Winter is here and so is ski, snowboard, cross country, and snow shoeing season! I say it all the time but what keeps me sane in the winter months is getting outside. Having the right gear makes being outdoors in the snow comfy and fun. There’s seriously nothing worse than being cold when you’re trying to have fun outdoors. I’ve been through my fair share of winters and over the years I’ve found functional snow gear for all kinds of winter activities. In today’s post I’ve rounded up all the best snow gear to keep you warm, comfy and even stylish for everything from skiing and snowboarding to cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Snow Gear For Women
Snow Pants
North Face Sally Pant – These are a waterproof, lightweight, insulated ski and snowboard pant. I’ve worn these in all kinds of conditions and they kept me toasty and dry. They have an almost flair leg and they run on the smaller side so I recommend sizing up. They also come in regular, long and short sizing so you can get the best fit for your height.
L.L. Bean Women’s Wildcat Waterproof Insulated Snow Pant – I got these snow pants this year and I’m so excited about them. I really wanted a pair of white snow pants and these are really cute, but also very warm and comfy. They are insulated and waterproof, and come in regular, petite and plus sizing. I also really like the adjustable waist feature which makes getting the perfect fit a lot easier. These run a little on the bigger side so I sized down.
Snow Bibs
Picture Organic Haakon Bib Pant – I discovered the Picture Organic brand last year when searching for sustainable snow gear. The brand uses eco-friendly materials and the quality is super impressive. It’s also a great price point for bibs which can be very expensive. This style is slightly different from the pair I bought last year but very similar. I like bibs for super cold days or warmer days when I can wear a really light layer on top. This brand fits true to size.
Snow Jackets
See my post on the best insulated snow jackets here. For most days on the mountain or cross country skiing I wear the The Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket or The L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 Down Jacket. If I need something for bitter days or if it’s snowing hard I wear my insulated Picture Organic snowboarding jacket.
Boots
Sorel Explorer II Joan Felt Boot – These are a new addition to my snow boot collection this year and they’re amazing. They are very warm, soft on the inside and comfortable. And they feel like a hybrid boot/sneaker. They are waterproof and grip well on icy surfaces. These definitely run small. I went a half size up but with a very thick sock probably would have needed a full size larger.
UGG Adirondack Boot III – I’ve had these for a few years now and they do not disappoint. They keep my feet toasty and dry on snowy days and grip well on icy surfaces. You can also fold up the cuff to cover more of your lower leg. I went up half a size.
Base Layers
L.L. Bean Women’s Cresta Midweight Crew 250 Top and L.L. Bean Women’s Cresta Midweight Crew Pants– This base layer top and bottom from L.L. Bean is super warm and made from 100% merino wool. It’s itch-free and most days the only layer I need for snowboarding or cross country skiing.
Sweaty Betty Ski Base Layer – If you can’t do wool, the Sweaty Betty ski base layer tops and bottoms are a great option. They’re thick and warm and I like that you can also wear them aprés ski or around town!
Athleta Altitude Tight – These are great as a baselayer but also really good on their own. Very thick, soft, and fleece lined these will keep you toasty on the coldest of days. These run slightly big.
Mittens
Admittedly I just can’t do gloves for winter activities like snowboarding and cross country skiing. My hands are always cold so I went for it and splurged on these Hestra Heli mittens last year. They do not disappoint and they are the warmest mittens I’ve ever owned!
Neckwarmers and Balaclavas
Skida Neckwarmer – You’ve probably heard me talk about Skida neckwarmers by now. My favorite style is the alpine. It’s fleece-lined and they come in a bunch of cute prints. Keep your face toasty and dry on the mountain or hiking trails.
Skida Balaclava – This is more of a lightweight balaclava so this is great for layering with your helmet if it has a warm lining.
Goggles
SmithI/O MAG S ChromaPop Goggles – These goggles are a splurge but perform really well in low light conditions and have a good wide angle view to help with your peripheral vision on the slopes (I struggle with this!). I also like that you can easily swap the lenses on these goggles.
Giro Millie Goggles – If you are looking for a more economical option this pair from Giro is polarized and they don’t fog up.
Socks
Smartwool – Anytime someone asks me for warm winter sock recommendations my answer is always Smartwool. They’re pretty much the only socks I wear all winter for everything from dog walks to days on the mountain. For snowboarding and cross country skiing my favorite styles are the performance hike and performance ski socks.
Hats
If I’m not wearing a helmet my go to is my cashmere White & Warren beanie. It’s super warm and also doesn’t itch. But if you can’t do cashmere the L.L. Bean beanie is a great option.
Helmet
I upgraded my helmet last year to the Smith Allure MIPS Helmet and I’m so happy I did. Not only is it super comfortable it’s really warm with removable fleece ear pads. It also has a self-adjusting fit system to get the perfect fit and it’s really lightweight.
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