Even though REI has already started its mega winter clearance sale, there’s still plenty of winter left. So if you’ve got a skiing or snowboarding trip planned in the next couple of months, you’re in luck. The outdoor retailer is offering deep discounts on all of the clothing and gear you’ll need to hit the mountains, including many of the jackets and pants that expert skiers tell us they rely on. More gear is expected to go on sale later this week, so watch this space for updates.
Ski and snowboard jackets
A shell jacket with a removable layer of insulation, this expert-recommended Patagonia jacket is a versatile pick that’ll keep you warm — but not too warm — in a wide temperature range.
Here’s another Patagonia jacket with synthetic down insulation for serious warmth. You’ll fit in on the slopes at Vail, where a longtime resident tells us “everyone has Patagonia jackets.”
Adventure athlete Eric “Hende” Henderson calls this Rab style the most durable ski jacket out there, thanks to its fully taped, waterproof outer layer and hydrophobic down insulation. “It can take the beating and keep delivering warmth and durability,” he says.
Burton’s entry-level jacket offers waterproofing, breathability, and warmth at a beginner-friendly budget price, according to Chris French, founder and president of NYC-based Ski Bums, the world’s largest LGBTQ skiing and snowboarding club.
Marty Schaffer, founder of British Columbia backcountry touring company Capow, is a big fan of this jacket, which is designed for powder and wet snow. “I like the longer cut and it’s superlight,” he says.
For a very warm jacket at a relatively low price, Jeff Wohl, a guide for National Outdoor Leadership School, recommends this parka, designed for the coldest days.
Very active skiers who work up a sweat when they’re moving will appreciate this fast-drying jacket. “Futurelight is way more breathable than Gore-Tex,” says Mike Donohue, co-owner of Outdoor Gear Exchange, a Burlington-based outdoor-adventure store. “It will release the moisture faster, so when you get on the lift you won’t freeze.”
Jackie Kearney, a ski patroller at Lake Tahoe’s Kirkwood Resort, says the streamlined Alpha FL jacket is “superlight and minimalist. It weighs just over 300 grams and rolls up really small into the hood.”
Donohue loves this snowboarding jacket for beginners. He tells us, “It’s something with a little more street appeal, and it’s longer in the back, which is nice for beginners, because you end up sitting in the snow. A lot.”
Ski and snowboard pants
If you’re in the market for snow pants, Kearney suggests this versatile style, which features roomy pockets, breathable vents, and articulated knees for comfortable movement on the slopes.
If you’re worried about snow from creeping up under your jacket, you might want to try the extra coverage of bib-style pants. These are the go-to bibs for Nick Sargent, president of the Snowsports Industries America trade association, who likes that they’re unlined so you can switch up your base layers based on the temperature.
Like Patagonia’s jackets, the brand’s snow pants get high marks from experts for being both practical and stylish. Mac Huelster, an NYC stylist, says they have a “timeless look.”
A rare pair of expert-approved pants for under $200.
Ski boots
Skiers who enjoy alpine touring (hiking up backcountry mountains and skiing down) love these lightweight Tecnica Cochise boots, which make walking uphill easy. “I’ve used [these] for the past two years here in Utah,” says Trevor Livingston, an account manager at Backcountry. “Plenty of walk-mode range of motion for the uphill, and good performance for the down.”
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