Let’s face it; it’s as important to look cool as it is to keep warm when you hit the slopes this winter. Each season the slopes are turned into catwalks as new trends emerge. So, what’s new for 2010-11? The answer is, if you want to be bang on trendy this year, you have to let go of your inhibitions – it’s all about bright colours!
As well as new mountain fashions, there have been further technological advances to make you more comfortable, sleeker and more impressive on the slopes.
Get noticed!
If you get the latest gear, there’s no way you will go unnoticed on the slopes this season. There are so many bright colours being used by the trendiest skiwear designers, they’ve really gone to town. And it’s not just that the colours are bright, there are a lot of them, from head to toe.
This year, fashionistas are mixing blues, yellows and hot pinks. If you want an easy way to update your look, just choose some bright coloured gloves, or headwear. In fact, no equipment goes without flashes of colour. If you want a “blingy” look, we even found a pair of gold après-ski boots … perfect for hitting the clubs in the evening.
The multi-function jacket
Rossignol offers a particularly innovative jacket: the Chrono Jacket. This jacket is ideal for an expedition, since it is equipped with a watch that can also serve as a weather indicator, barometer and compass … Next year it will probably make you coffee, but in the meantime, why leave home without it?
Environmentalists on the slopes!
Green ideas are fashionable and that’s great news! The Voelkl brand has launched a new clothing line, which responds perfectly to your body. With the Sympatex material, waterproofing is guaranteed, whilst also allowing your body to breathe. But even that is not the real innovation of these products – this material is also biodegradable! Yes, you read correctly! So, not only do you keep warm but you’re also more environmentally friendly … What more could you want?
Say no to cold!
The latest technology isn’t just about improving your skiing and snowboarding techniques. There are all sorts of new ways to keep warm, the best surely being the new gloves that are equipped with a battery that keeps a constant flow of gentle warmth to your hands.
And if hands can get cold, well what about your feet? There is now a portable battery charger for warming feet; it can even be plugged into a car for just a few minutes to build up enough power to send some heat to your toes. This a great idea after a day on the slopes.
Although we’ve been talking about new fashions, there’s one old favourite that we think is essential, year after year. Quite simply, that is Gore-Tex, it’s the best fabric for ski clothes as it allows your skin to breathe, so you don’t get too hot under your collar when building up a head of steam in the snow. As we said, it’s all about being cool!
The Raxski
An Austrian brand has revolutionised the ski world by inventing the Raxski. This is a pair of skis that have been shortened at the back so your feet are at the end of the ski. With the guide blades installed in the rear of the skis, you’ll be able to ski whatever the terrain, experimenting with different sensations: if you’re on hard snow, you’ll feel like you’re ice skating, while in powder snow, you will feel more like you are snowboarding!
Well, that’s what’s happening in ski fashion, now it’s time to treat yourself to something new to wear. Have fun!
