The Fernos Knicker is a layer that you never thought you needed, but once you start wearing them you won’t be able to live without them. It can be a slippery slope for your everyday wardrobe when you start wearing puffy pants out in public, but do what you’ve gotta do.

These insulated baselayers are stuffed with 40 grams of Primaloft Gold Active insulation, which does a fantastic job of keeping your rear-end warm on frozen chairlifts without turning your bibs into a steam room as you rip turns back to the bottom. The capris length hits right below the knees and fits seamlessly with ski boots, and the lightweight design packs down really well so you can toss them in your backpack if you’re feeling indecisive about your temperature. They do have one zippered leg pocket but to be honest I’ve never put anything in it since it’s a pretty tough place to reach if you’re wearing ski pants.

This high-performance quarter zip is from Stio, a company based in Jackson Hole, WY, where snow flurries aren’t unheard of in the summer, so you can bet they know how to stay warm and dry. The Basis Power Wool Zip Neck is a great layering piece that’s breathable and comfortable. Ultra-fine merino wool delivers that silky-soft feel against your skin, while a polyester weave on the outside provides some added  durability. The fabric features something called a “high-efficiency grid backer,” which traps warm air and allows for moisture transfer for faster dry time. What’s more, thumbholes help your sleeves stay in place whether you’re running or cross-country skiing. 

Jackson-based Stio is no stranger to long winters full of everything: touring, sidecountry, resorts, après, and the occasional backyard sledding session. So it stands to reason the company would design a pair of ski pants that do it all. 
The Environ gives you space to layer but is streamlined enough to avoid bagginess, which meant it was equally at home on uphill missions near Jackson and in-bounds at Colorado’s Copper Mountain. 

These pants are looser through the hips than others we tested, and they have a slightly higher waistline, so the adjustable band stays out of the way of your pack’s hipbelt. With legs that are a touch longer than competing pants, they’re best for tall lady shredders (though they’re still manageable for shorter women). Fit tip: wear a belt if the waist doesn’t stay above your hips, otherwise the sagging will slightly restrict uphill strides.

Two decent-size pockets on either hip come in handy for snacks. And thanks to the roomier cut, they’re are actually usable. One smaller vertical-zip pocket on the midthigh is a bonus for an RFID ski pass or similar-size necessity. Unsnap the internal snow gaiters to get your boots off even quicker at the end of the day, and thank the snow gods for Cordura reinforcements on the cuffs, which will keep the Environ in good shape after you wear it all season.

On a sunny day on Vail Mountain this season, the temperature started to rise and it was easy for me to reach the armpit zips and pull them open myself. I also had to take off my buff and I stashed it the deep-bellowed chest pocket. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I was out during an unseasonably cold November day and the helmet-compatible hood with bonded brim helped me stay protected from wind and snow. It’s easy to tell this jacket was designed by mountain athletes, as all the details are dialed in just right.

If your ski wear needs to look amazing and guarantee the highest performance, Jackson Hole based Stio has the perfect gear. Its waterproof Environ Bib provides premium weather protection and the seam sealed shell was created to be super durable. Side zip vents with water-resistant zippers release excess heat on super sunny days and an advanced design makes it easier to move around. Zip hand pockets and a zip thigh pocket provide the perfect place to stash your pass, phone and other on-mountain essentials.