Gifts for Skiers and Snowboarders: Warm Hands, Dry Boots, Good Days
By the Giftruly editorsUpdated 18 hand-picked ideas
Every skier and snowboarder has a list of small miseries they put up with. Toes that go numb by the third chair. Gloves that are still damp from yesterday. Goggles that fog the moment the light goes flat. A phone that dies in the cold right when they need to find their friends. Most of them don't think of these as problems to solve; they just think of them as skiing.
That's good news for you, because solving them makes a great gift. This guide starts with staying warm, then moves to the gear that makes a day on the mountain more fun, the things that help at the end of the day and overnight, and a run of cheap ski-season stocking stuffers. At the end there's a short note on the big-ticket gear that's better left to them.
If they love winter for other reasons, our guide to gifts for photographers suits people who come home with a thousand mountain shots, and gifts for chocolate lovers covers the après side of things.
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Tell Truly about them in a sentence. You'll get ideas picked for them, each with a reason why.
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If you only buy one
Warm hands, warm feet
Cold extremities end more ski days than bad snow does. Once fingers or toes go numb, it's hard to enjoy anything, and plenty of people spend half the afternoon in the lodge trying to thaw out. Heated gear has improved a lot, and it's now one of the most appreciated winter gifts.
These suit anyone who runs cold, and they're especially kind for parents who spend long days on the slopes with kids.
- Our favorite1
Rechargeable Heated Gloves
~$110
Waterproof gloves with rechargeable batteries and three heat settings. For someone whose hands are always the first thing to give up, they can make a whole day enjoyable. Glove size matters, so check their current pair or a size chart. Expect the batteries to last longer on low than on high, and remind them to charge overnight.
- 2
Rechargeable Heated Socks
~$80
Thin socks with heating elements over the toes and small batteries at the cuff. Ski boots are tight, cold places, and toes that go numb are a common complaint. Heated socks are a bit of a splurge, so they suit people who genuinely suffer, not just those who sometimes get chilly.
- 3
Merino Wool Ski Socks Set
~$30
Over-the-calf merino blend socks with padding on the shin and heel. Wearing one good thin pair of ski socks keeps feet warmer than stuffing two pairs into a boot. A safe gift for every skier and snowboarder, and few own enough.
- 4
Rechargeable Hand Warmers Two-Pack
~$30
Two rechargeable warmers that live in jacket pockets and double as small power banks for a phone that's draining fast in the cold. A practical, affordable alternative to heated gloves.
- 5
Thermal Base Layer Top and Bottom Set
~$45
Fleece-lined long underwear that goes under ski pants and a jacket. A warm base layer does more for staying comfortable than a heavier coat, and newer skiers often show up in cotton, which stays cold once it's damp. Sizing is fairly forgiving, though a close fit works best.
On the mountain
These are the gifts that make the day itself more fun: music on the lift, footage of the best run, clear vision in bad light. They do need a little thought about their existing gear.
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Wireless Helmet Audio Drop-Ins
~$60
Flat Bluetooth speakers that slip into the ear pockets of most ski and snowboard helmets. They make it easy to listen to music and take calls on the lift without fiddling with earbuds. Check that their helmet has audio-ready ear pads; most recent helmets do. Many skiers keep the volume low to stay aware of the slope.
- 7
Action Camera with Helmet Mount
~$150
A waterproof, stabilized camera with a helmet mount for filming runs. It's a great gift for someone who loves tree runs, park laps or first tracks on powder days. Battery life drops in the cold, so a spare battery is a smart add-on.
- 8
Anti-Fog Ski Goggles with Interchangeable Lens
~$45
Goggles with a magnetic lens system for sunny and flat-light days, and room for glasses underneath. They make a good backup pair, or an upgrade for someone using old scratched ones. Serious skiers often have a favorite brand that fits their face and helmet, so treat this as a safe spare rather than a replacement.
- 9
Snowboard Wrist Guards
~$28
Wrist guards with a rigid splint that slide inside gloves. Beginner snowboarders fall forward and backward a lot, and wrists take the brunt. A thoughtful gift for someone taking their first lessons. Check the size chart against their hand measurement.
Back at the lodge, the car and the house
The end of a ski day has its own logistics: wet gear, heavy boots, sore legs and a long drive. These gifts help with everything after the last run.
