We are thrilled to present our top ideas for the skier or rider on your gift list. We've included options starting at $21, along with our preferred methods for season preparation, top choices for essential gear, the best ways to stay warm, innovative methods to track your stats, tech upgrades, recovery tools, and even the best way to gift high-end ski rentals.
These items were independently chosen by The Avant Ski Contributors. Avant Ski LLC may earn a commission on purchases through these links.
Get Stoked
The Man Behind the Maps: Legendary Ski Artist James Niehues is a must-have for any ski enthusiast. This stunning coffee table book features over 200 meticulously hand-painted trail maps from ski resorts around the world. Perfect for sparking wanderlust and celebrating the artistry of the mountains, it’s a timeless gift that will inspire skiers and snowboarders year-round.
Lego Ski City. Who doesn't love to get into the spirit of skiing by building your own lego ski resort? Lego now makes several ski scenes including a Lego City Ski and Climbing Center, a Friends Holiday Ski Shop and Cafe, and a Lego City Snow Groomer. Fun building for the whole family.
Mountain Drinkware. Handblown whiskey glasses from North Drinkware bring the spirit of the mountains to every sip. These glasses feature a meticulously crafted 3D replica of iconic peaks, including the volcano, Mt. Yotei in Japan, Sun Valley, Mt. Hood, and the Maroon Bells as Aspen, molded into the base. Whether you're reminiscing about your last summit or
planning the next adventure, they’re a perfect way to elevate your après-ski ritual.
Hot Hands. For the really cold days, Hot Hands are our go to. Buy them in bulk now to avoid paying many multiples when you need them on the slopes. Pro tip - make sure to put them in before you start the day, for the best and warmest experience.
Custom Ski Painting
This holiday season, give the skier in your life something truly special—a custom painting of their favorite ski trip or mountain view. Whether it’s a family skiing adventure or a cozy lodge scene, a personalized painting is a thoughtful way to celebrate their love for the slopes. Visit Photo2Painting.com to create a timeless gift they’ll cherish forever.
Weather The Storm
OpenSnow is an invaluable resource for anyone planning a ski trip or a day in the mountains. With extensive daily forecasts for different regions, real-time snow reporting, and a user friendly app, OpenSnow is our favorite planning tool. The All-Access app is $29.99/year, and provides full daily snow forecasts, 10-day forecasts, 5-day hourly forecasts, and a treasure trove of other info and features to help you chase the pow.
Protective Ski Gear
Ski Goggles. For the wildest field of view and sharpest optics, the Smith MAG + ChromaPop are hard to beat. The MAG lens change system uses magnets for the easiest way to swap lenses. Lenses and bands come in a variety of fun colors.
Ski Helmet. For the ultimate combination of style, fit and function we recommend the Vantage Helmet, easily combinable with any of the MAG goggles. The Vantage is specially engineered for ladies too with a great color selection.
Performance Balaclavas. The Turtlefur Maxclava fits well, stays in place, and offers UPF 50+ protection. For the coldest times, try the Quattroclava, complete with a storm flap. Also available in youth sizes with fun and colorful patterns.
For more on balaclavas check out our new feature: What is a Balaclava: Ski Masks 101.
Mittens. Hestra makes some of our favorite mittens. Pricey, but durable. We’ve used the same pair for 5 seasons. These come in fun colors in women's and men's sizes. We've never had a bad day in these, even when it’s below 0º with winds 20 mph. For extra protection, try adding Hestra's rechargeable heated liners, available in gloves or mittens.
Trail Maps on your Mittens? Skittenz Custom Trail Map Mittens are a fun and functional way to show off your favorite ski destinations. These cozy mittens feature detailed trail maps from iconic resorts, allowing you to carry a piece of the mountain with you wherever you go. Perfect for staying warm on or off the slopes, they’re a unique gift for any skier who wants to wear their passion for powder.
Staying Warm: Best Ski Jackets in 2024
The Warmest Jacket for the Coldest Days. Stand up to the elements with Helly Hansen's Alpha LIFALOFT (men's) and Aphelia LIFALOFT (women's) jackets. Helly Hansen has taken their most popular jackets (worn by the Swedish ski team) and added their Lifa Infinity insulation, making it even lighter and warmer than before. Extra features abound, including a RECCO Advanced Rescue System and a LIFE POCKET+™ to keep your phone battery alive in cold, a ski pass pocket and a goggle shammy.
Pants For Every Condition. Helly Hansen also makes some of the most "legendary" pants on the market – and we love us some bibs! These pants offer maximum protection from the elements, while remaining comfortable, lightweight, and breathable. The Women's and Men's Legendary Insulated Bib Ski Pants are top choice amongst skiers and riders.
Comfy, Mid-Layers for Ski Gifts
Down Vest. The Patagonia Men’s Downdrift Vest is a versatile layer for cold-weather adventures. Insulated with 600-fill-power recycled down and made with a durable, water-resistant shell, it delivers warmth without bulk. This retro vest will become dad's go-to for skiing, après ski, taking the kids to school and everything in between. Thoughtful details like handwarmer pockets and a stand-up collar add comfort and style, making it a perfect gift for any mountain lover who values performance and sustainability.
