These days, if I get out to ski, I want it to count. Living in Vail has quietly rewired my priorities: less quantity, more quality. Between running a business, wrangling kids and keeping life moving, skiing every day isn’t realistic. Or desirable. Especially this season.
Snow conditions aside, winter has become uphill season for me. I’m a runner at heart, which means I crave the steady cardio grind. It allows my body to settle into a rhythm and my mind to wander. I go for the workout; good turns are simply the cherry on top. This season, I’ve had very little desire to ski the resort, but I still want to grind uphill. So I’m hunting for pockets of coverage and adapting on the fly.
What hasn’t been flexible? My approach to what I wear. My uphill kit looks different from my downhill setup. No, that doesn’t mean you need an entirely new wardrobe, but there are a few strategic pieces that can make all the difference when you’re moving in cold temps. High-output winter cardio demands a smarter layering system.
What Fabrics to Wear
It all starts with the fabric. My base layer stays constant across winter activities: breathable, moisture-wicking merino tops and bottoms. Where things change is everything layered on top. For uphill travel, I prioritize low-bulk, highly breathable pieces that regulate heat and can easily be shoved into a pack when I don’t need them.
Because layering isn’t optional — it’s essential. Temps can swing wildly from the base of the trailhead to the summit. In Colorado, predictability isn’t a part of the forecast.
My biggest tip: Be bold, start cold.
I heard that advice while training for my first half-marathon. I was shivering at the start line in Snowmass, ready to run the Golden Leaf to Aspen. It didn’t take long to warm up and realize I made the right layering decisions. In winter, if you sweat too much, that moisture will eventually freeze and leave you colder than when you started.
Trust me, I hate being cold. But I resist starting a climb with every layer on. Leave room for your body to warm up. Pack a lightweight puffy, warmer gloves, a shell and a hat for the top of the climb and let movement do the rest.
With that in mind, here are a few key pieces I rely on for uphill climbs:
Softshell Pants
Sizing: Wearing size XS and had no problem layering merino leggings underneath. *Note: my new touring skis were not harmed in this photo, taken in mid-December.
Winter showed up late and with no sense of urgency. Instead of blower pow and deep turns, I’ve lowered my bar: I’ll settle for anywhere I can slide on snow.
It’s been a season of warm temps and thin snow, which has made me rethink what I wear. I don’t like climbing in bibs on warm days. It’s too much fabric and core heat. I want airflow and flexibility.
Somehow, I’ve made it this far in life without owning a pair of softshell pants. My husband has been campaigning for them for years, but they were never at the top of my shopping list. But now that I’ve tried them, I understand why you should add a pair to your closet.
Softshell ski pants are ideal for skinning: they’re lightweight and stretchy, block the wind and snow, and (most importantly), breathe. They’re less bulky than traditional ski pants, yet still durable.
RAB Tour Pants are ski-specific softshell pants that feel dialed as soon as you slip them on. The fit is slim and body-hugging without being restrictive. Think a good-looking booty, but with Velcro waist tabs that let you fine-tune the fit and still allow plenty of room for strong, hill-climbing thighs.
These pants were designed for skiers: while the leg is slim, they still fit over ski boots and feature internal gaiters to keep out snow. Additionally, reinforced patches on the inner leg near the hem protect the high-wear zone that is always prone to tearing and snagging. A zippered side pocket offers quick access to your phone in a secure yet easy-to-access spot.
If you’re looking for a slightly warmer option, the Tour Pro Plus Pants are worth a look. They offer the same streamlined fit but add a soft internal lining, making them more versatile for colder days and winters when the cold actually sets in.
Lightweight Hardshell Bibs
Sizing: Wearing a size small. They fit like a glove — with just enough stretch and space to move, climb and ski without restriction.
Brr. I shivered. “This is what winter is supposed to feel like,” my husband said. The dashboard read low teens. Usually, by January, my body has adjusted to the cold. But weeks (well, months now) of warm weather, and I feel personally betrayed by actual winter.
On days like this, I reach for a lightweight hardshell pant or a low-sitting bib. Hardshells are like the armor of winter layering: fully windproof and waterproof. Yes, they’re less breathable and stretchy, but when the wind is biting or snow is blowing sideways, protection matters.
The challenge is finding a hardshell that’s light enough for the climb yet tough enough to handle lift laps and resort abuse. I wanted pants that can do both without feeling like overkill. Mammut’s Haldigrat HS Bib Pant checks both those boxes.
These bibs are impressively light while delivering serious weather protection. They’re built to withstand wet weather and heavy snow, while still allowing sweat to escape during high-output activities.
Yes, I know, I just explained why bibs usually feel too hot for climbing. But Mammut thought this through. The torso is made of a lighter, more breathable fabric that reduces heat buildup. Bonus points for a waist that subtly cinches and a dedicated transceiver pocket below your ribs to keep your safety gear exactly where it should be.
These bibs look clean and streamlined, but not overly technical. The silhouette is trim, straight leg, but not skimo-racer tight. There’s enough room in the bottom of the legs to fit comfortably over ski boots. At the end of the day, snaps at the hem let you cinch them in so you’re not dragging fabric through a slushy parking lot.
And the color? A standout in the best way. Bright, but not neon. More of a light lemon-lime with a hint of absinthe. I worried about keeping them pristine. I failed (quickly). But honestly, they wear a little dirt well.
