Here Are All The Best Gift Ideas For Novice and Expert Snowboarders

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Got a park rat or backcountry snowboarder on your gift list? There are so many great ways for you to help them get ready to embrace the stoke, take on the slopes, and enjoy the apres, whether they’re an experienced shredder or just getting started. Whether you’re looking for $10 stocking stuffers, or you’re looking for an expensive piece of gear that will knock them off their feet, we have ideas for every kind of shopper.

What About Gifts for Skiers? Best Men’s Skis ● Best Women’s Skis ● Best Ski Jackets for Kids

The Best Gifts for Snowboarders

• The Best Snowboard Bag for Travelers: Dakine High Roller Snowboard Bag

• The Best Snowboard Goggles: Zeal Cloudfall Polarized Snowboard Goggles

• The Best Bottle For Warm Drinks: YETI Rambler 36 oz. Bottle

• The Best Environmentally Friendly Snowboard Jacket: Jones Shralpinist Stretch Recycled Jacket

• A Stocking Stuffer They’ll Always Need: MountainFLOW Quick Wax

What to Consider

The more you know about your snowboarder and their shredding obsession, the easier it is to find a gift that will work wonders for them. If you’re buying something for a friend who is only interested in riding “in bounds” at resorts, they probably don’t need survival gear, like a beacon or avalanche airbag. On the other hand, backcountry riders who hike to lesser known, “out of bounds” spots won’t get much out of a big, bulky parka or ski pants, which would slow them down and make them sweat.

It helps to buy with intention: If you’re replacing a piece of gear they already own, think about what would make that replacement feel like an upgrade. If you’re buying something entirely new to them, consider how it might solve a problem or make their snowboarding life a bit easier and more fun.

One thing we’d caution against is giving them a snowboard, bindings or boots—unless you know the exact model and size they want. Not all bindings work with all boots, and different boards are designed for different kinds of snowboarders. While it would be very generous to give such a gift, you are better off coordinating with your giftee before buying these to avoid buying something that will immediately need to be returned.

Lastly, keep in mind that a “snowboarding gift” doesn’t have to be gear, or even something that goes out on the slopes. A piece of apres ski accoutrement, or something snowboard-themed to have at home can be just as meaningful, and will remind them of you every time they use it.

How We Selected The Best Gifts for Snowboarders

The best gifts for snowboarders include some of the gear that I know and love, as well as a few recommendations that my trusted snowboarding buddies are always talking about. As a reviewer, I’ve also always got my eye on the latest and greatest new gear, and what other testers recommend.

I focused on useful tools and accessories that should appeal to a wide range of snowboarders’ wants and needs. I also threw in a few luxuries that can really enhance a snowboarding trip, both on the slopes and afterwards. There are options for every type of gift and shopper, with options from $10 to over $1,000.

High Roller Snowboard Bag

Got a snowboarder on your list who travels to ride all season? The Dakine High Roller snowboard bag is a perfect travel companion. It can hold two boards with plenty of room to spare for boots, clothes and other essentials.

Removable interior pockets allow your snowboarder to customize and compartmentalize based on what they’re carrying, and double as smaller go-bags to get their gear to the mountain. If they’re flying, the handle attaches to a rolling suitcase for easy carrying. A great gear bag makes travel days easier, cutting headaches out of every snowboarding trip.

Cloudfall Polarized Snowboard Goggles

I've worn a lot of excellent ski goggles over the years, but I tried these out last winter and was wowed by the clarity of the Zeal Cloudfall. Zeal’s spherical lens and proprietary “observation deck” design, which angles closer to the face at the bottom to increase your field of view. It’s also easy to swap lenses out, so your giftee can change the color of their goggles as they please.

Rambler 36 oz. Bottle

Is there anything better than sipping a cocoa or spiced cider on a cold, blustery day? The 36 oz Yeti Rambler is large enough for a whole day’s worth of your snowboarder’s favorite hot beverage, and it’s insulated so their drink will stay warm the whole time.

