The Best Gear for an El Niño Ski Season

In case you missed it, forecasts show the upcoming winter could be wet, wild, or warm, depending on where you are, thanks to an incoming Super El Niño.

While long-range forecasts should always be taken with a grain of salt, there is a fair bit of confidence concerning the El Niño conditions in particular. Having ski gear that keeps you warm, dry, and prepared for most conditions matters every year, but this year it might be worth investing in a new piece of waterproof outerwear or some new base layers that wick away moisture.

A few seasons in the wet weather of the Pacific Northwest and more in the dry and sometimes warm Colorado Rockies have informed a few pieces of gear that could be worth investing in ahead of the upcoming winter, so you’re as prepared as possible when the snow (or rain) does fly.

A Good Waterproof Shell

This feels like a no-brainer in skiing, but perhaps even more so for an El Niño year, which is often characterized by wet weather. Although GORE-TEX is the gold standard for waterproofing, just about any jacket & bibs with a solid 3L membrane construction and DWR coating will keep you dry. Make sure any shell you’re considering is seam-sealed, and having an AquaGuard zipper or equivalent isn’t a bad call either. Features like a storm hood and pit zips can also be handy when it’s really coming down or when the precipitation lets up, and you need a little ventilation to keep things from getting swampy.

Check out the Immersion Research Petrichor, which was technically created as a rain jacket, but makes a pretty sick ski shell. It was designed by folks who make drysuits, so you know the Petrichor is going to keep you dry, even on the wettest days. Immersion Research used the same fabric as in their 7Figure and Aphrodite dry suits, which I can vouch for being both waterproof, durable, and pretty breathable, as far as dry suits go. It’s got a helmet compatible hood, AquaGuard zippers, backpack-ready pockets, pit zips, and comes in a steezy gold color and black.

If you’re a purist and looking for a ski-specific shell, try the Arc’teryx Sabre SV or Sentinel Jacket. The GORE-TEX Arc’teryx Sentinel has been my go-to ski shell for years now and has never done me dirty in wet conditions.. Although my jacket is old and still has pre-PFAS-free GORE-TEX, Max also tested the new Saber SV, a fairly similar men’s version, last winter, that uses the PFAS-free GORE-TEX Pro membrane. The SV in the name refers to it being designed for severe weather conditions, meaning it’s the burliest, heaviest-duty material Arc’teryx uses. “Want to ski in the worst weather possible? You’re going to want to wear the Arc’teryx Sabre SV jacket. As Arc’teryx’s most durable, waterproof, and windproof ski jacket, the Sabre SV takes the classic style of the Sabre freeride jacket and adds durability in the form of a Gore-Tex Pro membrane and heavier-duty 200D face fabric,” he said.

Waterproof Gloves

Nothing kills a vibe more than wet, cold hands while skiing. While a leather mitt with a waterproof coating might work well in a dry climate, it’ll soak through eventually on wet days. My go-to gloves for all days except for the very warmest spring ones are the Swany Patrol Gloves. These ARE leather, but they have a waterproof insert that sits under the leather and over the insulation around your fingers, which keeps your hands dry inside the glove. Quite a few brands, like Oyuki and Hestra, also make GORE-TEX mittens and gloves you can’t go wrong with.

Breathable Mid-Layer

Whether your Super El Niño is shaping up to be wet and wild or warm and dry, a breathable mid-layer will do wonders. When it is raining on the hill, having breathable insulation under your shell can keep things from feeling as swampy. On days when it’s warmer than you’d anticipated, a more breathable layer will keep you from overheating after one lap. Some of our favorite active mid layers include the Arc’teryx Atom Hoodie, or Stellar EQ Flexlight Hood. For puffy, insulated mid layers, check out the PAKA Mayu Jacket, and for a good fleece mid layer, we’re fans of the Patagonia R1 and Ridge Merino Cloudripper Merino Grid Fleece.

Merino Base Layers

I will die on the hill of wool base layers for all seasons and all activities, but especially when I’m going to be wet because a) it’s raining while I’m skiing, b) it’s warm while I’m skiing and I’m sweating, or c) it’s a pow day, and I’m drooling on myself from powder panic. All three are possible scenarios during a Super El Niño year, which is why I will be wearing largely merino wool base layers that wick moisture, dry quickly, and don’t stink when I wear them for four days in a row. A lot of wool base layers are pretty darn similar, but some of my favorite merino layers are made by Mons Royale and Le Bent, and I’m also a fan of PAKA’s alpaca/merino blends.

Skigee

If you live somewhere where it’s wet and cold, and you don’t already own a Skigee, you’re missing out. In the event that the Super El Niño makes it even wetter, a Skigee will likely be your best friend. These little $3 contraptions will wipe all the rime ice off your goggles without scratching them or just moving the slush around, making it harder to see. Attach it to your jacket zipper, pole strap, or wear it on your thumb so you never go without it.

Waterproof Après Shoes

In a wet year, it’s worth having a pair of shoes that will keep your feet dry in the parking lot before and after you ski. For those living in super cold, snowy places where having a tall boot and insulation is worth it, you likely can’t go wrong with the Fubuki Niseko 3.0. If you want insulation for cold temperatures and waterproofing but aren’t as concerned about a tall boot for deep snow, the Loon’r Lo-Riders are pretty similar to the Fubuki, but their low-top boot hits a bit higher. Lastly, if waterproofing is your biggest concern, and you’re less worried about insulation, take a look at the XTRATUF Ankle Deck Boot or 15″ Legacy Boot.