Unlike many summer sports, skiers need a lot of equipment. You need warm winter clothes, safety equipment, and specialist skiing equipment.
Between gifts I’ve received, gifts I’ve given, and things I’ve found helpful for skiing, I’ve determined the best gifts for skiers. We’ve included products from $10 up to several hundred dollars, so there’s something for all budgets.
Best gifts for skiers
For the new backcountry skier: ORTOVOX Rescue Set Diract Voice
- Includes Diract voice beacon, shovel, and probe
- Comes with a snow science booklet
- Diract Voice beacon gives voice directions when in search mode
The ORTOVOX Diract Voice Rescue Set is a practical gift and a great way to help keep your loved ones safe if they are getting ready for backcountry adventures. A beacon, shovel, and probe are basic safety equipment needed for backcountry skiing.
The ORTOVOX kit comes with a Diract Voice beacon, which gives voice navigation that can help when a skier is feeling frantic in an emergency rescue scenario.
See ORTOVOX Rescue Set Diract Voice on Backcountry
See ORTOVOX Rescue Set Diract Voice on Amazon
From mom: The Oodie
- Oversized, so one size fits most
- Kangaroo pocket to hold valuables or snacks
- Sherpa fleece on the interior and exterior
- Hood to keep your head warm
- Machine washable
The Oodie might initially appear out of place on this list, but bear with me. When I first unwrapped this gift from my mother, I texted her a feigned text of appreciation and a photo of me in it. I was not very excited about this oversized monstrosity. It’s exactly the kind of thing my mom would love and not something I ever expected to enjoy.
She responded, saying that she thought it would be the perfect thing to crawl into after a big day of winter sports or backcountry skiing. She figured I could keep it in my camper van.
It turns out I was ungrateful, and my mother was right. The Oodie is a good ski gift and the perfect thing to crawl into after a big day in the mountains.
This big hooded amalgamation of a hoodie, jacket, and blanket is one of the warmest things I own. There are dozens of patterns and colors to choose from and kid sizes are also available. This year, my mother purchased one for my partner so he can stop stealing mine. If you’re feeling stumped on what to get the skier that has everything, they probably don’t have an Oodie.
Warm and toasty: Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket
- Weather-resistant DWR coating
- Recycled polyester shell and insulation
- Cape clip and corner loops keep the blanket off the ground
- Comes with a compression sack
- Machine washable
The Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket is another excellent option for a practical gift for the skier in your life. I always have a down or insulated blanket on hand in my van as a winter necessity, extra layer, emergency picnic blanket, or to warm up on cold days. If you know the ski bum in your life wouldn’t be caught dead in an Oodie but you really want to help keep them warm this year, a Rumpl blanket might be more up their alley. This blanket also features dozens of colors and designs, including artist collaborations.
Additionally, for those who are vegan or want other insulation options, Rumpl has Nanoloft blankets using a down alternative, and they offer performance when wet.
See Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket on Rumpl
See Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket on Amazon
You can’t go wrong with socks: Smartwool Backcountry Ski Socks
- Merino wool, nylon, and elastane construction
- Full cushion throughout the sock
- Women’s specific cut
- Over the calf for ski boots
- Made in the USA
Smartwool makes a huge variety of socks for every kind of outdoor enthusiast. The model linked here is my personal favorite, the full cushion women’s backcountry ski sock. I love the extra cushion, durability, women’s specific fit, and warmth from the merino wool.
However, in the ski lineup, there are plenty more options with a variety of cushions, fabrics, cuts, and more. A good-quality pair of socks can also help reduce blisters and foot pain, a must for sports where you are on your feet all day long.
See Smartwool Backcountry Ski Socks on Smartwool
See Smartwool Backcountry Ski Socks on Amazon
Best fitness tracker for skiers and snowboarders: Garmin Fenix 6 Pro
- Preloaded topo maps and ski maps for 2,000+ ski resorts
- Enhanced wrist heart rate
- Advanced GPS
- Smart notifications
- Durable design
If you are buying a gift for a loved one that has an adventurous spirit, the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro is perfect. Bad weather and incoming storms can make navigation challenging, whether you’re inside the resort boundary, enjoying some fresh snow in the sidecountry, or hunting lines in the backcountry.
