If your idea of skiing is to really get to grips with the mountains then Jottnar's Vanir LT pants will appeal; conversely if you prefer to take it easy on the piste they'll probably not be for you.
Designed for the backcountry brigade, ski mountaineers and winter climbers, the Vanir's Polartec Neoshell fabric is fully breathable and waterproof, has a certain amount of stretch and is very robust - hence the popularity of these pants amongst international mountain guides.
The Vanirs come with a stack of practical features, including articulated and reinforced knees, two sets of swappable zip-out gaiters sized for ski and climbing boots (with their own zipped stuff sac), harness-friendly three-quarter length water repellent side zips for great venting in warm conditions and large Kevlar instep protectors to guard against ski edges and crampons.
There's both a belt and detachable harness to keep your breeks in place, below which are two generously-sized, zipped hand pockets. The cut is loose but not baggy to allow for a full range of movement, with a high waist to keep your lower back warm and dry.
The range of colour options varies from bright 'eucalyptus' to plain black, so there's something to suit everyone, and our only very minor gripe about the Vanir LT is that a rear pocket might have been useful, otherwise we think they're a great option if you spend a lot of time off-piste.
