The Shoes I Wear on Ski Trips When I’m Not on the Slopes

For me, a typical weekend in the mountains means a ton of time in my snowboarding boots, both riding and uphilling on my splitboard. Occasionally, I’ll step into cross country ski boots or a winterized trail running shoe, but I spend the majority of my time in my snowboarding boots. I’m grateful that they’re comfortable enough to walk from my car to a chairlift, or even trudge around in the snow a little, but they’re still clunky boots that I really only want to wear when locked into a snowboard. Alpine skiers have it much worse. The skiers I know generally can’t change out of their ski boots fast enough when they’re done for the day, and the snowboarders aren’t far behind.

Since neither skiers or snowboarders can spend an entire weekend—or even drive 10 minutes—in their snowboarding or ski boots, I’ve been testing après boots and slippers for time off the mountain. I’ve looked for footwear that’s comfortable to drive in—not too hot, not too stiff—and that works well to load and unload a car, lounge in a mountain town taco shop, walk a dog in fresh powder, or make my way to an outdoor hot tub. None of my picks are so bulky or heavy that I can’t throw them in a duffel bag and lug them around. And they all pass as acceptable footwear when grabbing dinner out (depending on who you ask).

The following après boots and slippers have earned a place in my ski-trip shoe rotation. Here’s what I’ve found them each to be best for:

Best Overall

Stio Colter Boot | Stio Colter Waterproof Tall Boot

$127 at Stio (Women’s)

$127 at Stio (Men’s) 

$160 at Stio (Women’s Tall)

$150 at Stio (Men’s Tall)

The Stio Colter Boot is an all-around winner. Not only are these boots extremely functional for winter wear, but they also pass as casual wear. Made of weather-resistant leather, their cuff is just tall enough to protect feet and ankles from snow, but not so tall that they’re hard to get on and off, take up a ton of space in a bag, or become too hot over extended wear. The merino wool-blend interior is warm but not too warm—my feet don’t overheat while driving in these, as they do in heavier-duty winter boots. The boots’ traction has kept me upright and feeling secure in slick parking lots and on packed snow. Comfortable and fashionable, they’ve become my number one choice for versatile footwear off the slopes.

I also love Stio’s Colter Waterproof Tall Boots when walking through deep snow or dressing up. Their taller length and waterproof membrane make them my top choice for dog walks through drifting powder, when snow is likely to creep into shorter cuffs (which I hate). A contoured footbed and EVA midsole help to make the boots extremely comfortable underfoot, no matter how long the walk. And the height, lace-up design, and fleecy cuff make the Colter Tall Boot mountain-town stylish.

Best Value (and Great for Sloppy Spring Parking Lots)  

Columbia Venturetrot Boot

$95 at Columbia

$95 at Amazon

Spring skiing—and most of this winter in Colorado, for that matter—has meant resort parking lots that are a sloppy mess of mud and slush. The Columbia Venturetrot Boot is made out of vulcanized rubber (hardened by heat and sulfur) for durability, and mud and gunk just slide right off of it. The boots are easy to get on and off, thanks to a stretchy exposed side panel made of neoprene-like, closed-cell foam and a hearty pull tab on the heel. That foam lines the entire interior of the boot, adding warmth. I find the large, flat lugs can feel a little slick on some surfaces, but I do love this boot for messy situations. And at $95, it’s hard to beat the price.

Best for Short Drives, Hitting the Hot Tub, Casual Lounging

The North Face Thermoball Traction Mules V

$59 at Backcountry (Women’s)

$59 at Backcountry (Men’s)

For day trips to my local ski hill, I slip on The North Face Thermoball Traction Mules for the drive. These puffy slippers are easy to slide into and out of—no hands needed—and keep my feet protected just enough in a parking lot unless it’s exceptionally messy or snowy. On weekend ski trips, I bring these along—they pack down flat and take little space in my overnight bag—and wear them to outdoor hot tubs. Their rubber outsole has decent traction to get me there and back (way better than flip flops), and the interior synthetic dries quickly. They’re also nice as indoor slippers, and are just shoe-like enough to work for grabbing a coffee or a beer.