February and March are the best months to take a ski vacation: you skip the holiday crowds and ticket prices, and typically you can access more terrain, thanks to deeper snowpacks. Plus, even if snow conditions aren鈥檛 spectacular, milder weather means a better outdoor听补辫谤猫蝉-蝉办颈 scene. So whether you鈥檙e just heading out for a long weekend or planning the ultimate spring-break trip, here鈥檚 what to throw in your bag for brews at the base village or hot toddies back at the chalet.
Shirts
His
Patagonia听Recycled Wool Shirt听($90)
I live in 听all winter鈥攊t looks great, keeps me warm, and, best of all, is听incredibly durable. Given that the ski industry is particularly subject to the , you can feel good while looking good since it鈥檚听made from 100 percent听recycled materials. 听听
Hers
Smartwool Ripple Creek Tunic Sweater听($120)
Your midlayer needs to be warm enough so you don鈥檛 freeze when you take your jacket off at the bar. Enter . Its blend of nylon and merino wool will keep you toasty, and its cut is long enough that you can wear it with leggings or base layers. Or so my wife tells me. 听
Jackets
His
Flint and Tinder Sherpa-Lined Waxed Trucker听($248)
Save the bright colors and puffy jackets for the slopes, and go with a classic waxed-canvas jacket听for the bar scene. You鈥檒l get all the weather protection you need and won鈥檛 look like you jumped out of an REI catalog. There are plenty of good options, but this one earns its price tag with听a tough sailcloth outer lined with Sherpa fleece and quilted polyester, which is plenty warm enough to keep you cozy.
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Hers
Burton Bixby Down听($284)
The 听gives you the warmth of 650-fill down without the Michelin Man look. The outer polyester-twill fabric is weather resistant听for mountain-town exploration, and the microfleece-lined pockets keep your hands warm.
Pants
His
Eddie Bauer Flannel-Lined Flex Jeans听($55)
Spring skiing may mean warm weather by day, but once the sun sets, temperatures drop quickly. Keep your lower half warm while barhopping well into the night with . My friend swears by them: just enough insulation to keep your butt toasty听and听stretch built in to help keep those tired legs comfortable.
Hers
Athleta PrimaLoft Alpine Valley Tight ($98)
My wife loves . First, they鈥檙e fleece-lined, so they鈥檙e warm enough to double as a base layer for skiing, which makes transitioning听into your apr猫s kit after a day on the slopes quick and easy. Second, they hold their shape better than any other tights she鈥檚 tried, so you won鈥檛 get that baggy-bottom look.
Hats
His
Patagonia Recycled Wool Ear Flap Cap听($49)
Stand out from the sea of trucker hats with the听. It鈥檚 the perfect inside-outside transition headwear, and you鈥檒l be the envy of all the听cold-eared ski bros at the bar.
Hers
Turtle Fur Whirlaway Pom Beanie听($60)
If you鈥檙e noticing a wool pattern here, that鈥檚 because there鈥檚 no better winter material. 听from Turtle Fur not only looks great听but will keep you听stink-free and warm even if it gets wet from dumping snow.
Gloves
His
Outdoor Research Aksel Work Gloves听($65)
There鈥檚 a good reason leather work gloves are having a moment right now: they鈥檙e warm and听weather resistant, and if you treat them right, they will last forever. 听has a wool, acrylic, and polyester liner that鈥檚 warm enough for skiing, which means you can get away with packing one set of gloves on your trip.
Hers
Astis Muchu Chhish听($165)
Astis鈥檚 gloves are .听Hand-sewn in the U.S.听and听featuring听stitched beadwork on the back, they听definitely make a statement鈥攅veryone I know who owns a pair is constantly stopped听and asked about them. The Polartec Thermal Pro High Loft insulation means they鈥檒l work just fine for actual skiing, too.
Boots
His
Kamik Yukon C听($110)
There is really only one thing that makes for听a great apr猫s boot鈥攈ow easy it is听to get on and off. 听slips on with no laces to fuss over, a nice change after a long day of battling the buckles on your ski boots. They also feature completely waterproof leather uppers and are rated to minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit, so your toes are guaranteed to stay warm.
Hers
Bogs Sweetpea听($70)
Slip-ons that are both moisture wicking and waterproof, the 听are so comfortable that my wife wants听to buy a pair in every color. Better yet, their lightweight design means they can easily be tossed in your carry-on for quick trips.