TRACY BINGHAM

Tracy spends two to three months every winter in the Alps, immersing herself in skiing and snowboarding. Whether she's cruising down the pistes or shredding fresh powder in the backcountry, she's honed her expertise in choosing the perfect ski kit that balances performance, practicality and style.

My love of ski touring drives me to seek out gear that's not only functional for long ascents and technical terrain but also stylish enough to reflect my personality and love of bright colours on and off the slopes. The right equipment isn't just about looking good, it's about feeling confident and prepared for any adventure the mountain throws me.

These are my current favourites:

Black Crows Ski Pants

For me, the Ventus women's ski pants are the best Black Crows have ever made. They only came in bright yellow or bright pink, perfect for your mountain photography. 

And unlike most ski pants made for women, Black Crows' are super functional. Nice and long so for a relatively tall person my pants aren’t having an argument with my ankles. They have lots of technical features designed with ski touring in mind. Two massive thigh pockets one with an inner pocket and clip. The other with a double pocket. And a waist pocket. Huge zip vents from hip to past your knee and wide bottoms with stretchy elastic and zip and popper fasteners for quick access when switching your boots between ski mode and walk mode.

This winter, the new Black Crows women's ski pants are the Freebird Xplore pants, more subtle in shade on the outside but with the bright yellow lining.  They are equally technical, balancing lightness, comfort and durability with chevron waterproofing seal tape.

Montura Finger Out Mittens

They're like little puffer jackets for my hands. Montura's Finger Out Mittens are brilliant for ski touring as I can pop my fingers out for transitions and quickly tuck them back in the warm before they get too cold. Also with the elastic across the back of the hand you can tuck the finger pocket back out the way if you get hot walking up..

Blue Ice Backpack

My Blue Ice Backpack has all the features you would expect of a ski touring pack with pockets for everything imaginable, but the thing I really like is you don’t need to take it off to attach your skis, which makes for really quick transitions from boot-packing to skiing.

ELAINE DEED

Editor of Style Altitude for over 10 years has skied/snowboarded for 40 years. She is a journalist and former Fashion Editor for top magazines. Now the mountains are her catwalk, living most of the winter in the French Alps, skiing in Serre Chevalier and ski touring in the surrounding mountain playground.

Living in the mountains for the winter, I wear a lot of gear for skiing in resort, off piste and for touring. My quest is always to find the perfect ski items, ones that are fit for purpose, have details that work and, yes I want to look good too (but in a cool rando way, a million miles from the Lycra and faux fur glossy posse). And when I find the best gear, I'll wear or use it until it falls apart.

For example:

Dynafit Radical Down Jacket

I'm slightly obsessed with Dynafit ski wear for touring as I think that as well as being designed for mountain performance  it is the most flattering fit for women.

I prefer skiing in a puffer jacket with layering rather than one bulky ski jacket, especially for ski touring. The Dynafit Radical jacket is so lightweight that you wonder how it can keep you warm? Yet with premium RDS-certified 800 fill goose down with a loft of 800 cubic inches and a down-feather ratio of 95/5 it is really insulating and, also, doesn't getting clumpy when wet. For additional weather protection, the lightweight nylon outer shell is wind and water-resistant.

It also has stretchy underarm panels for ease of movement, especially when negotiating tricky kickturns, and added breathability. What's more, it squishes up really small to pack in the backpack and weighs just 360g.

SCOTT Blend Helmet and Goggles Combo

Visor helmets have always seemed a bit uncool but I love my SCOTT Blend Plus ski helmet, which won an ISPO award last year.

The beauty of this helmet and visor combo is that the goggles are, of course, designed to fit perfectly with the helmet. So no unattractive gapping or crooked goggle issues. And you also never have the worry of losing your goggles as they are attached. 

Click, the visor goggles snap onto the helmet when you're not using them, fitting back onto your face in one smooth movement.  The cylindrically-shaped visor gives a wide field of vision and is, also, softly padded so it's not flat against your face, great for glass wearers because they can be kept on while skiing or snowboarding.

Although not women specific, this helmet is a up there as a favourite piece of my kit

Dynafit Women's Ski Touring Backpack

I was trawling the internet for the best women's ski touring backpack, this winter, not because I wanted pretty colours but in a quest for one that is not only light but also fits women's (mostly) shorter backs and slighter frames. Although I'm not particularly short (5'6"), I've ridden with guys' backpacks with the base around my bum or the top around my ears so a women's specific sizing is important.

