Whenever London life becomes too claustrophobic, I often retreat to the mountains for a much-needed reset. The alpine air does wonders for the old mental health, but it’s the slopes themselves that truly spark inspiration. After all, few areas of fashion are as indulgent as snow sports - where every run comes with a heavy dose of unmissable style to lap up between chairlifts.
Whether you’re a skier or boarder, it’s hard to ignore the trends emerging on the mountain. Each year offers something new. 2025 was undoubtedly the year of the Arc’terxy beanie (still going strong), the Perfect Moment chevron print and the Jerry Gap vilifiers (when it comes to the goggles, the bigger the better evidently.)
As for 2026? Reporting directly from the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland, we have already identified some stand-out pieces that all the cool-girls are snapping up in time for the new year. Courtesy of Olympic stars such as Eileen Gu, Anna Gasser and Chloe Kim, who are leading the charge for the aesthetically-dressed athletes, snow attire has carved itself into the mainstream fashion imagination.
Considering the noticeable lack of mountainous terrain in the UK, it's no surprise that other corners of the world are dominating the snow-wear market. Scandinavian brands such as Beyond Medals, Dope Snow and newcomer Busi (founded by Norwegian freestyle skier Birk Ruud) continue to dole out technical shell jackets with raised funnel necklines, oversized cargo pants, swathes of GORE-TEX and colour block detailing. Further afield, Burton and Oakley continue to reign supreme in the US, while urban Korean brand BSRABBIT is the pick of the crop among the pros.
As for the skiers? Helly Hansen, Scott, PeakPerformance, Head, Salomon, Spyder, Mammut, Colmar and Rossignol remain trusty favourites among 'core' mountaineers. Yet, those who prioritise après (guilty as charged) lean towards the streamlined silhouettes, flared trousers, furry trims and Old Money-inspired quilting à la Goldbergh, Perfect Moment, Cordova, Fusalp, Moncler and Bogner.
It's intimidating ground for 'slut-strand'-agnostic novices. But thankfully, we have some expert insight as to what's hot for 2026. "Paler tones like beiges, greys, off whites and neutrals across both genders, animal prints, fluorescent brights, cleaner silhouettes with less embellishments" says Johnny Hayes, buyer at Snow + Rock. Hayes adds that tech silhouettes such as Norrøna's 'loaded minimalism' are set to be a hit this season - referencing the brand's design philosophy that reflects a drive to design clean products with all critical details.
Discover the key pieces set to take the slopes by storm according to the cool-girls in 2026.
What the It-girls are wearing on the slopes in 2026:
Dsxbs 3L Seam Sealing Hooded Shell Jacket Olive Smoke
BSRABBIT
A standout piece from Korean label BSRABBIT, the 2526FW snow jacket marries technical snow-ready performance with streetwise flair. Born from Seoul’s snowboard and streetwear cultures, BSRABBIT fuses bold design and functional outerwear for on-mountain adventure and urban cool.
Park Pants
Beyond Medals
Beta Jacket Women's
Arc'teryx
Sculpted for the slopes yet primed for all outdoor activity, this jacket marries high-performance technicality with modern gorpcore allure. Waterproof membranes, thermal insulation and precision seams meet a streamlined silhouette - proof that function-forward outerwear can still deliver fashion credibility.
Sprayed 1996 Logo T-Shirt
Acne Studios
Not a ski top whatsoever - but a popular pick among snowboarders nonetheless. A clout-worthy, baggy designer tee that's perfect for warmer days mapping the snow park.
Flight Deck L Snow Goggles
Oakley
Futuristic and visor-like, these Oakley Flight Deck L OO7050 Goggles deliver expansive, wraparound vision with a sleek rimless silhouette. Prism lenses sharpen contrast, while a precision-engineered design promises crystal-clear clarity.
Toque Beanie
Arc’teryx
The beanie that simply won't die. According to Lyst's Q425 Index: "Arc'teryx's Toque reached critical mass, with an all-time peak in demand +1,058 pr cent in Q4. The cult-status Bird Head Toque has been catapulted into the mainstream through celebrity sightings (including Frank Ocean and Timothée Chalamet) and meme-culture." 'Nuff said.
Tasman II
UGG
There is truly no sweeter feeling than yanking off the ski boots and slipping your tired feet into plush sheepskin bliss. The ski girlies think so too, with many opting for UGG's popular Tasman slip-ons after a heavy pow day.
Summit Sunglasses
Canada Goose
Edgy yet elevated - the Canada Goose Summit Sunglasses reimagines performance eyewear with bold wrap silhouette and colour-enhancing Sideris lenses for vivid vision and all-day wear.
HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. Best Quality Designer Handbag may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.
