As we gear up for the new year and make plans to hit the slopes, we’ve put together a list of what to wear on the slopes to help you stay warm and stylish while you’re shredding.

Skiing is one of the most popular winter activities in the world.

But if you’re not comfortable in your gear, it can really affect your experience.

In this article, we’ll share how to dress for the slopes so that you look and feel great while skiing!

What to wear on the slopes 2018

Hey, it’s me, [name]. I’m the author of this blog. I’ve been skiing for more than 10 years now, and I’m here to tell you that there are a few things you should know before you hit the slopes. Some of these are obvious, but some of them might surprise you. Let’s get started!

The slopes are calling, and you need to find the perfect wardrobe for your upcoming ski trip.

It’s not just about looking good—it’s about being comfortable. After all, if you’re not comfortable in what you wear, you can’t focus on having fun!

To help you find the right look for your trip, we’ve put together some of our favorite outfits that will keep you warm and cozy while also making sure that you look great.

You’ve got your gear, you’re ready to hit the slopes. But what’s the best way to dress? Well, that depends on where you’re going.

If you’re going to be hitting the groomers, it’s important that you keep it simple. Sure, wearing a fancy ski jacket might make you feel like a pro, but it can also be a pain in the ass when you’re trying to adjust your bindings and get your board down the slopes without falling on your face.

Instead, try wearing layers and keeping it simple. A long-sleeved thermal tee under a lightweight jacket will be enough to keep you warm as long as there aren’t too many obstacles in your way—and if there are, a thin pair of gloves should do wonders for keeping your hands from getting too cold! You’ll also want a hat with ear flaps that covers most of your head so that no one can see through them (this is especially important if you’re planning on hitting up some killer powder).

THE BEST OF SUSTAINABLE STYLE ON THE SLOPES FOR 2018

JANUARY 9, 2018

Sadly, there can be little doubt that the climate is impacting ski resorts.

A National Weather Service study recorded a 30-percent drop in snowfall since 1975, and several of the world’s largest glaciers have receded up to 60 percent since the early 1900s. According to data from NOAA, NASA, and the United Nations, spring snowpack in many parts of Western Washington, Oregon, and Northern California has dropped 50 to 70 percent since the early 1900s. Spring arrives in Tahoe two and a half weeks earlier now than in 1961, and in vaunted cradles of skiing like the Alps, climatologists estimate that two-thirds of the ski resorts there are in danger of closing by 2100. Even ski areas on the East Coast, with their high tech snowmaking systems, have lost 15 percent of their snowpack in the last 60 years.

It’s ironic that those who love the sport so much often contribute so much to climate change by flying into resorts from around the world and purchasing loads of new unsustainable gear and clothing – sometimes every season. What’s more, unfortunately, fur, down and leather are three main components of clothing used by skiers. And you know what? There’s just no reason for it. Fur is usually used as a decorative trimming – it’s not even there to insulate in most styles – so why not use faux fur instead? And down and leather can easily be replaced by vegan friendly man-made materials in things like gloves and boots.

If sustainable style trumps ethical fashion for you, then you can stay warm on the slopes with all-natural materials like pure cashmere, alpaca and wool. For example, this exclusive capsule collection of cashmere and merino wool sweaters and track pants by Chinti & Parker shown below adds a light touch to winter with their colourful prints and cheeky slogans.   The brand is well known for using only the finest textiles to create highly sustainable leisure wear.

Looking more specifically for clothes just for skiing? Vegan sportswear from luxury brands KJUS and Falke provide clothing here in the images below that moves and breathes well, without using any animal products.

Skiing is a beautiful sport, deeply dependent on the wonders of nature and a fairly stable change of seasons for its future to continue. With snowfall being reduced each year, isn’t it well worth the effort to dress yourself more sustainably on the slopes?

The Best Gear for Dazzling, Sunny Days on the Slopes
There’s nothing like skiing under blue skies. Don’t ruin it by dressing for a blizzard.
Image may contain Clothing Apparel Coat and Raincoat
DWIGHT ESCHLIMAN

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE skiing under dazzling blue skies. Don’t ruin it by dressing for a blizzard.

1. Trew Men’s Wander Jacket
   A simple wind-blocking shell is all you need in epic weather. The trim cut of this one means it doesn’t feel like you are wearing a tent, and the lightweight construction makes it easy to pack or stuff in a backpack. If wind and clouds suddenly appear, no prob: You’re still protected.
   $419
2. Faction Dictator 2.0
   Engineered for hard-charging skiers, Faction’s Dictator series is super­saturated with aggressive specs: ultralight aluminum alloy skeletons; a dual radius sidecut for fast, precise turns; and a slight tail rocker that ups the fun factor in the powww.
   $729
3. Smith Optics I/O 7
   Skiing in sunglasses isn’t recommended beyond the bunny hill. Smith Optics’ latest goggles pair up with the company’s swappable Chroma­Pop lenses for different conditions. On the brightest days, snap in one of the antireflective lenses to nix nasty glare.
   $200
4. Tecnica Freeride Cochise 130 Dyn
   These ski slippers are popular with all-mountain adventurers who need rigidity but don’t want the brutal constriction of a race boot. They’re nice and stiff but light and maneuverable. Switch into the more forgiving walk mode for an après-ski stroll to the chalet.
   $700
5. Snowshed 3-Season Helmet Beanie
   Keeping your head warm is smart, even on beautiful days—it’s still winter, after all. Snowshed’s soft merino wool cap is thin and slight enough to fit under a helmet, so you don’t have to take it off when you strap on your safety gear.
   $35

