Upgrade to My Winter Wardrobe: Snow Pants!

I've realized that there's no point in economizing on the pants I wear skiing. After all, I wear them 15 to 25 times each winter--that's probably more wears than several of my pants. Plus I'm certainly out in public when I'm wearing them--they get seen a lot, even when I'm skiing by myself, as I usually do. And then when I do ski with other people, those are often special social times, and photos are taken.

So I've finally replaced my winter ski pants (as opposed to the very light-weight but nice-fitting pants I bought off of a friend who used them for backcountry skiing.) My old insulated pants--well over ten years old--were pretty shapeless. And even though they were rather big, they still were uncomfortable at the waist when I was sitting down because of the high waist.

So here are the new ones! While I still haven't manage to wear flares in everyday life, I like the way the snug knee provides that look in snow pants. I think they go well enough with my old Obermeyer jacket. (The last photo gives the best idea of how the colors work together.) The next task is to keep an eye out (for a couple years if necessary) for the perfect new jacket. I'm thinking cream-colored--any other ideas about colors that would go well with the pants? And do you think a bit longer jacket would be more flattering (even if it would hide some of the nice fit of the pants)?

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Amazon

Volcom Junior's Species Stretch Slim Fit Snow Pant

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8 years ago

Jenn

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Veteran

Those look fab on you! Better than on the model, I think. The jacket you have looks great with them. I think most colors other than a bright red would work well with that color pants, but I tend to use burgundy as a neutral.

Sveta

The most stylish gear ever! You did so well on treated yourself to these pants. They are flattering (almost oximoron to "snow pants", isn't it? ) and the color is fun. It does go great with the jacket colors.
I like the length of this jacket on you visually so unless you wnat more covearge for warmth you cna stick with similar length. There are so many colors to go with burgundy: cream, navy, grey, olive...even orange and pink can work if they are the right shade. Good luck with your search!

rachylou

Dang. Those are some flattering ski pants!

Jjsloane

Wow if I wore them more than once or twice a year I'd spring for some if they looked as good as yours do!

Aida

I don't snowboard any more but when I did I opted for a longer length jacket to keep the snow out whenever I was down on my rear -- which was all the time since I wasn't very good Great pants! Your current jacket's length is flattering; you could certainly stick with it or go a little longer if you need the extra snow coverage. I'd personally look for cream, gray or orange in a new jacket.

Kari

Wow! Those pants are just flattering on you, period. You could tell me they aren't snow pants and i would believe you.

I'm with Aida-go for a longer jacket as this is functional wear out in the snow. Extra length will insulate the area at your waist and leave you less exposed to snow down your pants if you happen to take an accidental spill.

I like cream, but I found that with lighter colors I accumulated a lot of dirt and grime while skiing. Maybe a dark blue?

MsMaven

Great pants--they look great on you.

Mind telling us where you are skiing in the photos. Looks familiar to me.

UtahDesert

Active Member

Thanks so much, everyone, for the ego-boosting comments! I think my first choices for jacket colors might be a blue (cobalt or a darker blue) or cream. (I'd just cope with the maintenance issue of cream somehow--I've kind of been dreaming of a cream ski jacket for a while.) Navy sounds appealing, but I wonder if together with the burgundy it might come off a little drab. I can see going for another green jacket, maybe olive, if I can find just the right color. As I think it over, I realize orange or pink wouldn't work for me with these pants--does that say something about my color leanings? (I'd like the combination on someone else.)

I still have doubts about the jacket length. I was thinking that in non-active wear that length might just the wrong thing--because it ends at my widest part. (Funny I've never thought about that before when wearing this jacket for over ten years with old shapeless snow pants--I guess I never before aspired to an attractive silhouette while skiing.)

Mustard! What about mustard (or perhaps some other kind of yellow or gold) for the jacket? (I'm not sure I've ever seen a mustard-colored ski jacket, but this gives me more possibilities.)

1 is Vail (Blue Sky Basin), 2 is Beaver Creek, and I think 3 and 4 are Vail (although they might be Beaver Creek). We did an intense ski weekend going to three resorts I'd never been to before--these two and Keystone. I wasn't crazy about Keystone (we may have been in too much of a rush, arriving in the afternoon), but I loved the other two--and when snow conditions are poor serious grooming and snowmaking makes a difference.

Cerinda

The most flattering ski pants ever!

Just chiming in to remark on jacket design as a functional issue... I started the season wearing a new boarder-length parka and high-tech heat retention ski pants. I just last week just switched back to my ancient ski jacket (like yours, a shorter, more fitted Obeyer) and couldn't be happier. Skiing simply feels better without all that extra noisy fabric between arms and torso; and with the new technology, I didn't get icy sitting on the lift.

If I were riding, I'd want the extra length because of how (and how often) I fall (waving at Aida). But skiing, I found that reaching to pole plant hiked all that fabric up, and the sensation of skis, legs, and hips turning under still shoulders and inside all that fabric too weird for words.

Cerinda, I'm so glad that you told me that! I have a very strong hunch that I'd feel the same way. I can just imagine the sensations you describe with a longer jacket, and how that could be odd and annoying. And I'm perfectly happy--warmth- and falling-wise--with the coverage that my current jacket gives me.

Colette

Those pants look great on you! I don't ski so I have no clue about what's fashionable on the slopes but I think you are on the right track.

Sara L.

I really like your pants and current jacket length. My ski jacket is longer but somewhat loose so I don't notice any issues with fabrics rubbing. I look like a big blob in my jacket though and I'm thinking of updating to a shorter, more fitted jacket such as yours.

Anonymous

I love your snowpants, and envy your skiing lifestyle!
I can see how snowpants would be very important to you. It's what people see you in all the time.
I think you should get the jacket to match the snow pants, if you can swing it. I love matchy matchy ski outfits.
If not, I like your idea of a cream jacket, although I would think it would get dirty quickly. You could do blue, teal, grey, brown, beige, khaki, tan, beige. Maybe a pink (intentionally clashing).

Around here, ski jackets are distinctly less fashionable (and less available) than boarder jackets, but the metropolitan area skews young, so I guess that makes sense. I opted for the long one, partly at my daughter's urging and partly because there were more to choose from: won't do that again.

There's a resurgence of jumpsuits, at least for men. Two weeks ago, I saw a blonde guy in purple, piped in acid green, with dayglo squiggles all over it. Note, however, it was lunchtime in the lodge, he wore it unzipped to the waist and bare-chested, and was wearing snow boots. In the lift line last weekend, I saw a dude "saggin'" in a bright cobalt one --yes, fit at the shoulders and crotch at the knees.

Women seem to be playing with color and contrast. A fuchsia boarder jacket over army green ski pants caught my eye. Also a long kelly-navy-black on white plaid jacket with matching pants that reversed the colors (kelly-black-white on navy). And yay! for frumpy helmets.

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