Gallery: Après Gets Wired: Technical Wear for When the Skiing's Done
01columbia-electro-amp-core-vest
[](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/winter-camp-2012/)Skiing and snowboarding may bring you to the mountain, but the après scene is what keeps you around after the lifts stop running. It might not be so bad to rock your bib and snowboard boots for your post-ride brew, but you're going to want to change into something a bit more appropriate if you plan on getting to know one of those locals by the firepit. Looking good doesn't have to mean freezing your butt off, though — electronically heated apparel, waterproof faux denim and Merino wool sweaters are bringing technical apparel off the slopes and into the lodge. We took some of the more interesting pieces of après gear and "tested" them at various eateries and watering holes at [Squaw Valley](http://www.squaw.com), just to make sure that waterproof and beer-proof go hand in hand. Columbia Electro Amp Core Vest ------------------------------ It looks like a regular vest (Puffy? Check. No arms? Check.) until you open it up and see the disco-ball interior. The [Electro Amp vest](http://www.columbia.com/Men%E2%80%99s-Electro-Amp%E2%84%A2-Core-Vest/SM7058,default,pd.html) ($150, for men and women) sports Columbia's Omni-Heat lining; its signature reflective metal-dot laminate that's designed to reflect body heat back to the wearer. I thought it worked just fine, but apparently Columbia didn't, because its designers decided to add a lithium-ion battery-powered electric heating system, kind of like an electric blanket that you can wear. It has three settings — high, medium, and low heat — and once the battery is fully charged, it will provide two to three hours of heat.
02salomon-pic-down-jacket
Salomon Pic Down Jacket ----------------------- All right, technically it's a free-ski jacket, but this baby got plenty of use off the mountain as well. The [Pic Down](http://www.salomon.com/us/product/pic-down-jacket-m.html) ($350, for men and women) has a 10k/10k waterproof and breathable shell with a textured fabric feel. It's cozy as hell — it's stuffed with 650 power fill down, and snug elastic cuffs keep the heat in the jacket where it belongs. The jacket's heat is controlled via two large zippered armpit vents, and these are covered by a dense mesh that keeps snow out if you accidentally go for a tumble with the vents open. Not that there were many opportunities to open the vents when we took it out at night. Wired reviews fellow Karissa Bell wore it around the Village on a frosty Squaw Valley evening. Her assessment: "I feel like I'm wearing a sleeping bag!"
03dale-of-norway-storetind-weatherproof-sweater
Dale of Norway Storetind Weatherproof Sweater --------------------------------------------- Another piece that's as home on the slopes as it is in the lodge, [Dale of Norway's Storetind sweater](http://daleofnorway-2.shptron.com/p/storetind-windstopper) ($580, for men) takes the whole Christmas sweater thing up a notch. It looks like a plain old (albeit pretty) wool sweater. But the deception runs deep: The Norwegian wool is nanotreated, so water beads right off it, and the interior is lined with Gore-Tex windstopper material, so frigid blasts of air can't penetrate it and freeze you out. Other enhancements that further blend the line between outerwear and innerwear: various drawstrings and vents, a ski lift pocket, a security pocket for your phone, wrist warmers, and even a powder skirt. It's the only sweater I'd ever wear without irony.
04columbia-bugaboots
Columbia Bugaboots Original Electric ------------------------------------ It looks your basic winter boot: waterproof, some mild insulation, those wacky reflective dots that Columbia puts in all of its cold-weather apparel. Oh, and the softly glowing logo. Wait, what? That's right, these boots are electric. They charge over USB and come with three settings for the internal electric heaters. Think that's a bit much for a damn pair of boots? So did I ... until I slipped into them. Immediately after turning on, the [Bugaboots](http://www.columbia.com/Men%E2%80%99s-Bugaboot%C2%AE-Max-Electric/BM1491_S,default,pd.html) ($275, for men and women) started heating up the toebox to a noticeable degree. I got about three hours of heat from each charge, and like Columbia's Electro Amp Core vest, there are three settings to choose from. While flipping the heaters on was unnecessary while walking around, the electric helpers were highly appreciated whenever I found myself standing around outside. And even though they're overshadowed by the heating element, the boots themselves are true to fit and comfortable to hike in. Plus, the glowing logo looks pretty sweet.