Fleece Jacket. For the women in your life, the Women's Classic Down Sweater offers the perfect warmth for almost everything. It is lightweight, windproof and comfortable jacket. Plus, it's made of 100% post consumer recycled nylon ripstop made from recycling fishing nets to help reduce ocean plastic pollution.
Comfy, warm base layer. Investing in your base layer will pay off in spades. Black Diamond base layers are specifically engineered for the mountains, featuring patented NuYarn stretch Merino Wool. This fabric is constructed by wrapping a nylon core with extra-fine merino fiber, resulting in a base layer that is warmer, more breathable, and quicker-drying than other wool products. Available in tops and bottoms for men and women.
Treat Your Feet: Ski Socks and Footwear
Ski socks. Start the season with fresh, lightweight socks. Thicker socks restrict mobility, impede your boot fit, and hold moisture that results in cold feet. Good circulation (being able to wiggle your toes!) is the key to keeping your feet warm. Smartwool, Darn Tough, and Le Bent are all highly rated and offer a range of options.
Heated Ski Socks. We started wearing the LENZ heated ski socks while touring the Powder Highway last February - total game changer! The slim socks fit like normal ski socks. They contain a slim, lithium battery that lasts up to 10 hours. With blue-tooth enabled technology, control the temperature from an app.
Mountain Sounds: Ski Helmet Headphones
Wireless Audio Speaker. The Smith x Aleck Nunchucks bring premium sound and handsfree communication to any ski helmet. The controls are glove friendly too.
Bone Conduction Wireless Headphones. The Shokz OpenRun (formerly known as AfterShokz Aeroplex) are the only headphones an athlete should own. They won't damage your hearing, allow you to have full awareness of your surroundings, never fall off and can even be controlled with gloves on. Total game-changer.
Walkie Talkies to Communicate on the Mountain. Our favorite new toy this season, The Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio, was designed and tested in the Colorado rockies with skiers and riders in mind. The radio transmits at a max range of over 35 miles, though one to five miles is more typical in the backcountry. Designed with a specialized lithium-ion battery, the battery life lasts over 4 days, even in very cold conditions. Plus, its ready to use out of the box and comes with a 2-year warranty.
Level up your Tech: Ski Accessories for the Digital Age
Fitness Tracking. Whether you're shopping for a casual skier or a backcountry adventurer, a GPS watch is a game-changing gift for anyone who loves the mountains. The Coros Pace 3 is a lightweight, budget-friendly option for recreational skiers, while the Garmin Fenix 7 delivers advanced tracking, has 2,000 preloaded ski maps, and robust safety features for serious alpine explorers. For those seeking unrivaled GPS accuracy and durability in extreme conditions, the Coros Verttix 2 is the ultimate companion for off-piste adventures.
Action Cameras. Everyone knows that if it's not on film, it didn't happen. Make sure you capture your sickest tricks, biggest lines, and silliest shenanigans with a portable action camera. GoPro is the long-standing industry leader, and their latest release, the Hero13 Black, offers 5.3K video, Emmy Award winning, HyperSmooth 6.0 image stabilization, a vast array of lens mods, and a re-engineered battery for unparalleled recording time.
To get even more creative, consider the Insta360 X4. This handheld or helmet-mounted camera captures jaw dropping 8K video in an astounding 360˚, and features an enlarged touchscreen display to keep an eye on your shot.
Ski Bags: Added comfort and flexibility
Travel Companion. The Patagonia Black Hole® Duffel is the ultimate travel companion for mountain adventures and beyond. Made from durable, weather-resistant recycled materials, it protects your gear while offering ample storage space for multi-day trips. With versatile carrying options—backpack straps or grab handles, it’s perfect for packing ski gear, layers, or après essentials. Pack sizes range from 40 to 100L, you can view all of them here.
Recover With a Hand Held Massage Gun
Theragun Mini. The Theragun Mini 2.0 is easy to travel with and the perfect antidote to a day on the slopes. Version 2.0 is 20% smaller and 30% lighter, making it even easier to take anywhere you are going. Shockingly powerful given its convenient size.
Avant Ski Swag
Beanies, Buffs and Stickers. Support our new company and show that you are in the know with all new swag. Our beanie is wonderfully warm and eye-catching with a two-tone pom pom and hand-knit logo. Our Buffs are manufactured by Blackstrap, wick away moisture, dry quickly, have a UPF 50+ rating and are only $15.
Rentals Made Easy with Ski Butlers
Ski Butlers delivers top quality Rossignol ski and snowboard equipment through the safest, simplest and most convenient processes. Book through Avant Ski to save 10% (exclusions apply) on your next rentals. Head here to reserve for yourself or as a gift for someone else.
All prices quoted were checked shortly before publication, but prices are subject to change and may not match what is found online. Readers should also make sure to check in-stock and delivery status.
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