Category Archives: Ski Wear

All things bright and beautiful in Courchevel

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Don’t you just love it when you see a skiing trend in actual real life? We recently blogged about a bright and bold fashion trend in ski and snowboarding clothing and during a ski trip to the fabulous Three Valleys resort of Courchevel it was clear that this All Things Bright and Beautiful fad is being played out on the slopes. Suddenly it seems as though skiers and boarders are not only in competition to swish down the slopes faster and more beautifully, but they are also keen to outshine their peers in brighter-than-bright ski jackets and trousers.

Bright and bold skiing outfits

A top ski clothing combo for men, as seen on both skiers and boarders in the French Alps, is bright orange or yellow matched (?!) with bright blues and greens. Orange ski trousers were being partnered with fabulously blue jackets, while so many more men than ever before seemed happy to don yellow ski trousers and partner this with blue, red, green or orange ski jackets.

For women, the skiing clothes fashion focuses on bright pink, turquoise, lime green and some jackets feature several of these colours at once. The most popular look was either black or white trousers and a very brightly coloured jackets or else a black jacket combined with bright pink or bright green ski trousers.

And there was fur everywhere! Fur edged collars, hoods, cuffs, hems, trousers and hats. Seeing as Courchevel is a destination for the rich and famous in top resort 1850 (as well as the more budget conscious in Courchevel 1300), there appeared to be a fair number of Russians sported actual real-live fur clothing too. We’re not in favour of real fur but the fake fur-edged outfits looked pretty smart… until, presumably, they become drowned by wet snow.

Rainbow coloured lift queues

No longer is it dull to stand in a lift queue. Simply look around and count the number of different colours of jackets and trousers. See if you can match trousers with jackets (even if they are on other people) and count the numbers of shades of rainbow hues on display. We can recall years when ski clothing was black, white, pastel or faded out. These days, the clothing offers fabulous splashes of colour and fun, even when there’s a whiteout.

Top tips for wearing ski clothing colours with style

* Pulling off a combo of bright orange trousers and a bright green jacket isn’t easy for everyone. It seems to suit men, and especially boarders, the best.

* Avoid ski jackets and trousers that are exactly the same colour. So wearing bright yellow jackets and trousers is not going to be a winner … and you’ll most likely end up being called a Banana.

* Play it safe with a bold coloured jacket and black trousers or a black jacket and brightly hued ski pants. For women, bright pink and black look fab. For men, black pants and lime green jackets are swell.

* Accessorise with care. A ski outfit that includes black ski pants and a pink ski jacket only requires a little enhancement. Perhaps choose a white ski helmet with a pink design but try to avoid a full-on pink helmet! You could add a little contrasting colour with a pair of goggles that feature bright green or blue.

* Try not to go overboard with every item in a different colour – unless you want to look like a children’s TV show presenter. Bright is great but only in small amounts.

Top tips for family ski holidays

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Ski holidays are perfect for the family, especially as many ski holiday companies let the kids travel for free or for a much reduced cost if sleeping in the same room as parents. Look out for hotels and chalets that are baby and child-friendly. Some offer childcare, babysitting and creches included in the price, and most offer an earlier tea time and for hungry children.

Great tips for happy family ski hols

Two young for skis? Not at all! The French start their kids on skis from as young as two, so why don’t you? Children in France are not born with special skiing abilities, they just learn from a young age and they pick it up much quicker that us Brits. Yes, we know they have more opportunities for skiing but we can take our children skiing at dry ski slopes and indoor arenas at home. Snowboarding isn’t so easy because of the balance required, but a sporty five or six-year-old will get the hang of snowboarding (probably faster than mum or dad!)

Go at Easter…When the ski resorts temperatures are likely to be higher. A sun and snow holiday is ideal for families.

Book at a child-friendly resort: Plenty of resorts and hotels now offer special care for children too young to ski. There will likely be kids clubs and extra facilities laid on for kids up to the age of 12. But do remember to enjoy some time with your youngsters, too. Why not take the kids out for fun in the snow with a sledge or to build a snowman?

