Whether it鈥檚 morning meetups, quad-resting coffee breaks, or lunchtime defrosting sessions, a ski area鈥檚听base lodge is a sanctuary. But not this season. Sure, they鈥檒l still be open, but thanks to COVID, we can expect reduced seating and limited capacity, with听less of the festive听atmosphere we鈥檙e used to. That means we all need to better听our tailgating game. Here鈥檚 the gear that鈥檒l help.
Layer Up and Dry Off
The reason most of us typically head indoors during a ski day is to warm up. Hanging out in the parking lot doesn鈥檛 have to feel like the Arctic by comparison.
Start with your feet. Keeping your piggies wiggling is a two-step process. First, when you get to the car, swap your ski boots for the听听($150, available , too), a slip-on bootie that combines the coziness of an Ugg with the pillowy feel of Hokas. They鈥檙e exactly as comfortable as they sound, and the water-resistant leather outer gives them necessary chops for navigating messy parking lots. Next, plug the ($45) into your car鈥檚 outlet, and slide the wands into your ski boots. Its heating elements and听fan kill perspiration, so you can set yourself up for听happy feet the next day. You can also use the Travel Dry during a midday break to keep your toes toasty on that freezing post-lunch lift ride.
Keep听your upper body toasty听with the ($100). It鈥檚 more than roomy enough to wear over your ski kit, with a hefty dose of synthetic insulation that鈥檒l help听you stay听warm during a ten-degree rest stop. Flip up the hood for even colder days on the hill.
Now you鈥檙e ready to settle in for a little apr猫s hang. First things first: a fire. Solo Stove鈥檚 stainless-steel ($270) has vents all the way around, to feed the flames. This means it听burns wood hot, smoke-free, and efficiently. All that鈥檚 left when it goes out is a little ash. The foot-high cylinder weighs 15 pounds鈥攏ot the lightest out there鈥攂ut the easy cleanup is hard to beat.
Fuel Up
Once you鈥檙e feeling the glow, it鈥檚 time to rest and refuel. Instead of standing in line, spending too much money on mediocre food, and then hunting for a spare seat, bring your own food and chow down in style.
Somewhere to sit is a must. The ($300) consists of collapsible poles holding up a fabric body. When set up, it鈥檚 wide enough for two, yet听it packs down into an 18-inch-long tube听and easily disappears in a trunk loaded with ski gear.
To keep chilled听beverages close at hand, we love the ($369). With its big wheels, navigating听parking-lot ruts is a nonissue. Meanwhile, two-inch-thick insulation and an airtight gasket mean beer stays cold (but never frozen) all day. Inside, an included bin separates drinks听and听ice from happy-hour goodies,听like cheese and crackers. It also comes with a collapsible bag that rests听on top, in case you need to lug other essentials, like cups or plates.
If you want to go with a room-temperature drink, we recommend ($30). It鈥檚 aged in the same barrels the company uses听to brew its听Dragon Milk stout, which lends a soft bite, with notes of vanilla and malts. It鈥檚 a great way to toast a wicked day on the slopes. If hot drinks are more your style, light up the 听($120). The efficient, integrated stove-pot system boils a liter of water in 100 seconds, and thanks to听its听silicone French-press plunger, you鈥檒l have coffee faster than if you鈥檇 waited in line.
Of course, a long day of skiing in the cold makes a person hungry. That鈥檚 why we love ($45). The vacuum-insulated, double-wall design keeps chili or chowder hot for up to 13 hours,听and an included stainless-steel spork, which has its own pocket听on听the grippy听leather wrap, means you鈥檒l never need to slurp鈥攐r heat anything up.