Best gifts for skiers and snowboarders
Get the special someone in your life even more stoked for the upcoming season with our top 21 best gifts for skiers. And don’t forget to bookmark a gift or two for yourself, too!
You know your loved ones like the back of your hand. You fully expect them to get stoked at the first sign of snow and be straight online booking their first trip of the season. But it can still be hard knowing what to buy a ski or snowboard addict – especially if their setup already seems complete.
Never fear! Dope Mag is here with the greatest list of gifts for skiers and snowboarders. Yep, we’ve scoured the web and drawn from our own on-mountain experiences to list some rad gifts for the mountain lovers in your life. We’ve got everything covered – from big budgets to smaller stocking fillers. So, what are you waiting for? Get browsing and start gifting!
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21 gifts ideas for winter sport lovers
Whether you’re doing Secret Santa on a budget or prepped to spend the big bucks, we’ve included gifts for every occasion and type of rider. While many skiers and snowboarders will pray for snow this season, we have a good feeling one or two of these gifts will also be on their wish lists. Just don’t forget the wrapping paper!
1) Ski vacation package
What better gift to get any skier or snowboarder than a trip to the mountains, right? This is especially true when vacations rarely come cheap. So, book your loved one a ski and stay package and watch the stoke explode. Plus, they might even invite you along…
Most ski resorts offer all-inclusive packages that work out cheaper than buying your flights, accommodation, and lift ticket separately. So, look around and search holiday and travel sites – there are sometimes insane deals to be found. And, few things are rarely sweeter than riding premium fresh pow, while knowing you didn’t have to pay a premium for the privilege.
2) Thermal phone case
Right, chances are you’re buying for someone who can’t live without their phone. Maybe they’re looking to add content to #SkiTok, or they want to trump their friends on BeReal with a fire mountain shot and selfie. Either way, you can’t go wrong with gifting them a thermal phone case.
Yep, you might wonder why you can’t just place your phone in your pocket. Well, have you ever been on the mountain and had strands of hair freeze? Then imagine what’s happening to your phone. Fear not, though – a thermal phone case extends your phone’s battery life in super cold conditions and armors it with military-grade drop (and wipeout) protection.
3) Ski or snowboard bag
Ah, the ski and snowboard bag: a key item in transporting your gear and equipment from A to B. Buy your skier or snowboarder a ski and snowboard bag, and they’re sure to be happy. Not only can a ski or snowboard bag safely transport their favorite two planks or board, but it also can fit their clothing and accessories.
There’s nowhere you can go wrong here. Choose one with wheels or without, and with a hard case or sleeve design. A ski and snowboard bag will surely be well-loved and last a lifetime. Plus, when your shred friend isn’t in the mountains (not that we ever like to think of time away from the snow!), they can use the bag to keep their riding possessions safe and sound.
4) Ski or snowboard jacket
Give skiers and snowboarders the gift of style (and function) with a snow jacket. Yep, a rad jacket will allow them to express themselves on the mountain while keeping them warm, dry, and comfortable. It’s best to make sure you pick a design with decent waterproofing and breathability ratings. You’ll want to keep insulation options in mind, too.
For a helping hand, we’ll give you a super-quick run-down. There are two main types of ski jackets to choose from: shell or insulated. Choosing between them depends on what kind of rider you’re buying for, where they might head, and the time of year they like to shred. So, for example, buying a ski jacket for someone who wants to ride waist-deep pow in Whistler in mid-January will be totally different from a ski jacket for someone lapping the parks in SoCal during spring.
5) Action camera
Is there anything more annoying than finally landing the trick you’ve been trying to nail for ages and no one documenting it? How about riding the best line of your life and zero souls believing you at the bar? Or – even worse – the adrenaline hit means your memory’s a bit of a blur? Enter an action camera.
From the GoPro HERO to the Insta360, these make the perfect gift for capturing your loved one’s progression, tricks, stunts, and antics (and not necessarily just on the hill). Just don’t blame us if they make you watch every clip over, even the ones they promised they’d delete!
6) Ski or snowboard pants
Make sure your fave skier or snowboarder rides in style from head to toe with a new pair of ski pants. Much like a snow jacket, snow pants allow your powder addict to show what they’re all about on the mountain – and make sure they’re protected from the cold, too.
