From first chair to après, ski pants are an integral piece for staying warm and embracing style. Women’s ski pants are also utilitarian tools for the snow-season from running errands around town to sledding, shoveling, and walking the dog. And the evolution of snow pants for women means you don’t have to give up function or fashion.
Women’s ski pants need to fit well, move well with zero restriction, and work year after year. From smart, useful pockets to leg vents and waterproofing, we’ve found the most standout details of each design. For a non-insulated ski pant that serves skiers on sunny days and through wild winter storms, don’t overlook the very well-made Rab Women’s Khroma Diffuse GORE-TEX Pants, which come in at a mid-tier cost. For a nicely articulated but more basic build at half the price, look at The North Face Women’s Freedom Insulated Pants, which focus on insulation over blizzard-worthy windproofing, waterproofing, and breathability.
To learn more about ski pants for women and how to choose the perfect pair, scroll through our Buyer’s Guide tips or jump to the Price & Value summary. You can also consult the Comparison Chart to help steer your decision process. Otherwise, read our full gear guide and check out our awarded picks.
Editor’s Note: We updated our Women’s Ski Pants buyer’s guide on October 4, 2024, to spotlight recently tested and launched products, including the Marmot Light Ray GORE-TEX Pant and Black Diamond Recon LT Pant, and updated awards.
The Best Women’s Ski Pants of 2024-2025
Best Overall Women’s Ski Pants
-
Fit
Regular (not narrowly athletic, not baggy freeride) -
Material
3-layer GORE-TEX shell with 100% recycled face fabric -
Pockets
4 -
RECCO
No -
Best for
Resort days (stormy and sunny), ski touring, ski mountaineering
-
Soft, durable fabric -
Belt loops or external integrated velcro belt to cinch waist -
Functional pockets
-
Not the most quiet material -
Top-shelf investment
Best Budget Women’s Ski Pant
-
Fit
Regular -
Material
2-layer nylon Omni-Tech fabric plus 60 grams of insulation (85% recycled polyester) -
Pockets
5 (two hand pockets, two back pockets, side leg pocket) -
RECCO
No -
Best for
Resort skiing, budget skiers
-
Warm -
Waterproof -
Inexpensive
Most Durable & Lightweight Women’s Ski Pants
-
Fit
Standard -
Material
3-layer 80-denier ePE GORE-TEX fabric with DWR treatment plus flannel backer for light insulation -
Pockets
3 (two zippered thigh pockets, one flap stash pocket) -
RECCO
Yes -
Best for
Avid backcountry enthusiasts, blustery resort days, environments full of changing weather conditions
-
ePE GORE-TEX fabric is PFAS-free -
Flannel-lined for light insulation -
RECCO included -
Anti-odor treatment
-
No mesh backer on the side vents
Best Non-Insulated Budget Women’s Ski Pants
-
Fit
Standard -
Material
3L 100% polyester treated with StormRepel Plus DWR -
Pockets
4 -
RECCO
No -
Best for
Resort days
-
Reinforced hems and interior leg with tenacious CORDURA -
Economic price
-
No zipper on the extra thigh pockets; only Velcro flaps -
Not much give in the waistband, so consider sizing up
Most Sustainable Ski Pants
-
Fit
Regular -
Material
100% circular polyester (20K/20K waterproof/breathability), PFC-free DWR, recycled thermal STD 40 gsm insulation, Coremax tricot lining -
Pockets
Two hand pockets -
RECCO
No -
Best for
Cold, blustery, mid-winter resort days
-
Extremely comfortable for freezing days thanks to the insulation -
Innovative cinch for hem stowaway (accessed via hand pockets) -
Super comfortable and stylish -
Circular polyester’s upcycled fabrics avoid landfill
-
At 770 g, the pants might feel a tad heavier than other pairs -
Insulation could be too much on super sunny, warm spring days -
High-reaching waistband might not be everyone’s choice style
Best Insulated Ski Pants for Resort Days