Shralpinist Stretch Recycled Jacket

This breathable waterproof shell jacket is made from 100% recycled polyester and engineered with 4-way stretch, so it’s easy to move in and stays comfortable all day. The three-layer, waterproof fabric keeps the cold, wet weather out and it still breathes well enough for warmer days. Your favorite snowboarder will look great and bring some sustainable swagger as they shred all day long!

For even better weatherproofing, Jones also makes a high-performance version of the jacket with recycled Gore-Tex Pro fabric. It’s substantially more expensive, though, so we recommend the standard version.

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Quick Wax

Help your snowboarder get ready to shred with this plant-based rub-on ski wax, which can give their board some extra glide in either cold or warm weather. Even if they’ve already gotten their board prepped for the season, they can always prime their board for a little extra speed on their next trip.

This wax is biodegradable and non-toxic, so it’s better for the environment than most ski waxes and won’t leave any oil behind.

Vantage Mips Helmet

If your snowboarder is looking for a new brain bucket, the Smith Vantage is one of the best out there. The 21 adjustable front and rear vents allow you to optimize airflow to balance breathability and warmth, so it’s comfortable to wear at any temperature. The plush, built-in ear cups provide extra warmth, and come off for even more ventilation.

Of all the helmets I’ve tested, this is the one of the few that I’d recommend for any rider, in any conditions.

The Smith Vantage is available in Men’s and Women’s sizes, as well as a “round contour” version for round heads.

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Ski and Snowboard Socks Backwoods (Men’s), Traverse (Women’s)

Darn Tough makes some of our absolute favorite socks, Year in and year out. Their over-the-calf snowboard socks–Backwoods for men and Traverse for women–feature extra padding underfoot and over the shin, giving you a little extra cushioning in the spots where your legs press into a snowboard boot. It’s a low-key gift, but you’re going to make your snowboarder just a smidge more comfortable every time they go out.

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70L Essentials Set

I often use a duffel bag or a large plastic tub to haul gear to the slopes or backcountry, so I heartily recommend this three-piece storage kit from Rux, whose durable, weatherproof bags are designed for outdoor adventures.

The centerpiece is the Rux 70L, a collapsible softshell gear tub that’s perfect for your boots, clothes, tools, and a six-pack–Whatever you want to keep off your car’s floor. The included 25L Rux Bag can either go inside the tub to create a water-resistant compartment, or works well as a durable tote bag for gloves, hats, and an extra layer. Last, but not least, the 3L Rux Pocket is a weatherproof pouch for your phone and other valuables.

The whole Rux “storage system” creates a complementary storage solution that makes it just a bit easier to lug around everything you need on the mountain.

Diract Voice Avalanche Transceiver

Know a snowboarder who’s just getting into backcountry riding? An emergency transceiver is an essential piece of insurance for worst-case scenarios. The Ortovox Direct Voice is one of the most advanced avalanche transceivers out there, and one of the easiest to use. It features voice navigation, which helps rescuers find buried adventurers quickly when time is of the essence.

Mountain Radio

When wearing bulky ski gloves high on the slopes with little to no reception, it isn’t easy to call your snowboard buddies with a smartphone. Walkie talkies are a better way to keep in touch.

I love Rocky Talkie’s Mountain Radio, which offers enough range to reach buddies all over a resort to coordinate meet-ups, suggest lines, do safety checks, or coordinate shooting jumps and rides. Made for the mountain, it comes with a rugged case, leash, and carabiner clip for safe storage on a run.

Hand Warmers (4-Pack)

Want to give them something that’ll really make them really happy after 3-4 hours standing on a cold, windy mountain? Get them disposable hand warmers.

Once your snowboarder has warmed themself up, they can put the warmers back in a resealable pouch and save them for later. They provide up to 10 hours of warmth, which should be enough to keep their mitts toasty for a whole weekend. Plus, they’re biodegradable and can be composted when they’re used up.

