Yahoo Lifestyle51 Great Gifts For Hard-Charging Skiers
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51 Great Gifts For Hard-Charging Skiers
Skiing is not just a sport. It's not just a winter activity. It is a full-blown lifestyle, and if you know any hardcore skiers in your life, you know exactly what we are talking about. Like surfers, or my middle school friend group, being a skier involves an entire new vocabulary and way of life.
So, if you're looking for a gift for the ski bum in your life, you should know a little about the culture. Allow us. To start, function and performance is key. If you are shopping for a hardcore athlete, know that how stuff performs in the snow, on the mountain, and over time is going to trump aesthetics as far as gear goes. This also means that a lot of the gear is very expensive. Which is great for you, because gift giving is about showing your loved ones how much they mean. And a pricey gear upgrade? That shows them they mean a lot.
Then once they're off the slopes, there's Après Ski culture. Aesthetics absolutely matter here. in fact, this is all aesthetics. The lodge is the skiers runway. A cozy hoodie will do it, but a stylish winter coat will really do it. Winter sneakers will do the job, but some more rugged, fashionable boots will turn heads. These are the things your ski bum cares about. Here are our favorites that'll make them feel seen.
Courtesy - 2/53
Rechargeable Hand Warmers
amazon.com - 3/53
Sloping Ski Glasses
uncommongoods.com - 4/53
Helmet Drop-in Headphones
OutdoorMaster
amazon.com
$59.99
These helmet headphones are a favorite for skiers probably because they are actually made for skiers. The big buttons are easy to press with mittened hands and fit into the ear inserts in helmets.
amazon.com - 5/53
KOALA 2.0 Super-Grip Smartphone Harness
Hangtime Gear
hangtimegear.com
$29.00
This phone harness is good for skiers and clumsies alike. It grips to your phone and connects to your jacket pocket (or wherever you want it) so you don't drop your phone off a lift. Or into a subway track.
hangtimegear.com - 6/53
Cottonwoods GORE-TEX Bibs
Backcountry
backcountry.com
$174.98
Great bibs are a godsend, and typically more comfortable than a pair of snow pants. This pair from Backcountry is as good as they get.
backcountry.com - 7/53
Ski Trip Candle
Homesick
homesick.com
$38.00
For those days, weeks, or months they can't hit the slopes, transport them back to the mountain with this Homesick candle. The smell of cool air hooks them, followed by the smokey-sweet smell of the lodge, and it's all backed by that winter woodsy cedar, vanilla, patchouli base.
homesick.com - 8/53
Merino 250 Baselayer Crew
Smartwool
backcountry.com
$80.00
The all important baselayer. It's got to keep you warm. It's got to wick away sweat. Smartwool's 250 weight is plenty to keep you toasty, and the merino wool build means it's naturally moisture-wicking and odor-reducing. Dare we say, the perfect baselayer.
backcountry.com - 9/53
Merino 250 Bottom
backcountry.com - 10/53
Nuptse Après Booties
The North Face
thenorthface.com
$109.00
When the Apès Ski look gets a bit fussy, throw in some crazy-looking technical booties. The look instantly pivots from "Child of a Swiss banker," to "Explorer at Everest basecamp." A welcome swerve.
thenorthface.com - 11/53
Double Roller Mini
Lululemon
lululemon.com
$38.00
Massage guns are all the rage, rightfully so. But sometimes, nothing hits a sore muscle like a foam roller. This clever pair of rollers from Lululemon packs down incredibly easy.
lululemon.com - 12/53
Titanium Flask L
Snow Peak
snowpeak.com
$179.95
Listen, we're not cops. We know they miiiight like a little swig on the slopes, nothing crazy. A titanium flask won't weight them down, and, more importantly, won't be damaged in the event of a wipeout.
snowpeak.com - 13/53
WPZ2 Rugged Digital Camera
Kodak
amazon.com
$199.99
There's no science to this, but pics of a point-and-shoot, even a digital one, just come out infinitely better than phone camera images. Plus, this Nikon WPZ2 is shockproof and waterproof, so no worries about the abuse it'll get on the slopes.
amazon.com - 14/53
Ski Polo Bear 42mm Steel Watch
Ralph Lauren
ralphlauren.com
$2100.00
Sick and tired of seeing the Polo bear on sweaters. Put the lil guy skiing on a watch? We're all in.
ralphlauren.com - 15/53
Instinct 2 Solar
Garmin
amazon.com
$399.99
That little Apple Watch is cute, but it can handle the slopes. Get something a little more rugged, like this solar-charging GPS smartwatch from Garmin.
