The other morning on my run, I saw fresh snow on the mountains and I could not help but start getting our skis and winter layers all prepared! While I wrote a few winter gear specific articles last year, I thought I would update them with some more amazing gear choices that can also be used as a gift guide. And while I mostly focused on mens and women’s (as my other winter guides (here and here) are mostly all about kid gear) there are still a few kid gear pieces thrown in.
Remember, if these items are a little on the spendy side, check out facebook market place or your local used gear store, as reusing winter products is the best !!
As always, reach out if you have any specific gear questions. My family and I have tested all of these items thoroughly. I hope this finds you enjoying the last days of fall and getting excited. Our whole family is doing the snow dance often and hoping for a BIG snow year!
Fischer S Bound Crown Skin Xtralite 98 Skis
I have been rocking these skis for a whole season now. In an attempt to simplify our winter ski choices, both Jason and I opted to get skis that would let us go into the backcountry, XC ski on our local groomed trailers, ski the kids back into our cabin and go out for exploratory long tours. This ski for me checked all of those boxes. I was amazed at how easy it was to pull the chariot with both boys (thanks to the traction!) and at how seamless and fast I was at putting on skins when I went into the backcountry. I was able to climb steep stuff with the skins and easily climb lower grade pitches without the skins even. These were the most used ski in my quiver last year and I am getting super excited to head out into the early season conditions knowing that these can take the beating!
Altai KOM Ski
Another ski that Jason and I got obsessed with trying is what some call the “true or original backcountry ski”. These are skis that have grippier scales and are wider than a straight touring ski. I opted to try out the Altai KOM skis because it was wider and came in my size (which at my height, 5 ft 1 is hard to do!). After getting them mounted and set up, I headed out to my favorite backcountry spot after a huge powder dump. It had been a long time since I had been on skis in powder (I was a snowboarder for 15 plus years) so I was a little nervous. However, these planks were unbelievable. Their extreme lightness on the uphills combined with the scales made it so I could easily keep up with my teammates and then on the way down, the width and cut of them made carving through the trees and powder super fun and seamless. Suddenly I was a skier again! A few days later I went lift skiing with my boys and I was also pleasantly surprised at how amazing it was to be able to stop and climb back up the hill to get them un stuck! I love the simplicity of no skins. While I am a bit slower than other people who have skis and skins, I am completely ok with that as I am not into speed these days. So if you are looking for a ski that you can go up and down any mountain without needing skins, and don’t mind being a minute or two slower than your mates, check these out.
Black Diamond Fritschi Vipec Evo 12 Bindings
If you are in the market for getting yourself or your loved one some backcountry skis, you might as well complete the package with some ultra light weight, easy to use bindings. My husband and I tested the Vipec bindings on all sorts of terrain and weather. From deep deep powder to nasty freezing rain, we have been able to step into our bindings
For more ease.
great because simple to go from walk mode to ski mode
paired with a scaled ski- these are amazing because it is such a fast transition. You never have to unclip the front and there is no twisting.
Patagonia Nano Air Light Insulated Pants
These pants are my new go to cross country ski pants, my mid layer on those ultra cold lift days and my one layer that I wear underneath my backcountry ski bibs on big BC days. Basically they are my ultimate outdoor workhorse pants. While advertised as a mid layer, I think they can be mostly worn on their own unless you live in a super cold climate and are not raising your heart rate. My favorite feature is the wide waistband, it’s super nice to layer under and lets me breathe hard while climbing up hill. It also lets me fully relax and fill my belly a little extra after big days! I also really love that they come in XXS, as a petite woman, there are not as many petite winter options for us that are both functional and flattering. These check all of those boxes and more! ed to provide more context on why you do what you do. Be engaging. Focus on delivering value to your visitors. Use this affiliate link if you can, as it helps us out a little!
Trew Capow Bibs
These bibs came to me at the end of last winer season. I had been looking for a pair of bibs that had both the drop seat design for easy potty breaks as well as a relaxed fit in the legs for more layers while riding lifts. These hit the spot and more. I love all of the pockets for kid snacks, beacons, passes and more as well as the below the vent zips on the inner thighs. All of these features makes these bibs perfect for riding lifts and while I did not test them on any backcountry excursions (yet) I”m sure they would work great thanks to all the venting and movability in the legs. AND Right now, they are on MEGA sale!! Also, just this year they now have kid bibs which I am very excited to try!
