A Weekend in the Mountains: The 7 Accessories That Change Everything

Packing for a mountain weekend comes down to the little things. The big pieces, jacket and boots, are rarely forgotten; it's the accessories that decide whether you enjoy the whole day or head back at 3 pm. Here are the seven that count, and the mistakes we've all made.

1. A beanie that keeps you warm without making you sweat

We lose a lot of heat through our heads, but a beanie that is too warm and doesn't breathe makes you sweat on the way up and freeze on the way down. Alpaca solves both: it insulates and it breathes. The flatter SARNEN fits under a helmet or a hood; the ÄGERI is the one for après-ski and strolls. The detailed comparison is in SARNEN or ÄGERI.

2. Thin gloves for the rest of the day

Ski gloves stay on the slopes. For the village, the terrace, sledging with the kids or the photo at the summit, you need a thin pair that leaves your fingers free: our TITLIS at €19.90, with their opening on the index finger and thumb for your phone, are made for exactly that. We introduce them in this article.

3. A long scarf, not a neck warmer

A neck warmer protects your neck; a 200 cm scarf also shields the lower half of your face when the wind picks up, and doubles as a shawl in the chalet in the evening. The KANDER does both; see our 5 ways to tie it.

4. Sunglasses, even without sunshine

Snow reflects up to 80% of UV rays, and an overcast sky lets most of them through. Category 3 lenses at the very least, category 4 on glaciers. And SPF 50 sunscreen for your nose and cheekbones, even in February.

5. Wool socks, not cotton

Cotton holds moisture and chills your feet. A wool sock, merino or alpaca, wicks away sweat and stays warm even when slightly damp. A spare pair in your bag is worth more than any foot warmer.

6. A flask

A hot tea or hot chocolate at the summit transforms a day, and a hot drink warms you up more effectively than an extra layer. The model hardly matters; the habit of filling it every morning does.

7. One more thin layer

A light mid-layer, wool or thin fleece, takes up little space and makes all the difference between 10 am on a ridge and 4 pm on a terrace. Stack several thin layers rather than a single thick one.

The classic mistakes

• Cotton everything. Wet cotton chills. Wool or technical synthetics for anything that touches your skin.
• The acrylic beanie. It itches, makes you sweat and smells after two days. Read why alpaca doesn't itch.
• Setting off with brand-new accessories you've never worn. Wear your gloves around town for two days first: the knit moulds to your hand.
• Forgetting about après-ski. That's when you feel the cold most: tired body, sun gone down, damp clothes. Keep a dry beanie and scarf in your bag for the end of the day.

What to look for on a label

“100%” before the fibre, and the name of the fibre. “Wool” on its own can mean any wool; “30% alpaca” means 70% something else. All our pieces are made of 100% certified alpaca; we explain why in our wool comparison, and how to care for them once you're home in our guide.