05quiksilver-animal-jacket
Quiksilver Animal Jacket ------------------------ Due for release in the summer of 2013, [Quiksilver](http://www.quiksilver.com/)'s new Tech line is an effort to bring mountain-tested technology to city dwellers. The garments even have a tag on the interior that says "Trails Not Required." Built with a rainy-day commute in mind, the Animal jacket ($150, unisex) is made with a polyester twill with 5k waterproofing and fully taped seams. It has a fairly athletic cut. However, the most distinguishing feature of the jacket is the water reservoir drop-in system — complete with hose management loops on the shoulder — which eliminates the need to haul a pack around just for water. I took it out on the mountain and wore it around the Village at Squaw during the evenings, and it paired as well with jeans as it did with a Gore-Tex bib.
06ibex-wool-aire-hoodie
Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie --------------------- Tired: Birds. Wired: Sheep. Yep, it's officially time to trade all of your giant poofy down jackets (waterproof or otherwise) — for wool jackets. The new [Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie](http://shop.ibex.com/Apparel/Mens-Vests-Jackets/M-Wool-Aire-Sweater) ($325, for men and women) looks like it's filled with down, but it's really filled with wool. It lacks the bulk of a feathered filling, but keeps you just as warm without overheating. The jacket kept me surprisingly warm during the chilly Lake Tahoe nights even though it's wispy thin and ultra-light. Whether walking and enjoying the crisp night air, or sitting in the Rocker restaurant contemplating ordering a [G.N.A.R. Burger](http://www.flickr.com/photos/squawvalleyusa/6675969023/in/set-72157628816262035), the hoodie basically went unnoticed. Walking the dog in the rain was no challenge, either — as the rain beaded up on the recycled nylon outer shell, I stayed cozy and dry with zero sop effect. The simple design has a couple of thoughtful touches: There's a drawstring waist, elastic at the wrists, a trendy slanted chest pocket, and the inside pocket doubles as a stuff sack. Probably the most surprising part of this piece of kit was how many people asked about it. I picked the Seal Grey color because I prefer to go unnoticed. But now I've been forced to share the wonder of this wool gem rather than keep my new love a secret. So now you know. Go forth and be sheepish. *— Jim Merithew*
07ride-wallingford-snowboarding-jacket
Ride Wallingford Snowboarding Jacket ------------------------------------ The [Wallingford jacket](http://ridesnowboards.com/clothing/wallingford-jacket-1213) ($150, for men) has a denim exterior that's bonded to a super-soft fleece lining. This made it difficult to layer up with anything but a T-shirt beneath it. But that's a good thing, because the jacket's slim cut makes wearing anything puffy under it a daunting proposition. The combination of the the denim, the slim fit, and the attached faux-hood make it probably the most fashion-forward item in this list. But it can still perform on the slopes — it's rated at 5k waterproof, and zip vents kept me dry and looking good while I tore it up at the terrain park.
08revo-square-classic-sunglasses
Revo Square Classic Sunglasses ------------------------------ Why would you bring your sunglasses onto the mountain with you? Because you'd look ridiculous in a sunlit lodge with your goggles on. [Revo's Square Classic](http://revo.com/models/76-square-classic) sunnies ($209, unisex) come in a style that mimics the company's original designs from the 1980s. But they sport modern tech: high-contrast polarization that selectively blocks excess glare, variable tint, and frames constructed from a mix of sustainable castor bean oil and pre-used plastic materials. So you can humblebrag about their Earth-friendliness, but you still can't get away with wearing them indoors. *Billy Brown is currently trying to convince his editor that a round-up of mountain bikes with ice axes built into the handlebars is a good idea. Read his exploits at [Trek Tech blog](http://www.trektechblog.com/) and follow him on Twitter ([@trektechblog](https://twitter.com/trektechblog)).*