The Man Behind the Maps

The Man Behind the Maps is a beautiful collection of ski resort trail maps illustrated by the legendary James Niehues. For a snowboarding map geek (like me), there’s no better way to prepare for the stoke than imagining all the runs you can get at resorts across the world. This book has more than 200 maps and the stories behind them, inspiring endless possibilities.

Flow Maplewood Balance Board

If you’re shopping for a new snowboarder, or someone who wants to step up their game, a balance board can help them practice riding fundamentals at home. The Vew-Do Flow balance board glides on an angled wooden roller, challenging the rider to control their movement with their core.

New riders can practice essential motions, like rocking onto the front and rear of the board, and seasoned pros can get hone flashier techniques like jumping and flipping the board.

Etip Recycled Gloves

While you generally want a burly pair of ski gloves while you’re riding, it often helps to keep a spare pair of lighter gloves for before and after a run. (They also tend to go missing pretty often, so it’s always nice to have backups.)

I like the Etip Recycled gloves from The North Face because they’re warm, lightweight and don’t get in the way when you use your smartphone. They’re great for keeping your hands warm while you snap some photos.

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Baker Bib Pant

Every rider needs a great pair of bibs, and Flylow makes some of the best for snowboarders. These large-legged, burly snow overalls have reinforced knees that will help them last them for years. They also have special features like thigh vents to let out sweat vapor when you heat up, and a transceiver pocket for backcountry riders.

Durable and waterproof, they’re a great value, and should keep them warm and dry season after season.

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Hypervolt Go 2

Nothing takes the pain out of sore muscles after a hard day of riding like a hard-hitting massage gun. I like the Hyyperice Hypervolt Go 2 because it packs a punch, but it’s more packable and less expensive than pro-grade options that you’d keep at home.

BC Tool

While most resorts offer designated areas for riders to adjust or fix their bindings, it’s always helpful to have a tool on-hand to tighten up on the fly. Dakine makes an excellent backcountry multitool for snowboarders, which has every tool a rider needs to adjust their gear in the field.

City Ski and Climbing Center (60366)

Does your young boarder think about riding all the time? This ski resort-themed set will let them build and play out a little action on the slopes even when they can’t be there.

FatCat 4 EVO Ski and Snowboard Rack

Your favorite snowboarder may need a way to get their board (and their friends’ boards) to the slopes. The Yakima FatCat 4 EVO Ski and Snowboard Rack is one of our favorite ski racks: It can accommodate wider boards and skis, but keeps a low-profile that doesn’t add too much drag.

It locks and can handle two snowboards and a pair of skis without chattering or slowing you down on the road.

Black Diamond Kit

If the snowboarder in your life takes the time to tune their board at the start of the season each year, this kit from MountainFLOW has everything they’ll need, including a wax iron, stand, brush, scraper and three types of wax. Hopefully they’ll be so overjoyed that they’ll tune up your board, too!

Wide Mouth Anti-Bottle

Unlike conventional water bottles, the Vapur “Anti-Bottle” is a flexible plastic flask that rolls up to the size of a magic marker. It’s great for riders who want to stay hydrated without getting off the mountain, or those who like to warm up with a little nip in the freezing cold.

X3 Snow Bundle

Action cameras allow your snowboarder to record and relive their most thrilling run, and 360-degree cameras can create an even more immersive experience that lets them see things they might not have caught the first time around. Thanks to its dual 48.5 megapixel cameras, the Insta360 X3 can shoot 360-degree coverage in 5.7K resolution, at up to 30 frames per second.

They’ll love being able to show everything around them as they take on the snow park, half pipe or glide through the glades, and Insta360’s editing tools make it easy to quickly cut highlight reels that focus on the coolest moments.

Travel Dry DX Boot Dryer

If you’re shopping for a snowboarder who goes on long trips and hits the slopes day after day, a boot dryer can be a huge comfort. These fan-powered inserts plug into an outlet at home or in the car, and will dry out a pair of wet boots in about 2 hours.

Plus, using a boot dryer helps to keep odors at bay. It’s one of those tools a ‘boarder might not think about getting for themselves, but will surely appreciate once they have it.

