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Vail style: Function meets fashionable alpine style with new winter mountain wear

Kim Fuller
Special to the Daily
Arc’teryx Lillooet Jacket in Lime Fizz ($825).
Special to the Daily |

Winter fashion is all about staying warm, but looking good can still be a priority in the powder. Step up your mountain style this season, on the mountain and off.

For women

• Arc’teryx Lillooet Jacket ($825)



Pretty in green, this jacket in the colors of Lime Fizz, Flamenco and Poseidon is as vibrant in color as it is technically savvy. It combines three layers of protective Gore-Tex with the warmth of goose down.

The jacket is compressible enough to easily stuff into a daypack, along with versatile ventilation options, a helmet-compatible hood, a pocket sleeve for your ski pass and two internal pockets for holding gloves and goggles.

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Buy it: Vail Sports (151 Vail Road, Vail Village, 970-477-5740), Arc’teryx (250 Columbine St., Cherry Creek, Denver, 303-993-5913) or online at http://www.arcteryx.com.

• Skea Anna Coat ($790)

For time in town, the Anna coat by Skea is classic and still cutting-edge. It’s feminine and flattering, as well as very warm, with a 550 down fill. The piece is water repellant, with a zip-off hood with detachable fur.

• Skea Cargo Pant ($418)

Diana Boyer, president of the Vail-based company Skea, said these have become fondly known as the “pick up pant” because it’s hard to resist the look of skiers in the flattering design. The pants have a relaxed fit but are tailored for a woman’s body. The belt-style waist adjuster makes it easy to loosen after lunch.

Buy it: Pepi’s Sports (231 Bridge St., Vail Village, 970-476-5206), Beaver Creek Sports (various locations, 970-754-5400), Double Diamond Ski Shop (520 Lionshead Circle, Lionshead Village, 970-476-5500), Vail Sports (151 Vail Road, Vail Village, 970-477-5740) or online at http://www.skealimited.com.

• Ternua Shatior Jacket ($230)

The women’s Ternua Shatior Jacket is lightweight and compressible. It’s ideal for wearing as a second layer on really cold days, or on its own when it’s milder on the mountain. Now an international brand, Ternua, out of Spain, has a spot to call home in the Vail Valley.

“Ptarmigan Sports in now carrying Ternua,” said Kelcey Everson, Ptarmigan sales associate. “At the forefront of the outdoor industry, Ternua showcases technical, functional and innovative clothing, while working to uphold harmonious and ethical interaction with the environment and people.”

Buy it: Ptarmigan Sports (137 Main St., Unit C-104, Edwards, 970-926-8144) or online at http://www.ternua.com.

For men

• Flylow Genius Jacket ($400)

Dan Adams, president of Flylow, a company based in Denver, said one of the jackets he and his team are most excited about this season is the Genius. It’s a lightweight, all-season touring shell, made to be stretchy, breathable and waterproof.

For backcountry trips, the Genius jacket has pockets that stay out of the way of backpack straps and a helmet-compatible hood for extra head protection when you’re out in the elements.

• Flylow Baker Bibs ($219)

These pants have the added coverage of bibs but are made with breathable fabric and large side vents. In a chest pouch, they have an avalanche beacon attachment system.

Buy it: Christy Sports (293 Bridge St., Vail Village, 970-476-2244), Alpine Quest Sports (34510 U.S. Highway 6, Edwards, 970-926-3867), Ptarmigan Sports (137 Main St., Unit C-104, Edwards, 970-926-8144), Base Mountain Sports (616 W. Lionshead Circle, Lionshead Village, 970-476-7476) or online at http://www.flylowgear.com.

• Ternua Irhill Jacket ($125)

This men’s hooded jacket is mid-weight, useful on its own or meant to integrate into a layered system. It has three zippered front pockets, a hood, trimmed cuffs and adjustable hems with cords.

“(It’s) great as a stand-alone piece for running errands around the valley or as a mid-layer under a ski shell,” Everson said. “Composed of synthetic Thermashell insulation and a water-repellant finish, the Irhill Jacket is a great addition to you winter kit.”

Buy it: Ptarmigan Sports (137 Main St., Unit C-104, Edwards, 970-926-8144) or online at http://www.ternua.com.

For men and women

• Bambool base layers (tops $74.99; pants $59.99)

Local entrepreneurs Craig and Jessica Woods have created base layers that are silky soft with wicking qualities.

“Bambool base layers are perfect for everyday use while skiing, snowboarding or during any other winter activity,” said Craig Woods, co-founder and president of Bambool Thermics. “The patent-pending blend of bamboo and merino wool fabric provides great insulation, is extremely soft and wicks moisture away from your skin, allowing you to stay warm and dry all day.”

Buy it: Vail Athletic Club (352 E. Meadow Drive, Unit 3, Vail, 970-426-0034), Haute Route, starting Dec. 1 (82 E. Beaver Creek Blvd., Avon, 970-949-1282) or online at http://www.bamboolthermics.com.

• Voormi Drift Jacket ($249)

This thermal mid-layer, full-zip jacket has cuts for men and women. Voormi, based out of Pagosa Springs, made the garment to transition to town from outdoor activity.

