Dan's Papers - January 30, 2009 - Fashionista! Choosing a Fashionable, Practical Ski Wardrobe

It's time for a little fun in the snow. Whether you're a beginner, intermediate or advanced skier or snowboarder, there are a few things to remember when dressing for a day on the slopes. Layers and quick drying fabrics are a must.

Let's start with our checklist of important items to bring along on the trip: gloves/mittens, base layers and underwear, vest & fleece outerwear, hat, sweater, ski jacket and pants, goggles/sunglasses, boots, socks, ski bib and face mask, if you choose. There are many options when shopping for skiwear. A few good Web sites include www.pedigreeskishop.com, www.burton.com, www.sierratradingpost.com and www.basicskiwear.com.

Ski jackets and pants will be the most expensive investment in your ski wardrobe. There are many high quality ski lines on the market such as North Face, Spyder, Oakley, Salomon, Obermeyer, Burton, Columbia, Marmot, Patagonia and Cloudveil just to name a few. When making your selection, go for comfort, flexibility, warmth and water resistant fabrics. I know from my vast experience of attempting to ski for the first time last season, staying warm and dry is very important. For those of us who take a few tumbles and falls, the snow manages to find a way to get through those layers. Glove liners and a change of socks might be helpful as well.

Don't forget UV protection. The sun is bright and powerful on the slopes, remember to wear sunscreen and eye protection. Goggles or sunglasses designed by Oakley, Smith, RayBan, Bolle, Julbo, Scott and Dragon are great options. Check out Oakley's Ladies Stockholm and many others on sale when you log onto skipro.com.

When it comes to ski accessories, log onto www.outdoordiva.com for the latest fashionable skiwear. A few standout accessories include smart wool PHD ski socks (priced at $21.95, with a four degree fit system, medium weight) and Black Diamond Patrol Gloves (priced at $92.95, 100% all-weatherproof gloves made with Primaloft and Polar Tec/Hi-loft insulation for extra protection.)

Snow boots are also a necessary investment and there are a few popular brands that come highly recommended. The ever-so-popular Uggs are available in a variety of styles and colors. These warm and cozy fleece-lined boots are at the top of the list (available at www.uggs.com and many major department stores; prices start at $130 and up). Salomon B29 TS WP Boot is known for its supportive tracking and lacing systems in addition to warmth and comfort, and the North Face Greenland winter boot (priced at $99.99; offers foot support, water-resistance and great traction.) Peruse www.pricegrabber.com for a few great winter sales on boots.

On the East End make a stop at the Tanger Outlets, where you will find a lot of great buys. Locally, you can find a wide variety of winter gear at many surf shops such as Flying Point (Southampton and Sag Harbor), Espo's Surf & Sport (East Hampton) and Air & Speed (Montauk).

Whether you hit the slopes in Tahoe, Park City, Jackson Hole or Snowmass this season, remember one thing, skiing is all about the outdoors, feeling free and of course, looking fashionable. Now, hit the trails and enjoy!