The ski season moves beyond sport into lifestyle territory. As the Winter Olympics and Paralympics head to Italy, brands lean into cold-weather performance as cultural currency. As Milan-Cortina 2026 approaches, winter style, function, and identity begin to merge.
Fashion and lifestyle labels treat the slopes as a global stage. EA7 Emporio Armani, Ralph Lauren, and Lululemon design uniforms for Team Italy, Team U.S.A., and Team Canada, turning performance wear into storytelling. Ralph Lauren sets the tone with a statement winter-white wool coat for the Opening Ceremony, then looks to vintage ski-racing kits for the Closing Ceremony. Salomon reinforces credibility at scale by outfitting 18,000 Olympic and Paralympic volunteers with jackets and boots.
The narrative extends beyond outerwear and into daily rituals. Dagsmejan brings thermoregulating sleepwear and eye masks to athletes, while J.Crew and SKIMS translate alpine codes into ski-inspired lifestyle collections. Together, these moves frame ski culture as an all-day, all-season way of living rather than a moment on the slopes. Read on to inform your curiosity about the hype!
Marketing goes chalet to slopes
As ski culture moves into everyday winter life, brands invite consumers to participate through styling and experience. J.Crew’s ski and snowboard collection reflects this shift. Campaign imagery shows professional athletes throwing snowballs or relaxing on chaise lounges. A three-year partnership signals long-term commitment. Ski forward edits created with Vogue Shopping place alpine style firmly in everyday winter wardrobes. Snowed in, styled out captures the mood and frames ski season as intentional.
The Alpine narrative continues in Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Frankie Shop photographed its Après-Ski Collection amid the rituals of mountain life. The setting functions as both backdrop and retail stage. To mark the launch, the brand hosted an après-ski chalet moment at Bar Dolomiti, featuring buffet-style dining and a live DJ. Late seventies and eighties alpine culture informed the collection, with elongated silhouettes, plush textures, and indulgent fur accents setting the tone.
Ski style also faces a reality check. Technical apparel often comes at a high price and has a short wear window. Consumers respond with smarter choices. The RealReal’s Escape Mode: Mountain Shop reframes ski wear through resale and longevity. H&M x Perfect Moment brings après ski style into the city. Stylists and creators reinforce the shift. Fashion consultant Jacqueline Townsley of jac à la mode recently curated a ski trip fashion guide mood board. Global tastemaker Grece Ghanem shared ski-ready looks with the caption, “Some will say we missed the snow.” Together, these signals show ski culture evolving into a flexible, style-led winter mindset.
Accessories & beauty provide cold comfort
Not to be left out in the cold, accessory and beauty brands are in on the après-skiaction. Handbag brand Freja recently presented “The Alpine Edit,” the first in the series of their “The Departure Edit.” Perfect for “reset moments,” times like arrivals, departures, and after the slopes, call for ease and flexibility. The brand’s spacious, understated pieces move easily with layers, carry essentials, and keep up with the pace of a winter escape!
Beauty also moves in parallel. Editorial attention to après-ski skincare routines positions cold exposure and altitude as distinct beauty concerns. Cosmetics Business flagged après-ski beauty as a growing winter shift, reinforcing that winter skin behaves differently. Ole Henriksen’s Après Skin Overnight Moisturizer + Mask with Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid offers a multi-tasking and thoughtful extension of everyday care.
Symrise believes in the intentional slowdown, appreciation of cold-weather rituals, and the Winter Olympics. Ski season has left the niche. And the sport has been providing a multi-category lifestyle moment!