-
Fit
Regular -
Material
100% recycled 2-layer DryVent fabric with PFC-free DWR and 90% recycled Heatseeker Eco insulation -
Pockets
3 (two zippered hand pockets, one thigh cargo pocket) -
RECCO
No -
Best for
Cold resort days
-
Fleece-lined pockets -
Thigh vents -
PFC-free DWR and 100% recycled face fabric and liner
-
Insulated pants might not be everyone’s top choice -
Not the most windproof
Best Uphill Workout Ski Pants
-
Fit
Streamlined and athletic yet stretchy -
Material
Midweight soft shell made of recycled polyamide and polyester plus elastane (bluesign-certified) and PFC-free DWR coating -
Pockets
3 (two zippered hand pockets, one zippered thigh pocket) -
RECCO
No -
Best for
Uphilling, speed workouts, skimo races
-
Breathable softshell fabric -
DWR treatment sheds wet snow
-
Seams not sealed -
Not the 3-layer pant you need for huge storms
Best of the Rest
-
Fit
Freeride, baggier side -
Material
2-layer certified bluesign proprietary fabric insulated with 100% recycled 40g PrimaLoft Black Eco -
Pockets
3 -
RECCO
Yes -
Best for
Resort hounds, cold days
-
Pockets are roomy and functional -
Belt loops or an integrated/interior velcro belt help secure waist -
Insulation keeps you cozy on lift rides and gusty days
-
Insulation could be too much for warmer and spring days -
Zippered vents are a tad short and on exterior leg (some prefer interior placement)
-
Fit
Regular (not narrowly athletic, not baggy freeride) -
Material
BD.dry 3L face fabric treated with a DWR -
Pockets
3 -
RECCO
Yes -
Best for
Resort days (stormy and sunny), ski touring, ski mountaineering
-
Waist-to-thigh, double-zipper open exterior ventilation -
Dedicated beacon pocket with a leash -
Wide, reinforced cuffs with flexible gaiters
-
No belt loops for added cinching at the waist -
No mesh backing for ventilation, which could let moisture in
-
Fit
Regular (not narrowly athletic, not baggy freeride) -
Material
3-layer GORE-TEX shell with 100% recycled face fabric -
Pockets
3 -
RECCO
Yes -
Best for
Resort days (cooler temps, stormy and sunny)
-
Large waist velcro strap for fit adjustment -
Cordura scuff guards reinforce the cuffs
-
No short inseam options -
Two inner-thigh vents without mesh backing can invite moisture in -
Seemed to run big
-
Fit
Fitted, athletic (but stretchy) -
Material
100% recycled polyester with 20K waterproofing (breathability unavailable), 40g PrimaLoft ECO 100% PCR Black Insulation -
Pockets
Two (softly lined hand pockets) -
RECCO
No -
Best for
Cold days with errands or après afterward
-
Very well insulated to keep you warm on freezing, blizzardy, and windy ski lift rides -
Zippered, gusseted hems -
Stylish
-
The interior ventilation zippers are a bit stunted in length
-
Fit
Low-rise, standard -
Material
2-layer HellyTech Performance fabric with PFC-free DWR finish; 40 grams PrimaLoft (100% recycled polyester) -
Pockets
4 (two hand pockets, two cargo pockets) -
RECCO
Yes -
Best for
All-day comfort lapping runs
-
Warm -
Stylish -
Embedded RECCO reflector
-
Too warm for uphill travel
Women’s Ski Pants Comparison Chart
Scroll right to view all of the columns: Price, Shell, Insulation, Fit, RECCO.
How We Tested the Best Women’s Ski Pants
The GearJunkie team is made up alpine and backcountry skiers testing women’s ski pants in-bounds and hut-to-hut all over North America. Since this guide was first published in 2020, we’ve updated it eight times.
Our Expert Testers
GearJunkie Snowsports Senior Editor Morgan Tilton has more than 30 years of snow pant experience as a lifelong skier and snowboarder. Contributing gear tester Kaylee Walden is an American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Advanced Ski Guide and avalanche course instructor. Contributors Mary Murphy and Jessi Hackett are skiers based in Colorado.
