Mark Barber

There’s nothing quite like that first breath of crisp mountain air before you glide down a blanket of fresh snow. But let’s be honest — skiing isn’t exactly a cheap hobby. You need lift passes, you need the right kit, and ideally you want gear that keeps you warm and makes you look the part. Thankfully, Helly Hansen have made life a whole lot easier with their Ski Free initiative — a brilliant way to ease the financial sting while gearing you up properly for the mountains.

This review of the Men’s LIFA® Merino Midweight Crew comes from the slopes of the Portes du Soleil in France, January 2025. With fresh snow, chilly early mornings, and bluebird sunshine, it was the perfect chance to see how well this base layer held up across full days on the mountain. First Impressions I’ve worn a fair few base layers over the years—some too thin, some that itch like mad, and a couple that smelt like a damp tent by lunchtime.

This review of the Helly Hansen Ridge Infinity Shell Jacket (Black) was carried out snowboarding on the slopes of the Portes du Soleil ski area in France in January 2025. I had good snow conditions and bluebird skies (I know, lucky me!). Introduction The 2024–25 Helly Hansen Ridge Infinity Shell Jacket is another strong entry in the brand’s high-performance lineup.