“We take a ‘microbrew approach’ to high-end, high-performance technical clothing,” said Timm Smith, chief marketing officer for Voormi. “Not only do we source our wool right here in the Rocky Mountains, but every single step — from wool spinning to cutting and sewing — of the process happens domestically.”

Buy it: Base Mountain Sports (76 Avondale Lane, Beaver Creek, 970-949-4327), Double Diamond Ski Shop (520 Lionshead Circle, Lionshead Village, 970-476-5500) or online at http://www.voormi.com.

For children

• Patagonia High-Loft Down Sweater Hoodie ($179)

These jackets, with cuts made for both girls and boys, are ultralight and water-resistant, made with down to keep kids snug. The full-length zipper has a wind flap and zipper garage to eliminate chin chafe.

Buy it: Patagonia (286 Bridge St., Vail Village, 970-331-0836 or 675 Lionshead Place, Lionshead Village, 970-477-5744) or online at http://www.patagonia.com.

Accessories

• Arc’teryx Phase (glove $39; headband $25)

Protect your hands, forehead and ears on your winter runs and snowshoes with these Arc’teryx pieces. Use them to line outer layers or on their own.

Buy it: Vail Sports (151 Vail Road, Vail Village, 970-477-5740), Arc’teryx (250 Columbine St., Cherry Creek, Denver, 303-993-5913) or online at http://www.arcteryx.com.

• Cirque Mountain Apparel (beanies $27.95 to $40; T-shirts $24.95)

“Cirque is coming into the winter season with a brand-new line of beanies, caps, face masks and apparel designed by our amazingly talented graphic design team,” said Sylvan Ellefson, vice president of sales for Cirque Mountain Apparel.

“We are continuing to warm local noggins with our signature ‘Native Knits’ line, where you can pick out any beanie from any ski town in Colorado.”

More of Cirque’s new designs include Midwest and Northeast regional hats, as well as a new wildlife series. The company is also debuting its newly designed T-shirts, caps and sweatshirts.

“Fresh designs for a new year made for freshie-seekers,” Ellefson said.

Buy it: Christy Sports (293 Bridge St., Vail Village, 970-476-2244), O’Bos stores (various locations, 970-926-9300), Vail Resorts stores (various locations, 970-479-4415), Charlie’s T-Shirts (641 W. Lionshead Circle, Lionshead Village, 970-476-9737) or online at http://www.cirquemtn.com.

• Flylow Blaster Glove ($99)

These look and feel like leather work gloves but provide the warmth and comfort needed for skiing and snowboarding.

Buy it: Christy Sports (293 Bridge St., Vail Village, 970-476-2244), Alpine Quest Sports (34510 U.S. Highway 6, Edwards, 970-926-3867), Ptarmigan Sports (137 Main St., Unit C-104, Edwards, 970-926-8144), Base Mountain Sports (616 W. Lionshead Circle, Lionshead Village, 970-476-7476) or online at http://www.flylowgear.com.

• Pakems Boots (Cortina $80; Bodie $45)

Julie Adams, of Vail, originally designed Pakems to be able to enjoy apres ski in comfortable shoes. The shoes all are water-resistant and have a rubber outer sole for good traction in snow.

The Cortina is a mid-calf boot, with a zipper pocket that’s useful for credit cards or the key to your car. Kids can color their own boot with the Kids Extreme Bodie Edition, which comes with a set of fabric markers for extra fun.

Buy it: Pepi’s Sports (231 Bridge St., Vail Village, 970-476-5206), Vail Sports (675 Lionshead Place, Building D, Level 1, Lionshead Village, 970-479-4415), Vail Cascade (1300 Westhaven Drive, Vail, 970-476-7111) or online at http://www.pakems.com.

• Phunkshun (facemasks $19.99 to $29.99; scarves $29.99)

The double-layer trunk is the best-selling facemask for Phunkshun, a company out of Denver, made to stretch comfortable and wick moisture effectively. Phunkshun’s scarves are made from thermal fleece and are sewn, printed and packaged in Colorado.

Buy it: Bridge Street Ski Haus (254 Bridge St., Vail Village, 970-476-3332), Charter Sports (715 W. Lionshead Circle, Lionshead Village, 970-476-8813) or online at http://www.phunkshunwear.com.

• Zeal Optics Goggles (Forecast $239; Fargo $99 to $159)

Zeal Optics, out of Boulder, made the Forecast goggle lenses to be both polarized and photochromatic, which means they automatically adjust to changing light conditions.

For women, the smaller fit of the Fargo still provides antifogging, polarized lenses and complete UV protection.

Buy it: Christy Sports (293 Bridge St., Vail Village, 970-476-2244 and 182 Avon Road, Avon, 970-949-0241), Double Diamond Ski Shop (520 Lionshead Circle, Lionshead Village, 970-476-5500), Gorsuch (263 Gore Creek Drive, Vail Village, 970-476-2294), Park Hyatt Beaver Creek (136 E Thomas Place, Beaver Creek, 970-949-1234) or online at http://www.zealoptics.com.


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