Ski kit for the kids…Is the same as for the adults, only smaller. Essentials include warm ski clothing, good quality socks, sunglasses, suncream and a helmet.

Can you hire? Ski equipment for little ones is available in most ski resorts, but also think about hiring a buggy. It’s easier to hire than to travel with bulky items when you’re travelling with young children.

Bright and bold ski clothing trend

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Ski and snowboard wear goes through fads – and this season is no different. The trendy look on the slopes this season is all things bright and beautiful. We’re guessing that dreary days of winter have brought with them a desire for the funky reds, pinks, purples, oranges, greens, blues and even fluorescent colours.

It’s not necessary to have matching ski clothing, such as jackets and pants, but with lots of blocks of colours one style leader is to combine a few bold colours on the jacket with one of these colours picked out for the pants.

You’ll also see jackets in one colour but with a contrasting pocket colour or big, bold stripes.

Fur and metallic detailing are also big on the pistes across Europe and America. How do you fancy fur edge hoods and collars and even the odd fur-edged cuff?Metal-look belts, helmets and features offer ultra cool looks, too.

Even with bright coloured ski and snowboard clothing, some folks still want to stand out from the crowds just a little more. You’ll see designs with herringbone, fluorescent colours and more than a few big pop-pom hats.

Because layering is key for any outdoor activity, the ski clothing ranges also include funkily deigned baselayers. Just because many of these layers stay on the underneath it doesn’t mean they come in boring blacks and whites. You’ll find bright greens, reds, purples, oranges and stunning design prints, such as modern camo, for baselayers. Maybe you’ll get to show these off in the après-ski bar!

Go on, dare to be bold on the slopes in bright colours!

What to look for in a ski helmet

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Throw the debate about wearing a skiing helmet on to an on-line forum and you’ll see a host of postings, for and against. It’s mostly a personal choice thing, although in some countries wearing a helmet is now dictated by law. For many skiers and snowboarders, though, it’s not a question of whether to wear a helmet, but more about what is the coolest, most comfortable helmet to buy that will also protect their heads while out on the slopes.

Bright pink ski helmet

Bright pink ski helmet

What to look for when buying a ski helmet

The outer shell: The shell of a ski helmet is generally made of a polycarbonate material. This is designed to be lightweight but still extremely strong. The theory is that skiers and snowboarders want head protection that is light enough to still be able to enjoy their sport, but robust enough to protect the head if they take a fall. It’s straightforward stuff, really!

Look inside: The interior of most ski and snowboard helmets is made of a double-density polystyrene to offer further protection for your head and to add comfort.

Even more comfort: Many ski helmets also have a softer material that rest against the head and padding around the ears and on the chin strap. Comfort is important when you’re whizzing about the slopes getting hot and sweaty.

Great ventilation in a ski helmet

Great ventilation in a ski helmet

Talking of sweaty: Ventilation is another important factor to consider when buying a ski or snowboarding helmet. Some skiers even buy two helmets: One to suit warmer weather conditions and another for extreme cold. If you are buying just one helmet think about how you normally feel when skiing. Do you get very hot and sweaty? If so, look for a helmet with greater ventilation.

Full face: You’ll see helmet with a full-face protection but these are normally reserved for competitors in downhill and slalom competitions. These are for protection for falls at high speeds. It’s rather like the difference between a road cycling helmet and a downhill mountain bike helmet. One sport has greater potential for a face plant, just like with the range of disciplines in skiing.

Open face helmets: Perfect for leisure and holiday skiing and the helmet that most folks will be buying.

Funky ski helmet for kids

Funky ski helmet for kids

Three types of ski helmet to think about

Full shell, short shell and competition helmets. Let’s explain:

  • Full shell helmets offer maximum coverage for recreational skiing. They are designed for protection and to keep the wind and weather off your head as well. These helmets are also a good idea if you’re planning on some top speed skiing and lots of tricks.
  • The short shell offers adequate protection but less helmet coverage. This might suit people who are excellent skiers and who tend to play it safe, or people who prefer a bit more ventilation.
  • The competition helmet is designed to save your life, ears, and jaws in a serious fast crash. If you are competing you should be wearing this design.

