1Smith Squad goggles
Flat light is what ruins a ski day, because every bump in the snow disappears. Smith's Squad comes with two lenses, a ChromaPop lens for sunny days and a spare for low light, so they can swap when the clouds roll in. An anti-fog inner lens and wicking face foam keep the view clear, and it's built to sit well with Smith helmets.
Pros
- Two lenses for sun and flat light.
- Anti-fog inner lens.
- Medium fit suits most faces.
Cons
- Not designed to go over glasses.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Smith product page ↗
2Smartwool Ski Full Cushion over-the-calf socks
Cold feet and sore shins end more ski days than tired legs. These Smartwool socks are mostly merino, so they stay warm and don't smell after a day in boots. They're fully cushioned, come up over the calf to sit above the boot cuff, and Smartwool replaces them within two years if they're not happy.
Pros
- Warm merino that resists smells.
- Full cushioning inside stiff boots.
- Two-year guarantee.
Cons
- Thick for snug race boots.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Smartwool product page ↗
3Buff Merino Lightweight neckwear
A neck tube is the bit of kit skiers and snowboarders lose most often. Buff's Merino Lightweight is a seamless tube of merino that pulls up over the chin on the chairlift and down again on the run. It resists smells across a week away and is light enough to wear as a hat liner too.
Pros
- Pulls up on cold chairlifts.
- Merino resists smells.
- Light and seamless.
Cons
- Too thin for very cold days on its own.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Buff product page ↗
4Ocoopa rechargeable hand warmers, 2-pack
Cold fingers on the lift are a fact of ski life. These slim rechargeable warmers heat up in seconds, have three heat settings and last up to six hours, and there's one for each pocket or glove.
Pros
- Heats up in seconds.
- Two warmers.
- Rechargeable.
Cons
- Needs charging each night.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Ocoopa product details on Amazon UK ↗
5Dakine Boot Backpack 50L
Carrying boots, helmet and goggles from the car to the lift is a juggling act. Dakine's Boot Backpack has a lined compartment that keeps wet boots away from everything else, a padded pocket for the helmet and goggles, and a front pocket for gloves and a spare layer. It works for ski boots and snowboard boots.
Pros
- Wet boots stay separate.
- Padded helmet and goggle pocket.
- Carries everything hands-free.
Cons
- Big to take on as cabin luggage.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Dakine product page ↗
What to buy someone who loves the mountains
Skiers and snowboarders need much of the same kit, so these gifts suit both. The best gifts for skiers and snowboarders fix the small annoyances of a ski day, like cold hands, flat light and carrying boots. Check whether they wear glasses before buying goggles. Socks and a neck tube are safe if you're unsure.
How we picked these gifts for skiers and snowboarders
We picked each product for what skiers and snowboarders enjoy and because it makes sense as a present. The order is our own choice. The pros and cons come from published product details, not customer reviews.
Amazon shows the current price and delivery. Where we've checked that the US listing is the same product, the US link goes there. Otherwise you'll get the UK listing, labelled as such. More about our research.
