If you’re going on a ski holiday, your first thoughts are probably centred around the adventurism of skiing itself. You’re imagining yourself bombing down Alpine slopes, slaloming the flags, hair effortlessly catching the mountain winds as you gracefully pull to an exhilarating stop at the foot of the route with friends close at hand. You’re imagining the well-earned après-ski cocktail, and the promise that it’ll all happen again tomorrow. The sport of it all!
But summer ski holidays with your friends aren’t just about the skiing. The holiday is just that – a holiday. A chance to relax, to rejuvenate, and to get your international party on with your besties. Which means you have more than ski boots and thick gloves to worry about. You’ll be spending more time out of your ski gear than in it, so how can you make sure you’re looking and feeling your best during your trip?
Fashion is, self-evidently, your first port of call for keeping yourself stylish on the slopes. And it goes without saying that your priorities look a little different up a mountain than they do at home. Any style decisions you make need to be couched in safety, first – meaning you need to work around some clothing essentials.
Put simply, you’ll be wearing thermals for much of your time on your ski holiday. Wherever you’re going, it’s guaranteed to be cold enough that you’ll want fitted thermal base layers to keep the heat in. The key to looking stylish on the slopes, then, is layering! A chic lightweight fleece is a good start. Adding a tailored ski jacket over the top, in a timeless colour will keep you warm as well as creating a polished, put-together look that transitions effortlessly from the slopes to après-ski.
Taking the layers approach to its logical conclusion, you’ll also find that accessorising is your friend on the slopes. Rather than relying on chic outfits to put your style across, instead let your accoutrements speak on your behalf. A quality pair of ski goggles; an elegant pair of leather gloves; a cosy cashmere beanie; even a bougie clutch for the bar after the slopes – all can elevate your outfit while still providing practical utilities in the process.
Clothing alone isn’t enough to protect you from the cold – at least, from a beauty standpoint. The cold temperatures, high winds, and unfiltered high-altitude sun of the mountain slopes combine to make hell for your skin. Sun damage and dehydration are key risks, and risks you need to mitigate with skincare.
A simple way to counteract the hydration situation is to apply a rich moisturiser before you head out; all the better if it’s a combination sunblock with a high SPF. A hydrating lip balm also comes highly recommended, to prevent dryness and cracking.