Choose between 3-in-1 models, shells, insulated designs, bibs, and more. And, again, it’s always worth considering what kind of rider you’re buying for. For example, if they’re a fan of skinning up the mountain and earning their turns, they’ll most definitely want snow pants with breathable vents for cooling down when the climb heats things up.
7) Goggles
You can’t go wrong with buying a new pair of ski goggles: the pièce de résistance of any snow outfit. Not only do goggles mean you can scope out every detail on the mountain, but they’re also an added touch of style for any shredder’s setup.
Choose from cylindrical or spherical designs; mirror, dual-layer or polarized lenses; quick-swap straps or quick-release lenses, and more. Don’t forget about goggles with interchangeable lenses, too. This means your high-altitude amigo can easily swap their shades depending on the conditions.
8) Base layers
Choosing the right pair of base layers can make the difference between keeping warm and riding from first chair to last lift, or being a shivering wreck and wanting to go back to the chalet by noon. So, set your loved ones up right with a base layer top, base layer pants, or even a whole set.
Any rider worth their salt (or snow!) will already have these in their kit, however, you can never have too many base layers — so don’t be afraid to gift them one more. And they don’t have to be monochrome, either. Choose from colored, camo, and limited edition prints.
9) Portable power bank
Whether skiers and snowboarders are sneaking away from the office (WFH means ‘work from high’, right?) or just can’t be without their gadgets, a portable power bank is an essential piece of kit – and a much-wanted gift. Plus, it overcomes the challenges of traveling to another country. With a portable power bank, you won’t have to worry about lugging travel adapters and charging cables everywhere.
A portable power bank means skiers and snowboarders can embrace that digital nomad life and work from anywhere – up the mountain or down at the bar. Plus, it’s not just their laptop they can charge. Choose one that can power up their action cameras, phones, and other gadgets for optimum versatility.
10) Ski gloves/mittens
Have you ever been up a mountain, stuck on a chair, and you have to sit on your hands to stop your fingers from freezing off? We have, and it’s not fun. So, a decent pair of ski or snowboard gloves or mittens are a much-appreciated gift.
Of course, much like ski and snowboard jackets and pants, there are some factors to consider. These include the kind of riding the person you’re buying for is into. For example, fair-weather only, waist-deep powder in minus temperatures, or spring slush sessions. You’ll also want to consider glove materials (like GORE-TEX), insulation, and design. You can look for handy features, too, (pun fully intended), such as removable liners, which offer extra flexibility should the weather change…and they’re stuck on a chairlift.
11) Rechargeable hand warmers
Talking about keeping hands warm, you can’t go wrong with buying a skier or snowboarder hand warmers. And how about gifting them a zero-waste option with rechargeable ones? Yep, they can often be charged via a USB port overnight, ready for that first frigid lift line.
This way, your skier or snowboarder can shred all day and cling to frozen drag-lifts and equally cold beer glasses without their fingers complaining. And some thermocharge hand warmers also double up as a phone charger. That’s multitasking at its best.
12) Facemask or neck warmer
Straight-lining down the run or riding in a whiteout introduces you to the mountain ‘facial’, aka freezing snow or ice-cold wind pelting your skin. While we’re not saying that’s necessarily a bad thing, sometimes you want extra warmth and protection. So, gift riders a facemask or neck warmer.
Most facemasks and neck warmers are wind and sweat-resistant. They can also help stop ski goggles from fogging. But, of course, there’s a bit of a style element, too. Some riders wear them under their helmet and beanie with the classic two strands of hair out the front.
13) Boot bag
There are a lot of different components for skiing and snowboarding. And that’s just with packing. Yep, you might think your favorite riders are sorted for their trip with a suitcase or ski and snowboard bag. However, they might be missing a classic boot bag.
Gift them a boot bag, and they can carry their ski or snowboard boots from home to the hill in one piece. And that’s not all. Most boot bags can also fit their goggles, helmet, gloves, ski socks, beanies, etc. So if you know someone who spends a week or more out in the mountains every season, a boot bag makes moving their gear way easier.
14) Beanie
Ah, beanies. Every rider’s kryptonite. And the best bit about them? You can never have too many! So buy the skiers and snowboarders in your life a beanie, and they’re bound to be stoked.
