Choosing the right winter gear is the difference between a great day on the slopes and a miserable, cold one. In our Buying Guides, we break down the most important features—like insulation levels, waterproofing, and long-term durability—so you can invest in the right equipment for your skiing style. We test the gear so you can make an informed choice and stay warm on the mountain.
Quick Answer: Choose a ski jacket in this order: your weather first, how hard you ski second, then the fabric numbers, then fit, then extras. Price comes last, because once you know what you need, the field shrinks to a
Before You Buy a Ski Jacket, Answer These 5 Questions Read More »
Quick Answer: A good ski helmet fits snugly, carries a safety certification and has vents you can live with. You do not need to spend $300 to get that. OutdoorMaster Kelvin II adds MIPS for $59.99. Odoland bundles a helmet
Skip the $300 Helmet: Safer Skiing on a Smaller Budget Read More »
Quick Answer: A ski jacket has to do three things: block wind, shed snow and let sweat escape. For a low price, MOERDENG gives women a waterproof, windproof jacket with a detachable hood at $39.99. TBMPOY brings a fleece lining
Dry, Warm and Under $160: Ski Jackets That Make Sense Read More »
Quick Answer: On a winter trail, you need gloves that breathe on the climb and still keep you warm when you stop. Think in layers. The North Face Etip is a light fleece glove for the climb, and Outdoor Research
Hands Sweat Uphill, Freeze at the Top: Winter Hike Gloves Read More »
Quick Answer: For cold days, look for goggles with a double lens, an anti-fog inner coating, working vents, soft multi-layer foam and a strap that sits well over a helmet. findway and OutdoorMaster give you that package for about $30
Four Goggles Built for Breath, Wind and Bitter Cold Read More »
Quick Answer: For your first ski day, rent the big stuff and bring the small stuff. Skis, boots and a helmet come from the rental shop, where staff fit them to you. From home, bring warm layers that are not
Don’t Buy Skis Yet: The Gear List for Your First Day Read More »
Quick Answer: A lobster claw glove puts three fingers in one pocket and leaves the index finger free. You get most of a mitten’s warmth, since the fingers share heat, and you keep a trigger finger for zippers, straps and
Warmer Than Gloves, Handier Than Mittens: Lobster Claws Read More »
Quick Answer: For shoveling, pick a glove that stays dry first, warm second and grippy third. The Schwer 2-Pair is the low-cost pick with a latex coat that sheds wet snow, and it works out to about $7.20 a pair.
Cold Hands Shoveling Snow? 4 Gloves From $7.20 a Pair Read More »
Quick Answer: Pick a ski gaiter by how hard you ski and how cold it gets. A double-layer fleece like Turtle Fur is the warm pick for slow, cold days. BlackStrap The Tube is the helmet-friendly one that pulls sweat
Cold Face on the Lift? 4 Ski Neck Gaiters From $7.50 Read More »
Quick Answer: If your toes go cold in ski boots, a thicker sock is often the wrong fix. A sock that is too thick squeezes your foot and slows blood flow, which makes you colder. Pick a knee-high wool blend
Numb Toes on the Slopes? 4 Ski Socks From $9.50 Read More »
