One-and-Done! 18 Ski Suits and Bibs Perfect to Wear On and Off the Slopes
If Slim Aarons were to recreate his 1969 photograph of Skiers at Gstaad today, chances are he’d find mountain-goers wearing much of the same attire: one-piece ski suits, stretchy stirrup pants, Fair Isle knits, and plenty of faux fur coats (the latter perhaps best paired with a glass of Glüwein at après ski). Zoom in on the photograph, and you’ll find at the center, a woman in a vibrant red one-piece ski suit that looks as stylish then as it did on Princess Diana in the ’80s, and would be on any resort base this season.
The Best One-Piece Ski SuitsThe Versatile Salopette: Perfect Moment stretch ski salopettes, $795The Winter White: Bogner Cari ski salopettes, $990The Quilted Suit: Fusalp Kira softshell colorblock ski suit, $1,670The Faux Fur Trim: Goldbergh Parry faux fur-trimmed ski suit, $1,219The Baggy Fit: The North Face Freedom insulated bib, $250The Two-Tone Bib: Aztech Mountain paneled stretch salopettes, $825First introduced in 1948 by designer Emilio Pucci (who, fun fact, was an Olympic skier before embracing fashion), the one-piece ski suit redefined mountain attire when it debuted—in the ’20s and ’30s, most women would ski recreationally in ankle-length skirts and chunky, woolen sweaters. Another pivotal breakthrough in women’s ski wear arrived in the early ’50s, when German fashion designer and professional skier, Maria Bogner, conceived the brand’s now-legendary stirrup pants in bold, bright colors that were adopted—and popularized—by the likes of Jackie Kennedy and Grace Kelly. They featured sharp creases down the leg and were made from a nylon stretch material that hugged the figure in a uniquely flattering way. (Aarons’ 1964 work, Verbier Skiers, captures the look perfectly.)
As a thriving category for heritage and emerging brands alike, today’s leading ski labels are emphasizing fashion-conscious designs made out of hardwearing performance fabrics that court both the fair-weather bunny skier and the Black Diamond powder chaser.
With practicality and durability top of mind, most ski suits on the market are made of a waterproof, wind-resistant soft shell that features a zipper down the front and an optional belt buckle at the waist. Arms tend to be slim-fit—Bogner, Moncler, and Perfect Moment have perfected the silhouette—for speed and mobility, though you can also find styles that incorporate more of a puffer jacket into the look; Fusalp and Cordova have great options. For baggier fits that’ll appeal to snowboarders seeking greater range of motion, turn to Burton and The North Face for tried-and-tested suits.
All of these are meant to be worn with some kind of base layer for warmth—either a top and legging, or if the pant is already snug and fleece-lined, perhaps just a breathable, Merino wool or cashmere turtleneck. (For those curious about how soft shells compare to Gore-tex jackets and pants, the latter are better suited for wet conditions as they tend to be less permeable.) If it’s just a bib with suspenders you’re after, you’ll find both loose and fitted styles at many top brands. Either way, keep an eye out for zippers (the more the merrier!) to clip your lift ticket onto and to stash essentials like lip balm and sunscreen.
Chalet reserved and ski pass bought? Below, 34 of the best one-piece ski suits and bibs to pack for your next ski trip.
Perfect Moment
stretch ski salopettes
Goldbergh
Parry belted hooded ski suit
Aztech Mountain
paneled stretch salopettes
Fusalp
Kira softshell quilted ski suit
Cordova
Sommet hooded belted ski suit
Perfect Moment
Allos ski suit
Erin Snow
Kris racer-striped ski pants
Bogner
Cari ski salopettes
Moncler Grenoble
belted color-block ski suit
Halfdays
Isabel soft shell bib pant short
Burton
Acamar Gore-Tex Pro 3L bib pants
Jet Set
Magic Ghoster embroidered ski suit
Mackage
Elle belted shell ski suit
The North Face
Freedom insulated bib
Arc’teryx
Sentinel bib pant
FP Movement
All Prepped ski suit
