Chasing First Chair: The Ultimate Ski Weekend Vibes 🚠

Feb 25, 2025

Chasing First Chair: The Ultimate Ski Weekend Vibes

There’s something about the anticipation of a ski weekend that just hits differently. The entire week leading up to it is filled with restless excitement checking the weather report like it’s the stock market, hoping for fresh pow, bluebird days, and perfect conditions. The group chat is non-stop, full of memes, gear-check reminders, and, of course, the age-old joke: This time, we’re making first chair.

The Build Up: Packing Playlist and Powder Dreams

One of my favorite rituals with friends is creating the perfect playlist for the trip. Music is such a powerful way to make memories last a lifetime. We curate a mix of hype songs and throwbacks that set the vibe for the entire weekend. Then, once we come back, we won’t listen to those songs for a while. But six months later, when we hear them again, we’re instantly transported back to all the laughs and good times we had while shredding. It’s one of the simplest yet most nostalgic ways to relive our adventures.

Now that we’ve moved to Colorado, mastering cold gear feels like a science especially when comparing resort wear to backcountry gear. Different outdoor activities require different layering strategies, and we’ve been learning how to balance warmth, breathability, and functionality for every adventure. I’ve been learning a lot about which layers pair best with others for different types of weather. Skiing isn’t our only outdoor sport; we love rock climbing, hiking, and exploring new places including cute little mountain towns full of charm. Our latest discovery has been off leash parks, which seem to be abundant around here. That was a total game changer when you have an active pup who loves to run free. Investing in versatile and high quality gear not only makes our outdoor experiences more enjoyable but also ensures we’re prepared for whatever adventure comes next.

I wanted to share one of my favorite adventure photos from a very special memory with some very special friends. This takes me back to when my friends and I skied La Sarenne in Alpe d’Huez France, the longest black diamond ski run in the world. Stretching 10 miles, it was an unforgettable experience!

Packing for a ski trip is a ritual. Layers? Check. Goggles? Check. That one extra pair of gloves you probably won’t need but bring anyway? Absolutely. Then there’s the playlist, because no road trip to the mountain is complete without a perfectly curated mix of hype songs and throwbacks to fuel the drive, the lifts, and the après scene. Lately, our go to music genre is house. I know, it’s such a broad genre nowadays, but theres honestly so many fantastic niche versions of it, that we tend to be a group that loves a good vibe and thats all there is to it! 🎶

By the time Friday rolls around, you’re buzzing with energy. Work? Who can focus when you’re already mentally on the slopes? The thought of carving through fresh snow with your friends, feeling the cold air bite your face as the sun shines bright, is enough to make the drive feel like the longest stretch of road ever.

The Mountain: Bluebird Days and Olympic-Level Stamina

Stepping out of the car and breathing in that crisp mountain air is an unmatched feeling. Boots on, gear ready, and the clock ticking toward first chair. Will we make it? Maybe. Sometimes, against all odds, we actually do. Other times, we roll up just as the lifts are already spinning, and that’s okay too because the first run of the day, whether at 8 AM or 10:30, always feels just as good.

Bluebird days are the best. When the sky is impossibly blue, the sun reflects off the snow, and the mountain is draped in fresh powder, you know it’s going to be a day to remember. The first few runs feel effortless, like flying. Then, by the time the afternoon hits and your legs are burning from back-to-back laps, reality sets in. Skiing two or three consecutive days? That’s an Olympic sport. By day two, you’re questioning all your life choices on that last run, but somehow, you still push through for just one more before calling it.

Après Ski: Stories, Laughter, and the Perfect End to the Day

This may be an unpopular opinion, but I am a lover of corded headphones.I don’t like using my AirPods while skiing because it feels like an extreme sport, and they blend in with the snow, making them nearly impossible to find if they fall out. If they drop or fall out of your ear, they’re gone. Mine do all the time because they don’t fit my ears how I would like. I don’t know if anyone else has this problem, but I really didn’t love when Apple changed their jack. The day I had to toss my old headphones was a sad one.

The only thing that rivals a perfect run is the memory making that follows. Peeling off ski boots (sweet relief), grabbing a cold beer (my preference lately is a dry cider) or hot chocolate, and swapping stories from the day is the best part of ski culture. The group loves coming together to relive the day, sharing all the fun moments we encountered from finding a cool new cliff to jump off to discovering the perfect picturesque spot for our group photo.There’s always that one friend who took an epic wipeout, someone who found a hidden powder stash, and the inevitable debate over whether tomorrow we’ll actually make first chair.

A ski weekend is more than just skiing. It’s the laughs, the shared exhaustion, the group effort to keep the stoke alive even when your legs feel like jelly. It’s about soaking up every moment, from the first lift ride to the last après cheers, knowing that these are the days you’ll talk about for years to come.

Because at the end of the day, whether you made first chair or not, the mountain doesn’t care. She just wants you to show up, ride hard, and enjoy every second.

See you on the slopes. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll finally make first chair.

🏔️🎿❄️

Wishing you endless amounts of fresh pow,

-Jess

⛷️🏔️

Bonus: The Ultimate Ski Weekend Packing List

Don’t forget the essentials to make your ski trip smooth and stress free:

Gear:

Skis or snowboard
Boots (ski or snowboard)
Poles (if skiing)
Helmet
Goggles (with extra lenses for different conditions)
Gloves or mittens (plus an extra pair)
Neck gaiter or balaclava
Ski jacket and pants (waterproof and insulated)
Base layers (moisture wicking and warm)
Mid layers (fleece or down for extra warmth)
Ski socks (wool or synthetic for warmth and comfort)

Extras:

Since I’m allergic to soy, and it’s in basically everything, I like to bring a granola bar or protein bar of some sort. My current favorite and recent discovery are the Hershey’s Cookies and Cream Protein Bars. These candy bars have always been my absolute favorite, and now that they’ve come out with the protein version, I eat them just like candy yet again except this time, it’s actually working for me instead of against me. You can find them here and in my Amazon shop!
Hand warmers and toe warmers (I just got Josh a pair of electric ones and boy has that been a game changer)
Sunscreen and lip balm (because mountain sun is real!)
Sunglasses
Snacks for the slopes (energy bars, trail mix, etc.)
Hydration pack or water bottle
Small backpack for essentials

Après & Comfort: (if you’re not one who likes to spend the entire day on the mountain and prefers to meet up with the others who are locked in on getting their stats for the day)

Cozy hoodie or fleece
Beanie or hat for post ski chill
Comfortable shoes
Swimsuit (if there’s a hot tub!)
Extra layers for unpredictable mountain weather

Miscellaneous:

Speaker for the Airbnb (hellooooo)
Phone charger and portable battery pack
Headphones for the road trip
First aid kit with blister care
Cash or cards for lift tickets

Disclaimer: A splurge that can be highly controversial between resorts is the Ikon Pass, but my boyfriend and I still love ours in this moment. It definitely makes the transition smoother instead of having to individually deal with tickets every time we ski. Since we hit the slopes more often now, the mountains feel more accessible, and walking up to the mountain after getting ready in your car, is a small, yet great way to set the tone for the day.

With this list, you’ll be prepped and ready to shred, relax, and make the most of your ski weekend! 🩵🤘🏻

Leave a comment if you guys want any links to any of this stuff! 🤩

The Bloom Collective

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