Best Ski Apparel for Wet PNW and Alaska Conditions

If you ski in the Pacific Northwest or coastal Alaska, you already know “waterproof” is a moving target. Warm storms, heavy snow, and straight‑up rain will soak most gear long before the lifts stop spinning. That is exactly what Awning bibs are built for.

At Awning, we design super waterproof ski bibs specifically for foul‑weather days in the PNW and Alaska—when it’s raining at the base, snowing at the top, and every chairlift feels like a wet bench.

Why Typical “Waterproof” Bibs Still Get You Soaked

Most ski bibs are designed for cold, dry snow. They use breathable waterproof membranes that work great in the Rockies, but struggle when:

  • It’s hovering around freezing and snow is heavy and wet.

  • You’re lapping a soaked chairlift or sitting on the snow.

  • You’re skiing in rain or “mixed precip” all day.

In these conditions, standard 3‑layer shells can eventually wet out at high‑pressure points: your seat, thighs, and knees. Water seeps through where you sit, lean, or kneel, and you end up with a cold, soggy butt even in “20K/20K” gear.

How Awning Bibs Stay Dry in Truly Wet Weather

Awning bibs are built for the worst storm days.

Key design choices

Super waterproof panels where you actually get wet

We use coated, low‑ or non‑breathable fabrics in high‑pressure zones like the seat and upper thighs, so you can sit on wet chairs, snow, or slush without soaking through.

Traditional 3‑layer fabric where you need breathability

We pair those panels with high‑quality 3L fabric everywhere else, balancing durability, comfort, and moisture management.

Construction meant for standing water

Seams, pattern lines, and reinforcements are placed to handle sitting in water and riding storm days, not just standing in lift lines.

Behind the scenes…

Hi! I am Tory, the founder and owner of Awning.

Since birth, I have landed in places with wet, soggy, powdery, and/or wintery mix ski conditions. I accepted a wet butt as a way of life. Until I started designing apparel for a living, coupled with moving to the PNW. Here, at Baker, people wear Grundens skiing! How brilliant. However, Grundens are not breathable, don’t have gaiters, zippered pockets, or other novelty ski features. So, my idea was born.

Awning is based in Bellingham, WA.