Here’s a list of all the ski gear and clothing I’ll be using this season (winter 2025/2026)! Last season, I got in 52 days of skiing and improved so much, so I’m excited to see where this ski season takes me. I worked full time freelance last season so I had a bit more flexibility, but I’m hoping to still get in at least 30 days this season while working my 9-5 job!

This list is just for informational purposes as to what I currently use. Make sure to choose gear that suits your skill level and capabilities. I recommend starting with gear rentals (which is what I did for a couple of years) before purchasing your own skis and boots. Also, instead of buying new gear, I recommend trying to buy lightly used gear or buying past season gear that is heavily discounted - both of these are strategies I’ve used to get a lot of my gear at 50% off!

Skis and Bindings

I’ve expanded my ski quiver this season, which I’m super excited about! My Rossignol Black Ops 92 Skis are great all-around mountain skis, but last season I struggled in powder because they weren’t wide or long enough. So, this season I added in a powder ski and I also added in a more carving-specific ski (which may have been a bit of an impulse purchase).

Last fall (2024), was the first time I purchased skis. I always rented before because I didn’t want to buy skis unless I knew it was something I truly loved and wanted to dedicate my time and money to. Once I decided that it was something I really loved and I felt I had progressed enough on beginner rental skis, I knew it was time to invest in my own gear.

Blizzard Black Pearl 88 Skis & Salomon Strive 12 GW Ski Bindings

Shop Skis: REI • Backcountry
Shop Bindings: REI • Backcountry

I got the limited edition of the Blizzard Black Pearl 88 Skis, which has beautiful artwork by Malia Reeves on it. These might be some of the prettiest skis I’ve ever seen and I knew I needed them the second I saw them. The regular edition Black Pearl 88 Skis are also super pretty! Black Pearls are highly regarded, so I’m super excited to use them.

Blizzard Sheeva 11 Skis & Salomon Strive 12 GW Ski Bindings

Shop Skis: REI • Backcountry
Shop Bindings: REI • Backcountry

Woo, powder skis!! Last season, I struggled skiing in powder with my Rossignol Black Ops 92, so I knew this season I needed a wider and longer ski, if I want to feel more confident in powder. I bought the Blizzard Sheeva 11 Skis - 2023’s on sale for over 50% off since they aren’t the current season, which was such a good deal. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the Blizzard Sheeva 11’s and they’re supposed to be the gold-standard powder ski for women. I decided to pair these skis with the Salomon Strive 12 GW Ski Bindings. I can’t wait to test this combo out!

Rossignol Black Ops 92 Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings - Women's 2024

I skied with the Rossignol Black Ops 92 skis my entire 2024/2025 ski season (52 days!). I don’t think these skis are available anymore and it doesn’t appear that Rossignol is making an equivalent ski this season, which is unfortunate because I really love them. They’re playful and good all-mountain skis. They were perfect last season when I progressed from an intermediate to an advanced skier.

Ski Boots

Tecnica Mach1 MV 95 W Ski Boots | Get at REI

I got a professional boot fitting for my ski boots, which I highly recommend. I don’t suggest blindly buying ski boots without having them properly fitted. The boot fitter will ask about your skiing level, how often you ski, examine your foot shape, and more, to help you find the right boot and size. The boots I use are rated Advanced-Expert (not recommended for beginners).

Savings Tip: Once you know what boot you need, try to see if the last season’s version is on sale. For example, I bought my 2024 version boots at 50% off because they were “last season”.

Ski Poles

black crows Meta Ski Poles | Get at REI • evo

I’ve used these ski poles for a few seasons now and I love them! The bright pink color is so fun and it makes you easy to spot from a distance.

Ski Helmet

Giro Avera MIPS Snow Helmet | Get at REI • Backcountry

Last season, I used the Giro Strata MIPS Helmet because I got it for a really good deal at evo (like $40), but I unfortunately needed to get a new helmet this season because I took a couple falls last spring where my head bounced off the ground and I’m pretty sure I got a concussion (whoops). When that happens, you’re supposed to replace your helmet.

When choosing a new ski helmet, some of the factors I considered were:

Does it have MIPS? (Multi-directional Impact Protection System, which helps reduce rotational forces during impact and gives extra protection)
Is it low profile? (my head is smaller, so I don’t want to look like an egg)
Does it have vents?
Does it have a plush, soft liner? I personally like a plush liner because it is cozier and keeps me warmer (I get cold very easily).

The Giro Avera MIPS helmet checked all of those boxes for me.

Ski Goggles

Glade Adapt 2S Ski Goggles | Get at Glade

I added the Glade Adapt 2S Goggles to my kit this season. The Adapt 2S is the smaller goggle size (the Adapt 2 is the regular fit) and the 2S sits on my face really well with zero goggle gap with my new helmet. I chose the REVEAL 4K Photochromic Aurora Purple lens, which sharpens contrast in flat light and automatically adjusts its tint as the light changes, so you don’t have to swap lenses throughout the day. I’ve been wanting to try goggles with a photochromic lens, which is why I ended up getting these.

One thing I really like about the Adapt goggles is how customizable they are. You can swap both the lens and the strap to create whatever color combo you want. I bought the white strap separately to match my helmet.

Giro Ella Goggles - Women’s | Get at REI • Backcountry

Giro Ella Goggles have interchangeable lenses, which makes them easy to adjust for different weather and lighting conditions. I have the Infrared and Haze lenses and switch between them depending on the light. I’ll keep using these along with the Glade pair throughout the season.

gogglesoc Goggles Cover | Get at REI

I use a goggle cover to protect my lenses while traveling to and from the ski area. gogglesoc offers lots of fun patterns - I love the northern lights design!