But women's backpacks are in relatively short supply (compared to the men's/unisex). Finally I found what seemed to be the perfect one from Dynafit (which, incidentally looks good with my Dynafit ski touring pants). But extracting the info about the Radical 30+ backpack from the Dynafit website was painful. Even their online expert mountain 'guru from the chat community' was frustrated at not being able to access info about how it differed from the men's and couldn't give me the actual back measurement.

Turns out it IS shorter than the men's and a darned nice backpack with lots of features, including a stow top, back zip access and extra stash pockets. For you and for Dynafit who need to add this to their website description, the back measurement is a women friendly, 47cms.

PS. Dynafit you also need to sort the click buckles out - replace the cheap looking plastic ones with something a whole lot sturdier to go with the technical profile of what would otherwise be a perfect women's ski touring backpack. 

Peak Performance Helium Down Shorts

My go-to ski pants for winter powder are light grey Elevenate, which are an easy loose fit shell with side zips for when it warms up during ascents while ski touring. But they can be pretty chilly in minus degrees, such as skiing in Japan. So when I found down filled long johns from Decathlon I reckoned I had the perfect combo, worn with thermal leggings underneath when it's super cold. But, sadly, Decathlon no longer sell them.

Hurrah, though, Peak Performance do very similar. Their Helium shorts with 700 fill power that's 90/10 down/feather, provide that extra layer under your shell pants when full-length layering gets in the way. Windproof and water repellent, they have side zips for venting should they get too warm,

LOUISE HUDSON

Skiing since 1973, Style Altitude's USA and Canada Editor, Louise Hudson has over 50 winters on snow. After spending the first half exploring Europe, she’s been skiing North America since 1999. While the resorts of Utah, Colorado, California and Wyoming are always tempting for trips, she has chosen Sun Peaks Resort, BC as her base for the past six years.

My mountain mojo is 'warmth and colour' a vibe that kicked off at age 12 when I hit my first slopes in a puffy lime green onesie. So long as I’m warm in my torso, toes and fingers, I can ski athletically on and off piste even now in my 60s. And, as I ski in Canada, savvy layering of high tech fabrics is vital.

I’ve spent many freezing winters trying out down, merino, pure wool, magical manmade textiles, mitts versus gloves, heated garments and accessories. Best way to find out with sock performance, is to wear a different one on each foot and by the end of the day you’ll know which wins the warmth award. Same with boot gloves - I went out on a minus 15 morning with one on and the other off to test their effectiveness, and I’ve been addicted to both ever since.

Alchemy of Ride Ski Jacket and Pants

Can’t leave the condo without an Alchemy of Ride ski jacket. With the vivid patterns standing out against the monochromatic snowscape, AOR is high viz.

In the lodge or the liftline the artistic designs are a conversation starter. Ski beneath the chair and everyone knows your name. Your friends will never lose you. And, in a whiteout, the intensity of the colourways are a bright beacon for others, showing the way down. As you can tell, I’m a social skier at heart, enjoying chairlift chats, liftline levity and barstool banter!

AOR fabrics also tick all the winter Ws: windproof, waterproof, warm and, of course, wow. This range was born from the collaboration between Canadian artist Lynne Harrison - an expert skier, mountain biker, Ironman triathlete and Ultra Marathon runner - and Olympic Downhiller Dave Irwin. They ski in Alberta predominantly which is even colder than BC where I am!

Particularly recommended are the technical jackets which have a water vapour permeability of 10,000, snow cuffs, full zip, helmet-compatible hood, inside goggle pocket and inside zip pocket, ski pass sleeve pocket, water-repellent zippers, really strong velcro all down the front and wrists, and cooling side vents for spring days or steep hikes.

Once you get the jacket - and all the ensuing compliments - you won’t be able to resist the matching ski pants and, also, shirts which double up for Nordic, biking, hiking and other outdoor sports.

Heat Holders Thermals

For cosseting comfort, it has to be Heat Holders - whether it is their faux fur lined neckwarmers, fluffy socks or brushed base layers, I tend to wear Heat Holders tip to toe. Won’t break the bank, so you can afford to have several sets rather than having to do overnight laundry - but if you have to, they are tumble-dryable.

As a result of over 50 years of technical expertise, research and experience, the HH Thermal Yarn is Japanese designed with performance insulation and superior breathability, moisture-wicking, and softness. Part of the HH knitting process, Thermal Loops give a cushioning pile to hold warm air, increasing the TOG rating. Warmth is further trapped by expert brushing. And Heatweaver Insulation is Heat Holders’ plush fur-like thermal lining which again maximizes the air held close to the skin. Makes you feel warm just reading about it!

