With the holidays practically upon us it’s time to get serious about shopping for the ski enthusiasts on your list. If you’ve put off this dreaded task for as long as we have, the good news is that shopping for skiers is pretty easy. There are so many products and pieces that go into the whole production, all you have to do is cast around and pick one (or five). And if all else fails, remember: one can never have enough socks.
We’ve broken up our gift guide into five budgetary segments: Under $20, $20-$50, $50-$100, $100-$200 and $200-and-over. Happy shopping!
10. Fischer ten ski bag ($110). Lugging ski fleet around can be a huge pain if you don’t have the right storage system. Fischer’s large, ten-ski bag ensures that you’ll have room enough to bring whatever you need on race day. Available at BNS and Gear West.
9. Holmenkol Digital Wax Iron ($195). The high-end iron is making its second gift guide appearance because its just that good. Its precise and even heating makes it the iron of choice for professional servicemen everywhere. Available at BNS.
8. Brush Set ($107). Gear West’s brush set is great for those who are setting up a new wax room or have simply left their brushes face-down on the wax table a few too many times. This package offers great value (six brushes) for anyone looking to expand their brushing tool set. Don’t need the whole set? Get them separately from Gear West, BNS, Skinny Skis and Ski Rack.
7. SporTube Hard Ski Case ($130). Sometimes a regular ski bag isn’t enough. SporTube’s hard shell ski carrier eliminates the worry of damage to your skis in baggage handling so you can focus on more important things during your travels. Two pairs of skis fit in the $130 version; five to six fit in the larger $180 size. Available online from BNS.
6. Casco Nordic Shield ($145). Look like Petter Northug, Jr. himself with one of the best face shields out there. Best used in warmish, snowy conditions — it won’t fog up when nearly everything else will. Available at Gear West and BNS.
5. Craft PXC High Performance Pant ($124). As with many things in nordic skiing, a little efficiency goes a long way. Take these pants. Full zippers down each leg means you don’t have to step out of your skis to strip down to your race suit. Windbreak in the front and breathable in the back, the PXC is a go-to choice. They even have suspenders. How quaint. Available at Gear West and BNS.
4. Camelbak Powderbak ($100). Have you ever wished that you had a water bottle that was actually a vest? That’s exactly what the Powderbak system is. Camelbak’s newest body-hugging water carrier is available for men and women on their website. This is a great option for marathoners.
3. Scott Eride Grip 2 trail shoe ($110). Scott’s rugged and highly visible eride shoes are reminiscent of Salomon’s trail running series. Scott’s durable shoes hold up during all weather conditions for those wet trail runs. Available online in men’s and women’s sizes.
2. Swix Star XC Jacket ($160). This isn’t such a popular team jacket for nothing. The warm but breathable design keeps your body at the perfect temperature on the trail. Available in men’s and women’s sizes from REI.
1. Patagonia Down Sweater Vest ($150). Patagonia’s Down Sweater Vest and it’s younger brother the Nano Puff Vest keep your core warm in all weather conditions. Paired with a cozy flannel and you’ll have the perfect après ski look. Available from Patagonia in men’s and women’s sizes.