Fun looking skiing helmets

Fun looking skiing helmets

Ski helmets look cool so wear one

Looking around ski resorts these days it’s difficult to spot skiers and snowboarders without a ski helmet… which is why people now look for helmets that are fashionable, stylish, different, cool, whatever! Helmets come in a range of colours and designs and for extra uniqueness why not add your own stickers or spray paint design?

A snowboarding helmet with its own pompom hat!

A snowboarding helmet with its own pompom hat!

Added extras: Look for integrated head phones or helmet accessories such as add-on mohicans and helmet hats!

Ski headwear Fashion Police

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Inspired (is that the right word?, Blog Ed) by the truly ludicrous collection of skiing outfits in a previous blog  Ski Wear Fashion Police we started “researching” skiing hats. Well, when we say “researching, what we mean is wasting a bit of down-time having a laugh at some truly ridiculous ski headwear found on Google.

While most folks these days have given up the woolly hat for a safer ski helmet there are still some fabulously laughable skiing hats to be found. Some of these really do not need a word of comment (but we’ll probably add one any way).

And if you do spot someone wearing a bonkers-style ski hat when you’re next on the slopes, take a picture – and then tell them they should have gone to SimplyPiste. We have lots of cool looking ski helmets and also a rather lovely range of ski headwear for times when you’re not on skis but out in the cold snowy conditions

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Octo-hat? Fancy dress? Surely this one went down like a damp “squid”? This bright lime green woolly wonder hat was surely only a wear-once and hide in the bin idea?

imgres-21Well, I suppose this ski hat saves the wearer from having their hair died pink.   Then again, why would anyone want to die their hair pink? Let’s just settle for this being a joke hat!

imgres-24Could this be a Movember ski hat? Or a Mov-aclava? Indeed it could, but why the utterly un-lovely mustard colour? Maybe this skier’s mum/gran/auntie only had mustard wool leftover form the 1970s.

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We actually like this mohican-inspired ski hat but it’s still on the bonkers side of normal so we have still included it in our line-up of mad ski headwear. Take a closer look and see if you can tell what it’s made of. We’re wondering if it’s old-style swimming hat material?! Or an ingenious crepe paper design?

imgres-19We’ve all seen plenty of these dreadlock style ski hats on the slopes – and no doubt many of us have been brave enough to buy one (this writer even owned a similar style with bells on the ends!) but surely we’ve all moved on in fashion terms. Haven’t we?!

imgres-23And as if it couldn’t get any worse….

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This skiing pussy cat might not have a hat but it still made us laugh… He’s wearing proper fur all over his body…Like an extended hat. Hmmmm.

imgres-26No doubt caringly handknitted by someone lovely, this Superman inspired ski hat is one to treasure… just maybe not the one to wear on your skiing holiday!

imgres-27And last, but by no means least, this one is for everyone who is really quite old. We loved our ski hats in the 1980s and many of us would have been proud to wear such an item. Only, these days, it’s probably best if it stays in the attic!

Learn to ski jump. It’s not as mad as you might think

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Ski jumping for beginners. Ski JUMPING? For BEGINNERS? Surely we have gone mad here at SimplyPiste. But no! Ski jumping really isn’t that difficult to learn and you certainly do not need to be an adrenaline-pumping skiing expert to give this snowsports activity a go.

What equipment do you need for ski jumping?

Fancy learning to ski jump?

Fancy learning to ski jump?

Essentially the kit you use for downhill skiing – your boots, skis, poles, ski jacket and pants – will do the job. If you don’t already wear a helmet then this is one skiing discipline that definitely needs more head protection than a woolly hat.

