The Best Gifts For Skiers

A visual sampling of some of this year’s best gifts for skiers — most under $25.

The Gift of Skiing

Skiing is a gift that is never outgrown.

Plan a special, unexpected day to ski with your children and family. Stuff stockings with lift tickets and gift cards (from Liftopia.com, for example). Or, give your spouse or children a specialized clinic or series of lessons.

For adults, consider a three-day camp with John Clendenin of the Clendenin Ski Method. A world champion freestyle skier who is in the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, John will teach you how to ski the whole mountain and take your mogul skiing to heights you’ve never imagined. If you can’t make it to one of John’s camps, you can also send in video for personalized “Tough Love” video analysis and instruction.

Photo: Clendenin Ski Method

For beginner kids younger than 10, the Online Family Ski School (OFSS) will save you money and make your family ski days easier and more fun. Eleven lessons will take your children from “never ever” to advanced beginner. Use the course on its own, or as an adjunct to professional lessons. Just $59 for lifetime access! Here’s what a ski mom from last season has to say.

“I loved the games we could play on the hill, and teaching our kids how to wedge was super useful with our youngest who struggled.” – Sarah Sindell

Useful (and Fun) Ski Gifts Under $25

First up, fun and funky ski pole strap replacements from Mtn Straps, of Bozeman, Montana. With 35 designs, there is a look for every member of the family — including the family dog (dog collars and leashes)!

Next, the Shoulder Saver, a small pad that velcros to your skis and provides an extra inch of padding between you and your skis. Created by Henry Kvietok, a CU Boulder student for hiking with his skis, the Shoulder Saver is popular with junior ski racers who are often carrying at least one pair of heavy skis.

For children learning to ski, the Ski Ring® makes a great gift. Used in place of poles, SkiRing® teaches balance and positioning in a fun and intuitive way. 

SkiRing® also works for teens, adults and anyone else who wants to improve their skiing. It’s used by junior ski teams and recommended by the Professional Ski Instructors of America.

Noso Patches are on our list. These nifty easy-to-affix patches are great for repairing ski pants and coats — including puffy coats. They also add some bling to your style. Check out the solid color Noso designs and the new ArtFix patches designed for Noso by artists. 

You may have seen their skiing-themed (and everything else-themed) t-shirts online, but TeePublic is not just about t-shirts. From baby onesies to phone cases, it’s worth searching their website for “skiing” or “snowboarding.” Or search by product type, for example “skiing phone cases.”

These two items happen to reflect my taste. TeePublic has 100s of skiing and snowboarding designs on many products.

Colorado-based Kushi-Riki may have a funny name, but this company is serious about making the world a better place. Offering kids’ ski mittens and gloves, beanies and neck gaiters at an affordable price, Kushi-Riki donates a portion of their profits to nonprofit organizations serving children.

Skiing Essentials

Ridge Merino is a family company offering sustainably sourced, chemical free merino wool base layers and more for the family. The Kids’ Collection features sweet stripes and subtle patterns in a midweight wool. The women’s collection also includes items in heavyweight wool for especially cold days. The quality is high, they are not itchy and they look good enough to wear on their own (check out the fab Inversion baselayers bottoms). Plus, Ridge Merino participates in 1% for the Planet. 

In addition to wool essentials for children and women, Ridge Merino also has a full line for men.

Kulkea has three new bags this winter. The large, 3700 cubic inch SP Pro Ski Boot Bag holds up to Men’s size 13 ski boots. Every pocket and strap has a purpose, from the fleece lined interior goggle pocket to an exterior strap that holds your coat at the end of the day. The best feature is the full zip front panel opening that makes the bag easy to pack.

The style-conscious Kulkea Talvi X has a modern look, featuring black and gray fabric and a useful front pocket with an accent buckle. The look alone wouldn’t be enough, however, if this bag weren’t well-designed and plenty roomy, which it is.

Finally, the Kantaja Double Roller Ski Bag is a great choice for travelers. Extra-long (195 cm extending to 205cm), the bag holds two pair of adult skis, or one pair of adult and one pair of junior skis. The “mammoth mouth” opening is truly mammoth, making the bag easy to pack. Wheels make it easy to tow. Sturdy fabric and essential padding keep everything safe.

A Great Gift That’s Good for The Planet

The Sustainable Kitchen Box from Zoetica is THE gift for someone trying to reduce plastic and trash in their kitchen and while shopping.  The box replaces items like ziplocs, cling wrap, shopping and produce bags, paper napkins, paper towels and more, with reusable alternatives. Sustainably packaged and ready for gift giving.

What Santa Might Bring

Because children deserve something fun under the tree, we always recommend children’s books about skiing, ski-themed puzzles and winter-themed Legos. You can find specific recommendations at the link above.

Sources

All of these products are available online. Some are available from Amazon. I receive a small commission on all Amazon purchases made via these ads. Thank you for your support. Please note that none of the products I’ve included in this year’s guide were chosen based on their availability on Amazon. As always, all opinions are my own and are exactly what I would tell my family and friends.

Brave Ski Mom Holiday Gift Guide Archive

• Simple Gifts for Skiing Families
• The Brave Ski Mom Holiday Gift Guide, 2016
• The 2015 BSM Holiday Gift Guide for Skiers and Snowboarders
• The 2014 Holiday Gift Guide for Women Who Love Ski Fashion
• The 2014 Holiday Gift Guide for Ski Moms and Their Skiing Families
• A Skiing Family’s Letter to Santa: Gift Ideas and a Giveaway
• Christmas Gifts for Skiing Families
• ‘Tis the Gift Giving Season: Suggestions for Skiing Families

Holiday Gift Ideas from Favorite Outdoor Bloggers

• Best Outdoor Gifts 2018, Outdoor Families Magazine
• Play Outside Guide | Holiday Gift Guide for Lovers of the Outdoors
• A Holiday Gift Guide for Active Kids (with Giveaways), Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies
• The Best Adventure-Inspired Gifts for Outdoorsy Families, Hiking In My Flip Flops
• Outdoor Family Gift Guide 2018, Tales of a Mountain Mama
• The Best Gifts for Travelers, Traveling Mel
• Ethical Gifts for the Outdoor Family (+ Giveaway), Born to Be Adventurous
• Gift Guide for Ski Families, MountainMomandTots.com
• Meaningful Gifts You Actually Want to Give Your Children, WikeBaby.com
• Gift Guide for Adventure Travelers and Outdoor Lovers, Nomads with a Purpose
• The Gift Guide For Everyone On Your List 2018, Bring the Kids
• Your Guide to Cool Camping Gifts and Gadgets for Families | Little Family Adventure
• 2018 Ultimate DIY, Handmade Guide for Your Wild Child!, Wilder Child

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