Our Testing Grounds
Our testing has included bell-to-bell resort powder days, ski-to-surf trips on Vancouver Island and in California, and backcountry hut adventures.
Hackett works and plays in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley. She tests ski pants at Aspen Snowmass, in local SkiMo races, during sunrise and moonlit skins, laps in Highland Bowl, and top-to-bottom turns on Aspen Mountain. Off-piste, she Nordic skis or ski tours in the surrounding Elk Mountains.
Tilton is based in Crested Butte, Colorado, one of the coldest, windiest, snowiest places possible for ski gear testing. Walden is based in Southwest Colorado, and goes home to Montana each winter, too.
Our Testing Process
We test ski pants while skiing and ski touring in sub-zero temperatures, blizzards, blustery wind, intense sun, and even rain.
While testing women’s ski pants, we assess the durability, material, overall fit, ease of movement, density, protection against the elements — including waterproofness, windproofness, and insulation — fabric feel, breathability, ventilation, and functionality. We look at specific details, including the pocket size, quantity, function, and placement, as well as the zippers, zipper pulls, vents, gaiters, waistband, belt loops, and cuff.
When we examine ski pants, we also consider the size range, including the inseam lengths. We do groundwork, research, and interviews to find and test the most innovative, sustainable, legacy, popular, and bestselling women’s ski pants on the market. These ski pants represent a broad range of price points and designs for a variety of applications and needs.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Women’s Ski Pants
Snow pants aren’t hard to find, especially if you live in a colder climate. But finding the right pair can be harder than you think. So here are a few tips to get you started.
Consider Activity & Usage
Chances are, if you’re looking for a pair of snow pants to wear for a specific winter sport such as backcountry skiing, alpine skiing, or snowboarding, they’ll each have slightly different design features, fit, and style that make those pants more comfortable and functional for the day’s winter activity.
That being said, many ski pants do work for other winter activities such as sledding, shoveling, fat biking, ice climbing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, winter hiking, dog walking, building snow caves, snowball fights, pow surfing, ice skating — you name it.
As you narrow down your top activity, consider the average temperature, conditions, and your personal body heat. Do the temperatures hover at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or up toward 30 degrees, and is there often windchill? Do you expect dry or wet snow? Will you be consistently moving, or do you anticipate being sedentary such as on the ski lift or while watching the kids play in the snow outside? And do you generally tend to run hot or cold?
Depending on the activity and output, you’ll want either insulated or uninsulated pants and ventilation as well as waterproofness. Each of those factors influences the price tag.
Type of Fit
Do you prefer a relaxed or more athletic fit? While this is a personal preference, a more streamlined fit is often more comfortable and ergonomic for skinning uphill as well as activities like fat biking.
If you want an unencumbered range of motion, maybe go with a relaxed fit. And if you run cold and wear more or thicker base layers, consider an insulated pant or going up a size.
It’s also important to note sizing sometimes differs depending on the pant’s style. And fit will also depend on your frame — if you’re taller or shorter than average or wear plus sizes, look for pants that offer accommodations or sizes for those builds.
Most of the ski pants on our list have some form of adjustable waist. But you may even find that pants that sit at the waist aren’t what you want on the slopes or that you’d like more coverage, in which case, Women’s Ski Bibs may be a better option.
Waterproofing & Breathability
Two-layer and three-layer fabrics have different weights, waterproofness, and breathability ratings. Generally, three-layer textiles are the benchmark of weather protection. For powder days, riding lifts during a snowstorm, or while wearing in a particularly wet snow climate, it makes sense to invest in a fully waterproof fabric that has a GORE-TEX membrane sandwiched inside that 3-layer design, or a similar integrated layer of protection.
Otherwise, pants can also be water resistant or treated on the face of the fabric with DWR, which repels water but wears off over time and needs to be reapplied.