Kid Oaki Waterproof Bibs
What kids jump for joy when you give them new waterproof pants?? Mine do. That’s because they now know the difference between regular rain pants and Oaki Bibs. These bibs are a tad bit more insulated and “cozy” feeling on the inside (my boys words not mine) and they don’t fall off of their waist (my words!). I’m a huge fan of bibs for outerwear because inevitably pants fall down and then they get snow or mud down their pants. These bibs also add a little bit more warmth and have more durability than other companies. In short, Oaki knows their kid gear and I’m here for all of it.
Stonz Kids Trek Snow Boots
Heavy, clunky snow boots are the worst. But unfortunately that is the norm for kids. Companies think warmth equals heavy for kids, but it’s actually not that great for their little bodies. Watching my kids run and jump in their Stonz snow boots puts me at ease because I know they are not having to carry any extra weight. Along with being super warm, they are also zero drop, which promotes natural foot placement. I especially love this because in the summer they are mostly barefoot so it’s nice to not have to lose all of that strength in the feet in the winter time. The wide opening, and new easy closure system combined with the grippy sole makes these my new favorite kids snow boot of all time!
Skida Hats
If you didn’t know I’m a somewhat of a hat connoisseur. Rarely will you see me without a hat or a helmet on. With the changing of the seasons, I always get excited to bust out my beanies and more winter specific brim hats. Skida is one of my favorite brands for both brim and beanie hats. They are based in Vermont, which is known for their cold and epic winters, so they know what they are doing. My favorite beanie or “tuk” is the Pursuit Hat because it is helmet compatible (for biking and skiing) and is just a great everyday training hat as well. Once the temps drop below 35, you can find me in this hat everyday all day. For backcountry skiing, and runs where it is snowing or raining I reach for Skida’s Brim hat (pictures). It’s water resistant and keeps the elements out of my eyes. These two hats are clutch and the perfect gift that will keep on giving.
Mammut Sender IN Hooded Jacket
While I have not had this jacket for long, it’s been the one I grab for the past two weeks every morning for my increasingly cold morning walks! The inner synthetic fill is made from recycled rope scraps (so cool right!?) while the outer material is both wind and rain resistant. So far, it seems way more durable than any of my other puffys and has been great for activities such as early morning walks and running errands on our electric bike on colder days. I see this jacket perfect for belaying and exploring at Smith Rock and our local outdoor climbing area because it won’t rip or tear super easy. Another bonus of the water resistance it’s easy to clean! I found this out after getting hot chocolate spilled on me the other day, so could be a great present for parents all the parents out there! Everyone needs a good everyday durable and warm puffy, this one is a great sustainable choice!
Leki Sherpa FX Carbon Four Season Poles
To go with the best of the best backcountry poles, Leki is still my #1 choice. While these specifically are on the spendy side, I like to think of them as my one pole for ALL of my year round activities. They break down easily and quickly to 16 inches, which fits great in a pack when not in use. And when in use, their handle is comfortable and ergonomically great for steep skins and hikes up mountains. For skiing in the backcountry and on the lifts the combination of carbon at the top and aluminum at the bottom make them unbelievably durable. I have broken many poles in my years and these are still going strong after a few seasons. And because they fit multiple heights, both my husband and I can use the same pair (that is when we are not skiing together).
Black Strap Kids Therma Base Layer
For those early morning missions or extra cold forest school days, my husband and I bust out what we call “the moon boy” uniform. These ultra cozy soft base layers keep melt downs at bay on the mountain and keep them warm on the coldest of days! My boys love the fun prints and the fact that they the seams don’t bother them (big win for parents!). When we head to the cabin, this is all they wear the entire time, as they also work as jammies for those long ski or cabin weekends when kids just never want to change. Black Strap I should note is more known for their balaclavas which are equally awesome and fit amazingly well under helmets!
Smith Helmets
Give the gift of protection to yourself or/ and a loved one. My kids have the Prospect Jr and both my husband and I have the Vantage. Both helmets now have Mips and Zonal Koroyd which protect the brain from angled hits and is lightweight and helps with ventilation. From backcountry ski sessions to front country lift skiing, these helmets are on us and keep us safe, warm, cool and comfortable. When it comes to head protection, Smith knows what’s up.
