Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors
  3. Guides
  4. Products

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

The best gifts for skiers

You can't give skiers the gift of powder, but you can give them this sick gear

Rachel Cavanaugh
By

With the holidays approaching, you’re no doubt brainstorming what to gift your friends and family. If you’re shopping for a skier, it may be tricky to come up with ideas for gear they’ll actually use, particularly if you’re not a winter sports enthusiast yourself — and no, a simple gift card won’t cut it.

To help with the search, we’ve gathered a list of the best gifts for skiers, from gloves and goggles to the best snow accessories around. Whether you’re in search of simple stocking stuffers, or a major gift capable of blowing them away, there’s something here any skier in your life will love.

Falke SK2 Ski Socks

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Available in both men’s and women’s versions, these awesome ski socks blend merino wool and polypropylene to deliver warmth combined with moisture management for comfort that lasts all day. Using anatomically mapped cushion zones, the design reduces pressure around the shin, heel, and toes, providing blister-resistant socks with ultra-fast moisture transport and high thermal insulation.

Amazon

DryGuy Force Dry

Image used with permission by copyright holder

This convenient little contraption dries gloves, shoes, and boots in an hour, accessing those hard-to-reach spots where moisture tends to hide. The machine — which uses heated forced air to quickly dry gear — folds into a compact space, making it simple to throw in your ski bag or take on winter getaways. You can even use it in the lodge to dry mitts while you grab lunch, meaning you’ll never have to head into the cold wearing wet clothes again.

Amazon

Gregory Targhee 32 Backpack

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Made especially for backcountry ski touring, this badass backpack showcases every cool feature you could possibly need for your winter adventure: Stowable ski carry straps, a goggle pocket, a mesh helmet holder, hydration sleeve, avalanche safety pocket, tool compartment, and ice axe retainers, among many others. At just four pounds, the lightweight pack has Gregory’s signature Fusion Flex technology, an alpine-focused suspension system that offers load support for technical ascents. For ultimate customization, it also features vertical straps for snowboards and snowshoes if your winter sports aren’t ski-specific.

Backcountry

Kari Traa Akle Women’s Base Layers

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Designed for a female skier, these ultra-cozy base layers by Kari Traa — a Norwegian apparel brand founded by the Olympic skier of the same name — are constructed with fine merino wool that feels baby soft against the skin. They feature easy-snap buttons, odor-resistant fabric, and a body mapping design that offers a customized stretch fit. The material is phenomenally flexible with stylish, Scandinavian-inspired patterning.

Backcountry

Filson Alaskan Midweight Men’s Base Layers

Image used with permission by copyright holder

These high-end men’s base layers feature moisture-wicking merino wool that offers supreme insulation without itchiness or chafing. The loose-fitting, comfortable fabric feels cozy under ski pants with top-quality stitching, a long, easy-tuck hem, and fitted cuffs to seal in heat. The perfect gift for a guy who loves to hit the slopes and then go lounge around the cabin afterward.

Filson

Burke Mountain Confectionery Maple Collection

Image used with permission by copyright holder

At the foot of Burke Mountain Ski resort, this micro-chocolatier is a hotspot for skiers and tourists leaving the slopes at the end of the day. All of its savory sweets are hand-made at the Vermont confectionery where the aroma of Eden Ice Cider truffles, peppermint bark, and gooey chocolate fills the air. This 5 by 7-inch gift box sampler — which makes a fantastic stocking stuffer — includes salted maple caramel, sweet maple, maple bourbon, maple mocha, and maple creme.

Burke Mountain

goTenna Mesh

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Designed to give backcountry adventurers a way to connect with friends and family when they’re off the grid, this device allows you to send texts and GPS coordinates without any cell phone service. Mesh networking privately relays messages by searching the ultrahigh frequency (UHF) spectrum and communicating via these radio frequencies. For the holidays, the company offers special custom engraving on any purchased unit.

Amazon

Mountainsmith Boot Cube

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ideal for ski vacations and day trips, this boot bag is constructed with coated mesh for ventilation and grommeted drain holes to keep wet, cold boots and gear separate to help them quickly dry. It’s convenient and compact, offering a zippered inner pocket, as well as one on the front panel to store goggles, gloves, and accessories. A fabulous gift for the skier who travels a lot.

Amazon

Skida Tour Neck Warmer

Image used with permission by copyright holder

This three-in-one ski accessory offers additional warmth on a cold day, along with a splash of extra color and style. Available in 36 different patterns and colorways for men and women, the brushed thermal fabric feels silky soft against your skin and can be worn three different ways — as a neckwarmer, headband, or hat. The brand new Winter collection features a handful of newly launched prints and designs.