Climate & Weather
The climate where you ski is an important variable for selecting the appropriate waterproofness. There are three snowpack climates:
- Maritime, which is closer to the ocean, has higher water content, and the snow is wetter, such as in coastal B.C., Alaska, or Washington
- Intermountain
- Continental, which has lower humidity, more sun, and typically colder temperatures, like in Colorado, which typically has less water content and is generally much dryer and sunnier
Waterproofness
Waterproofness is often measured by millimeters, based on the amount of water a 1-inch diameter of fabric can withstand over 24 hours before being soaked. So, 5,000 mm would suggest resistance to light rain or dry snow, whereas anything greater than 20,000 mm would imply waterproofing in heavy rain and dense, wet snow. Our picks for a wetter climate would be a more waterproof hardshell GORE-TEX pant, like the Arc’teryx Sentinel.
Breathability
Breathability is the fabric’s ability to encourage perspiration and excess heat to move through the fabric, in order to equalize temperature. With more breathability, you inevitably sacrifice some waterproofing capability and protection from the wind. Breathable fabrics, like DWR-coated softshells, are ideal for backcountry skiing in dry climates where the snow isn’t as wet. Pants like the La Sportiva Excelsior softshell have maximum breathability, for instance.
The metric for breathability is based on how many grams of moisture can pass through the inside to the outside of a square meter of fabric in 24 hours. For high-output days on the slopes, pants with breathability of 10,000-15,000 grams do the trick. Backcountry skiers and uphill athletes will need to expel more water vapor through the fabric and should aim for 20,000 grams or more.
Breathability can also be measured using the Thermal Evaporative Resistance (RET) coefficient measuring a fabric’s ability to stop water vapor from getting through. The lower the number, the more breathable the fabric.
Here’s how the waterproofness and breathability compare across our favorite women’s ski pants:
Ski Pant Pockets
Every pair of ski pants has different features, but we have two must-haves for snow pants: They need to have internal gaiters that secure well over boots (gaiters with boot adjustment access are a plus) and functional, deep, wide, easy-to-open-and-close pockets.
Thigh pockets are especially great if you don’t like pocket items (like a cellphone or beacon) bunching up near your hips. Some designs have a well-constructed beacon pocket that comfortably fits an avalanche transceiver, and we didn’t feel it inhibited movement on the uphill, which can be especially useful for backcountry skiing.
Unfortunately, pockets on women’s pants are often an afterthought and are not the most functional. Ladies, you know what we’re talking about — that inch-wide chapstick pocket just doesn’t cut it. The utility of pockets depends largely on their placement.
The Arc’teryx Sentinel, and Helly Hansen Cargo Switch Pants among others have roomy and useful thigh pockets that are made with enough space to store a snack bar, cellphone, or other essentials. Some pants, like the North Face Women’s Freedom Insulated Pants, feature fleece-lined hip pockets to quickly warm up your hands. More backcountry-focussed pants, like the Black Diamond Recon Stretch LT will feature beacon-specific pockets, generally located on the thigh, making accessing and handling your beacon easier, more secure, efficient, and safer.
Reinforced Cuffs
The hem of your ski pants is more important than you think. Reinforced cuffs are what set ski pants apart from alpine mountaineering pants or snowboard-specific pants, and they provide massive returns in the durability department by protecting the base of the pants from your sharp ski edges.
Often, when skiing downhill, skinning, or climbing with crampons, sharp metal ski edges can easily slice into your pants, causing hundreds of tiny cuts over time. Snowboarders can also occasionally experience edge dashes while skating in the lift line or when their board swings on the lift.
To prevent these tiny cuts from being tears that ruin your pants, most ski pants integrate “kick patches” or reinforced cuffs made from a more robust material than the rest of the pants. The most common reinforcement is a fabric called Cordura, which is an incredibly durable and abrasion-resistant synthetic material made from nylon. Cordura ranges in weight and at its most robust is used for military-grade body armor. Gear like the Marmot GORE-TEX Lightray Pants will expertly integrate Condura to be both tough against abrasions while still keeping the pant’s low-profile.
