The truth is, skiers aren’t that complicated. We like simple things: fresh snow, good coffee, a jacket that keeps us dry, maybe a boot dryer at the end of the day if we’re feeling fancy. So shopping for a skier shouldn’t be that hard, right? This holiday season, we’ve got a few ideas for low-fuss, sure-to-please gifts for the skiers on your list.
There are some items that a skier always needs: waterproof gloves that won’t wet out in a storm, a packable insulated layer you can bring on the road, or a warm hat to wear on the drive to the ski hill. Those things are easy to wrap up and call it a day on your holiday shopping. But if you want to go a little deeper, we’ve rounded up some gift ideas that are sure to please, no matter what kind of skier you’ve got on your list.
The Adventure Seeker
This is the kind of skier who’s always cooking up some grand backyard or far-flung adventure (which often ends up as more of a misadventure, but those can be fun, too). This powder-seeking, globe-trotting skier is well equipped already—their garage or gear shed is a well-organized fun palace—so you’re going to have to think outside the box to find something they don’t already have. Flylow’s Z Line for men and women is designed for backcountry users who need high-performance, backcountry-ready gear, so you can’t go wrong there. If all else fails, try a gift card to their local ski shop so they can pick out what they need or, of course, we have a Flylow gift card, too.
Big-Ticket Item: Adventurous skiers love bibs, and the Baker Bib and the Foxy Bib are long-time crowd pleasers.
Surprisingly Good Idea: Chances are, they don’t have a fleece onesie to wear as a baselayer on hut trips or a durable vest for storing all their safety gear on quick backcountry strike missions.
Stocking Stuffer: You can never have too many ski straps—these things come in handy for travel, fixing broken equipment, or carrying your gear through the parking lot. Also, Duct tape is always a win.
The Conscientious Skier
As skiers, we know our community matters even more than the snow forecast, and there’s lots we can do to give back to the people and environments around us. This is the skier on your list who’s philanthropic, sustainably-minded, environmentally cautious, and cares deeply about the impact of their behavior and purchases. A good place to start is our Good Lab, full of products created with community partners. (You can read more about Flylow’s sustainability and community impact efforts here.) You could also consider gifting them a Team POW membership for those wanting to step up their climate involvement or a Ski Kind shirt from our friends at the Winter Wildlands Alliance.
Big-Ticket Item: The Knight Jacket and Cage Pant are made from a fabric that’s been repurposed from discarded fishing nets, removing waste from landfills and oceans and promoting a more circular manufacturing process. For women, the Domino Jacket and Siren Bib also utilize a high percentage of recycled materials.
Surprisingly Good Idea: Everyone needs a reusable coffee mug and our Klean Kanteen collab tumbler is a team favorite for road trips and coffee shops. Or, if they’re more of a tea-in-the-backcountry-pack or coffee-thermos-while-bike commuting kind of person, check out this time-tested and completely spillproof Fellow / Flylow thermos.
Stocking Stuffer: The Maine Line Glove is perfect for those who want the warmth of a mitten but a bit more dexterity. It’s coated with remnant fabric on the back of the hand that’s leftover from our production line.
The Perpetually Cold Skier
You know who we’re talking about. The shredder in your family or group of friends who’s always in two puffy jackets and three layers of long underwear. Even when it’s 30 degrees and sunny. Some of us just run cold, and why not be comfortable and warm out there? Check out the Boundary Line for women and men for some of our more insulated layers, stackable puffies, and fleece midlayers.
Big-Ticket Item: New this year for women is the Truckee Down Parka, a long, insulated puffy she’ll wear walking the dog and all over town. If you're looking for more of a skiable puffy, the Betty Down or General's Down is where it’s at. Not every skier has a down vest—but they should. The Larry Vest and the Laurel Vest make great gifts for dedicated skiers.
Surprisingly Good Idea: Just trust us on this, the Puffer Pant for women and men is the gift they didn’t know they needed—until they get them, and never take them off. These are insulated base layer bottoms that can be worn under your shell pants while skiing or on their own around the house.
Stocking Stuffer: Socks may not be the flashiest of gift items, but they are useful. And these wool blend ski socks are warm and good looking. Another favorite for cold heads: the fleecy Cozy Camper Hat.
The In It For The Après Skier
We’re not saying this person isn’t there for the skiing. They absolutely are. But when the freshies have been had and the hot tub is calling, this fun-loving skier knows the day is far from over. This is the skier who knows all the bartenders, has a Coleman grill in the car for tailgate ramen, and loves a good sunny deck with a live band in the springtime. The Habitat Line for women and men has some skier essentials—like flannels and fleeces—but also some things you might live in everyday, like puffy coats, overalls, and knit beanies.
Big-Ticket Item: The Sarah Anorak and the Knight Anorak are fully waterproof, breathable shells in pullover form. So they’re ultra functional for a day of skiing, but with enough style to keep the party going afterward.
Surprisingly Good Idea: We took the high-performance fleece we use to make midlayers and made a...drumroll, please...bathrobe that is sure to become a ski-trip staple. The Wolfie Robe is as fun as it is comfortable. Zip your hotel room key into the secure pocket, never mix your robe with a stranger’s at the hot tub again, and it stashes a six pack of beverages into its inner pouch.
Stocking Stuffer: Meet the Walleye Cap, the best topper to any après-ski activity. Or the Fireside Beanie is extra cozy. And obviously, this person needs an I Love Après shirt, headband, or a Perfect Day T.
[All photos by Jay Dash]