Amazon

All Good Sunscreen Kit

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Skiers are prime candidates for chapped lips and sunburned faces, however, this four-piece sun and wind kit includes everything you need to protect yourself from the elements. With a natural zinc oxide formula, the sunscreen rubs on clear and remains water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. The set includes SPF 50+ sunscreen butter, an SPF 30 sunstick, SPF 30 sport sunscreen lotion, and a tube of organic SPF 20 lip balm. For another awesome, single-stick option, try Beyond Coastal’s easy-to-use Active Face Stick with coconut oil, beeswax, and yerba maté.

Amazon

Zeal Portal

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Zeal’s high-tech ski goggles offer a special photochromic lens that switches tints as light changes, meaning you can ski all day without swapping out lenses. When the sky is cloudy and overcast, for example, the goggles allow in extra light but when the sun comes back out, they shift to block glare, delivering impeccable visual clarity and making it easier to see textures in the snow.

Amazon

Roxy Biotherm Victoria Women’s Mittens

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Using Roxy’s Biotherm technology, these amazingly unique ski mittens feature microcapsules of Vitamin E, Shea butter, and apricot oil injected into the fabric. The tiny microbes are activated by friction so when you move, they break up and moisturize your hands while you play on the slopes. On top of that, the mittens are warm, cozy, and comfortable. An ideal gift for skiers and snowboarders alike.

Roxy

Seirus HeatTouch Hellfire Men’s Gloves

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The mother of all ski gloves, this has a heftier price tag but if you’re searching for a major gift, Seirus’s Hellfire is among the warmest, most high-tech ski gloves you can find. Featuring 280 grams of HeatLock hollow-core insulation and a self-heating panel that turns on with a button, the gloves are all but guaranteed to keep your hands blazing from first chair to the parking lot. The gloves come with the battery and charger included.

Seirus

Faction Prime Series Skis

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Brand new for this season, Faction’s hot new ski series is designed for technical backcountry pursuits yet are suitable for on-piste resort turns, as well. Available in a wide range of sizes and intended for both men and women, each of the skis in the series are constructed with a hybrid balsa flex core and textreme carbon. They are lightweight and versatile, built for fast, all-mountain skiing and hard-charging, 100-plus day seasons. If you are searching for an exceptional pair of new skis for someone, the Prime series is a stellar choice.

Backcountry

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Rachel Cavanaugh
Rachel Cavanaugh
Contributor
Rachel discovered outdoor recreation in ’98 when she stumbled into a river town one summer and left a raft guide 3 months…
The 12 best gifts for skiers and snowboarders
italian safer ski jump snowboarder

With the holidays fast approaching, you’re probably shopping for gifts to give to your loved ones. If there is a skier or a snowboarder on your list, it might be challenging to find gear or accessories they don't already have or will actually use. If you're not a winter sports enthusiast yourself, then this task triples in its difficulty.

You can always give a gift card, but we want to help you do better than that. To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled this list of the best gifts for skiers and snowboarders. You'll find everything from cutting-edge ski and snowboard goggles to the best winter sports accessories available. Whether you are looking for a small stocking stuffer or a show-stopper gift, there’s something here for every skier or snowboarder.
SHRED Simplify+ Bigshow White Snow Goggles

Read more
The best electric lawn mowers
mow lawn smartphone mowz mowing

Electric lawn mowers are often quieter, easier to use, and better for the environment than gas motor equivalents. Today’s models are so efficient that they can handle a wide range of lawns at an affordable cost -- and we’re picking the best from our reviews, starting with the Ego LM2102SP (be sure to check out our list of the best robot mowers, too).

What about batteries? Lawn mower batteries are easier to maintain than gas motors and generally less expensive for upkeep. However, they do have lifespans and will eventually need to be replaced. A mower battery's lifespan can vary, but expect your lawn mower battery to start developing poor performance after several years. You can make them last longer by storing them in moderate temperatures and making sure they're charged at least once a month during the off-season. Otherwise, look for brands with affordable and readily available replacement batteries.

Read more
The best walkie-talkies

Are you planning to spend some time in the backcountry, either hiking, camping, skiing, or simply enjoying the great outdoors? You still need some way to communicate. Cell phones aren't a reliable option: even in today's connected world, it is difficult to find service in remote locations. So how can you communicate effectively with the rest of your group and the outside world when something goes wrong?

One option is the satellite phone, which will work anywhere as long as you have a clear view of the sky. But these phones are expensive, as are the monthly service fees.  Thankfully, there are much cheaper options out there. Good old-fashioned two-way radios (aka walkie-talkies) remain an efficient and affordable option for off-grid communications. There are hundreds of models to choose from, most of which won't break the bank. After researching various sites and reading dozens of customer reviews, we've selected some of the best below.
Baofeng UV-5R

Read more