Outfit your family and friends for powder days, post-ski fun, and everything in between
(Photo: Getty)
Published October 21, 2026 02:57PM
Skiers are gear-obsessed, with good reason. Skiing is just better with equipment that’s dialed for comfort and performance. That makes holiday shopping for them both easier (you can eliminate looking for the right mountain-themed jigsaw puzzle) and more difficult (you had better be up to speed about what’s hot on the slopes). Thankfully, this guide will help you stick the proverbial landing. All of the gifts here from REI are guaranteed to delight the skiers on your list, and they run the gamut from first-chair essentials to après accessories.
REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket
A surefire way to a skier’s heart? Warmth. Whether on the way to the hill or hanging out after, this puffy is about as cozy as they come. Wide baffles stuffed with 650-fill-power down ensure maximum warmth, and the jacket’s flattering lines give it a modern, appealing aesthetic. Two zippered hand pockets and two interior drop-in pockets hold a small pack’s worth of essentials. Bonus: The shell fabric is windproof and water-resistant, and the shell is made with 100-percent recycled nylon.
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Crew Base Layer Top
For skiers who go bell to bell, all-day comfort starts with the right base layers. The Classic Thermal Merino Crew top is the perfect piece to build on, thanks to 100-percent merino wool fabric. The material provides unbeatable thermoregulation, keeping you warm while wicking away sweat, and it feels sumptuously soft against the skin. It’s also stretchy for easy mobility and naturally resists odors; this is a top that skiers will want to wear long after their boots have come off.
goodr Peak G Snow Goggles
Skiing in all conditions? Great. Poor visibility when conditions aren’t perfect? Not great. Thankfully, premium goggles are more accessible than ever, and goodr is leading the way. The Peak G features a full suite of must-have features, with a fast, simple magnetic lens-swap system, a cylindrical lens that offers a wide field of view, and anti-fog vents. Your favorite skier can even change the strap to match their steezy outfit, and the Peak G comes with a regular lens and a low-light lens, making it easier to adapt to shifting conditions.
Arc’teryx Atom Insulated Hoody
This synthetic puffy is the jacket equivalent of an all-mountain ski: It’s always the right choice. With its 60-gram Coreloft Compact insulation, the Atom conserves enough body heat to wear as a midlayer in a resort skiing layering system, but its impressive breathability means that it’s also a great piece for backcountry skiers to wear in the skin track. Buttery-smooth fabric, an articulated fit, and stretch-knit cuffs make the Atom a pleasure to wear no matter the snow conditions, and its sleek design means it plays well in town, too.
Smartwool Active Fleece Gloves
For days when you need gloves, but nothing too bulky or sweaty, these light fleece gloves are the answer. The combination of warmth and dexterity is perfect for hard-charging on skis, thanks to the close-fitting, brushed fabric made with a blend of merino wool and polyester. Grippy silicone on the palms and fingers holds tight to ski poles and coffee mugs, and the fingertips and thumbs are touch-screen capable.
The North Face ThermoBall Traction Booties
Whether you’re in a backcountry hut or a slopeside lodge, nothing beats slipping into a warm pair of insulated booties after a day of skiing. And no booties are better than these go-anywhere slip-ons, which have durable water repellent rubber outsoles that grip on winter-slick surfaces. The cushy interior, high ankle cuff, and synthetic insulation make them as warm and comfortable as they look. Add a handy pull tab, and the ThermoBall Traction Booties offer a no-fuss, easy-on refuge for cold, tired feet.
Arc’teryx Bird Head Toque Beanie
A great beanie has to feel good and look good. The low-profile Bird Head Toque does both, and looks at home whether you’re dressed for the slopes or for an evening in town. And the feel good part? As you’d expect from Arc’teryx, function comes first: The merino wool/acrylic blend provides low-bulk warmth, the fleece liner is wonderfully soft, and the fit is just right.
Kuma Outdoor Gear Lazy Bear Heated Chair
Shopping for a skier who has everything? This ultra-comfy heated folding chair is the answer, and no doubt will be the envy of any après tailgate. The Lazy Bear has an electrically warmed seat that you can control via Bluetooth or manual controls, and it comes with a 10,000 mAh power bank to provide portable juice. The luxuriously padded back and bomber steel frame add to the plush appeal. The Lazy Bear is definitely in the want category of gear, but after one use, don’t be surprised if it becomes a need.
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 26 million members who expect and love the best quality gear and outstanding customer service. REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.