Outer Shells

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These are the waterproof outer shell jackets, pants, and bibs I’ll be wearing this ski season.

Outer Shell Ski Jackets

Arc’teryx Sentinel Jacket | Get at REI • Arc’teryx • evo

The Arc’teryx Sentinel Jacket was my main ski shell all last season and will be this season, too. I love this jacket. It is Arc’teryx’s women’s freeride shell - it is fully waterproof with 3-layer Gore-Tex, is durable, has a relaxed cut, has a flannel backer which makes it a little warmer than a simple Gore-Tex shell, and it also has pit-zips and lots of pockets.

I managed to find this jacket in a past season’s lilac and red color combo in basically new condition and in my exact size for over 50% off at REI Re/Supply. I couldn’t believe it because this was my dream ski kit and practically brand new!

Arc’teryx Sentinel Anorak | Get at Arc’teryx • evo

The Sentinel Anorak is the pullover version of the Sentinel Jacket. This colorway is an older version I found used (but basically brand new) for a great price. I wanted to have a more neutral jacket and couldn’t pass up a good deal on a used but basically brand new ski shell.

Note: I have the non-insulated version, but Arc’teryx currently sells the insulated Sentinel Anorak. It’s the closest option if you’re looking for something similar.

Arc’teryx Beta LT | Get at REI • Arc’teryx

I added this as my lighter jacket option for this ski season. The Beta LT is a lightweight Gore-Tex shell that is fully waterproof, but not as heavy as the Sentinel, which makes it great for warmer weather or activities outside of skiing, like hiking or snowshoeing. This jacket also has pit zips and a large hood that fits over helmets. Again, I found this jacket on a used gear website and basically brand new.

Note: Arc’teryx doesn’t make the Beta LT anymore, but the Beta SL is the closest current available jacket if you’re looking for something similar.

Outer Shell Ski Pants & Bibs

Arc’teryx Sentinel Pants | Get at REI • Arc’teryx • evo

I wore these pants all last season and they’ve been perfect. I found them used online for 50% off in basically brand new condition. They’re super comfy, fully waterproof, and have held up super well.

Arc’teryx Sentinel Bib Pants | Get at REI • Arc’teryx • evo

I wanted a pair of black bibs that would match everything and bibs are so nice to have on powder days because they keep snow out. These are super comfy, fully waterproof, and I love the cut. I also grabbed them on sale - I try to shop sales and used gear whenever I can because you can get really nice pieces for way cheaper!

Insulated Jacket

Depending on the temperature, I’ll wear one of the following jackets as my insulation layer.

Arc’teryx Elec Insulated Jacket | Get at REI • Arc’teryx

The Elec Insulated Jacket is very similar to the Atom (which is a very popular mid-layer jacket for skiing), but the Elec Insulated Jacket is slightly warmer because it doesn’t have the fleece side panels. The Elec also has a shorter cut, which I find layers a bit better since I’m on the shorter side. This is a very versatile jacket that I wear for skiing, hiking, or just on the daily. You can’t go wrong with either the Atom or Elec – both are great synthetic mid-layers for skiing.

Arc’teryx Cerium Insulated Hoodie | Get at REI • Arc’teryx

When it’s super cold, I wear this down jacket as my insulation layer. It’s also my go-to down jacket for hiking and backpacking, and I’ve found it also works great as an insulation layer for skiing on super cold days. It also comes in a version without a hood, which I’d like to get sometime for skiing.

Fleece Mid Layer

Melanzana Micro Grid Hoodie

I almost always wear a Melanzana fleece when skiing. It’s perfect for skiing because it’s made of micro-grid fleece, which makes it lightweight and breathable. However, they can be a bit hard to get since you have to buy them in person in Leadville, Colorado. There are plenty of great alternative fleece options for a mid-layer while skiing. The Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Tunic Hoodie is a good alternative that looks very similar and is also made from grid fleece. I know the Patagonia R1 and the R1 Air are also popular mid-layers for skiing!

Base Layers

Kari Traa Base Layers | Get at REI • Backcountry • Kari Traa

Kari Traa has my favorite wool base layers. My personal favorites are the Rose Half Zip Base Layer Top and Rose High Waisted Bottoms. These are my go-to for skiing! I live in these base layers all winter.

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Ski Socks

These are my current go-to ski socks! For skiing, you want socks that go over the calf and I typically choose socks made with merino wool.

Smartwool Ski Socks — Get at REI • Backcountry
Darn Tough Ski Socks — Get at REI • Backcountry
Kari Traa Ski Socks — Get at Kari Traa

Ski Mittens

Black Black Diamond Mercury Mittens | Shop at REI • Backcountry • EVO

I’m 100% a mitten person when it comes to skiing—otherwise, my fingers would be frozen. I absolutely love these Black Diamond mittens for skiing. My hands stay toasty warm and dry.

Hestra Heli Mitten | Get at REI • Backcountry

I’m trying these mittens out this winter! The color matches my other gear perfectly and I’ve heard great things about Hestra’s mittens. The Black Diamond Mercury Mittens are super warm and great for really cold days, so I wanted to add in a slightly less warm mitten for warmer days.

Balaclava or Neck Gaiter

I’ll be rotating between the following balaclavas depending on the weather and conditions.

My Ski Gear and Clothing for Winter 2025/2026

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