A Week at Whistler: Apparel
Boots, packs, flannels and more apparel for both on and off the mountain
When tackling Whistler slopes while braving British Columbia winters, wearing the right gear can make all the difference. Find my favorite picks for keeping warm in the final segment of my week-long snowboarding adventure below.
On the mountain
Holden Northfield 3L Jacket and Pants
My go-to performance apparel for a couple years running, Holden’s line gets better every year. Since the beginning they have worked closely with Schoeller to use their C_Change 3-Layer Fabric, a highly technical textile membrane that reacts to changing body climate by opening and closing to regulate temperature. The result is that the Northfield 3L Jacket ($440) and Pant ($360) is perfect in any situation. Even better, Holden is committed to using more environmentally friendly materials, laminates and packaging.
Icebreaker Aspiring Zip
Numbered with a BaaCode so you can track the New Zealand flock from which your jacket’s wool came, the Icebreaker Aspiring jacket ($175) provides non-bulky warmth that doesn’t get stinky.Made from wind-resistant “real fleece” the zip-up jacket works great as an outer layer as well.
Patagonia Underwear
Patagonia’s silky midweight Capilene base layer ($45) keeps you warm but dry, and forward-set inseams allow for more room in the crotch, meaning you can board all day without chafing. (For other styles of long underwear, check out our full list of favorites.)
Burton Buffer Socks
Warm, form fitting and supportive in all the right places, the Buffer socks ($22) also have padded channels across the top of the foot to ensure the most comfort when boots and bindings are cinched down tight. I always pack several pairs of these in my snowboard bag.
Osprey Manta backpack
Staying hydrated on the slopes is critical and having a place to stash a snack, tools and extra layers doesn’t hurt either. The Osprey Manta backpack ($140) comes with a custom-fitted Nalgene water holder. A mesh suspension back does its job to make you never feel like you’re carrying around a sack of water. Adding a magnet to the on-off pivoting bite valve lets it snap to the sternum strap, keeping the tube from flying around while you’re flying around.
Freehands Ski Gloves
Thinsulate lining, a waterproof membrane and wind protecting cuff make these great gloves for the mountain. Being able to flip back the thumb and first finger tips to text on the chairlift makes them Freehands ($45). With improvements on this year’s design the overlap on the “finger hoodie” does a great job keeping air and elements off your skin while the tips are closed.
In the village
Arc’Teryx Veilance Field Jacket
A high-tech reinterpretation of the classic field jacket, the Arc’Teryx Veilance Field Jacket ($995) has an incredible shell, finished with fold-over pocket closures, invisible wrist cinches and a stow-away hood that’s as good as any full-time hood (if not better!). As it’s wind and waterproof and a modernized classic, it actually travels with me everywhere—city or country.
Isaora Insulated Overshirt
Isaora, a new line now in their second year, added a smart evolution to their Insulated Overshirt ($270) this season with a soft, Japanese cotton outer and a hand-quilted PrimaLoft lining, which also happens to be wind resistant. Worn over a t-shirt and even under a shell, it’s the perfect piece to wear around the village.
Limmer Standard Mountaineering Boots
Perhaps the single possession I’ve had the longest, my Limmer boots ($275) are still going strong 18 years later. Built in Bavaria for the New Hampshire-based company, these mountaineering boots are incredibly durable, but surprisingly comfortable.
Bonfire Toasty Wolly beanie
The Bonfire beanie ($25) has recycled fleece on the inside and a knit exterior, offering a comfy twist to the classic cap.