amazon.com - 16/53
Round-Frame Folding Sunglasses
Persol
mrporter.com
$505.00
Sunglasses cannot possibly look more Après Ski than these Persol shades. The shape, the tortoiseshell, the silver finishes, it's all perfect. Bonus is that they're a folding pair, so they're incredibly easy to pack down and toss in the bag.
mrporter.com - 17/53
Trailblazer 10
Salomon
salomon.com
$45.00
Every crew needs a bagman. Show appreciation to yours with this perfectly sized 10-liter pack—just enough space for phones, wallets, snacks, and waters. A chest strap keeps it secure. And the smooth backside means nothing will get caught on the lift chair, saving all sorts of accidents.
salomon.com - 18/53
Sidekick Dry Gear Case
YETI
yeti.com
$50.00
Instead of tossing phones and wallets into a bag, set them neatly in a YETI dry bag. This slimmed down version is perfect for sliding into backpacks.
yeti.com - 19/53
Cashmere Half-Zip Sweater
Loro Piana
mrporter.com
$2795.00
We don't need to explain Loro Piana cashmere to you. But we will say, do not buy a turtleneck for a ski or Après Ski sweater. When you get too hot in a turtleneck, what can you do? Roll up the sleeves? Get a half-zip, and they'll be better primed for that outside to inside temperature spike.
mrporter.com - 20/53
Patagonia Classic Retro-X Jacket (Men's)
Patagonia
backcountry.com
$137.40
If you're not looking to spend Loro Piana cashmere money on a gift, a classic Patagonia Retro X is a great, affordable jacket for around the lodge.
backcountry.com - 21/53
Midweight Merino Wool Ski Sock
Bombas
bombas.com
$84.00
Ski socks don't suck anymore. Gone are the days of thin liner and itchy wool outer. Bombas has the best one-stop ski socks out there. Plus, they come in this sick tie-dye pattern.
bombas.com - 22/53
Cool Lock with Cable
Dakine
amazon.com
$25.99
Sad truth is that with all the skis lined up at the bottom of the slope, swiping a pair—by mistake or on purpose—is questionably easy. Give them some protection.
amazon.com - 23/53
Ribbed Colorblock Balaclava
Verloop
backcountry.com
$74.95
We love turning a balaclava, a purely functional accessory, into something good looking. This Verloop option does that at a very affordable price.
backcountry.com - 24/53
Mini
TheraGun
amazon.com
$169.00
Nothing like the sore muscles that follow a long day of skiing. This mini Theragun is small enough to pack right in their bag for instant relief.
amazon.com - 25/53
Ski Strap and Pole Carrier
Volk
amazon.com
$27.99
Carrying skis is an absolute pain in the ass, no matter how long you've been doing it or not. Don't have an ego. Get them a strap.
amazon.com - 26/53
Merino Beanie
SmartWool
smartwool.com
$25.00
Smartwool's super-thin beanie is what they actually will want to wear under a helmet. It won't make the helmet feel hella tight.
smartwool.com - 27/53
Chamonix II Jacket
Perfect Moment
perfectmoment.com
$1961.00
Perfect Moment's ski jackets are, first of all, just plain cool. Second of all, they do work in protecting you from the snow and the cold with PrimaLoft insulation, a powder skirt that keeps the snow out, and a built-in balaclava.
perfectmoment.com - 28/53
Journey Boot
Canada Goose
$750.00
You can rely on Canada Goose for just about anything when it comes to being outside in the dead of winter. The brand recently launched new footwear. These journey boots are waterproof and treaded.
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Premium Pro Boot Bag
Rossignol
rossignol.com
$89.95
Gifting someone actual ski boots can be difficult because of how personalized the process is. But a bag meant to make carrying those boots in easier? Easy.
rossignol.com - 30/53
Pro Light Performance Salopette
Sweaty Betty
sweatybetty.com
£368.00
For your favorite ski gal, gift her just about anything from Sweat Betty's ski collection. We're partial to these stretchy, wind- and waterproof salopettess.
sweatybetty.com - 31/53
Polartec Sherpa ½ Zip
Cuts
cutsclothing.com
$115.00
Cuts is best known for its great everyday tees, but they are venturing into some outerwear pieces, too. For a sherpa that works as either a base layer or for après, this is it.
cutsclothing.com - 32/53
Control Baselayer Leggings
Gymshark
gymshark.com
$40.00
Gift to the guy who refuses to upgrade his current base layer bottoms. He will thank you.
gymshark.com - 33/53
Expedition Pant
P.E Nation
pe-nation.com
$219.00
Gift the feeling of changing into warm clothes after a cold day outside with P.E Nation's Expedition pants.
