After wrapping up the holidays, I’gve been hearing from a lot of y’all about ski vacations including places to shop winter gear that are plus size friendly and size inclusive, as well as what to pack for kids. Before kids, Curtis and I would take at least one ski trip every year. Being in Texas. Colorado, California felt a lot easier to get to. Even Utah didn’t feel like too much of a stretch with direct flights to Park City. When we moved to Florida, due to a mix of welcoming our second child, the pandemic, and my ACL tear recovery, we didn’t manage a family ski trip until Margaret was 8 and Catherine was 5. We went to Beaver Creek with friends of ours because we are super familiar with the area and know that it is kid (and beginner) friendly. We were there for over a week and stayed a few of those nights at The Ritz-Carlton, Beaver Creek and a few nights in a condo with ski-in/ski-out access. This isn’t the exact unit we stayed in, but it is the building which we found to be a great location with good amenities and easy access. Whether you are an avid winter sports fan or just starting out, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite items for the family. From insulated jackets and snowsuits to warm socks and bag essentials, I’m sharing our must have’s for women, men, and kids.
Ski Essentials for Women
When I’m skiing I prioritize warmth, comfort and safety, but of course I want something stylish. I was thrilled to find this new brand of performance wear that has a line of ski clothes that run from XXS – 2X. I tried their pants, bibs and jackets and ultimately kept the bibs and paired them with a jacket I already had. But I’ve decided before our next trip, I’ll be treating myself to a new jacket. The North Face is another brand that has plus size ski wear as well as Ulla Popken, and Columbia. Obermeyer goes up to an 18, sometimes 20, and this is the style jacket that I have, though not in this color. It’s really important to have an insulated and waterproof jacket and pants, ski-specific socks with extra cushion (I like ones that are made out of Merino Wool because the material is thinner and softer than regular wool but still warm), and boots that are waterproof and comfortable. I’ve had these exact boots for too many years to count and they have proven their value time and again! It’s also important to have warm accessories like insulated and waterproof gloves or mittens (these are the exact ones I have) a neck gaiter or balaclava, a helmet, goggles, and a warm hat for après ski where you’re not wearing your helmet but still want to stay warm. Perhaps one of the most important things to wear are the ones that won’t be seen – the long underwear! As long as you choose a moisture wicking option (so not cotton) you should be set. I have a few random pairs from Amazon, but I am also interested in these by Knix. The time of year we ski dictates the amount of layers we show up in. Usually I wear a turtleneck or half-zip pull over like this on top of my long underwear/thermals.
Ski Essentials for Men
For Curtis, the theme is also warmth, comfort, functionality and style. You’ll want to make sure that anything you wear while skiing allows for full mobility. The North Face has some of the best outerwear options for men. Their ski jackets are waterproof, windproof, and insulated. Owning a good pair of snow pants that are easy to move in is also important. These particular snow pants are a cargo style and have outside pockets, which Curtis likes to have. I’ve also included a few of my favorite accessories for men including hats, helmets, sunglasses, and traction booties. He also found his long underwear on Amazon, but he also likes these.
Ski Essentials for Kids
I love shopping for my girls! And there’s no denying that the ski styles for kids are always so cute and stylish! We pick out styles for our girls that are bright and colorful so we can easily spot them on the mountain. And just as I do for myself and Curtis, I always select styles that are warm, insulated, and waterproof. Plus they need to be easy to move in. I also make sure the girls have a well-fitted pair of boots and ski socks to keep their feet warm. These waterproof mittens are great for keeping their hands dry and warm. The last thing you want when skiing are little ones with cold hands or feet! They also wear thermals as a base layer and depending on the day, will wear something like this fleece pull over on top, but under their bibs. Of course, they wear goggles and helmets too, which we prefer not to rent those though I know some people go that route. My friend, Sarah Tucker, uses air tags on her boys to help keep track of them which I think is a great idea for the whole ski party!
Must-Have Ski Essentials
Now that I’ve covered some of the fashion basics for skiing, let’s talk about what I keep on me. Being outdoors in the winter can cause wind burn and sun burn, so at least an SPF 50 sunscreen and lip balm are essential! I also love these handwarmers but we also have rechargable handwarmers as well. The roll-on relief stick for joint and muscle pain is great for the end of the day, post hot tub and shower! And one thing that is increasingly important for a day on the slopes is a small portable charger! Other things I sometimes have on me are little snacks, a small pack of tissues, hand sanitizer, bandaids, an extra hair tie, and Aleve. A lot of people travel a lot “lighter” than I do, but I feel less anxious when I
Ski Favorites for the Family
Hopefully this list will serve you well as you shop and pack for a ski trip this winter. If you are traveling this year and have little ones (babies and toddlers), I have a great round up of my favorite travel items for the family. And if you aren’t traveling this winter, but you’re ready to get a jump start on Valentine’s Day, check out this fun family activity.