These patches are usually sewn into the inside bottom hem of your pant legs, to protect the cuffs from your inside ski edges, and usually extend to the top of your ski boots. Look for ski pants with reinforced cuffs to reduce wear to vastly increase the longevity of your pants.
Gaiters
Integrated gaiters are a fairly standard feature on all ski pants, and are an essential piece for helping prevent snow from getting in the top of your boots — especially when bootpacking or on a powder day.
Rather than outer gaiters that can be added to pants to help keep snow and debris out, ski pant gaiters are integrated on the inside of the pant, invisible from the outside. The gaiter is inside the exterior of each ski pant leg and slides over the top of the boot.
Gaiters are made from elastic, which keeps the bottom of the pants cinched down around your boots. Gaiters help block out the elements and help keep your legs dry when snow might otherwise sneak into the tops of your boots.
As a bonus, they can block snow and ice from building up on a portion of the boot’s buckles, compression strap, BOA dial, or on some snowboard boots, laces.
We’ve noticed that the circumference of gaiters can vary from pant to pant, so don’t be surprised if some are snugger than others, especially with a boot that has a larger shaft circumference.
Fully Taped Seams
Fully taped seams may seem like a minor detail, but they’re an important design feature to look for in your ski pants. The name is self-explanatory: Fully taped seams note that all seams on the pant are backed up with additional tape to increase waterproofing and wind protection, so that the elements can’t sneak through any of the thousands of tiny holes where the pants are sewn.
Seam taping is an important feature of any waterproof gear, and you can find this manufacturing technique employed on everything from the best rain jackets to backpacking tents. Fully taped seams means that every part of the garment is sealed, so that you can expect superior waterproofing and protection.
RECCO
A feature to consider when buying ski pants is an integrated RECCO, a small reflective patch — which consists of a diode and an antenna — sewn into your ski pants that search and rescue personnel can use to help find you in the event of an avalanche burial or getting lost.
Keep in mind that RECCO is not a replacement for an avalanche transceiver. RECCO reflectors are searchable beneath the snow — but only when used in conjunction with a professional radar detector (imagine a beam from a flashlight). When the signal hits the reflector, it bounces back to the rescuer, letting them know the location of a person in need. The range is a total of 80 m by air (262 feet) or a 20m burial (65 feet) under snow.
If there is elevated avalanche hazard and you plan on riding steep terrain — especially in a place like the Alps where anything ungroomed is often not explosive mitigated — RECCO is a great additional piece to add to your gear to increase your chances of being found in the event of an avalanche burial. RECCO is a great backup option for additional security for both in-bounds and in the backcountry. What’s helpful, is that the reflector doesn’t age and doesn’t need activation.
These days, you’ll find RECCO in ski pants as well as ski jackets, ski boots, ski packs, and ski helmets.
Sustainability
In the past, the ski industry hasn’t been the most environmentally friendly. But today, many brands are implementing new environmentally sound practices like utilizing Fair Trade certified sewing or recycled materials. The Halfdays Alessandra Pant, for example, is constructed with 100% recycled Primaloft insulation. Meanwhile, the Marmot GORE-TEX Lightray Pants and Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated Pants use PFC-free DWR treatments to lower chemical exposure.
Patagonia leads the charge, launching 2-layer and 3-layer ski apparel constructed entirely without harmful PFCs (including the membrane, material, and topical treatment) with Patagonia’s proprietary fabric or the ePE GORE-TEX, which integrates 100% recycled materials.
Some insulated ski pants have proprietary insulation, like Flylow’s Greenloft, which is made from 100% recycled, post-consumer plastic. Halfdays Alessandra Pant is also constructed with 100% recycled Primaloft insulation.