Next question (and an important one): What do you actually wear with a color like this? I’ll admit, I usually prefer my color in small doses. But for skiing, you’re easier to spot on the slopes in a bright color. The more days I logged in these, the more I leaned into their boldness.
There is a matching jacket with black accents (more on that below), which makes styling easy if you want a clean, cohesive look. But beyond black, I found these pants pair surprisingly well with deeper, moodier tones, such as a plum plaid Flylow tech shirt or a stone blue fleece. The trick is balance: let the pants be the statement.
Breathable Mid-Layer
Sizing: Wearing a size small, which fits perfectly on its own, or layered over or under bibs.
The hardest part of a cold-weather workout isn’t the climb — it’s convincing yourself to get out the door and just show up. Yes, staying in is tempting. A stationary bike or treadmill is predictable, but boring. And short of truly apocalyptic weather, I’ll choose fresh air and real terrain every time.
That decision makes your uphill layer one of the most important pieces in your kit. This isn’t the place for cozy lodge vibes and bulky insulation. Instead, you need a low-profile, highly breathable fleece that adds warmth without trapping heat once your heart rate spikes. Resort skiing is a different story. I’ll opt for something thicker when gravity is doing the work. But skinning demands a smarter layer, one that can keep up with fluctuating effort and terrain: steep climbs, mellow flats, shady climbs weaving through the trees and sun-soaked alpine exposure, all in the same outing.
Some mid-layers are better designed to help you adapt than others. The RAB Quantra Pro Hoody is one of them. This layer is lightweight, stretchy and surprisingly warm for how thin it is. It feels soft against the skin but provides wind resistance to cut the chill on exposed areas. It’s easy to layer and easy to stash.
Elastic cuffs and a cinchable hem help seal in warmth when needed. I often wear it with my thumbs through the thumbholes for a little extra hand coverage and lightly cinch the hem and tuck it under for a more flattering fit. Two large zippered pockets hold essentials, such as my phone and snacks.
The best gear doesn’t live in a single lane, and this piece proves it. I reach for it just as often for winter hikes and running as I do for skinning. Really, anytime I need a high-output layer that works as hard as I do.
Lightweight Shell
Sizing: Small. It’s roomy enough to layer comfortably underneath without feeling oversized or boxy.
The first thing I do when I get to the top of a climb? Put on my ski brakes and add my layers. The last thing I want to do is lose a ski or get a chill. The moment you stop moving, the cold creeps in. This is when a packable puffy and a lightweight shell earn their keep in my pack. And because ski outerwear is an investment, I want pieces that can pull double duty: ideal for lapping lifts and earning turns. It’s a tall ask, but some jackets are built for the occasion.
Mammut’s Haligrat HS Hooded Jacket lives up to both. Built to pair with Mammut’s bibs, this jacket manages to be both burly and surprisingly light. Once again, Mammut delivers with top-tier waterproofing and breathability. Translation: this jacket delivers serious protection for storm days, keeping you dry regardless of how wet, snowy or windy the conditions are. No, it’s not the smallest shell you’ll ever stuff into a pack, but that’s the tradeoff for a jacket that transitions seamlessly between inbounds and backcountry without missing a beat.
Feature-wise, it checks all the resort boxes: four generous pockets (two chest and two front pockets), additional inner zippered pockets, a snow skirt, wrist gaiters and underarm vents for dumping heat when conditions (or effort) change. It’s tough enough to withstand truly brutal weather, yet thoughtfully balanced with breathability and reasonable packability. That combination is what makes it a standout rather than a one-note shell.
The cut is longline and laidback, which pairs especially well with the slightly trimmer bib fit. I rotate between wearing it with the matching bold bibs or classic black ski pants. Both combos look slick.
Ski-Specific Backpack
Garage space is sacred real estate, yet one corner is devoted to a teetering tower of backpacks. Hiking backpacks, biking packs, backpacking backpacks and kid packs. So do you need a ski-specific backpack for skinning? Technically, no. Realistically, yes.
For years, I used a hiking backpack. And honestly, if that’s what you have, that will get the job done. But a purpose-built ski pack, like Osprey’s Sopris 25L Ski & Snowboard Backpack, is proof that the right tool for the job really does make life easier.
The Sopris is part of Osprey’s women’s specific backcountry line, and that detail matters more than you think. Narrower shoulder straps and a more contoured fit mean the pack fits comfortably on my frame. And with a load on your back for the long haul, comfort isn’t a luxury — it’s the whole point.
Ski packs are packed with thoughtful, snow-smart features. The Sopris has an easy-access accessories pocket on the top (perfect for stowing sunglasses, goggles and/or snacks), a helmet carry that neatly holds it in place. Plus, there are multiple ski and snowboard carry options that make your snow sticks feel secure and balanced. An internal frame adds more stability so the pack stays secure even when there’s awkward, heavy weight dangling off the side.
A dedicated front pocket keeps your avi gear separate from everything else. And the rest of your gear is easily accessed via a full-zip back panel, so you can access all of your stuff without unloading your entire pack into a snowy yard sale at the trailhead.
What I love most is how light and secure this pack feels. There’s no excess bulk or loose straps — just a streamlined, purpose-driven design. It comes in several sizes but I went with the 25-liter, which is the sweet spot for day missions. It’s compact yet roomy enough for layers, water, and backcountry gear, plus all the other “just in case” essentials I inevitably overpack.
Turns out, some gear really is worth giving up a little extra garage space.