pe-nation.com - 34/53
Merino 200 Oasis Glove Liners
Icebreaker
icebreaker.com
$40.00
Glove liners can seem like an unnecessary expense until you go ski for more than 10 minutes. These merino wool liners prevent from having very cold and unhappy fingers.
icebreaker.com - 35/53
AirPods Pro
Apple
amazon.com
$224.99
IMO, listening to music while skiing is an absolute hazard but people love it. If that's for you, do it with AirPods Pro that won't die halfway through the day.
amazon.com - 36/53
City Sweat Pullover Hoodie
lululemon.com - 37/53
Vantage MIPS Helmet
Smith
evo.com
$270.00
Also good: a good helmet to put those headphones in. Get this for the newer skier who has been renting helmets. Change their life.
evo.com - 38/53
MAX Camera
GoPro
rei.com
$500.00
For those who rip, a GoPro for them to document it. Also recommended for those who backcountry ski.
rei.com - 39/53
Swen Swensøn SKIBAKKEN Art Print
Swen Swensøn
urbanoutfitters.com
$99.00
This gift is especially good for those who aren't on the mountain at the moment but won't stop talking about getting back. Let them reminisce in peace.
urbanoutfitters.com - 40/53
O Frame 2.0 Pro M Goggles
Oakley
backcountry.com
$113.00
You can't go wrong with an Oakley gift for any outdoor athlete, and they'll love a pair of goggles that are actually protective.
backcountry.com - 41/53
Perfect Moment Ski Cream
DR. BARBARA STURM
net-a-porter.com
$115.00
Skin care is always important, especially on the slopes. Dr. Barbara Sturm's Ski Cream was made to keep you hydrated and fresh, even after a day of hard weather.
net-a-porter.com - 42/53
Nano Puff Jacket
Patagonia
rei.com
$160.93
The thing about loving an outdoor sport is that they have to be ready for outdoor conditions. This Patagonia puffer is thin but impossibly warm and is an essential for all future ski trips.
Courtesy - 43/53
Aspen Style by Aerin Lauder hardcover book
ASSOULINE
net-a-porter.com
$105.00
For those who love the après-ski culture, get them a stylish coffee table book, of course.
net-a-porter.com - 44/53
Vacuum Insulated Mug
Zojirushi
amazon.com
$27.99
Real skiers know that you have to hit the freshies before they get tracked out, and that requires getting to the mountain early. Which, in fact, means being caffeinated with a warm beverage in hand.
amazon.com - 45/53
Ski Gloves
Hestra
amazon.com
$159.95
Real skiers will tell you that mittens are where it's at. They will actually keep your hands warm, and ain't no mittens that'll keep them warm like Hestra leather ones.
amazon.com - 46/53
Multifunctional Headwear and Face Mask
BUFF
amazon.com
$44.60
Buff is such a good gift because it is made to be able to do anything. They can wear it around their necks, pull it up over their mouths, or wear as a hat.
amazon.com - 47/53
Alpha 3.0 Jacket
Helly Hansen
backcountry.com
$449.95
Helly Hansen ski jackets are an investment piece and they are absolutely worth the money for the serious skier.
backcountry.com - 48/53
Butte Boot
UGG
amazon.com
$239.95
The best part about skiing is taking off ski boots and I won't hear otherwise. These fur-lined, waterproof Uggs are the best winter boots on the planet and an absolute dream to change into after a long day.
amazon.com - 49/53
All-Purpose Performance Calf Sock 3-Pack
Bombas
bombas.com
$54.00
Skiing is weird because it's cold (probably) but you are probably also sweating. A pack of comfy socks to change into after the day is done is a gift that keeps on giving.
bombas.com - 50/53
Wicked Good Slippers
L.L. Bean
llbean.com
$109.00
This is the après-ski vibe we are talking about. Soft, durable, warm slippers. Preferably by a fire with an IPA, thank yah.
llbean.com - 51/53
Beta LT Pant Hadron
Arc'teryx
arcteryx.com
$350.00
Pretty much anything from Arc'teryx is going to be good for anything outdoors, but these snow pants are virtually indestructible.
arcteryx.com - 52/53
Pass
Epic
epicpass.com
$859.00
Epic Pass gives them season access to mountains across the country that participate. This is a great gift for someone who wants to ski more often or needs an excuse to try new mountains. One for them, one for you.
epicpass.com - 53/53
Wooden Shotski
RustedPine
etsy.com
$28.00
This can be for decor or for using at parties or for both. At après bars, these four-person skis with four holes for taking a team shot together are one of the main modes of bonding.
etsy.com
