2023 Winter Gift Guide for Skiers & Snowboarders

So you need to know what to get your ski-loving friend for the holidays?! You are in the right place, my friend. But first, why should you trust my ski style? I was wondering that myself. But then I realized that I live in Jackson Hole, have a Fashion Design degree, and have a husband that’s a professional skier, so hey, what more proof do I need that I’m about to lead you in the right direction?! Let’s get straight to it!

There are a few things that are must-haves for skiers and snowboarders and those are: a cute outfit, a pair of rad skis or a sick board, and fun accessories. We won’t get super technical because let’s be honest, gear can go on and on and onnnn. So these are the most awesome items that will make your ski days the best they can be. PS. This list is primarily for the ladies, but if you’re a dude, keep reading and buy your girl something nice.

Ski Coat + Pants

When it comes to coats, there are 3 popular types: a puffy, a shell, and an insulated jacket. Most likely you will want to go with an insulated jacket. My favorite ski coat this year is from a company I’ve always been a fan of, mainly due to their cuts and colors, and this style has both. I’m a huge fan of anorak ski coats and this one is very cool: The Picture Tanya JKT I love having different colored past than the jacket, so this is perfect since you can pick any of the colors of the jacket to get as your bottoms.

Neck Gaiter

A great ski day can turn bad quickly if your face is freezing. An easy way to combat this is to wear a neck tube so you stay warm and look good. Always keep one of these lightweight neck gaiters in your pocket so you are prepared for any weather. Grab your favorite color in Haley Leeper’s Shop.

Skis

My top pick for skis this year goes to the pro model that my husband and I did a collab on. He designed the specs for his own pro model Meier ski called “The Leeper” for big mountain skiing in the backcountry and I added the custom illustration. This ski is for intense skiing though, so if you want something a little more mellow, check out the other options on their site!

Beanie

Beanies are very much a personal preference but after working a job designing beanies, I have favorites for sure, and this year my beanie award goes to the Burton Recycled DND Beanie - 3 Pack. I know that it’s trendy to have a beanie that folds up but I truly think these basic beanies look so cute and the 3 pack is really all you need for each outfit you have this winter.

Goggles

The biggest difference between different goggle styles is if they have a frame or no frame. I prefer frameless, though if you want more of a vintage look choose frames. I have a number of goggles, but year after year, still love my Dragon X2 with Light & Dark Lenses the best! With a simple lens change, I can use these in both a low light and super sunny day. My best goggle tip in general though is to just get goggles that fit your face, and you’ll be good.

Baselayers

You might thing baselayers can be any old thing (and yes I’m guilty of wearing sweatpants for many years) but more experienced skiers know the value of nice materials that will keep you warm AND look good for apres ski. The best baselayers imo will look like you have a nice outfit on after you take off your coat, and that’s why for my top pick I’m going with Kari Traa Smekker Half Zip Baselayer.

Helmet

We’re all wearing helmets by now, right? Personally, I love customizing my helmets by painting them (check out my previous post HERE on how to do that) but having a nice, lightweight protective helmet is good too. I like the look of the Mod1 Pro from Oakley. The BOA system is so nice to have and the clean look is chef’s kiss!

Gloves

I’ve tried lots of gloves and mittens and have decided I’m a mitten girl, they keep my hands much warmer throughout the long ski days. One thing I’m looking forward to so much this winter is never taking my hand out of my glove to look at my phone because I’ve found some mittens with a zipper on top to open instead of taking off the entire glove! A clean white leather beaut from Swany called the Alex Ladies.

Snowboard

My first snowboard was a $125 plain yellow Burton with ugly plastic hunter-green bindings. It was so heavy but I thought it was so awesome. Don’t worry, I’ve definitely upgraded to a fun pink and gold one since then! With all the awesome graphics on snowboards in the market today, it’s almost hard not to look cool, so it was tough to decide what I would recommend here. In the end, my top pick goes to RIDE Warpig Snowboard for being a sick all-mountain freestyle board and looking rad, too.

Mugs

It’s a proven fact that you can’t have a great ski day without starting it out with a steaming mug of coffee, right? Get motivated for your day with this super cute Mountain Girls Mug illustrated by Haley Leeper.

Socks

Good quality, high socks are a must. And depending on your preference, you can get thin, thick, or even compression socks. I alternate throughout the winter but like these as a standard: Darn Tough Yeti Over-the-Calf Midweight Ski & Snowboard Sock. I kid you not, I’ve been wearing these for 10 years and the company has a policy that you can get them replaced for life if they wear out!

Booties

One thing I didn’t know I needed when I go to the mountain is a pair of puffy booties. Seriously you guys, these things are a gamechanger, especially after wearing your stiff ski boots all day. Grab a pair of Holden’s Lodge Slippers and thank me later.

There is so much gear out there in the world, it’s truly difficult to navigate your way through what you need. I hope this guide helps you find some new products to enjoy this winter and most of all, enjoy the slopes to the fullest! Let me know in the comments if you get anything or I missed some of your favorites!

Have fun out there!