Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Summer is an amazing time of year to ski. Backcountry locations like N.H.’s Tuckerman Ravine and St. Mary’s Glacier in Colorado are just ramping up, and ski areas including Arapahoe Basin and Timberline, Ore., spin chairs for as long as there’s snow to ski on. That said, summer’s intense sun and variable snow conditions also highlight the need for a few unique pieces of gear designed to optimize the experience. These seven products selected by SKI editors will help you make summer turns to remember.
Related: What It’s Really Like to Ski at Arapahoe Basin in June
Essential Gear for Summer Skiing
Black Diamond Lightwire Tee
Whether it’s an alpine start for a 14er ski mountaineering mission or a crack-of-noon Beach Day at Arapahoe Basin, the Lightwire Tee is a perfect baselayer for every summer skiing adventure. Made from a breathable and fast-drying four-way stretch fabric, this tech tee made for high-output exercise has underarm gussets for increased mobility and a reflective logo for good visibility while enjoying those longer days in the skin track. [$60, blackdiamondequipment.com]
Julbo Shield Sunglasses
Summer is a great time to feel the freedom that comes with skiing in sunglasses, but due to the increased radiation of the sun’s reflection off the snow, it’s important to wear sunglasses with both dark lenses and increased eye coverage. The Julbo Shields fit the bill with Reactiv photochromic polarized lenses and removable fabric side shields that protect your eyes from sun glare. Add in well-engineered frames that incorporate air flow and non-slip rubber on the nose and temples, and the Julbo Shield will stay on your face while traveling up and down the mountain all summer long. [$170-$240, julbo.com]
Purist Mover 18-Ounce Bottle
One of the worst things about ditching single-use plastics in favor of reusable containers is the left-over taste that some insulated beverage containers just can’t shake. Purist has solved this dilemma by coating the stainless-steel interior of their bottles with a special type of unbreakable glass, eliminating the steel’s ability to retain flavors from past liquids. Available in three different sizes, use the Purist Mover bottle for your Alpine Start morning coffee and then as a cup for that communal tapped keg at the base of Timberline. These bottles can do it all without spoiling any flavor. [$48, puristcollective.com]
Ski Town All Stars Trucker Hats
Whether you need to upgrade your ski touring hat or just want to look good during après, rise above the haters and grab a sweet new trucker hat with a bold message printed in shiny all-caps. Vail, Colo.-based Ski Town All Stars makes hats that feature quotes from ski-cult classic films like “Aspen Extreme” and a variety of ski town inside jokes, such as “No One Care You’re a Ski Instructor” and “I Tele Cuz I I Hate You.” If you don’t see a message that really speaks to you, STAS has options to let you design your own. [$36, skitownallstars.com]
Bare Republic Holographic Shimmer Sunscreen Lotion
Make no mistake, summer skiing requires sunscreen. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun with it. Bare Republic features a number of broad-spectrum, reef-safe non-nano mineral sunscreens that prevent sunburn, but none are quite as fun as their diamond dust shimmer lotion. To achieve the subtle glow, Bare Republic combined zinc oxide minerals with mica, which reflects light. The resulting shimmer dries smoothly and looks positively radiant on the skin while also providing SPF 30 protection. [$15, gobareoutside.com]
PROBAR Bolt Energy Chews
Whether you’re hungry on the skin track or taking a quick snack break before harvesting some summer corn snow, you want something that will give you energy without weighing you down. The PROBAR Bolt Energy Chews do just that, filled with vitamins, electrolytes, and the complex carbs you need to maintain that sustained energy. They’re made with real fruit, too, so the flavor is spot on. [$30 for 12 2-ounce packs, shop.theprobar.com]
OluKai Maha ‘Olu Slides
Taking your boots off after a day of skiing is a unique type of relief any time of year. While summer might be a bit warm for your favorite après-ski bootie, it’s ideal for the Maha ‘Olu slide. Boasting an extra-puffy strap, an oversized, cushiony footbed, and a water-resistant construction, this recovery slide offers next-level comfort with enough support to hold up in messy parking lots and ample style to make you feel steezy while tailgating. [$90, olukai.com]