But, of course, you can also buy the perfect kit made for ski jumping, too. Ski jumping skis are generally longer and wider and made to exactly suit the sport. Then there are the ski jump body suits that are made to reduce the drag. You’ll have seen these neat fitting outfits on the Olympic skiers!

But, before you get carried away, our advice would be that on your first few ski jumping lessons you make use of your downhill ski kit and your normal ski clothing and see how you like the ski jumping.

Putting ski jumping in perspective

Olympic jumps measure 90 to 120 metres. Beginner ski jumps measure less than 20 metres! But standing at the top of only a 10m or perhaps an 18m jump for your first time can still seem pretty daunting. Eighteen metres is 76ft. Add to this the 31mph launch speed and you might well do a neat ski turn away from the jump.

But before you ski away from your first ski jump

Lessons are the way to go. Check out you local dry ski slope, a snowdome or the options while on a ski holiday. Here’s how most lessons proceed:

* The first skill to learn before you even click into your bindings is the position. It’s a familiar one: Bend at the knees and waist, press the shoulders down, keep the head up, the torso parallel to the ground and extend the arms straight backward. Think “ski jumpers on the TV”. Then think: “This is the position I need to hold when I fly through the air!” Hmmmmm, not just yet!

* Now for the ski “bumps”. A bump is a small jump. This is where you practise getting up speed, reaching the top of the bump, springing up on your knees and leaning forward.

* Now for the speed. This is when new ski jumpers learn to go with the speed straight downhill and without stopping… until the end of the slope… Then you’ll definitely want to stop. There’s no jump, just an acceptance that you’ll be going fast.

Make like a ski jumping pro! Eventually...

Make like a ski jumping pro! Eventually...

* Next up will be a small ski jump, of around 10m. This might seem daunting but a ski jump on this will only take the ski a metre or slightly more into the air. You’ll feel some sensation of soaring but then you land.

* And once the 10m jump is mastered it’s the 18m jump. Learning to ski jump is about progression and confidence. Although it may look dangerous with practice and lessons the sport is relatively safe. Apparently!

Oh, go on. You know you want to squeeze into one of those tight fitting ski jumping suits. Don’t you?!

Get ready for a family ski holiday

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The ski holiday is booked – and the countdown to a week or two away on the white stuff is on. So now you just need to make sure your family is kitted out in ski clothing and equipment and ready for the off.
Here we bring you a guide to everything your family will need for a ski holiday
Ski and snowboard clothing: You do not need to go mad (unless you have a bottomless wallet), especially as kids have a tendency to grow out of the clothes from one year to the next. If you have a number of children you could buy clothes for the older children with the view to hand them down to the younger kids. One cost-saving tip is to buy a ski jacket that doubles as a school jacket. The same goes for hats and gloves. Or buy children snazzy ski jackets for a Christmas or birthday present. If you are on a budget, remember to keep an eye on ski clothing websites in the spring when they will be selling off last season’s stock.
All in the detail: Children get cold on the ski slopes far quicker than adults. It’s worth investing in ski pants with bibs to keep them extra warm while on holiday. Add a decent baselayer and good-quality ski socks so that they do not end up spoiling the trip because of their moans about the cold.
For little ones: An all-in-one ski outfit is the best choice for younger children. These keep them extra warm and you know that if they are messing around and throw themselves into a big pile of snow that they will stay dry.
Get a service: Skis and snowboards will benefit from being edged and waxed. While you’re in the shop ask for your kit to be checked over, especially the bindings to ensure there are no loose bolts.
Small adjustments: If you’re a family that owns their own boots but hires skis make sure all the boots fit before heading off overseas. It could be a pricey mistake to arrive in a ski resort to find one or two children have grown a shoe size. If you also own skis, make sure the bindings are adjusted to fit your ski boots, especially if the kids have been lucky enough to receive new bots as a gift.
Helmets: Hire or buy but ensure they children have helmets. If they are attending ski lessons they will definitely require to wear a ski or snowboard helmet. If they’re off skiing with you it’s a good idea to protect their heads with a god helmet. If you want to set them a good example then buy helmets for yourself, too.
Learning curve: Ski lessons before you head off on holiday are vital for beginners and a god idea for skiing improvers. Once in the ski resort you will most likely be keen for your children to attend lessons, too. It’s worth booking these ahead in busy school holiday times. Ask you ski booking agent or go online and check out the lessons on offer at the resort itself.

