Groovy beats fill your ears, your body moves from side to side, snow falls around you, creating what looks like sparkly champagne at your feet, and you're with all your best buds. No, you are not skiing; you are doing the next best thing. Swap that sparkly champagne snow for an actual glass of bubbly because you're at après, baby!
Whether it's at the Ritz Carlton or in the resort parking lot, we skiers never miss an après. It's in our blood. So when you've got that two-skip adrenaline coursing through your veins, follow the music to your local watering hole and crack open a cold one with your friends. Just be sure to dress the part. Whether you prefer head-to-toe (faux) fur or a comfortable fit that keeps you warm, we've rounded up the best appareal and accessories suited specifically for skiing's afterparty.
Women's Après Kit
Jacket
POC - W's Loft Jacket
Inspired by the Loft Parka, commonly worn by ski racers to warm up while they wait for their run, the Loft Jacket brings the same sleek look and down insulation to après. With a polyamide shell that protects against snow and a soft lining that is comfortable to lounge in, this jacket transitions easily from the slopes to town. A large hood and high collar offer helmet compatibility, if you decide to ski in it, and optimal protection when the wind kicks up—on the mountain or in line at the bar. For layering, we would recommend sizing up, as the fit is true to size. The jacket comes in neutral navy and granite, giving you creative freedom to mix and match bottoms or accessories.
Midlayer
Wild Rye - Payette Jacket and Pant
What girl doesn’t love a cute matching set? Better yet, one that keeps you warm and cozyl long after that last chairlift ride. Wild Rye, an all-women-owned company, delivers just that with the Payette pant and jacket set. While the fabric feels light and thin to the touch, it's packed with recycled synthetic PrimaLoft Gold insulation to keep you warm, even if a little snow or mist hits it. The lightweight design also makes it easy to pack into a bag or under another jacket, so it's one of those layers you're going to reach for time and time again.
The girls at Wild Rye added a special, patterned touch to the set with an outseam stitching from head to toe. It adds a feminine touch without being in your face about it. Both the waist of the jacket and the ankles of the pants cinch for that effortlessly cute sweatpant scrunch look.
Base Layers
Kari Traa - Silja 2.0 Half Zip and Pant
Base layers usually hide beneath heavy-duty ski clothes, so fun styles and designs often go out the window. But when Karii Traa looks at base layers, they see them as pieces meant to be seen, bringing fun colors and designs back to a part of your kit that usually goes unnoticed.
Offered in multiple colorways, the Silja 2.0 half-zip and base layer leggings combine Chevron patterns with 100% wool fabric to create an ultra soft feel and a set you won’t mind showing off when you shed a few layers. The half-zip lets you adjust coverage so your neck can be fully covered or you can go more laid-back for mid-day drinks on the slopes. The leggings fit tight and can slide under any sweatpants or ski pants for extra warmth.
Shoes
Fubuki - Niseko 3.0 Low
My feet would get cold at X Games every year until I got a pair of Fubuki boots. Inspired by the giant boots Japanese fishermen and road workers wear, as well as deep Japow winters, the Niseko 3.0 Low are built to handle the cold, harsh elements in a smaller version of the full-sized boot. The hard ABS toe cap and EVA shell make these boots pretty invincible against a dropped ski or drink, while a wool liner makes sliding them on and off super easy. A cinchable top helps keep warm air in, creating a cozy home for your feet. The synthetic rubber outsole provides traction on wet and snowy surfaces, making them a great choice for busting a move in front of the DJ booth.
Hat
Skida - High Pile Polartec® Fleece Hat
There's nothing worse than helmet hair at après. With Skida’s beanie, you can cover your post-ski-day hair, stay warm and look cute all at the same time. Tested on an Arctic sailboat in Iceland, this beanie is made to handle brutally cold temperatures and wind. When you're tearing up the après dance floor, the beanie's soft fleece folds up easily, making it simple to stash in a pocket, small purse or bag. With nine colorways available and a custom logo patch on the front of each, you can make it your statement piece or blend in with the rest of your fit.
Sunglasses
Smith - Westward Core
Lounging at the base or enjoying your local après on a bluebird day is more fun when you don’t have to deal with a giant pair of goggles on your face. That's where Smith's Westward Core sunglasses come in. Their rounded, retro shape adds a touch of style, while polarized lenses with 100% UV protection keep things functional. The frames are made from recycled water bottles, so you can feel good about what you’re wearing while the lightweight design makes you forget you're carrying them.
Men's Après Kit
Jacket
686 - Thermaldry Insulated Shacket
686 is just as respected as a street-style brand as it is for snow outerwear and that's evident in pieces like the Thermaldry Insulated Shacket. From the outside, this jacket looks like a flannel, but lightweight synthetic insulation on the inside makes it a more substantial jacket, rather than just another flannel layer. The outer fabric is treated with a DWR finish so it can shed light snow when you're hanging out on the après patio. Two hand-warmer pockets give you a toasty place to rest your hands, while your phone or wallet stashes securely in the upper chest pocket.
Midlayer
Cotopaxi - Fuego Down Overall and Hooded Jacket
Similar to the women's set, this insulated bib and jacket offer a lightweight layer or main piece to stay cozy post-skiing. The insulated look of the fabric gives the set a sporty, stylish vibe, while the actual technology behind it makes the pieces functional. Made from 800-fill down and finished with a water-resistant shell, this set is ready to tackle all your winter adventures.
