13 Ski Pants Made for Full Days of Shredding
Skiing pants have come a long way from heavy, oversized trousers to more lightweight, fitted, feature-rich pants. Some pairs are expensive and jam-packed with qualities aimed at protecting you from wet snow and gale-force winds, while others are great for the recreational rider who only skis bluebird days at the local resort. Plus, if you haven’t heard, bibs are back in full force, so stay fresh to death this winter — check out our list of the best new ski and snow pants for men and women before you hit the slopes.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
$420 BUY NOW
Bibs are back, baby, and these Stokers are the real deal! If storm-chasing is your forte and you spend more days slashing powder pillows than lapping groomers, you’ll be super stoked about these bibs. A three-layer Gore-Tex construction and fully taped seams keep moisture out, while adjustable suspender straps and a stretchy back panel ensure the best fit and freedom of motion. Our favorite part? Dakine added a hidden zipper, coined the Quick Fly, so you can drain the main vein without completely disrobing.
More: Shred the Rockies at One of Colorado’s Greatest Ski Resorts
$325 BUY NOW
Looking for an impermeable shell pant that’s perfect for deep backcountry days, and just as well-suited with a layer underneath for days at the resort? Strafe’s Boomerang pant will be the only pair you need for every day of this season, thanks to the company’s incredibly waterproof, breathable, and durable eVent fabric. But don’t worry — the brushed tricot backing of these pants eliminates that crinkly, rustling feeling and sound that’s often found in shell pants.
More: Stay Warm With These Thermal Leggings
$470 BUY NOW
Remember those adidas tear-away pants you loved to rip off right before game time in high school, as if your entrance song is blaring and there’s a stadium full of fans cheering just for you? Well, these are backcountry skiing’s version of those. The long waterproof side zippers make it incredibly easy to put these on without taking off your boots when you reach the summit above your hard-earned line. We love everything about these trousers because they’re a super waterproof, extremely breathable shell pant, and they’re made in a sustainable way, just like the rest of Fjällräven’s Eco Shell line.
from $41 BUY NOW
When most of your days are long, cold, and spent at a local resort, these insulated, relaxed-fit pants will keep you comfy. Primaloft insulation is plenty warm, while thigh vents prevent overheating when the afternoon sun gets too toasty. They’re also equipped with the RECCO advanced rescue system, which transmits a signal to anyone with the receiver in case of an avalanche, so you’ll be discoverable should you decide to venture out of bounds and manage to get yourself in too deep (pun intended).
More: Match Your Pants With These Ski Jackets for a Complete Outfit
$250 BUY NOW
These pants deliver the top-notch weatherproofing and comfort thatother brands would sell for upwards of $400, but without the same sticker shock. TheBlackpowder pants feature a Pertex Shield+ membrane that is fully waterproof,yet breathes when you need to let heat escape. These pants also havereinforcements at the hem, cuffs, and knees, so they’re ready to be used andabused on the daily. And if that wasn’t enough, Outdoor Research made thesepants with removable suspenders and ankle gaiters, inner and outer thigh vents, as well as an insane amountof pockets, so you’ll be ready for anything — whether that’s setting sunriseskin tracks or ripping laps on your lunch break.
$180 BUY NOW
Over the years, snowboarding has taken the cake for having more stylish gear, and even though ski gear is definitely holding its own nowadays, you’ll still see plenty of babes rocking these Volcom pants. These pants aren’t quite Gore-Tex, but they are waterproof enough to fight off storms with no problem. We really love how the stretchy twill fabric and slim fit make it easy for you to look fly AF without feeling restricted.
$249 BUY NOW
Worn and loved by backcountry ski guides both on and off theclock, these shell pants are the perfect match for deep days of powdersearching. They feature a two-layer Gore-Tex membrane that could keep youdry in a never-ending rainstorm, so fluffy snow definitely won’t be an issue. If you’re not sold on the bib trend yet, but still want to keep snow frominfiltrating your pants, you can easily connect these to any of The North Face’s skijackets with their jack-to-pant integration system. We love these pants because they’re the only pair you’ll need for a weekend in the mountains — wear them alone when you’re earning turns off piste, or rock them with a heavy baselayer onchilly days at the resort.
from $62 BUY NOW
Ski in comfort with these pants, equipped with just enough of the company’s Thermal.Q insulation to keep you warm, but not sweating. The gripper elastic cuffs on the pant leg stay in place perfectly to keep snow from sneaking in. Plus, the waistband is adjustable, so there’s no need to fret if you forget your belt or suspenders.
$850 BUY NOW
No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you — this is a one-piece ski suit, and it’s badass! With so many skiers venturing into the backcountry and living for big powder days, it makes perfect sense to wear an impermeable one-piece that’ll keep powder from sneaking down your backside when you tomahawk down a chute. It’s made with Helly Hansen’s three-layer Helly Tech waterproof fabric, and it has their H2Flow system for maximum breathability. Plus, it even has their new Life Pocket, which keeps your electronics warmer so they won’t die when temperatures drop.
$199 BUY NOW
Patagonia updated the Snowbelle this year with lighter insulation and cleaner design lines, which means these pants are both sexier and easier to layer with. The outer shell is surprisingly durable for how soft it feels, and as a bonus, these pants can be securely attached to any Patagonia winter jacket to keep snow from sneaking down where the sun don’t shine.
$475 BUY NOW
Dudes who carry skins, ice axes, and crampons need a bombproof pant like the Compound for protection from the elements. New this year is Flylow’s eVent fabric with Direct Venting Expedition technology. Translation: The material instantly vents heat and sweat, rather than letting it build up inside. Cross-flow vents keep you cool on the uphill, but the outer layer is so strong, it could fend off a hailstorm. Don’t like to carry a backpack? Four pockets provide plenty of storage space, but somehow FlyLow has managed to avoid that baggy, oversized look.
More: Say Goodbye to Cold Breezes With These Killer Windbreaker Jackets
from $72 BUY NOW
Be well-equipped for your weekends at the resort, but save some dough for après-ski happy hours with these pants from Columbia. The no-frill Veloca Vixens are waterproof, insulated, made with a stretch fabric, and come with an active fit, making them the perfect pair for the recreational rider who doesn’t need bells and whistles. They come in five additional colors, too, including bluebell, deep blush, white, hot coral, and red camellia.
$365 BUY NOW
Designed and tested in some of the most challenging terrain in the lower 48, these pants from Jackson Hole-based Stio are all-mountain crushers — they’re capable of venturing beyond the gates, yet they’re equally at home on the front side. The outer layer’s stretch fabric moves with you, unlike other more rigid pants, while the clean lines with simple details add a nice touch.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
