Most skiers and snowboarders have one Christmas wish: fresh powder (and lots of it). While you can’t control the weather, you can help them get ready for the day it arrives. And we promise they’ll spend their next powder day thanking you.
As an added bonus, every company on this list is part of 1% For the Planet -- a global movement of companies donating 1% of their annual sales to nonprofit environmental initiatives. By purchasing any of these gifts, you’ll be contributing to a healthier planet.
1. An All-Mountain Snowboard
We know it’s an obvious gift for the snowboarder in your life, but we couldn’t leave it out. The Explorer by Jones Snowboards is an all-mountain board that’s perfect for both powder and park days.
2. Goggles with Contrast Boosting Lenses
They’ll think you did hours of research to find these almost too-good-to-be-true goggles from Shred. In addition to offering amazing peripheral vision, the contrast boosting lens gives better visibility in varying light and conditions.
3. A 16-ounce Insulated Tumbler
The dedicated snow-sporters we know have a deep appreciation for hot beverages. Set the skier or snowboarder in your life up for success on the mountain with an insulated to-go cup for their coffee or tea.
4. A Well-Designed Skiing/Snowboarding Backpack
This Patagonia backpack is made for journeys into the sidecountry and backcountry, but it works well in-resort too. It’s the perfect size for a few extra layers, snacks and any other short-tour supplies.
5. A Merino Wool Base Layer
No skier or snowboarder’s wardrobe is complete without an amazing base layer. Our Aspect Merino wool base layer was recently chosen as one of Wired’s favorite base layers: “It has Ridge Merino’s trademark invisible thumb holes, hidden under a triangle of cloth. This top easily made the transition from walking around in 30-degree temperatures to a hot and crowded house party.”
6. Organic Chapstick with Sun Protection
On a sunny day, SPF chapstick is the last thing a boarder or skier wants to forget. This chapstick from AllGood is small enough to toss in a pocket and is made of organic products you can trust.
7. A Trip to Alpine Lakes High Camp in Washington
If you’re going for the most memorable gift, hook them up with a backcountry hut reservation in Washington’s Alpine Lakes Wilderness. They’ll get unmatched access to peaks, lakes and ridges for all the backcountry skiing or riding they can stand.
8. A Donation to Protect Our Winters
Protect Our Winters (POW) is the non-profit leader in the snow sports industry for legislation protecting winter for decades to come. POW is one of the non-profit partners of 1% for the Planet program, so you can call this gift 100% for the planet. If you’d rather keep things local, consider a donation to your skier or snowboarder’s local avalanche center.