Beanies can be worn from the plane to the peaks – and downing pints after at après-ski! Choose from neutral colors to bright shades, snug profiles to baggier fits, chunky ribbed designs, or tighter beanies for wearing under helmets. The options are pretty much endless – but gratitude is always guaranteed!
15) Ski and snowboard wax
If you know a more advanced rider, chances are they wax their gear to keep it in good condition and up their speed on the mountain. So, you can’t go wrong with buying them some ski and snowboard wax. In fact, we say this is pretty much the perfect stocking filler gift!
Ski and snowboard waxes exist for all types of riders. Whether it’s pure speed on the alpine course, spring slush in the park, or sub-zero carving on the corduroy, there’s a perfect wax for everyone. And they even come in scented versions, too! Just, you know, resist the urge to give it a lick.
16) Hoodie
We’ve mentioned base layers and outerwear. But how about gifting the rider in your life an awesome mid-layer? A hoodie is bound to keep them warm while letting them show off their style, too.
Some hoodies include lift ticket pockets, headphone outlets, and super hard-wearing fabrics. All these little extras mean your fave skier or snowboarder can wear them on the hill all day long. And, when après rolls around, what’s better than delayering to show style isn’t just outerwear-deep? Plus, if you’re buying a water-resistant softshell hoodie, they can wear this as an outer layer on warm spring days.
17) Headphones
If you know a rider who can’t live without their tunes, there’s no doubt that headphones will go down a treat. Whether they listen to music to pump up pre-powder or while lapping the park, a pair of headphones is the perfect addition to their riding experience.
Choose from helmet audio systems or wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Just remember to remind them not to have it so loud that they can’t hear what’s happening around them. Leave the heavy bass and miles-spanning vocals to après-ski and the likes of La Folie Douce!
18) Flasks, travel mugs, and insulated bottles
There’s nothing like a hot drink in the cold mountains or keeping hydrated during backcountry missions. So, buy skiers and snowboarders a flask, travel mug, or water bottle to replenish as they ski tour or chill on the lifts. Some bottles can keep water cold for 24 hours or drinks hot for 12.
Small flasks and travel mugs are perfect for fitting inside their ski jackets. But who says it has to be filled with hot cocoa or coffee? Why not après early with an insulated wine bottle? However, sharing is caring – it’s always best not to keep the whole thing to yourself and ride under the influence. Save that for down at the bars, instead…
19) Fleece
Something about the mountains makes you picture getting all cozy after a full day’s riding – by an open fire in a chalet if you’re lucky. And what better way to embrace comfort than with a fleece?
Yep, a fleece is a perfect layer (and gift) for time spent in the snow. Wear a fleece as a mid-layer or as the main attraction of an outfit while exploring the resort. Gift skiers and snowboarders a plush, thick fleece with plenty of storage or even limited edition prints. Fleeces are made to keep you warm – and get you noticed.
20) Stomp pad
This is one for your one-planked friends. While there are plenty of gifts for looking good on the snow, buying something to help while riding will always be appreciated. Enter the stomp pad (also known as a traction pad or deck grip).
These rubbery or foam pads are attached to snowboards and allow the rider somewhere to stand and grip when their back foot is out of the binding. This is usually when they need to skate or get on or off a lift. Stomp pads are an essential steering control – especially when stuck on flat sections (a snowboarder’s nightmare) or riding drag lifts (another snowboarding nightmare). They’re also handy for clearing snow from the boot before strapping in. Choose from various sizes, shapes, colors, and designs, and watch their faces light up over their new stomp pad.
21) T-shirt
Right, t-shirts might not be the most obvious gift idea for die-hard riders but bear with us. They’re probably one of the most versatile items in any skier or snowboarder’s wardrobe. Wear over base layers throughout the season for an added splash of style. Then, come après-ski or sunny spring touring days, the layers come off, and the humble tee gets its moment to shine.
Of course, there are countless options to choose from. Our favorite skiing tees? The ones we can wear year-round that remind us of our times in the mountains. Not that we need reminding, of course – we pine for those snow-covered peaks whenever we’re not there!
Wrapping up
So, now there’s no excuse not to know what to buy the skiers and snowboarders around you. Whether you go big with a vacation package or smaller with hand warmers, one thing’s for sure: your gift will be loved by any rider. Can’t decide between two presents? Buy one for them and one for yourself. Ssh, your secret’s safe with us…