Thanks to a snowy spring, snowgrrl got a few late-season days in and had the opportunity to try out the Maribel parka and Betty pant from Nils‘ 2016-2017 lineup.  The indigo winter winds print Maribel jacket was tested on the slopes of Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado (buy your Epic Pass before April 10 to receive 6 buddy tickets!) as well as on the streets of Denver during a March blizzard. The Maribel jacket, from NILS’ Simplexity line, is made of a 4-way stretch, 3 layer fabric that is waterproof to 20,000 mm and breathable 20,000g.  It is insulated with “thermo extreme”.  This combination of technical fabric and insulation helped the jacket perform beautifully in both the city and the mountains, demonstrating the high performance fabric’s range and versatility.

Snowgrrl was also thrilled to discover that NILS makes a great mid-rise stretchy slim fit pant in extra long, which perfectly fits this snowgrrl’s 35″ inseam.  Trying on the Betty pants made me want to jump for joy and/or beg the designer to replicate them in a dozen different fabrics to wear on and off the mountain 🙂  In other words, they fit great – no easy feat for pants for tall girls!  I did not need a base layer beneath these pants; the 3 layer fabric with lining was enough to keep me warm on ski days that were around 25-35 degrees.  The high contoured back prevented any embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions, and a zippered back pocket came in handy for storing a business card that someone on the lift handed to me.

The bold blue print jacket garnered a lot of attention on the slopes.  When remarking to a ski companion that the new gates at the bottom of the (now faster) Avanti lift make me feel like a racehorse, he commented, “well in that jacket, you’re more like a show pony.”  The Maribel is stylishly cut hip-length to keep your booty warm.  It also contains all of the technical and convenience features we’ve come to expect from NILS: a fleece-lined chin guard which provides comfort by preventing irritation from the brass zipper; an internal media pocket; an arm pocket for your ski pass or lip balm, flattering seams, and two zippered side pockets.  A powder skirt and removable hood offer options in changing weather conditions.  A nylon thumb thong holds the jacket’s sleeves in place while providing additional warmth underneath gloves.

The custom antiqued brass hardware is embellished with crystal detailing.  Snowgrrl thought this bold and beautiful jacket looked like it belonged in the “Golden Gondola” — a gondola outfitted in gold to celebrate Vail mountain’s 50th anniversary during the 2012-13 ski season!  Don’t you agree?

In compliance with FTC Endorsement Guidelines 16 C.F.R. Part 255, we make this disclosure of material connection: Snowgrrl.com received Maribel jacket at no charge from NILS in consideration for review publication.