The ski holiday is booked – and the countdown to a week or two away on the white stuff is on. So now you just need to make sure your family is kitted out in ski clothing and equipment and ready for the off.

We bring you a guide to everything your family will need for a ski holiday

Cosy ski wear for toddlers

Cosy ski wear for toddlers

Ski and snowboard clothing: You do not need to go mad (unless you have a bottomless wallet), especially as kids have a tendency to grow out of the clothes from one year to the next. If you have a number of children you could buy clothes for the older children with the view to handing them down to the younger kids. One cost-saving tip is to buy a ski jacket that doubles as a school jacket. The same goes for hats and gloves. Or buy children snazzy ski jackets for a Christmas or birthday present. If you are on a budget, remember to keep an eye on ski clothing websites in the spring when they will be selling off last season’s stock.

All in the detail: Children get cold on the ski slopes far quicker than adults. It’s worth investing in ski pants with bibs or higher waist and braces to keep them extra warm while on holiday. Add a decent baselayer and good-quality ski socks.

For little ones: An all-in-one ski outfit is the best choice for younger children, and older children who really do suffer with the chills. These keep them extra warm and you know that if they are messing around and throw themselves into a big pile of snow that they will stay dry.

Get a service: Skis and snowboards will benefit from being edged and waxed. While you’re in the shop ask for your kit to be checked over, especially the bindings to ensure there are no loose bolts.

Small adjustments: If you’re a family that owns their own boots but hires skis make sure all the boots fit before heading off overseas. It could be a pricey mistake to arrive in a ski resort to find one or two children have grown a shoe size. If you also own skis, make sure the bindings are adjusted to fit your ski boots, especially if the kids have been lucky enough to receive new boots as a gift.

Helmets: Hire or buy but ensure they children have ski or snowboard helmets. If they are attending ski lessons they will definitely require to wear a ski or snowboard helmet. If they’re off skiing with you it’s a good idea to protect their heads with a good helmet. And you might want to set them a good example by buying a helmet for yourself, too?!

Learning curve: Ski lessons before you head off on holiday are a great idea for beginners and a good idea for skiing improvers. Once in the ski resort you will most likely be keen for your children to attend lessons, too. It’s worth booking these ahead in busy school holiday times. Ask you ski booking agent or go online and check out the lessons on offer at the resort itself.

Columbia Omni-Heat Ski Jackets

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If you are prone to feeling the chill in colder climes, innovative sportswear company Columbia have created their most advanced ski jackets to date, combining their Omni-Heat technologies with revolutionary electric heat, produced on-demand with the simple press of a waterproof button.  The Omni-Heat Electric contains rechargeable battery packs that are small and securely tucked away, producing 4-6 hours of continuous heat.

Containing a thermal reflective shell and a thermal reflective insulated liner,  the Omni-Heat products help to regulate your temperature by reflecting and retaining the warmth your body generates, all whilst allowing sweat to escape through its breathable material, keeping you dry and comfortable.

Both stylish and lightweight, the men’s Electro Amp Jacket and women’s Snow Hottie Jacket can be worn underneath another ski jacket or by themselves in the evening on a lower setting.  The Circuit Breaker Softshell for both men and women is fully waterproof, with a removable, adjustable storm hood and under arm venting.

Columbia Snow Hottie Jacket

Columbia Snow Hottie Jacket

Columbia Circuit Breaker Jacket

Columbia Circuit Breaker Jacket

Comfortable and flexible, the Columbia Circuit Breaker Softshell is great for all conditions due to the three heat level settings, with the added option of wearing over the top of the men’s Electro Amp Jacket or women’s Snow Hottie Jacket, keeping you toasty in even extreme conditions.