What to wear on the virginia creeper trail

As you may know, the Virginia Creeper Trail is a bike trail that runs from Abingdon to Whitetop Station in Virginia. It’s one of the most popular mountain biking trails in the state, and it’s also a great place to hike, camp, ride horses and enjoy nature.

Because of its popularity, there are a lot of questions about what to wear on this trail. So we thought we’d share some tips with you!

If you’re going to be hiking the Virginia Creeper Trail, you’ll need to know what to wear.

Hiking is a great way to see nature and get exercise. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a hardcore adventure, there are many trails throughout the state of Virginia. One of these trails is the Virginia Creeper Trail, which stretches from Abingdon to Damascus and offers plenty of opportunities for scenic views and wildlife sightings.

If you’re planning on hiking this trail, here are some tips on what to wear:

If you’re planning a hike on the Virginia Creeper Trail, you’ll want to be sure to wear the right clothes.

The Virginia Creeper Trail is a trail through the mountains of Virginia that is known for its views of the surrounding landscape and its many opportunities for outdoor recreation. It is also known as “the hardest hike in the world.”

While this description can be a little bit hyperbolic, it’s true that this trail is not for everyone. It features steep climbs and rocky terrain, so it’s important to wear shoes that are comfortable and sturdy enough to handle the conditions. You’ll also want to avoid wearing loose clothing or anything that could get caught on branches or rocks along the way.

Wear your helmet. If you get nothing else out of this review, wear your helmet. It’s not required, a good number of people don’t bother to do so, but these days they’re so light and vent so well … it’s not a burden. A helmet may have saved my wife’s health, if not her life as well. OK, on to the trail:

One of the best things about the trail is that the grade is consistent and mild, so you can just about coast from Whitetop to within a few miles of Damascus, that is, about 75% of the way. Maybe some mild pedaling in spots, but just to overcome friction, not really to propel yourself as on flat ground. It’s also shaded much of the way, so even on a warm day you may not even sweat (it starts at higher elevation where it’s cooler anyway, but the shade is most welcome … go in the AM).

I knock off one star (or circle) because the condition of the trail varied significantly along the way, not for the better. Near Whitetop there was mostly fine gravel packed down tight, but over the next many miles there were other places where it was rocky and quite bumpy, and still others where it was so sandy that steering felt uncertain.

My wife – who rarely rides bikes – did fine for the first 14 miles or so but then hit a bump and lost control, falling off and hitting her head. Her helmet saved her potentially serious head injury, though she had quite a few other scrapes and even needed stitches on her knee. So while it is generally a gentle ride like everyone says, an inexperienced rider can fall and get seriously hurt. Think of it this way: imagine you could run a 6 minute mile. For most of us, that’s pretty fast. Imagine now falling headlong over a bicycle at that speed. It would hurt. Well, a 6 minute mile is 10 mph, probably a typical speed on the trail.

At the very least, I would recommend a helmet. Next, riding gloves may make it easier on your hands should you have to break your fall. And if you go during cooler weather, there’s nothing wrong with wearing jeans. As a kid in the northern US I rode my bike in jeans a great deal. You won’t sweat on the first half of this trail, so longer pants may offer some protective value without being a burden.

When we made it back to return our bikes to the rental place we used, I requested first aid for my wife. The rental place said they couldn’t help us. Perhaps they did that for liability reasons, I don’t know, but it was surprising and upsetting to be dismissed in that manner. We were pointed towards a local pharmacy but we never found it. We made our way to an urgent care center in Abingdon (where we were staying) instead. Moral of the story: if you use a bike rental shop, you might inquire whether they have any first aid, and if they don’t, consider bringing some of your own.

TIPS FOR A FAMILY TRIP ON THE VIRGINIA CREEPER TRAIL

Sharing our road trip on Instagram a few weeks ago, I received the most questions on our family bike ride along the Virginia Creeper Trail. This was one of our favorite experiences, and I will give you the conclusion first: if you have a family that loves to be outside, go do this!

As a travel-lover, I not only want our experiences as we roam this earth to be safe and healthy, I also want them to be rewarding and FUN. But my mom-mind always runs into dark places, and I tend to worry a lot. (Note: a global pandemic does NOT help with this.) 

And so, I worried that our trip would end in bike wrecks, complaints about exhaustion, someone not being able to make the trek, sunburn, bug bites…. (honestly, being in my head is exhausting). But this trip was incredibly successful and easy! This was a great family trip.

Read on for what you need to know to take your family on the Virginia Creeper Trail.