My particular picks include the Marlow Ladies Neckwarmer which has a sculpted shape, dropping lower at the front to cover the neck-chest gap - or, if worn upside down, the longer part slips under goggles to cover the nose. HH socks in Original (thicker) for old roomy ski boots and Ultra Lite for newer tight-fitting boots.

For leggings and baselayers, nothing beats the Original Thermal Underwear range made of stretchy micro fleece. If that’s too warm, HH has Lite and Ultra Lite versions, too. To make sure the family lasts as long as you on the slopes, Heat Holders also do men’s and children’s. For snuggling, check out the slipper socks, hot tub robes, and lounging hoodies

Smith Goggles and Wildcat Performance Sunglasses

Every week of the season I volunteer as a Sun Host, guiding groups of resort guests around the vast terrain of Sun Peaks, Canada’s second largest ski area. When it’s snowing or socked in, I have to be able to see as much as possible. And that’s when my Smith goggles are crucial.

Quick change magnetic lenses give you the chance to adapt to changes in visibility. And the Ultimate Integration system with Smith helmets, like the Rodeo, ensures maximum comfort, venting and clear vision.

Particularly recommended for bluebird days (and multi-purpose for other outdoor sports) are the Wildcat Performance Sunglasses. A hybrid between goggles and regular sunglasses, they come with two large coverage lenses which combine ChromaPop and contrast enhancement with light-responsive PhotoChromic tech.

They are also designed to integrate with Smith helmets for fog-free riding. With around 15-25 percent of people breaking their sunglasses annually and up to 40 percent experiencing lens scratching due to accidents and poor care, the sturdy Wildcat storage box and lighter weight fabric pouch are particularly beneficial. And you can also buy replacement lenses in various colours. With the non-slip soft nose bracket, they double up for playing padel, my summer sport.

JOSEFINE LEMMEL ÅS

Josefine has lived in the southern French Alps for more than 20 years, first in La Grave and now just over the Col de Lautaret, in Serre Chevalier. She loves skiing – powder as much as possible – both off piste in a ski resort, in the wild terrain of La Grave or ski touring.

When spending a lot of time in the mountains it’s essential to have good gear. I do not wear the same gear when I ski off piste as when I go ski touring, but in both cases, it is really important to have breathable gear.

When skiing off piste I love the snow days – with few people on the hill and lots of good snow. For that, and for the longlivity of the item, I value a stronger shell. I like it loose and to be able to unzip up under the arms and legs for warmer days and when you ski longer runs. As I’m tall, quite skinny and like it loose, I tend to avoid the fitted female cuts, that usually don’t fit my tall stature anyway!

Stellar Equipment Free Shell Bibs and Jacket

So sometimes I prefer the men's lines. I’m actually wearing Stellar Equipment’s Free Shell bibs and jacket for men. They do the job, both being practical, technical and cool looking on women! Their Free Shell bibs do also come in women's sizing, if you're smaller and want them more fitted. 

Houdini Moonwalk Shorts

I am quite easily cold in the lifts and do wear several layers when skiing – a good base layer – thinner when warmer, ideally wool when colder. And then the must have Houdini fleece hot pants – they literarily save your ass! I’ve had mine for years so not sure they still have them anymore but they do have Moonwalk Shorts in Polartec® Power Air™ Light and padded with Primaloft to wear over your tights (above left). I highly recommend to take good care of your bottoms!

Patagonia Ski Pants

For ski touring I do not like wearing bibs but still use ski pants with quite a loose fit – in my opinion it’s more comfortable when kickturning not to have anything that restricts your movement. Some like it tight but stretchy. I like loose. I’m using an old pair of Patagonia ski pants – don’t know which model, but as long as you can zip down on the sides most good quality ski pants work (see the Patagonia Stormstride Pants for women, above right). You don’t ski tour so much in bad weather which means that you can have a thinner shell and why not soft shell.

And also...

I really like my old inherited Mountain Hardwear soft shell jacket – light, very breathable and works perfectly year after year. A good light down jacket is essential to have in the pack any given day for any activity in the mountains.

I have Black Diamond mittens and thinner gloves for warmer days and ski touring – love both.

I more or less always ski with a backpack and that needs to feel good on the back. Gregory freeride packs are very sturdy, and comfortable on the back - and they have women's specific ski touring backpacks if you need a shorter length (above, centre). As they have thick, durable materials, they’re not very light but if you choose light, it will probably not sit very well on the back and it won’t last very long either. I’d rather carry a few more grams for a backpack that is comfortable and lasts.

There is too much gear out there – find gear that lasts!

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