Ciele FRD Winter Tights
For those living in frigid climates (where are my Alaskan and Canadians!?) these tights are perhaps the only bottom layer you will need for all of your running and XC skiing pursuits this year. The front panels are treated with C0 DWR for wind, rain and snow resistance while the rest is fully breathable and moisture wicking. I admit, I am always resistant to run in tights, but winter is the time and these are the most comfortable that I have found. I also don’t have to bring anything for my morning runs and skate skis now (that are around an hour) as the pockets fit my fuel, phone and gloves! While I have yet to test these in frigid conditions, I find myself not taking these off for most of my day because they also work great for bike commuting, running errands and picking up the kids on the cargo bike in our current temps (30-45 degress). I believe that these are a win win for many multi -taskers out there!
Kahtoola Nano Spikes
Getting out and going on runs gets harder in winter. Excuses like “its too cold” or “its too icy” are super easy to come into play and convince yourself or your partner to not go out on that run. Gear yourself up with these awesome, easy to use spikes. In fact, get the whole family a pair. We put them on our boy’s boots the entire winter season and we also gave a pair to my husband’s parents. Ice can be super dangerous and hard to see. These keep your worries at bay and keep the motivation up during those long winter months!
Gordini Mittens
These two mitt styles are the only mittens we use on the mountain. They are super warm even in sun 15 degree conditions and keep everyone on the mountain skiing for longer. My husband and I are going on our 3rd season with the Gauntlet Mitt and we couldn’t be happier. My son just grew into his Hearth Mittens last year and we no longer heard “my hands are cold!”. Besides the warmth and outer durable material, the simple wrist strap is my favorite part about these gloves. They are super hard to lose which is saying something for this family that seems to lose every little piece of outdoor gear we own.
Patagonia Stormstride Jacket
I’m heading into my second season with this jacket. I love it because it is super stretchy and breathable. I can do both backcountry laps and front country lift rides in it. The only difference is what I wear underneath. For big effort days, I am good with a single wool base layer or my R1 Fleece for those super cold mornings. For lift riding with my kids where I am not working super hard, I wear my R1 fleece and my Nano Air Light Hybrid Hoody for extra warmth and comfort! It has pockets in all the right places (two on the inside and two on the outside) for my pass, snacks, gloves and even skins! And while it is on the longer side for me, I actually really love it because it gives me extra coverage. On the super wintery days where the snow is coming down hard, the hood can go over my helmet for added protection which I love and use often. And use this affiliate Link!
Le Bent Merino Balaclava
Believe it or not, finding a thin wool balaclava that does not itch our faces has been hard! This season we have been trying the Le Bent Balaclava and so far my kids are not complaining at all. For Forest School they are out in the elements for up to 6 hours a day playing and sitting. It’s hard to find them layers that are not too itchy, too heavy, too loose, etc. Covering their neck and having the option to also cover their heads has been awesome with this “non itchy, and not sweaty” (my 5 year olds words) balaclava. While we have yet to test it on the mountain underneath a helmet, so far Its a win! It’s made up of a blend of sustainable and merino, rayon and bamboo that is sewn in a way that lets it be worn in many ways! This company also makes base layers and socks which we are excited to test out as well!
Patagonia Kids Everyday Jacket
My oldest is in his 2nd season with this jacket. It’s a perfect jacket for both everyday use for Forest School and for skiing. It’s insulated on the inside and waterproof on the outside. It beads up water super easily during a heavy snow or a wintery mix. It lasts all day at Forest School on the coldest of days and up on the lifts even in a snow storm. While the hood does not fit over his ski helmet, we rarely use this option even on his jackets that do fit over his helmet so we are ok with it. With the grow with you feature, Max is going to have this jacket for a second winter and spring, and I could not be more happy about it!
Thule Double Chariot
I thought for sure we would be grown out of the double Thule Chariot by now as my boys are now 5 and 7.. and much heavier! However, we are still going strong with it especially in the winter months. Our favorite weekly activity during the winter months is to pack an early dinner and head to a backcountry ski hut. We take turns pulling the trailer with either one or two kids in it (usually one is out and either hanging on back or skiing on their own) and all of our food. We also use it to ski back into our cabin. It easily carries all of our gear and kids for a weekend. It’s easy and comfortable to pull and is a family winter essential gear item. I defintley recommend one for families who love to xc ski and want to bring their kids along!