The Future: GORE-TEX ePE Fabric
GORE-TEX ePE membrane is a new waterproof, breathable material that’s very lightweight — it even feels a bit feathery compared to traditional textiles — durable, and made without PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals), which are often found in technical outerwear. PFCs are pesky, because they don’t break down, are toxic, and can leach into humans, soil, and water systems. There’s been a legal push in recent years to reduce or eliminate the use of PFCs in consumer products, including outdoor gear and outerwear. Many companies are now seeking alternative technologies that offer similar performance without the environmental risks associated with PFCs. To that end, GORE-TEX ePE fabric was awarded Gear of the Year in 2023 by GearJunkie staff for its innovation in sustainability.
Patagonia was the first to launch a GORE-TEX ePE 2-layer shell in 2022. In 2023, Patagonia debuted a 3-layer collection with GORE-TEX ePE. This season, more products are now hitting the scene with ePE as it rolls out across the industry with apparel from brands like Marmot, Mammut, and Mountain Hardware. The Arc’teryx Sentinel Pant was updated (along with the rest of the Sentinel family) for 2024/2025 with an 80-denier face fabric and a GORE‑TEX ePE construction.
Price & Value
Depending on how often you hit the slopes, price can be a big factor. You may find that an affordable non-insulated pant like the Eddie Bauer Chair Six Pants ($229) is the way to go because you’re getting a shell pant that can do the work without breaking the bank. But, perhaps some more technical features like a beacon pocket or a lighterweight, breathable fabric are what you’re looking for, in which case something like the Black Diamond Recon LT Pant ($350) will be worth the extra spend.
Budget
Quality snow pants with a classic, simple fit and basic waterproofness range from $120 to $250. That starter kit includes options like the Columbia Bugaboo II Pants ($120) and the North Face’s Freedom Insulated Pant ($200). Offering a bit more durability and adaptability the Eddie Bauer Chair Six Pants ($229) costs a bit more.
You’ll also find athletic, softshell designs for performance and workouts, like the La Sportiva Excelsior Pant ($179).
Mid-Tier
Next, you’ll see higher quality snow pants that are more robust for weekend warriors of the ski area, like the Flylow Faye Insulated Pant ($350) and the Helly Hansen Women’s Powderqueen Ski Pants ($300). These pants offer a bit more style, articulation, and robustness, as well as additional pockets, RECCO reflectors, lightweight insulation, and excellent stretch. Typically, these pants are made with more sustainable materials like a PFC-free DWR finish. Some of these designs are good hybrid options for the resort and backcountry, but we don’t recommend wearing an insulated pair of ski pants while touring.
Premium
Pulling out all the stops, the most premium ski pants are constructed for backcountry, mountaineering, and the stormiest bell-to-bell resort days. These ski pants look incredible, feel incredible, and last season after season. Take the Arc’teryx Sentinel Pant ($600), which has benchmarks of superior design, protection, fit, feel, long-lasting quality, and uses the new PFAS-free GORE-TEX ePE membrane.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answer to this question largely depends on the type of skier you are. Have you never been in a winter climate and are skiing for the first time? Do you only ski on vacation? Look for a pair of pants that are more budget-friendly initially — you can always upgrade later.
Or, do you engage in winter activities that require a durable layer for much of the year? Make sure you get pants that have all the features you need — you may need to spend a little extra for technical features.
Our answer is always first, set yourself a budget. Check out all the pants on this list and find the one or two best for you, and then check to see if it’s on sale. Lots of times, seasonal apparel like ski pants and ski jackets go on sale after the season ends, so spring/summer is a great time to shop.
If you are able, we strongly encourage trying ski pants on, whether buying online with a return policy or shopping in the store. (We’ve included notes on the fit of each pant for this very reason — finding the right-fitting pant is hard!)
Regular, non-insulated ski pants are a protective, waterproofed fabric. Insulated ski pants are the same, but with (usually) synthetic insulation added between the fabrics for warmth. Do you need pants with insulation, and how much?
