A fashion insider's guide to looking slick on the slopes
Whether you're off on a beginner's budget ski trip with friends or prefer just to kick back in a luxe chalet until it's time for apres ski, packing for the slopes is never straightforward. Whilst for a sun holiday you can quickly fling several swmsuits and a couple of printed dresses into a bag then pick up the sun cream in duty free, this type of laissez-faire attitude sadly does not apply to a ski trip. Instead, it requires military planning alongside a zero-tolerance policy to thinking you can just buy the essentials once you're there, that is unless you enjoy spending hundreds of pounds on socks you're pretty sure you could get for a quarter of the price back home.
Then there's the actual outfit planning. Once, ski wear was limited to performance and outdoor clothing shops - nowadays there's myriad luxury fashion brands creating salopettes and ski-suits.
Here, three fashion insiders with a penchant for skiing share their tips on how they look stylish whilst still mastering the slopes...
Elizabeth von der Goltz, Global Buying Director, NET-A-PORTER
Go-to ski destination?
I learned how to ski at such a young age – by the time I could walk I was already on the slopes! This was always in Italy, but into my teenage years we had our own place in Jackson Hole which is my all-time favourite ski spot. I love the terrain, the fresh mountain air and the rugged Wild West cowboy town nature. It’s the perfect winter getaway. Since I’ve lived in London I’ve visited Kitzbühel, which has such amazing food and après ski.
Who do you ski with?
I mainly ski with family but occasionally friends too.
Talk us through an average ski day?
When I was younger I was always the first in the lift up the slopes and the last in the lift down. Now, I’m much more relaxed and I’m out of the chalet at around 11am. I enjoy the socialising aspect, as well as the dining, so I prefer to have a super long lunch around 2pm and then head down, often in the pitch black.
What's your go-to look for a day on the slopes?
A great jacket, along with overalls over pants, a sweater, and lots of base layers. I do love all the new onesies this season which are super 70s but also chic and fun, particularly those by Cordova.
What should we look for when choosing a ski jacket?
I usually go for something more fitted with colour blocking. Moncler Grenoble is my go-to brand for jackets, I love their Lamar quilted styles. And for pants, overalls and knits I often choose Perfect Moment. Their Allos colour-block ski suit with retro bootcut flairs is a current favourite of mine.
Do you like bright colours or do you stick to a more muted palette?
Usually I go for olive, navy, black and white pieces – I think they’re more glam.
Elizabeth's must-haves
Cold-shoulder Fair Isle wool sweater, ￡1095, Monse, Aspen striped stretch ski suit, ￡950, Cordova, Two-tone textured-leather and suede ankle boots, ￡510 Proenza Schouler
What are your tips when it comes to layering?
Definitely lots of base layers as it can get so hot but equally just as freezing. Falke and P.E Nation are both great for this.
What are your go-to ski socks for preventing blisters?
I would say invest in a great pair of boots that fit you well - you will never have pain or blisters if they’re the right size. Equally, make sure you have enough room to move your toes as this is how heat is circulated. For ultimate comfort I highly recommend Stella McCartney’s Eclypse leather snow boots worn with Falke’s ski socks, which are so soft and practical.
What beauty products do you bring in your ski pocket?
Your skin is prone to dehydration when you’re on the slopes so ensure to lock in moisture with a great lip balm, hand cream and sunblock, applying these generously throughout the day. My favourites are Make Beauty’s Marine Salve, Grown Alchemist’s intensive hand cream and Elizabeth Arden’s City Smart SP50 Hydrating Shield. In the evenings after skiing I like to use Dr Barbara Sturm’s calming serum to soothe the skin, as well as lots of hydrating face masks, such as those by Joanna Vargas’.
How can we avoid helmet hair?
You can’t! But usually wearing your hair up in a ponytail along with the right products is a start! I use Sam McKnight’s Modern Hairspray for a strong hold.
What's your après ski style?
Super relaxed - oversized cosy fun knits, with comfy leggings and big snow boots.
Do you ever pack a pair of heels?
No! But lots of boots.
Tamu McPherson, photographer and founder of All the Pretty Birds ?
Go-to ski destination?
I have been going to Madulain, a small village near St. Moritz for thirteen years. It's where my husband’s family has been visiting for over thirty years.
Who do you ski with?
I cross-country ski with an instructor. I find it thrilling being in the middle of the trees, skating along, with the wind blowing in my face. You use such much power, it reminds me of running which I love also.
Talk us through an average ski day?
We leave the house just after 8am to drop my son off at ski-school. Then on an ideal day, I wait until after 11am to hit the trails because as the sun rises, a corresponding pressure falls on our part of the valley that creates incredibly cold conditions. The type that will freeze your eyebrows!
What's your go-to look for a day on the slopes?
