Last Updated on December 1, 2025

A selection of Gifts for skiers

Snow is falling in the mountains, and the ski season is imminent. Are you looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the skier in your life? Check out our suggestions for ski kit presents. Skiing is an expensive pastime, and you need a lot of gear to have a comfortable experience. A gift of clothing or accessories will always be welcome.

I’m something of a ski expert. I loved skiing so much as a hobby that I made it my work and spent several seasons working as a ski rep. It’s still just as much my passion, but now I write about skiing. With years of experience, I know what you need to make your life on the slopes a great experience. From essential clothing such as jackets, trousers and layers to smaller presents, great as stocking fillers, there are Christmas ski gifts for every budget. Here are some recommended gifts for skiers from trusted brands.

Outerwear

A premium gift option is a waterproof shell jacket, allowing free movement with room for layering according to the weather. For a stylish, waterproof and windproof shell, splash out on a Women’s Khroma Latok GORE-TEX Pro Ski Jacket. Ideal for ski touring and off-piste adventures, this jacket features roomy pockets. The longer length will ensure that snow doesn’t get in. 

A good quality, waterproof pair of ski trousers will be well received by a skier. Helly Hansen, a Norwegian company, has a great range to choose from, including the women’s Alphelia 2.0 insulated ski trousers. They feature an adjustable waist and stretch and are available in colours from the standard black and navy to vibrant red and a frosty pale green named icicle. 

 

Ski Layers

For a gift suitable for all seasons, a Helly Hansen mid-layer is a great option. The women’s versalite fleece jacket will be a stylish addition to any outfit. With a full zip, high collar and zipped pockets, this jacket can be used all year round for skiing, hiking or as a lightweight layer for other active pursuits.

For skiers, an assortment of layers is key; layer up with a thermal base layer, mid layer and insulated jacket for skiing in cold weather. In spring, a light base layer and shell jacket will sometimes be all you need.

One of the best brands for thermal base layers is Icebreaker. Using the finest merino wool, this is a brand from New Zealand. An Icebreaker thermal top and leggings will keep you warm on a cold day in the mountains. A set of Icebreaker thermals would be an ideal gift for someone special.

For warmer weather skiing, go for a lighter base layer, for example, the Black Diamond women’s coefficient quarter zip pullover. This lightweight layer is made from breathable, wicking material.

Ski Accessories

Essential ski accessories include helmets, gloves, socks and goggles; any of these items would be a good gift.

Helmets protect the head in case of a fall, as well as keeping the cold out. In Italy, helmets are now compulsory for all skiers and snowboarders.  For a light, cutting-edge helmet, why not consider the Salomon Pioneer lt Pro?  

Gloves get a lot of use and can get torn from your skis if the edges are sharp. You can’t go wrong with buying a new pair of ski gloves as a present. Hestra have an excellent range of ski gloves, amongst them the five-finger women’s Heli ski gloves. Designed with long cuffs to stop snow getting in, they also have a handy wrist strap to keep them from falling off. Mittens and three-finger gloves are also available as an option.

An excellent gift idea is a new pair of goggles, go for a pair suitable for all weather conditions. Look for high UV protection to protect the eyes and a stylish design. Bollé goggles are a good brand choice; the Bolle Nevada race black matte is a great mid-range product.

Ski socks are perfect as a small gift or stocking filler. I recommend Smartwool ski socks; they keep your feet warm and will not bunch up in your boots. 

A goggle protector is always useful to avoid wear and tear on the surface of your goggles. A fun ski-themed goggle protector can be bought from Ellis Brigham.

Other small, affordable gifts for skiers are buffs or hats. As a ski seasonnaire, I have a big collection of both.

For hats, an all-time favourite is a Planks beanie, perfect for popping in a pocket, or backpack to use out and about in the resort or for keeping your head warm when sitting outside at a mountain restaurant.

A buff is a small but useful gift. It keeps your neck warm when it is cold and is invaluable for wild or snowy days on the mountain.

A pick of general sites selling ski apparel and accessories is: Snow and Rock, Ellis Brigham or Absolute Snow.

I was sent review samples of most of these gifts for skiers; the hat and buffs are my own. Suggestions are for a female skier; all of the above suppliers have plenty of options if you are looking for a present for a man.

Watch this space for a detailed review of these products after they have been put to the test.

Looking for recommended Ski Resorts? Check our guide to the Top Ski Resorts in Europe