Not only providing you with heat when and where you need it whilst stopping excess moisture, Omni-Heat Electrics are eco-friendly using 50% recycled content.  As Columbia Sportswear wrote, “When you’re ready to plug into a new level of outdoor performance, the Electro Amp is charged and waiting”.  I couldn’t have said it better myself.

The Columbia Electro Amp, Circuit Breaker and Snow Hottie jackets are now in .

What’s this thing called a baselayer?

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Surely an old t-shirt and a pair of cotton leggings will do the job of keeping me warm beneath my ski wear? Surely not! These days the smart skier – and snowboarder – will be snug, warm and, most poignantly, dry in one of a range of made-for-the-purpose baselayers.

You see, modern technology and fabrics have created a 21st century baselayer that fits snug against the skin keeping all your body warmth in but also allowing the damp and pongy sweaty stuff out.

Here’s our guide to all you need to know about a baselayer. And why you might need one.

A baselayer comes in all shapes, sizes and designs:

  • The top half: Short-sleeved or long-sleeved, with a crew neck, quarter zip or full zip and in lots of colours and patterns. all varieties of zip
  • The bottom half: Long, three-quarter or shorts
  • The underwear: Vests, crop tops and pants.

Why is it called a baselayer?

A baselayer goes on below all you other clothes, so it’s a base layer. Get it? A base layer can also be layer. So you can wear several thin baselayers on top of each other and add or peel off as your body temperature and surroundings dictate. You could, of course, where a cotton t-shirt instead but you’ll find that the cotton soaks up your perspiration and stays wet and then gets cold and makes you shiver.

Can’t I just wear a thick fleece and a ski jacket?

Yes, of course, you can. And don’t let us stop you. But if you’d prefer to stay at a lovely, cosy yet not-too-hot temperature for your days of skiing and snowboarding we suggest you try the layering system. The more thin layers you have the better you’ll be able to control your body temperature.

So, for example, you set off for a day of skiing. To start with you’re a bit chilly because you have just started out. So you wear a couple of baselayers, a thin fleece and your skiing jacket. On your lower half you have baselayer leggings and ski trousers.

As you start to whizz down the slopes you’ll build up body heat and you’ll probably start to sweat. A good baselayer will keep your body heat in but let the sweat escape. And then  if you’re still too hot you can simply take off one of the layers and stow it in your rucksack or a pocket (baselayers are often small and lightweight and stuff easily into a large pocket.)

Then, at higher altitude, the wind picks up and you begin to feel a bit chilly again so you put your second base layer back on, adding another layer of warmth.

What are baselayers made of?

Effective baselayers are NOT made from cotton. Effective baselayers ARE made of a range of different materials that keep you warm and let the sweat wick away, so that you stay warm And DRY. These fabrics could be 100% polyester, a polyester/elastine mix, polypropylene and Merino wool.

Other benefits of baselayers

Most baselayers are also quick drying and many come with an antibacterial finish (to stop them being smelly after a few wears!) Many baselayer brands also have a range of baselayer warmths to suit different seasons and activities.

What is MIPS Technology?

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New to us for AW11 season is the award winning POC Receptor Backcountry helmet with MIPS technology.

Multi-directional Impact Protection System, to give it its full name, is the new generation in safety technology. Advanced free skiers that ride in exposed conditions are the people the POC Receptor Backcountry with MIPS is mostly geared towards.

Traditionally, ski helmets have been designed and tested to absorb the impact of the vertical part of impact. MIPS Technology works by imitating the system we’ve already got in place in the human brain, by providing a middle layer between the liner and the shell that allows them both to rotate independently of eachother. The helmet absorbs a lot of the rotational energy from an oblique impact, so you’re kept safer. This means you’re protected if you fall at an angle, which is the more common way to fall.

See more about the the POC Helmets we’ve got coming in for AW11.

To be first to know when we get our AW11 helmets, goggles and ski wear in, follow us on Twitter.

image © 2010 MIPS AB