Garmin’s GPS technology gives you access to detailed maps in full color. It’s not just designed for skiing, so you can use it for cycling, walking, or any other outdoor sports that require navigation. It’s made from stainless steel and is designed to be durable enough for any adventure.
On top of that, it has advanced sports metrics, which can tell you speed and distance information. My primary ski crew all own this watch and we issue challenges to each other like “Who can hit 45mph first” or “Who can get X amount of runs first” and we use our watches to track this. We also all enjoy backcountry and cross-country skiing and use the mapping capabilities to help guide us as we ski. Plus, you won’t need to access your phone all day, because it can receive smart notifications.
See Garmin Fenix 6 Pro on Amazon
See Garmin Fenix 6 Pro on Walmart
Best avalanche airbag for advanced backcountry skiers: Ortovox Cross Rider 18 AVABAG Avalanche Airbag
- Diagonal ski attachment
- You can practice deploying the airbag
- AVABAG is compatible with other ORTOVOX bags
- Quick access to other safety gear
- Compatible with hydration bladders
- Emergency whistle on the sternum strap
Avalanche airbag packs aren’t for resort skiers. These tools are great skiing gifts and tools for experienced backcountry skiers who are taking every precaution to ensure survival if an avalanche occurs.
The AVABAG system can be removed and used with other ORTOVOX packs, so if 18L is too small for your outing, you can move your system into a larger bag. Many airbag packs only allow for a single activation, which doesn’t allow you much practice. However, this bag allows you to practice deploying without the cartridge, an essential element in ensuring you know how to use this bag properly. This pack also offers diagonal ski attachment, is compatible with hydration bladders, has an emergency whistle, and offers quick access to other safety equipment like a beacon, shovel, and probe.
See Ortovox Cross Rider 18 AVABAG Avalanche Airbag on REI
Best hand warmer for cold days: Fourheart Rechargeable Hand Warmer
- Indicator lights to show charge level
- Varying heat levels
- Included charger
- Up to eight hours of heat
Those with cold hands love hand warmers. However, disposable options go straight to the landfill and I feel bad about all the waste I create. The good news is, there are more and more reusable options popping up like the Fourheart Rechargeable Hand Warmer.
This warmer works for up to eight hours on the lower settings and is rechargeable via the included charging cord. Indicator lights will let you know how much charge is left. It heats up quickly and can be tucked away into a glove, backpack, or purse.
See Fourheart Rechargeable Hand Warmer on Amazon
For the filmmaker: GoPro HERO11
- Front and rear LCD screens
- 5.3K 60fps video
- 27-megapixel camera
- Two control options, Easy and Pro
- HyperSmooth 5.0 video stabilization
- Waterproof to 33ft
- 1720mAh Enduro battery
Anyone who’s tried to take a decent video while skiing will know that it’s nearly impossible. Whether you are trying to film your kids on their first trip or taking a video of your friend hitting a big jump, your result will probably end up blurry. So, you need something fit for purpose.
GoPros have been around for a few years now and they are the camera of choice for most extreme sports enthusiasts. That’s because they provide amazing quality, are extremely robust, portable, and you can attach them almost anywhere. The GoPro Hero11 is the newest addition to the family. It shoots in 5.3k at 60fps, or 4k video at 120fps, and has a 27-megapixel camera. There are three night modes, too: Star Trails, Light Painting, and Vehicle Light Trails.
One of the most important features –- especially for skiers –- is that it’s waterproof, even without a housing. That makes it super durable and perfect for extreme adventures.
For tech-savvy skiers and snowboarders: Anker PowerCore 20100mAh Portable Charger
- 20100mAH power
- 4.8A output
- Micro USB cable
- Compact and lightweight
The Anker Powercore Portable Charger has enough battery life to charge your phone five to seven times. It’s no slouch either, it delivers high-speed charging by using Anker’s PowerIQ and Voltage Boost technologies.