Thermal Merino Reversible Cuffed Beanie

A warm, comfy beanie, such as this one from Smartwool, is one of my favorite pieces of gear and a great gift for any snowboarder. It fits great under a helmet, and is thin enough to double up under another hat when it gets really, really cold.

Season Passes

Day passes to a nearby resort are always a welcome gift, because it gives your snowboarder an excuse to get out on the slopes. If you don’t know their favorite mountain, operators like Epic and Ikon offer regional and nationwide passes that cover many of the popular mountains in the US, and around the world, including Park City, Utah, Whistler Blackcomb in Canada, and Niseko in Japan.

Heli Three-Finger Insulated Gloves

Got a rider with perpetually cold hands? These burly waterproof lobster mitts combine the dexterity of a glove with the extra warmth of a mitten, making it easier to get in and out of bindings without having to take them off.

TG-RK1B707B Folding Hitch-Mounted Ski and Snowboard Rack

If you’re shopping for a family of snowboarders that will need to haul boards for everyone, the Tyger Auto ski and snowboard hitch rack is a life-saving upgrade. So long as they have a vehicle with a trailer hitch, they’ll be able to load up to four snowboards without taking up any trunk space. Plus, you can pivot the rack out of the way to access your trunk without unloading it.

Protective Ski & Snowboard Vehicle Mount

This nifty strip protects a car from the sharp edges of snowboards and planks. Holding up to eight leaning boards, tailgating snowboarders can stop worrying about falling boards chipping their car’s paint. It locks on magnetically for easy installation and removal, too, so you don’t need to have it up all the time.

Puffy Kachula Adventure Blanket

You should always bring a camping blanket on an outdoor adventure. The Coalatree Puffy Kachula blanket is waterproof, so it’ll keep their booty warm and dry when your snowboarder sits on it. It also has a hood, though, so it makes for a great extra layer if they’re hanging out and start to get cold.

Merino Flexi Chute Neck Gaiter

You can’t really wear a scarf while snowboarding, so neck gaiters or “buffs” are essential for keeping your upper body warm. This Merino wool neck guard is perfect: It keeps you warm and resists odor better than other options made with synthetic fabrics.

Chips 3.0 Ski Helmet Headphones

Listening to music while snowboarding is amazing, but popping in a pair of noise-canceling earbuds and dropping isn’t the best idea. A pair of in-helmet headphones, like these from Outdoor Tech, allow your snowboarder to shred and bump their tunes without tuning out the world.

Q+A With Our Expert

My giftee is about to get their first snowboard. What else should I buy them?

Once they’ve got their board, boots and bindings, your new snowboarder will still need a helmet, goggles, a snowboarding jacket, snow pants or bibs (I prefer bibs), gloves and warm socks. Luckily, we have specific recommendations for all of these in this guide.

What's the difference between resort and backcountry snowboarding?

At a resort, you will usually ride a lift up the mountain, then ride down a well-maintained run with minimal risk of triggering an avalanche.

Backcountry or “out-of-bounds” snowboarding refers to riding on unmarked paths, either hiking up the mountain on your own or “skinning” uphill. It’s both riskier and more difficult, as there’s a higher risk of triggering an avalanche. But backcountry riding opens up whole mountains to you where few others go.

What do I say to a snowboarder who doesn’t want to wear a helmet?

If you buy a snowboarder a helmet and they say they don’t wear one, I’d remind them that a good brain is a terrible thing to waste. Once upon a time, most snowboarders didn’t wear helmets. Now we know better: Not all snow is soft. Trees and lift poles definitely aren’t. Plus, modern helmets are pretty comfortable, and don’t restrict your vision or hearing the way old helmets used to. Honestly, there’s no excuse not to wear one.

What is “Apres Ski?”

From the French for “after skiing,” the term Apres Ski refers to the social hours after you come in from riding for the day. Over time, the term has also come to embody a classically luxurious ski lodge aesthetic–big sweaters, winter hats, and warm drinks. Some people love the lifestyle and the look just as much as the skiing (or snowboarding) itself.

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