The sweater is an iconic piece of ski clothing. Warren was a big fan of classic Nowegian-style sweaters and wore them throught his filming career. Maybe you’ve seen photos of your parents or grandparents sporting one. From heavy, itchy wool sweater to lightweight, breathable merino blends, sweaters have come a long way and morphed into what we now know as base and mid-layers. Whatever you call it, it's an essential piece on the mountain. Here are our top picks for this year's base and mid-layers, er, sweaters.

What initially sparked our interest in Krimson Klover, other than the soft fabrics and fun prints, was the story of female entrepreneurship. Woman owned and operated, the founder, Rhonda Swenson grew up knitting and has traveled the world to find the humanely sourced fabrics and textures. Making everything from sweaters, to base layers, to skirts and dresses, Krimson Klover constructs original pieces that look feminine, function in action and feel good against the skin. The Heart Break Quarter Zip Pullover is like butter. Really, it is one of the softest base layers we’ve come across. This lightweight pullover is a viscose blend and ideal for hitting the slopes and then looking cute next to a fire for après. Because it’s viscose, it is extremely light and breezy, meaning this piece is not an incredibly insulated base layer. But fret not, Krimson Klover makes those too.

base layers range from $120 to $183

Prana’s Lucia Sweater is more of a lifestyle piece than an “on the hill” piece. This is probably the most comfortable off-hill sweater we’ve found that could probably double as a mid-layer if needed. The sides are cut to give it some shape so it's not boxy. The wood buttons and pattern on the cuffs and back give it enough style so you don't have to worry about accessorizing. The best thing about this sweater is that you can throw it on with jeans after skiing and it looks like you put in a little effort.

$98

“Shackets” (shirt jackets) are a big thing this year and the Summit County Quilted Shirt Jacket by Smartwool is our favorite. The relaxed fit leaves room for layering without feeling like you're swimming in it. This shacket takes a while to break in though. You need to wear it about 15 to 20 times for the fabric to get soft and move around freely. This piece has become our go-to for running around town, working in the yard, and walking the dog on chilly mornings.

$220

This is a lightweight pullover with a zippered kangaroo pocket that works as a hand warmer and storage pouch. The Areium tucks into its own pocket and zips shut, theoretically making it into a pillow but we’ve never used it that way, yet. This pullover is great for easy hikes and ideal for traveling. The longer hem is a nice feature if you want to wear leggings and still stay warm without a long coat. If you want more mobility then you might want something with a shorter hem and hood.

$240

The Melanzana Micro Grid Hoodie is a Colorado staple. Headquartered in Leadville, Colorado, this micro fleece with the turtle-neck hoodie is common piece for Rocky Mountain locals. With solid or two-tone color options, the possibilities are really endless. The micro grid fabric is lightweight and very breathable, so ski touring or summer evening lounging all fit the bill. This piece is not ideal in windy conditions, as micro grid fabric often isn’t because air can sneak through. Otherwise, this is truly a year-round pullover for any and all things outdoors.

$69

Dynafit's traverse hybrid jacket is a great layering peice for people who run hot. Synthetic insulation in the chest and back areas keep your core warm, while the arms and sides let you dump excess heat. We use this jacket for backcountry skiing during Spring and warm days at the resort. It regulates your body temperature while hiking or skinning up hill. For descending, throw a hardsell over it to trap your body heat. If you typically run cold, then you might want to try one of Dynafit's more insulated mid-layers. 

$250

This season some of us are sporting onesies because of their techy appeal, not because we want to be a hit at the Holiday party. Ninja Suit makes merino onesies for outdoor enthusiasts and they’ve thought of almost everything when it comes to convenience. The merio Ninja Suit is an essential piece on extremely cold days and is pretty affordable considering it's both your top and bottom baselayer. It also has a 350-degree waist zip. The waist zip is super handy for well, you know, going to the bathroom. The stretchy hood and thumb loops on the cuffs help keep your skin covered up while you swap outer layers. On cold and windy days wear a balaclava becuase the neckline doesn't rise past your chin.

$190

Layer the ULLR over a baselayer and under a hard shell to stay warm and dry on cold days. The internal waffle pattern is soft to the touch and the outerlayer uses a polyester blend for added protection from the elements. Reinfored, wind-resistant fabric on the shoulders, hood and back of the arm is a nice feature for times when you don't need a hardshell. This jacket has an athletic cut which also stretches so it moves easily. The ULLR is a great layering piece on the mountain and we give it enough style points to wear during a night out. The insulated hood can feel a bit bulky if you're wearing a hardshell and helmet, but seems like a bonus when you're not skiing.

$160