You can recharge the power pack itself in ten hours. With all that power, you might think that it’s going to weigh a ton. In fact, this ski gadget weighs less than a can of soup (that’s the official measurement), so it will slot nicely into your pack and you’ll hardly notice it.
See Anker PowerCore 20100mAh Portable Charger on Amazon
See Anker PowerCore 20100mAh Portable Charger on Walmart
One jacket to rule them all: The North Face Men’s Resolve 2 Jacket
- DryVent 2L shell with mesh liner
- Waterproof and windproof
- Stowaway hood and zippered pockets
- Multiple color options
A ski jacket needs to be versatile, ideally, it can provide rain protection and warmth on your winter hike too. The North Face Resolve 2 is a perfect choice. It uses The North Face’s DryVent technology for the shell and has a mesh lining inside. This combination will keep you warm and dry and also provides you with plenty of ventilation.
See The North Face Men’s Resolve 2 Jacket on Amazon
Best hydration bladder: CamelBak Crux 3-Liter Water Reservoir
- Three-liter capacity
- Leak-proof cap
- Seal-sealing valve
- Hydroguard technology
Something that people often forget about in the mountains is staying hydrated, especially while backcountry skiing or cross-country skiing. You can get lulled into a false sense of security because of the cold weather and the fact that it doesn’t feel like exercise all the time, but you need to drink lots of water while skiing. A hydration bladder is a great yet inexpensive gift for skiers and snowboarders.
The CamelBak Crux 3-Liter Water Reservoir fits into most backpacks and allows you to drink from an easy-to-access valve that self-seals after every drink. The Hydroguard technology stops bacteria from growing in the reservoir or tube.
See CamelBak Crux 3-Liter Water Reservoir on Amazon
See CamelBak Crux 3-Liter Water Reservoir on Walmart
Dry boots are everything: DryGuy Force Dry DX Boot and Garment Dryer
- Dries four garments simultaneously
- Works for boots, gloves, and garments
- Comes with an extension tube for large boots
- Heats to 105˚F
- Three-hour timer
When you’re skiing, your gear is going to get wet. You’re going to come home damp and you need to find a way of drying your gear for the next day.
The DryGuy Force Dry DX uses forced air to dry up to four garments at one time. You can slot your boots and gear on and let the dryer do the rest. It has a three-hour timer and heats to 105˚F. It’s also whisper-quiet, which is unheard of for a dryer of this quality. It might not be the most exciting present you could receive, but they’ll be thanking you a million times over when they put their warm dry boots on every morning.
This is the ultimate gift for the skier who loves to ski back-to-back days and needs to ensure that their snow jacket, snow pants, or snow bibs are dry the next day.
See DryGuy Force Dry DX Boot and Garment Dryer on Amazon
Insulated cans for apres ski: YETI Rambler Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Colster
- Double-wall vacuum insulation
- 18/8 stainless steel
- Fits in cupholders
- Multiple color options
There’s no better feeling than cracking open a cold beer at the top of a mountain or in the ski area parking lot after a full day of skiing.
You can’t ski around all day with a coolbox, so you need a YETI Rambler Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Colster. It keeps your drink securely in place and fits into most cup holders – which makes it great for road trips as well.
See YETI Rambler Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Colster on Amazon
Warm hands, warm heart: Savior Heated Gloves
- Up to six-hour battery life
- Carbon fiber heating
- Accelerates blood circulation
- Includes two battery packs
No matter how good your ski gloves are, your hands can still get cold. Well, that is all changing with the invention of heated gloves. Savior Heated Gloves use battery power to warm your hands within 30 seconds.
The gloves have three settings, so you can choose how hot you want them, and the battery life lasts up to six hours. They have carbon fiber heating technology that keeps your hands warm and accelerates blood circulation. They can be used for all outdoor sports, including motorcycling, hiking, and skiing.
See Savior Heated Gloves on Amazon
Best ski goggles: OutdoorMaster Ski Goggles PRO
- Frameless lens
- Anti-fog coating
- UV400 protection
- Fit over any helmet
New ski goggles –- like the OutdoorMaster Ski Goggles Pro –- have a huge screen lens for an amazing, protected view of the slopes.