The answer all depends on what type of skiing you are doing, and where. How cold is it? Will you be traveling uphill, in the backcountry, or at resorts? Do you expect to be sedentary, in which case, your body temperature may drop, such as on the ski lift or while getting the kids booted up in the parking lot.
You may want to buy a cold-weather-specific insulated pant for those really snowy days on the mountain and a non-insulated shell pant for warmer days and backcountry use. Especially if you run cold, consider insulated options. Our best overall pant, best budget pant, and best resort pant all have insulation for instance. (PrimaLoft insulation is the standard in many ski pants.)
Let’s face it, you may not think about pant insulation while making turns on your favorite run. But when faced with -10-degree windchill on a chairlift, suddenly you’ll be wishing for some extra warmth on your bottom half. For more coverage, you could also consider ski bibs rather than pants, which provide a bit more warmth and protection from powder sneaking up underneath your jacket.
RECCO is an avalanche safety system used by ski teams and rescue professionals to help find people buried in an avalanche. The first part of the system is a small metal reflector plate sewn into outerwear apparel to help a buried skier be detected in the event of an avalanche.
A RECCO reflector doesn’t transmit any signals or need any batteries, but it’s great to have in an emergency. A RECCO detector transmits an active signal, with a range up to 120 m through the air and 10-20 m through snow.
Note that a RECCO reflector does not replace an avalanche transceiver, also known as an avalanche beacon. If you plan to go into the sidecountry (slackcountry) such as out the boundary gate at your local ski area, or into the backcountry, be sure to wear and know how to use your avalanche transceiver. Likewise, be sure that your ski partners wear and know how to use their avalanche transceiver.
It depends on your preference, but usually somewhere in between. Not so tight that they restrict movement, but not so loose that there’s extra space between the pants and your body (you’ll lose heat and get cold more easily plus it will feel too cumbersome or potentially get caught). If you wear thicker or more baselayers down below, consider sizing up to ensure that the pants fit properly.
Always try on ski pants with a thicker layer underneath — essentially, what you’d wear out in the cold. Especially if you are buying shell pants (uninsulated), you may want to size up or down, depending on the type of base layers you wear underneath.
With pants, it’s also super important to check the size and length — and see if they offer short, tall, or petite sizing for women who run short or tall.
GORE-TEX is a waterproof, windproof breathable membrane that is part of the fabric. For a long time, GORE-TEX has been the gold standard in waterproofing.
However, there are lots of other similar apparel membranes out there. Many major brands have their own version of waterproof-breathable fabrics.
Whichever ski pants you buy, make sure they are waterproof. Fabrics have degrees of waterproofing, from 5,000mm to 10,000mm to 25,000mm water column ratings. Generally, a handful of our GearJunkie team likes to shoot for at least a 10,000-15,000mm water column rating based on where we live and what kind of snow we experience in Colorado.
However, the highest level of waterproofing will sacrifice a little on breathability. In mild to medium — not extreme — winter climates, you’ll want a balance.
Many backcountry skiers eventually opt to put their avalanche transceiver (aka beacon) in a pocket, rather than the manufacturer’s approved chest harness. It’s generally better to have your beacon in the harness, as you’ll naturally protect your core in the event of an avalanche, which can prevent the screen from shattering and keep the device functional.
However, the pocket method can be more comfortable, and can enable quicker access if you need to go into search mode. If you do put your transceiver in a pocket, make sure that it’s meant to be used for that purpose, that the pocket is fully sewn in and integrated into the pant, and that you have the device attached back to you by a secondary attachment point, like an integrated transceiver leash or belt loop.
Skiing uphill demands more breathability from your ski pants than resort skiing. For that, we tend to prefer something that allows for better temperature regulation. Softshell pants allow us to exert ourselves while going uphill without overheating.
In certain snow climates, like the Pacific Northwest, it’s more important to choose ski pants that still have high waterproof qualities for protection from the elements in the backcountry. However, for most backcountry skiing, breathable, lightweight hardshell or softshell pants are most ideal. We always look for venting capabilities in a backcountry pant, as well.
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