I don’t care much about how I look at my office day job. I dress professionally—jeans, nice shoes, and a collared shirt—but I don’t need to impress anyone. I just want to blend in, do my job, and go home. But when it comes to skiing, looks matter to me.
The night before a backcountry tour or day on the lifts, I’ll spend hours debating about what ski shell to bring (bright or muted) and whether I want to wear a more techy breathable midlayer or down-to-earth and grungy wool flannel. I lay out the black ski pants I always use because they never clash. Finally, I like to stand in the mirror to make sure there’s absolutely no gap between my goggles and helmet, a well-known faux pas amongst novice skiers.
This obsession with looks grows out of the fact that skiing is a big part of my identity. It’s the main sport I grew up with, and it’s something I’ve worked tirelessly to pass onto my kids. I need to look—and feel—good when I’m on the snow. As a 44-year-old dad, I’m mature enough to identify the ridiculousness of my obsession, but also old enough to say “fuck it” and still buy in.
This year, I’m stepping it up a notch and going with an all-matching kit. I’ve always been a two-tone person, but you only live once, and a matching kit is the obvious progression. Like someone who’s confident enough to show up to a party in a Canadian tuxedo (jeans and a jean jacket), I’m confident enough in my old age to hop on the lift with my Gore-Tex ski pants matching my Gore-Tex ski shell.
I’ve long believed that matching ski kits were only for groms romping around the terrain park. But the more I look around, the more I realize that monochromatic outfits are being sported by the most ambitious, graceful, and accomplished skiers across the hill.
Watch some of Cody Townsend’s “The 50 Project” videos and you’ll notice he loves the matching kit, making his look sleek and beautiful while ripping down America’s most famous backcountry runs. Pull up popular ski movies from the past couple years, and you’ll see more of the same—pros pushing the limits in one-color ski suits.
One-tone ski kits are also a big nod to fun, thanks to closing-day parties where it’s de rigueur to show up in 80s onesies. Matching kit confidence has become a shorthand reminder that skiing is a sport built around being carefree—and I’m here for it.
In preparation for my new commitment to the matching ski kit, I’ve been scouring the internet for this season’s most ambitious offerings. Here are three choices that promise to have me, and you, looking good all season long.
The post Why I’ll be Wearing a Matchy-Matchy Ski Kit This Winter appeared first on Outside Online.