- 10~$50
Electric Boot and Glove Dryer
Warm air blown into boots and gloves overnight means dry, warm gear in the morning. A small luxury every skier appreciates.
Skiers & SnowboardersHunterspractical - 11~$55
Ski Boot Bag Backpack
A padded bag that carries boots, helmet and layers on the back. Much easier than juggling everything from the parking lot.
Skiers & SnowboardersTravelerspractical - 12~$35
Ski and Snowboard Wax and Tuning Kit
Wax, a scraper, a brush and an edge tool for home tuning. Great for someone who likes tinkering and wants faster, smoother skis.
Skiers & SnowboardersSports Fanspractical - 13~$24
Ski Lodge Hot Cocoa Gift Set
Gourmet cocoa mixes and marshmallows for the post-ski thaw. A sweet small gift for a family ski trip or a cabin weekend.
Skiers & SnowboardersChocolate Loversconsumable - 14~$25
Vintage Ski Resort Poster
A retro-style print of a favorite resort or mountain range. Lovely for someone who only gets to ski once a year and misses it.
Skiers & SnowboardersHomebodiessentimental
Ski-season stocking stuffers
Small, cheap and genuinely useful on every trip.
15.Fleece Neck Gaiter Face Mask ~$15
A fleece gaiter that pulls up over the nose on windy lifts. Light, cheap and always in demand.
16.Ski Lift Ticket Clip ~$8
A zipper-pull clip that holds a lift ticket or pass outside the jacket. Saves fishing for it at every lift line.
17.Ski and Pole Carrier Straps ~$12
Padded straps that hold skis and poles together for the walk from the car. Skiers only, but they'll use them every day.
18.Disposable Hand Warmers Bulk Pack ~$20
A big box of air-activated warmers for gloves and boots. A family of skiers will go through it in a season.
A word on helmets, boots, skis and boards
The big pieces of ski and snowboard gear are poor surprise gifts. Helmets need to fit snugly and sit properly with their goggles to protect them well, so they should try one on and choose it themselves. Ski and snowboard boots are fitted in person, often with custom insoles or heat molding, and a bad fit can ruin a season. Skis and snowboards depend on height, weight, ability and the terrain they ride, and many people demo several before buying.
If they're shopping for any of these, give a gift card to their local ski shop, or offer to pay for a boot fitting session. Lift tickets, a lesson or a contribution to a season pass are also excellent gifts, and they're among the few things a skier never seems to have enough of.
Shop this guide by price
Under $25
$25–$50
Shopping tips for winter-sports fans
Ask whether they ski or snowboard. Some gifts, like pole straps and wrist guards, only suit one or the other.
Find out whether they run cold. Heated gloves and socks are a revelation for some people and overkill for others.
Check helmet compatibility before buying goggles, audio drop-ins or camera mounts.
Leave helmets, boots, skis and boards to them. A gift card or a paid boot fitting is the better route.
Skiing is rarely someone's only hobby. Our gift finder can mix ideas across everything they're into.
Ski and snowboard gift questions
What do you get a skier who has everything?
Comfort upgrades like heated gloves or socks, an electric boot dryer, helmet audio, or a home tuning kit. Experiences like a lesson, a lift ticket or a day at a new resort are always welcome too.
What's a good cheap gift for a skier or snowboarder?
Stick to things that get used up or lost: a fleece neck gaiter, a lift ticket clip, a box of hand warmers or a three-pack of merino ski socks. None of them should cost more than about $30.
Should I buy a ski helmet as a gift?
Usually not as a surprise. A helmet needs to fit well and work with their goggles to protect them properly. A gift card or a shopping trip together is a better approach.
Are heated gloves worth it?
For people who get cold hands easily, yes. They can turn a miserable day into a good one. Check the glove size and remember the batteries need charging overnight.
What's a good gift for a beginner snowboarder?
Wrist guards, a warm neck gaiter, good ski socks and a lesson package. Beginners spend a lot of time on the snow, so warm, waterproof layers matter more than fancy gear.
If you ski together, the best gift might be the day itself. Book the cabin, plan the drive, pack the cocoa and let them sleep in the passenger seat on the way home. And if you don't ski at all, a card promising to drive them to the mountain on a powder morning, so they can nap on the way up, is a present plenty of skiers would rate above anything on this list.