This is the ski and snowboard gear I actually bring on every mountain trip, from goggles and helmets to the boot bag and dryer that make travel days easy. It's mostly budget-friendly stuff that's held up season after season.
My OutdoorMaster goggles fit right over my glasses, and they've never fogged up on me even on whiteout days.
OutdoorMaster OTG Ski Goggles for Men & Women
The Kelvin helmet is light and warm with adjustable vents, and it feels like way more helmet than the price.
OutdoorMaster Kelvin Helmet 2020 Review
I keep a Retrospec Comstock as my backup lid for friends who come up without a helmet, and it fits nearly everyone with the dial.
Retrospec Comstock Adjustable Ski Helmet
These over-the-calf merino socks keep my feet warm and dry inside rental boots all day.
Merino Wool Ski Socks - Thermal Snowboard
My Tough Outdoors gloves have kept my hands dry through a lot of chairlift rides for less than twenty bucks.
Tough Outdoors Insulated Ski Gloves
On frigid lift rides I pull this Tough Headwear balaclava over my face and stop dreading the windy top of the mountain.
Tough Headwear Balaclava Ski Mask - Winter
The BLACKSTRAP hood sits perfectly under my helmet and covers the gap between my goggles and jacket.
BLACKSTRAP Hood Balaclava Face Mask - Cold Weather
My Merino.tech base layer keeps me warm on the lift and doesn't get stinky after back-to-back ski days.
100% Merino Wool Mens Base Layer Set
I buy the women's Merino.tech top for my ski partner, and it's the one layer she refuses to leave home without.
Premium Merino Wool Apparel for Comfort and Performance
My Unigear boot bag holds my boots, helmet, goggles, and gloves in one backpack I can carry onto the plane.
Unigear Ski Boot Bag Backpack 50L/70L
I fly with my skis in this padded Unigear bag, and they've come off the baggage carousel without a scratch.
Unigear 360° Padded Ski Bag for Air Travel
I wax my own skis at home with this OutdoorMaster kit, and it paid for itself after two skipped shop tunes.
OutdoorMaster Ski Snowboard Tuning & Wax Kit
I toss the ZUMWax rub-on bar in my pocket for a quick fix when the snow gets sticky in the afternoon.
ZUMWax Universal Ski/Snowboard Wax 70g
The PEET dryer gets my ski boots and gloves bone dry overnight, so I never start the day with soggy liners.
PEET Original Electric Shoe Dryer - Silent, Energy-Efficient, Made in USA
I clip my lift pass to my goggle strap with this MAXJULI holder so I never dig through pockets at the gate.
MAXJULI Ski Goggles Pass Holder 3013
The Sklon strap lets me sling my skis and poles over my shoulder instead of juggling them from the parking lot.
Sklon Ski Strap & Pole Carrier with Sling
My lips used to burn every ski trip until I started keeping this Banana Boat SPF lip balm in my jacket.
Banana Boat Sport Lip Sunscreen SPF 50, 2 Pack
Snow reflects so much sun that I swipe this Sun Bum stick on my face every morning before the first run.
Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Face Stick Sunscreen
The GEMYSE jacket is warm, waterproof, and full of pockets, and it costs a fraction of the big-name shells.
GEMYSE Men's Waterproof Winter Ski Jacket
Arctix bibs are my go-to recommendation for anyone's first ski trip because they keep snow out of everything.