The bib design offers additional warmth, while thoughtful features like leg zippers and full-body, two-way zippers help solve common bib struggles, like getting them on and off or going to the bathroom. Feeling too toasty with the jacket? Just pack it into its internal pocket that can easily slip into a backpack. The kit is also offered in multiple colors, with Cotopaxi’s signature stripes adding a subtle pop in design.
Base layer
Vuori - Ponto Jogger and Half Zip Mock Neck
While Vuori and its DreamKnit fabric became famous for activities like running and yoga, the fabric actually works well as a base layer for skiing and winter activities. The ultra-soft fabric feels like a cozy blanket against the skin and slips easily under ski pants. Its moisture-wicking qualities also make it great for high-output activities, like skiing and après dancing.
A cinchable waist on the joggers lets you secure the fit and the half-zip offers a high collar for extra coverage and adjustable breathability, depending on how hard you’re working.
Shoes
North Face - Nuptse Traction Chukkas
After wearing ski boots all day, the last thing you want is to continue having cold, aching feet. Enter The North Face’s Nuptse Traction Chukkas, which feature an updated outsole and lug shape for better traction and comfort. The top is made from 700-fill down and polyester ripstop fabric that can handle the beatings of the après dance floor or parking lot hangs, all while keeping your feet warm. The sneaker-like soles give it a sporty look with a slipper-like feel. So, busting moves all night long in the snow isn’t a worry with these on your feet.
Sunglasses
Vallon - Ski Aviators
Once upon a time, skiers wore a popular style of sunglasses on the slopes instead of goggles called ski aviators. Vallon has put their own spin on the retro ‘70s and ‘80s style, famously worn by the likes of Robert Redford. So, it’s safe to say these sunglasses transition pretty seamlessly from the slopes to the après or any party, for that matter.
Ski aviators are known for their oversized, blocky frame with large teardrop-shaped lenses. Vallon has kept this classic shape but incorporated their specialized nylon polyamide lenses, which deliver 100% UV protection and crisp clarity, whether you use them on the slopes or off.
Hat
YoColorado - Trapper Wooly Hat
Baseball hats are arguably one of the most popular hats in the entire world, especially among men. But when temperatures drop, they don’t offer much warmth. YoColorado is fixing that by adding fleece fabric to the sides and back of the hat. This way, you can still get the traditional baseball hat style in front with the warmth and comfort of a beanie in the back. A ski mullet, if you will. Like most baseball hats, it’s one-size-fits-all and features an adjustable buckle closure on the back.
Accessories
Sunscreen
Spooge - Face Shots High-Altitude Sunscreen
While it’s always a good laugh, one of the worst things is looking in the mirror after ripping the mountain all day and finding a perfect goggle sunburn on your face. UV exposure can double when reflected off of snow, which is why wearing sunscreen like Spooge’s Face Shots is so important. Made specifically for winter mountain adventures, this sunscreen can handle sweat and moisture while still retaining its protective properties for up to 80 minutes.
While the zinc oxide works to protect the skin, other ingredients like ceramides, edelweiss extracts and raspberry seed oil add protection and moisturization. With Face Shots, your perfect ski day never has to end on a bad note.
Speaker
Turtlebox - Cub Speaker
New this season is Turtleboxe’s Cub Speaker, small enough to travel easily between adventures but with a big enough subwoofer to get people moving and grooving. Measuring 8.6 inches high, 7.2 inches wide and 5.75 inches deep, it’s not obnoxiously bulky and, at 5.3 pounds, is light enough to toss in a backpack.
Tiny but mighty, the speaker still packs all of the same waterproof qualities Turtlebox is known for, making it great for snowy parking lot hangs where the stoke is high for the pow day ahead. Wanna get really crazy? With 118 decibels of sound a 4.5 woofer, this little speaker can get the whole parking lot bumping.
Cooler
Dometic - Small Backpack Cooler Bag
Drinks always taste better when you don’t have to pay an egregious amount for one cocktail, and Dometic’s backpack cooler makes it so you can bring your own bar anywhere. The backpacks' padded shoulders and adjustable straps make it easy to carry from party to party. Plus, leakproof seams, a TPU cooler lining and PrimaLoft Gold insulation help keep your drinks fresh and your back free from unwanted spills.
Let’s say you want to have a “work from” the slopes day. The bag's dedicated back sleeve pocket can fit a 16-inch laptop, while the front cooler pocket keeps your lunch separated and safe from getting smashed. The small bag can fit up to 28 cans with its 17 L capacity; safe to say there’s plenty of room for a good time.
Coozy
YoColorado - Upcycled Toasty Drink Mitt
We’ve all been there, struggling to hold a beer with clunky ski gloves or mitts on because we’d rather not sacrifice warmth. Well, lo and behold, the geniuses from YoColorado made an upcycled toasty drink mitt so you can focus on the après, instead of worrying about cold hands. Made from cutting-room fleece remnants, the fabric creates a cozy home for your hand while a cord cuff locks in heat and blocks out chill or snow from sneaking in. On the go? A webbing loop lets you clip the mitt to your pack or jacket so you can enjoy a cold one anywhere on the mountain.
