Items Every Skier Needs in 2025

Photo by me at Blue Mountain Resort, Palmerton, PA.

Heated Ski Mitts/Gloves

Heated ski mitts are a game changer and protect your fingers from feeling numb or pain from the cold. I talked to an elderly man while waiting in the lift line at Blue Mountain last Friday and asked him about his heated gloves. He told me Savior gloves stay hot for up to 8 hours on the lowest setting and 6 hours on the middle setting. The highest setting keeps the gloves warm for 4 hours. Invest in heated ski mitts/gloves to keep your fingers warm.

Merino Wool Ski Socks

Merino wool ski socks insulate your feet while skiing in the coldest conditions. Merino wool keeps my feet warmer than my synthetic material socks because Merino wool is naturally water-resistant and its fiber structure retains body heat by trapping it. Merino socks range from 10 bucks a pair to around 30.

Water Resistant Insulated Ski Jacket

A water-resistant insulated ski jacket is necessary to conserve body heat on the slopes. Water-resistant fabric protects you from the snow, and rain, and stays dry even in wet conditions. Damp clothes after a tumble into the snow ruin the carefree vibes. Stay dry when you wear a ski jacket!

Touchscreen Glove Liners

I recently bought touchscreen glove liners, which are incredibly comfortable. It adds a layer of insulating warmth underneath my ski mittens. Glove liners cost under $20 and are a great gift for any skier or snowboarder.

Ski Tracks App

Download an app to track the altitude, ski speeds, and more information to guide your improvement or knowledge of how you ski! My ski friends like to race each other down the trail so they use an app to record their speeds. It is usually free but extra features cost a monthly subscription fee.

Ski Boot Bag

A ski boot bag is essential for traveling with ski equipment. If you are flying for a ski trip, you need a ski boot bag to store your ski boots. Most airlines don’t allow you to hand-carry ski boots. Ski boots can be classified as an overhead item or checked-in luggage. A ski boot bag can help transport your boots in your car/bus/train.

Aluminum Ski Poles

I love my lightweight aluminum ski poles from Swix. They help me balance while skiing and prevent me from falling if I slip on the icy terrain. I use my ski poles to help push my feet across flat snow. I never ski without my ski poles. Ski poles cost anywhere from 20 bucks to over 100.

Freeride Skis for Powder, Skinnier Downhill Skis for Icier Groomers

Wider skis are meant for deep powder so they don’t sink into the snow and get the skier stuck. Skinnier skis are meant for skiing groomed trails and are best for icy or less powdery conditions. Ideally, a skier should have three pairs of skis for different terrain and snow conditions.

Season Pass- IKON, EPIC, Whitepass Washington (Powder Alliance 21 plus resorts), local mountain passes

A season pass costs over $200 and can range into the thousands. A season pass offers unlimited skiing access at one local or several resorts. This helps save money in the long term if you ski often enough to offset the initial price. A season pass may also include discounts on food/merchandise or shorter lift lines.

Neck Gaiter

A neck gaiter keeps the face warm from freezing conditions. Neck gaiters are made from wool, fleece, microfiber, polyester, and other fabric materials. Neck gaiters protect your nose, cheeks, and lips from the icy wind chill and cold. A neck gaiter is relatively affordable.

Balaclava

A balaclava is a popular choice to keep the face warm. Some skiers layer a neck gaiter on top of the balaclava for extra warmth and comfort. A balaclava head covering accessory goes over the neck and protects the top of the head, nose, cheeks, and lips from wind chills. A balaclava is an affordable item to add for any skier who does not enjoy their face freezing.

I recommend several websites to purchase ski apparel/accessories/gear at: REI, Backcountry, Steep and Cheap, LevelNineSports, TJMaxx (wool socks and neck gaiters), Marshalls, TheNorthFace, Helly Hansen (current ongoing sale), and Buckmans. Local ski shops often offer great discounts and possible trade-ins. Sell your used apparel or gear to local ski shops. Support small businesses!