Womens Salopettes & Ski Pants

We provide a range of womens salopettes and ski trousers from great skiwear brands Dare 2B, Head, Oakley and Trespass. Our ladies salopettes are chosen to suit the needs of all types of skiers; so whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced skier we should be able to help meet your technical needs and budget.

Salopettes & Ski Pants Buyers’ Guide

Salopettes are designed to meet specific requirements of skiers. Below we outline some of key features and buying decision you may want to consider, with a summary of common features and functions.

Salopettes & Ski Trousers – key features and characteristics

• Windproof – a cold wintery mountain plus moving across the snow on skis equals wind chill. So your ski gear needs to shield you from the wind chill.
• Waterproof – when cold alpine snow comes into contact with warm humans it melts so salopettes need to be constructed from water resistant materials and fabrics. Check that the garment also has taped seams which should be a standard feature in any reputable ski gear.
• Breathable/ Venting – skiing can be an incredibly demanding sport using lots of energy and asking the body to do things it does not do so often! If you have ever had your knees pump like shock absorbers through a mogul field at speed or had to work through deep powder on a gentle gradient then you probably got a fair sweat going? Well in a cold alpine environment you need to stay dry so it is important that as your base layers wick sweat from the body and humid vapour builds up on the inside of your salopettes it is able to escape. The two ways this is usually achieved are through venting (zipped channels that allow airflow to quickly regulate temperature and humidity) and breathable fabrics that allow water vapour to be expelled through respiration.
• Padding / Fleece lining – the faster you ski the more wind chill you will have to tackle. If you like going for it, on fast black and red ski trails, then padding and lining are definitely needed to keep the cold at bay. Padding and lining will add addition thermal insulation required in high alpine environments.
• Snow gaiters – these are the elasticated waterproof ankle cuffs on salopettes and ski trousers that stop snow ridding up the inside of your leg and getting snow into your ski boot.
• Removable braces – whether you go for high-waist salopettes or a lower waist ski pants you may wish to consider if the braces/shoulder straps come off easily. If you have ever had to have a pee in a mountain-side café you will know why this is important!
• Zip pockets – keep your valuables secure.
• Inner knee articulation – a good ski stance requires your knees be bent and shins forward in your boots with your weight forward. Trying adopting that position in your jeans and see if when you stand up the knee is slightly baggier? That is why an articulated knee is handy in salopettes - they are designed to fit as they will be worn and give your legs the freedom of movement you need for skiing.
• Stretch fabrics – ergonomics and freedom of movement are really important in skiing as much of your control and technique is transmitted through your body position and alignment to the skis. Stretch fabric ski pants and salopettes allow you to move more freely and into positions that traditional material garments might restrict – so the more gnarly your skiing is, the more you might need stretch fabrics.
• Adjustable waist – functional and practical solution to allow you to adjust the fit of the waist - very handy if you are changing the number of layers from cold mornings to warmer afternoons (or a good lunch – Tartiflette anyone?)
• Reinforced ankles – those of you with classical feet-together ski stances will doubtless know this better than most; that sharp ski edges and the inner ankle cuff of salopettes do not mix well. So the sensible solution is to reinforce the ankle with durable and rugged material to prevent the slicing and dicing of your hem.
• Recco – an avalanche safety beacon device design to reflect radio signals back to ski patrol and mountain rescue teams. It uses a passive (no batteries or moving parts) reflector array to send back a precise frequency to the rescue transceiver and can be detected through up to 10 meters of snow.
• Visibility – Although blacks and grey are common colours for salopettes and ski trousers do consider brighter more vivid colours offering high visibility and contrast against snow, rocks and wood lines. This will help other skiers see you more easily, help people in your own ski party follow you more easily on ‘white days’ and aid anyone sent to assist you if you need help.

Budget

Skiwear prices are largely determined by two factors - performance and brand. So some luxury fashion brands offer very expensive ski gear that would barely qualify for entry-level skiwear in performance/technical capability, at prices to make your eyes water, whilst some skiwear specialist manufacturer very high performance ski gear at very affordable prices. So if you are not phased by the brand name, let the specifications speak for themselves. 20,000 rated breathability and waterproofing is high-end performance whatever the label.

Obviously, within a brand’s offering, more capable and technically advance products will be more expensive. So it makes sense to know what type of skiing you are likely to be doing and buy accordingly.

Beginners’ Salopettes

Beginners can look at entry level gear and cheap salopettes because when you start skiing you will usually stay on-piste on nursery slopes and gentle blue pistes. Whilst you may take the odd fall and be on your bum every now and then, the performance you will require is nowhere near as advanced as what you need for skiing in deep powder in terms of waterproofing and breathability.

• Windproof
• Waterproof (2,000 mm to 5, 000 mm)
• Breathable (up to 5,000 g/m²/24h)

Intermediate Skiers’ Salopettes

As you progress as a skier you will tend to tackle more challenging ski runs (reds and blacks) and these will probably have you working a little harder, creating more perspiration – so you will want a bit more breathability from your salopettes. Likewise, you will also start to venture off-piste a bit, even if it is just in the powder on the edge of the main groomed pistes – so waterproofing and resilience against prolonged contact with snow powder are recommended.

• Windproof
• Waterproof (5,000 mm to 10, 000 mm)
• Breathable (3,000 g/m²/24h - 10, 000 g/m²/24h)

Advanced Skiers’ Salopettes

Once you have the skills and confidence level for advanced skiing it is almost certain you will catch the off piste bug. Nothing feels quite as exhilarating as carving through virgin powder from a mountain’s apex down into the tree line in the backcountry. This kind of skiing means you will be working hard and skiing through powder the whole way. So higher levels of breathability and waterproofing are a must! Also consider ergonomics and salopettes offering stretch materials.

• Windproof
• Waterproof (10,000 mm to 30, 000 mm)
• Breathable (7,000 g/m²/24h - 30, 000 g/m²/24h)