These don’t have a frame like old-school goggles, which stops them from steaming up and gives you an unobstructed view. They are comfortable and fit easily over your ski helmet. The lens provides UV400 protection and is easily changeable. Unlike goggles from other brands, the OutdoorMaster Ski Goggles are very affordable at around $50.
See OutdoorMaster Ski Goggles PRO on Amazon
See OutdoorMaster Ski Goggles PRO on Walmart
Recommended baselayer: Tesla Men’s Thermal Wintergear Compression Baselayer
- 87% polyester 13% spandex
- Two-way air circulation
- Fleece lining
- Multiple color options
Even with the best winter coat, you are going to need some thermal clothes to wear underneath. They keep you extra warm when the weather is bad and are lightweight enough to not affect your performance. Thermal underwear also wicks away sweat, keeping you dry and warm.
The Tesla Men’s Thermal Wintergear Compression Baselayer is a high-quality product. It has a fleece lining to keep you extra warm, as well as spandex material to hug your body. It’s designed to dry quickly and has two-way air circulation to keep you cool when the sun comes out. It is made specifically for men, but women have bought it and found it comfortable, too, according to Amazon reviews.
See Tesla Men’s Thermal Wintergear Compression Baselayer on Amazon
Great for a ski trip: Kulkea Boot Trekker – Ski Boot Backpack
- Holds boots, helmet, goggles, and accessories
- Shoulder and back straps
- Adjustable, padded straps
- Four color schemes
When you’ve bought all your ski gear, you’re going to need a way to travel with it. The Kulkea Boot Trekker is the perfect bag. It’s a great gift for skiers because it’s the last thing they’ll buy for themselves.
It comes in four different color schemes, so you can get it to match the rest of the equipment. It has heavily reinforced, padded straps to provide extra comfort when you’re lugging those heavy ski boots around. It has specific compartments for your boots, ski helmet, snow goggles, and other accessories like hand warmers. Plus, this ski boot bag can be worn on your shoulder or back which makes it pretty versatile.
See Kulkea Boot Trekker – Ski Boot Backpack on Amazon
Top-quality ski gloves: Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves
- Army goat leather with Bemberg lining
- G-loft insulation
- Elastic at wrist
- Hook and loop closure
- Mitten option
Hestra has been making winter gloves for nearly 80 years. They started out making gloves for mountaineers and lumberjacks and eventually jumped on the skiing bandwagon when it became popular in Switzerland. So, when you buy Hestra gloves, you’re buying a piece of history. They make some of the highest-quality ski gloves money can buy, using a mixture of army goat leather and polyamide fabric. This tried and tested combination of materials will keep your hands warm and dry.
They come in a range of colors and styles to suit your ski outfit. You can buy them as mittens if you don’t need the extra dexterity of having each finger separate. The Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves are unisex.
See Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves on Amazon
Phone protection against the elements: PHOOZY XP3 Series Thermal Phone Case
- Protects against temperatures and sinking
- Military standards for drop protection
- Multiple attachments
- Pockets for cards and cash
Smartphones are fragile and mountain conditions are unforgiving. Cold temperatures will wreck your phone battery and leave you with no way to call for help if you need it.
The Phoozy XP3 Series Thermal Phone Case can protect your smartphone. It provides thermal hot/cold protection, float protection, and drop protection (to military standards). Plus, it has multiple attachments, so it can attach to anything, and it has pockets to keep your cards and cash.
See PHOOZY XP3 Series Thermal Phone Case on Amazon
See PHOOZY XP3 Series Thermal Phone Case on Walmart
Why trust us
Here at ExplorersWeb, we have decades of combined experience in the mountains so we know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to unforgiving environments.
Who this is for
This guide is for skiers and snowboarders, shopping for ski friends, or for non-skier friends and family looking to get a gift for their loved ones.
How we picked
Curating this guide started with my personal favorites. From there, I looked at essentials for every skier, safety equipment, then bonus items, and travel accessories that can improve a ski day.
How we tested
Each of the tested products in this guide spent anywhere from a month to a year on the slopes. Some items are clearly for après-ski, but others excel at being in the middle of the action. We tested all suitable products in a variety of snow conditions.