Cross-country skiing calls for a technical windbreaker, a thin fleece, thermal top, technical leggings or ski stirrups. I wear an old Prada Sport ski jacket, Odlo or Moncler pants and an old Marni balaclava. I also have down-hill ski suits from Perfect Moment and Moncler.
Tamu's must-haves
Victoire zip-through sweater, ￡290, Fusalp at Matches Fashion, Jumpsuit, ￡1476, Cordova, Crew neck top, ￡65, Odlo
Do you like bright colours or do you stick to a more muted palette?
I love wearing black and navy for cross country. But I have nice colorful après ski outfits as well.
What are your tips when it comes to layering?
I am a big fan of layering because I suffer from the cold. Thin layers are the best and Odlo makes reliable technical thermals. I also love a Uniqlo thermal turtleneck. If you are cross-country skiing, layer a ski sock designed for a thinner style boot over a thermal sock that are paper thin.
What beauty products do you carry?
Dr. Paw Paw’s lip balm and Coola SPF sunscreen stick.
How can we avoid helmet hair?
I have very short natural hair that does not agree with wool caps, so I always wear a silk scarf underneath.
What's your après ski style?
I love a great parka, stirrups and great knits.
Do you ever pack a pair of heels?
Always. We wear them at home for dinner and sometimes out. My mother-in-law used to wear sandals sans tights out at night. I can’t wait to see what she does this season!
Jane Gottschalk, Creative Director, Perfect Moment
Go-to ski destination?
Gstaad with the family or Chamonix with friends for more extreme skiing
Why do you love it there?
Gstaad is a perfect ‘chocolate box’ Swiss mountain village with a wonderful family environment and skiing. Chamonix is much more hardcore skiing and après ski!
Who do you ski with?
We ski in Gstaad with our five kids, grandparents and friends who come to stay with us with their kids. Skiing is a great group sport for any age and of most levels. In Chamonix we ski with Thierry Donard, who is the original founder of Perfect Moment, and now an extreme sports filmmaker. He skied for France in the World Cup and my husband, Max, skied for the Swiss National junior team so skiing with the two of them and a group of other extreme skiers is always an adventure and a lot of fun if challenging at times!
Talk us through an average ski day?
We used to love being the first ones on the freshly groomed pistes in the mornings but having five kids changed that plan. It now takes us two hours and a near divorce to get everyone ready and in the car! There are never seven sets of matching ski gloves to be found and don't get me started on socks.
What's your go-to look for a day on the slopes?
I always wear one of our ski suits, such as the Allos all-in-one. They are super flattering and more sophisticated than the jacket and cargo pants combo that I used to live in. I have tried to create different ski pants for different shapes - from high-waisted flares to loose fitting cargos.
What should we look for when choosing a ski jacket?
Technical fabric is key. If you are cold and wet on the slopes, it is a miserable experience. Read the label and don’t be fooled by a cool designer or cheap brand. Pockets are also key, lots of them, plus an inside snow skirt for added protection, when you nose dive into a pile of snow.
Do you like bright colours or do you stick to a more muted palette?
I love bright colours on the slopes and always dress the kids in our chevron jackets so I can spot them, usually far ahead of me. Having said that, I also think plain white is super chic. If I was going to choose something more subtle, I’d go for an all-in-one in black & white or navy & red.
What are your tips when it comes to layering?
We use the best technical fabrics on the market from Switzerland and Japan so our pieces are very warm, meaning I don’t need to layer too much. I usually wear a Perfect Moment base layer and a Polo neck jumper, or a Perfect Moment Merino wool Starsuit, which is always fun to strip down to for lunch or après ski.
Jane's must-haves
Caribou waterproof nubuck and rubber boots, ￡150, Sorel, Deep-V fine-rib cashmere dress, ￡395, Raey at Matches Fashion, Merino wool Tignes sweater, ￡200, Perfect Moment
What about footwear?
Sorrel boots are some of my favourite and you can’t beat the good old Moon Boot for kids. Falke make the best ski socks on the market for adults and children, they’re worth the investment, as you will have them for years.
What beauty products do you bring in your ski pocket?
I always use Sarah Chapman Skinesis Morning Facial in the morning before skiing or the Charlotte Tilbury Miracle Glow cleanser mask & balm is amazing too. On the slopes, I carry Sisley sun cream with a SPF 30 or Fotoprotector by ISDIN with a SPF 50 for delicate spots plus a Piz Buin lip balm. The Guinot face mask is the best remedy for dry skin, after a day on the slopes. And coconut oil is also great, you can use it for hair, face & body, everything.
Do you ever pack a pair of heels?
Yes usually a pair from Jimmy Choo in case we go somewhere smarter, like Leonard’s at the Le Grand Bellevue or to a friend’s chalet for dinner. Of course, I wear boots to get there, and then change on arrival!