RUFFNEK® x JUSST: University Ski Life, From Dry Slopes to Après Ski

Earlier this year, we introduced our collaboration with JUSST, Liverpool John Moores University’s Ski and Snowboard Team. Since then, the bespoke JUSST x RUFFNEK® snoods have left Yorkshire and become part of university ski life, from dry slope training and racing here in the UK to mountain days and après ski in the Alps.

And if there’s one thing we’ve learnt from following JUSST, it’s that being part of a university ski club is about much more than simply skiing.

From an Idea to a Bespoke Ski Snood

The collaboration began when JUSST approached us looking for a custom snood that could represent the club throughout their season.

Working with their distinctive black, turquoise, purple and orange colour palette, we created a bespoke mountain-inspired design incorporating the JUSST and RUFFNEK® branding.

The result was a lightweight technical snood designed to be recognisably JUSST, whether worn at a UK dry slope, on the mountain or around the resort.

For us, that’s one of the most enjoyable parts of creating custom RUFFNEKs. A design starts life on a screen, but it really comes alive when you eventually see a whole team wearing it.

Training and Racing on UK Dry Slopes

While the annual ski trip might be the highlight of the university calendar, JUSST’s season starts much closer to home.

Members regularly travel to Stoke for Wednesday dry slope training, developing their skiing and preparing for university competitions throughout the academic year.

This is exactly the sort of environment our lightweight Original RUFFNEK® snoods are designed for. A ski neck warmer needs to provide protection against the wind and cold without becoming bulky or uncomfortable when you’re active, particularly during higher-intensity ski training and racing.

And, unlike a thick winter scarf, a lightweight snood is easy to pull up or down as conditions change.

Taking the JUSST x RUFFNEK® Snoods to the Alps

Of course, university snow sports aren't only about training and competition.

The annual ski trip is a huge part of the experience, bringing together skiing, snowboarding, mountain life and the friendships that develop around it.

That also means a ski snood has a life beyond the piste.

It might start the day pulled up against the cold on a chairlift, be worn around the neck while skiing and then stay on as an extra lightweight layer when the skis come off.

From Skiing to Après Ski

Après ski is part of the culture surrounding a ski holiday, and university trips certainly embrace the social side of being in the mountains.

For us, that highlights something we’ve always loved about the versatility of a RUFFNEK®. It's technical kit when you need it to be, but it doesn't need to be packed away with your skis at the end of the day.

A lightweight snood can continue to provide an extra base layer around your neck while walking around the resort, sitting outside, heading to après ski or simply dealing with a cold Alpine evening.

That makes a ski snood for skiing and après ski one of those small pieces of kit that can end up being worn far more than you originally expected.

More Than Just Skiing

What comes across most strongly from following JUSST is the community behind the club.

There are training sessions and race days, but there are also trips, events, socials and plenty of fun along the way. For students who might be completely new to snow sports, university ski and snowboard societies provide an opportunity not only to learn but to become part of a community built around a shared enthusiasm for the mountains.

That combination of sport, outdoor adventure and friendship is something we're very happy to support.

The JUSST x RUFFNEK® Collaboration Continues

We’ve loved seeing the bespoke JUSST x RUFFNEK® design finally being worn out in the real world, and there is still more to come from the collaboration.

We’ll be following JUSST as their university ski season continues and sharing some of our favourite photographs and videos along the way.

You can also follow JUSST on Instagram to see their training, races, ski trips and everything else that comes with university snow sports life.

Looking for your own ski snood or snowboarding neck warmer? Explore the RUFFNEK® collection of lightweight technical neck gaiters, fleece snoods and supersoft reversible designs for dry slope training, skiing, snowboarding, après ski and winter adventures.

And if you're part of a university ski club, sports team or society looking for something unique, discover our Custom RUFFNEK® service and create your own bespoke team snood.

From Wednesday nights on a dry slope to mountain days in the Alps, we think JUSST have shown rather well that a RUFFNEK® can come along for the whole adventure.