About The Virginia Creeper Trail

The Virginia Creeper Trail is a rails-to-trails system that runs from Whitetop, Virginia (right on the border with North Carolina), through Damascus, then back up to Abingdon. The entire trail is 34.3 miles, yet read on for tips as most families and beginners do only half in a day.

The railroad was originally built in the 1880’s, but ran its last train in 1977. Upon its demise as a successful train operation, there was significant litigation and general argument about what would happen to the miles upon miles of trestles, bridges, and green space. When the US Forest Service entered and offered to purchase chunks of the trail, the remaining sections to be under the ownership of various towns, it became possible to see a vision for this long swath of land. In June 1987, Congress passed an act recognizing the Virginia Creeper Trail as a National Recreation Trail, and work began in earnest to repair broken bridges, remove tracks, and create what we know today. In summer of 1989, the Virginia Creeper Trail opened to the public.

As I mentioned, the entire trail today is 34.3 miles. It is a combination of packed direct, gravel, bumpy rock, and some paved areas. It reaches to the second highest mountain peak in Virginia in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (which is where we camped, more below).

The trail passes through some of the most beautiful, rugged, untouched landscape; hugs a mountain river; weaves through historic towns; and opens up onto majestic Virginia farmland. It changes and makes for an interesting ride the whole time.

Before going, you need to decide which portion of the Creeper Trail you want to do, and in which direction. You can see from this general elevation guide that Damascus (at under 2,000 ft) sits at the bottom of a “U” shape – meaning it’s the lowest elevation. Whitetop is the highest point (nearing 4,000 ft). While going from Abingdon, VA to Damascus can be relatively flat, Damascus to Whitetop is definitely NOT.

The most common trip for first-timers (and what we did), is to ride from Whitetop to Damascus. This was nearly entirely downhill, with beautiful places to stop (we packed a picnic and enjoyed a spot under a bridge). Biking without stopping would have taken us just over 2 hours, but we took our time and enjoyed the journey.

It’s important to ensure your group is set up with the right equipment. The terrain changes, and seats with shocks, bikes with gears and water cages for easy access were important. Even though we have bikes at home, we rented using this company with a Whitetop location, but there are many outfitters throughout the area (see a list).

You will have to arrange a shuttle. The bike shops will provide this service, you just have to decide which way you want to be shuttled! If you are good with a set start time (we weren’t), you can shuttle to your start point, and have your car at the end. We decided to park at Whitetop and be shuttled back from Damascus when finished. Either way has pros and cons, but expect a 20 minute shuttle ride (and perhaps a wait for your shuttle) into your planning.

And yes, you can arrange a shuttle with your own equipment if you choose.

CHECK YOUR BIKE BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE PARKING LOT! We had to make a few tweaks and make sure everyone was comfortable and safe before pulling out on our 20 mile ride. Be thorough and make sure everything is good to go before starting your ride.

We rode during COVID-19 pandemic days and on a Monday, so not much was open along the way (including the bathrooms) or once we got to Damascus. But usually, Damascus has a brewery open on the weekends, ice cream shops and diners. But by going on a Monday, we didn’t have to deal with crowding on the trail.

Where To Stay Near The
Virginia Creeper Trail

We decided to camp – remember that pop up we bought that we shared on Instagram? Well, we were thrilled to use it yet again (and we’re pretty committed to social distancing recommendations).

The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area has plenty of options. We chose Grindstone as it had hookups. While we were committed to having a/c for end of July camping, it turns out the weather was so mild it wasn’t necessary!

Grindstone was, by far, the prettiest campsite we’ve stayed at as a family. The wash and bathroom facilities weren’t great, but they were adequate and available. Yet the campsites were big, with a lot of privacy, and moss covered boulders under towering pines made the whole place feel magical. Our kids had a wonderful time exploring the little trails around the site. We wish we had stayed one day longer to allow for some good Mount Rogers hiking, too, but we had already made plans to move on.

If you don’t want to camp, consider Abingdon. Abingdon is much larger than Damascus, with a cute, vibrant, downtown historic area. It has more options for lodging, as well. Damascus is much smaller and caters to the Appalachian Trail through-hikers.

Quick Tips For Families About The Virginia Creeper Trail

If you read all of that text, I am incredibly grateful (and impressed). But if you want the Cliff’s Notes version, here’s what you need to know:

1. Decide which portion of the trail you are going to do, and which way.
2. Set up bike rentals and a shuttle. Note that bikes towing trailers/child carriers are available for rent and will work (although some areas are rocky and bumpy, so be sure to cushion your little one). Also, some shops will rent child seats or third wheel bikes.
3. Find lodging in Abingdon or camp in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.
4. Pack provisions, and wear layers (it can be cold in the mornings at Whitetop).
5. Wear a helmet!! (Bike shops will rent them but we brought our own.)
6. Follow trail etiquette: when passing a biker, announce yourself. Let’s be safe!
7. Plan to take over 2 hours and enjoy the journey. The trail from Whitetop to Damascus eventually parallels the Holston River, and there are wonderful places to stop and wade.