothing but a good nap and a fireplace in your future? It’s the stuff dreams and Slim Aarons images are made of.
Vogue’s Après-Ski Fashion Essentials:
Featured in this article
There’s a lot that comes to mind when we think of snow sports, but chief among them is ski gear. Skiing and snowboarding require no small amount of, well, stuff—which takes up all of the space in even your largest suitcase. In the event you don’t pack like a Real Housewife going on a girls’ trip (ahem, 8-10 bags minimum), the trick to preparing for the après-ski outfit portion of your getaways is finding cold-weather wardrobe essentials that work hard for you. Shop your way through eight steps to achieving the ideal after ski look, from cozy sweaters that work double duty, to snow boots that will make sure your hike to the lodge for cocoa never looked better.
Step 1: Double-Duty Ski Sweaters
One surefire way to cut down on your packing list is by sourcing knits that work just as well with ski pants and salopettes for skiing early in the day as they do with denim and stirrup leggings for fireside moments in the afternoon. That means they have to both look good and keep you warm. Good cashmere and wool is the way to go whether you’re a classic Fair Isle type, or veer more towards knitwear that’s sleek and sporty. There’s also room for a more minimal approach in fisherman sweaters and chunky turtlenecks. Whether you’re planning on spending two weeks in the Dolomites for the holidays or are just taking a quick ski trip to Stowe or Tahoe for the weekend, be prepared, and shop knits that earn their keep on and off the slopes.
Step 2: Slopeside Salopettes and Ski Pants
Ski pants and onesies are offered in as many iterations as denim these days, which means your options for trending ski suits and bibs are almost endless. We love an all-in-one that keeps you warm on the mountain and that can be pulled halfway down for a cool take on après ski style. A legging with or without stirrups looks great with an oversized knit, while a flare pant lends just the right drama at high altitudes. And you can never go wrong with a great salopette with a bib for easy layering—just add a heattech turtleneck underneath and be on your way.
Step 3: Base Layers
Base layers are the unsung heroes of any après-ski look—essential for both function and form. Whether you’re layering a heat-retaining Uniqlo Heattech under a sleek salopette or slipping a featherweight cashmere turtleneck beneath a glossy puffer, these second-skin pieces provide warmth without bulk. Think of them as the foundation of your mountain wardrobe: streamlined, insulating, and impossibly chic.
Step 4: Puffer Jackets
No après-ski wardrobe is complete without a statement outerwear. Beyond their practicality, the best puffers for women anchor your entire mountain look—zipped up over your go-to base layer and a pair of flared ski pants. This season’s options run the gamut from sleek styles from Perfect Moment and Cordova to function-first options from The North Face. For fashion-forward moments, look to Gucci’s printed G-logo take or Zara’s winter-white longline version. You’ll appreciate the extra coverage when combating those biting, sub-zero snowcapped temperatures.
Step 5: High-Performance Leggings
Consider high-performance leggings your most versatile alpine essential. Equal parts athletic and elegant, they move seamlessly from slope to chalet. Think Perfect Moment, Falke, and Alps & Meters for technical prowess, Aztech Mountain’s bright white pair for an easy transition into sport mode, and timeless black versions from Toteme and Lululemon for that effortlessly chic Aspen aesthetic.
Step 6: Alpine Accessories
Accessories absolutely make the look and that standard holds true in winter sportswear as well. Balaclavas have been heralded as a trend, but the truth is snoods have been around forever. Come prepared with mittens, beanies, aviator sunnies, goggles, and a great scarf and wool socks to help you look cool while you stay very, very warm.
Step 7: No Ski Boots, Yes Snow Boots
While it’s a little surprising that ski boot technology hasn’t resulted in something slightly less heavy and clunky, the truth is they’re best left next to your skis and poles after your last run of the day and traded in for a great pair of winter boots. Invest in something down or suede and shearling-lined to gracefully maneuver slippery paths on your way to post-run dinner, drinks, or shopping.
Step 8: Fireside Cozies
Evenings off the mountain call for peak comfort. A matching cashmere set is as comforting as it is chic, finished with cozy socks or a snuggly shearling boot. Whether you’re curled up by the fire or sipping cocoa under a velvety knit throw, this is an outfit idea that make après-ski downtime its own kind of luxury.
