Essential for helping you stay warm and dry in extreme conditions, the best women’s ski pants offer serious insulation without restricting your range of movement. After careful consideration, our top pick is the Columbia Bugaboo Omni-Heat, a highly durable and comfortable pair made of Gore-Tex and with double side zips for ventilation. For an affordable option, Arctix’s ski pants keep you protected in harsh weather for under $50.
The best women's ski pants keep you warm and dry without restricting your range of movement. High Visibility Safety Vests
Beyond the two styles mentioned above, we drilled down to find additional ski pants that work best for different skiers’ needs and budgets. Ahead, you’ll find our picks for the best women’s ski pants based on extensive research and recommendations from Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta and contributor Amy Jurries—both are skiers and have logged hours in the field in all kinds of weather. From waterproof picks to full-coverage bibs, here’s what to hit the slopes in.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 10 total, including Dark Stone and Night Wave | Materials: Nylon, polyester
Crafted with easy mobility in mind, Columbia’s Bugaboo Insulated Snow Pants are top-rated for their warmth, thermal-reflective lining and breathable and waterproof nylon tech shell. At $120, they offer plenty of warmth at fair price. Seam-sealed and complete with internal leg gaiters, these pants do an excellent job of keeping snow and slush away from the body. This pick also earns points for its impressive color selection and inclusive sizing: On the Columbia website, you’ll find 10 unique hues available in regular and short-size inseams, as well as plus sizes.
This pair is backed by Jurries. “Columbia Sportswear remains a leader in outdoor gear at an affordable price as it is constantly innovating with new technologies and designs,” she adds. “The Bugaboo pants feature one of Columbia's recent technologies—the Omni-Heat thermal reflective lining, which reflects your body heat back to you for extra warmth. You can really feel the difference when you are out on the slopes as you warm up quickly once you start to move even just a little.”
Sizes: XS to 4XL | Colors: 37 total, including Cappuccino and Crimson | Materials: Polyester
Not only do Arctix’s Insulated Snow Pants come in an array of fun colors, they provide maximum protection against the harshest of winter weather. Despite their low price tag, they come equipped with high tech moisture-wicking fabric and 85 grams of heat-trapping ThermaTech insulation. In other words, these low-bulk snow pants keep you warm in temperatures ranging from 35 degrees all the way down to -20 degrees. An adjustable waistband and easy-access O ring make these pants an affordable must-have.
Sizes: 00 to 16 | Colors: 5 total, including Storm Glow and Hazelnut | Materials: Gore-Tex nylon
Skiers are obsessed with the Arc’teryx Sentinel Pants for good reason: The brand’s formidable cold-weather bestseller is constructed of Gore-Tex, three-layer nylon fabric (a durable weave with moisture-wicking lining) and a three-layer low-loft soft shell exterior, making them extremely comfortable. For added protection against the elements, the Arc’teryx Sentinel pants are equipped with taped seams, a removable waist belt and double side zips for easy ventilation. Also great: The instep patches help prevent abrasion and the zippered thigh pockets safeguard your essentials from slips and falls.
After testing these pants out for herself, Jurries says, “I love the Sentinel Pants. Not only are they bomber waterproof, breathable and windproof, but they also have a flattering fit and a sleek look that make me feel stylish on the slopes.” Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta, who has worn the brand’s Sabre SV jacket for years, can also speak to Arc’teryx’s exceptionally high level of quality. “They seamlessly blend top-tier materials and high-quality construction to create gear that not only withstands winter weather, but also makes a bold statement in the snow with vibrant, contrasting colors,” he says.
Sizes: XS to 4XL | Colors: 5 total, including Cinnamon and Black | Materials: Recycled polyester
Performance, warmth and style make Outdoor Research’s Snowcrew Pants a top pick among skiers. “One of my favorite things about Outdoor Research is that, not only does it know how to design quality gear, but it’s a brand that also understands and supports women skiers (or any outdoor sport) of all levels and abilities,” says Jurries. They’re comprised of 56% recycled shell material and 85% recycled insulation, with fully taped seams to defend against penetrating moisture. The Snowcrew pants have waist adjustment tabs and belt loops for a customizable fit, and they’re available in both short and tall sizes. Other features include inner thigh vents that release excess heat, dedicated pockets to safely store essentials and snow gaiters to keep powder out of your boots when you’re getting after it.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 10 total, including Almond Butter and Mandarin | Materials: Nylon, polyester
Cool enough to sport even off the slopes, The North Face’s Freedom Bib has articulated knees, belt loops (great for carabiners) and adjustable suspenders for a custom fit. The brand’s signature Chimney Venting system increases air flow by allowing warm air to circulate before it escapes through inner thigh vents. Also nice: The bib is made from recycled nylon and eco-polyester fabric.
Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 9 total, including Iced Matcha and Ultra Blue | Materials: Polyester
Innovators of professional outdoor gear for over 140 years, Scandinavian brand Helly Hansen offers protection against the elements with their aptly-named Legendary Insulated Ski Pant. Fully waterproof and breathable, this style combines PrimaLoft insulation and thigh ventilation zippers, giving you the option to retain or release heat for optimal comfort and flexibility. Two-way stretch allows the fabric to move with you on the hill while water-resistant zippers protect the day’s essentials,
Sizes: FR 33 to 44 (US 4 to 12) | Colors: 3 total, including Black and Brown | Material: Polyamide, elastane
German brand Bogner is credited with inventing the modern stretch ski pant as we know it, pioneering the design in the 1950s. The pants made it possible to ski faster, and it didn’t hurt that they looked great, too. Today, Bogner’s skiwear is tested by the German ski team for performance and fit. This iconic Elaine pair has a sleek cut, comfortable elasticated waistband and stirrup cuffs to keep them in place all day long. Keep in mind that this pick isn’t waterproof, nor does it offer pockets. However, if comfort and style are at the top of your priority list, these pants deliver.
Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 3 total, including Navy, Black and White | Materials: Nylon, polyurethane
It’s ski pants but with flair—yes, actual flare. Perfect Moment’s Aurora Flare Pants have built-in kneepads, inner cuffs to keep snow out and a cozy thermal fleece lining to ensure warmth, comfort and style whether shredding or resting fireside. Founded by sports documentarian Thierry Donard, the Chamonix-based brand strikes the right balance between fit and performance.
Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 3 total, including Cameo Green and Dusty Rose | Materials: Polyester
Skiing and style have long gone hand in hand, and if you want a flattering, tailored ski pant with less bulk, consider Roxy’s highly rated Diversion bottoms. The Portland, Oregon brand’s take on ski pants feature a slim silhouette with subtle flare through the leg as well as performance features, such as insulation to keep you warm, waterproofing and snap-closure gussets to guard against the wet chill.
Sizes: XS Petite to XXL Petite | Colors: Black | Materials: Nylon, polyester
Many ski pants are sized with men in mind, but REI offers its Powderbound Ski Pant in petite lengths, with an inseam of 29.5 inches. The Powderbound packs performance, too, with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish, 40 grams of low-bulk insulation and a water-resistant recycled polyester lining. Inner thigh vents dump excess body heat when you hit the skin track, and zippered hand pockets are lined with brushed tricot to boost coziness when you’re kicking back in the lot after a day on the mountain.
“While REI might not be the go-to label for snow sports, the brand's extensive experience as an equipment retailer shines through, offering an affordable and reliable option for beginners or those on a budget,” says Vigliotta. “And what sets REI apart is its robust warranties that accompany its many products, which means you can carve to your heart's content in total confidence, knowing the label has your back if something fails.”
Sizes: 1XL to 4XL | Colors: 2, including Light Pewter and Black | Materials: Nylon, polyester, spandex, polyurethane, kevlar
Outdoor Research’s Cirque pants, available in sizes 1XL through 4XL, include a harness-compatible waist amplified by thermo-regulating technology to keep you cool, dry and comfortable. With reinforced scuff guards built into the design, the stretchy, breathable, and wind- and water-resistant Cirque II style is ready to move with you through a flurry of winter alpine activities.
At Forbes Vetted, we spend a lot of time testing and reporting on gear and evaluating athletic apparel. The author of this piece, Amy Jurries, is a regular contributor who has covered everything from women’s hiking boots to winter snowshoes. To gain firsthand knowledge on the brands we featured, we also tapped Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta, who has years of outerwear testing experience. Finally, the publishing of this article was overseen by senior fashion editor Kari Molvar, whose areas of expertise include women’s fashion and fitness apparel.
This article is frequently updated to ensure all of our picks are still the best of the best; we also comb through all product specs and prices to make sure all information is accurate. In the latest December 2023 update, fashion writer Claire Epting moved the popular Columbia Bugaboo Omni-Heat Snow Pants up to the top spot as best women’s ski pants overall.
We performed exhaustive research on the best-selling ski pants from the biggest outdoor brands, comparing specs, designs, features and the particularities that set each apart to ensure this list encompasses the best of the best. Jurries has tested multiple pants featured on this list, including our best overall pick from Columbia. In addition, we took into account brand recommendations from Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta, who personally attested to the quality of Arc’teryx and REI products. Customer reviews, too, played a part in our selection process—we only included ski pants that earned an average rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars. (Bogner, Perfect Moment and Roxy don’t currently have any customer reviews on their websites, but we featured these brands based on their strong reputations and fashion-forward options.)
When it comes to ski pants, we know there are a lot of options out there. While we focused on a variety of styles, features and price points in our picks, there’s some other factors to consider when making your choice.
Obviously you’ll want waterproof—or at least water-resistant—pants for snow sports, but did you know there’s a rating system to determine just how waterproof pants actually are? Waterproof grading is measured in millimeters; the higher the number, the higher the waterproof level. Most ski pants are rated from 5,000 to 20,000mm. Less than 5,000 mm is considered water-resistant, meaning the fabric will provide some protection for light rain and snow, but won’t hold up under super wet conditions. Meanwhile a rating of 15,000 or 20,000 mm means that the pants will keep you dry under heavy rain and snow. Keep in mind what ski conditions you’ll likely encounter; some people even own a few pairs of pants to accommodate for different weather like warmer powder days and wetter snowstorms.
Warmth is another key factor to keep in mind when you’re spending hours on the slopes. Most ski pants have a thin fleece-like lining that adds a little bit of warmth, while some feature an additional synthetic later of insulation between the shell and lining. Generally, your legs don’t need to be as warm as your core, which is why ski jackets tend to have more insulating properties, but some people prefer to be extra cozy throughout. If you opt for a lined pair without extra insulation, you can always add a thermal base layer to amp up the warmth level.
Whether you’re on the move or resting between runs, you’ll want breathable pants that won’t weigh you down or make you cold. Since most hard shell waterproof fabrics aren’t known for their breathability features, ski pants feature smart zippered vents in strategic locations like the inner thigh or outer hips, allowing you to release trapped body heat and promote air circulation. There’s usually a mesh layer by these vents to prevent the unfortunate risk of snow getting in your pants. You can easily unzip the vent, take some time to cool down and air out, then re-zip when you want.
I am a general assignment reporter on the wealth team. I previously interned at CNN Politics, LinkedIn News, and The MetroWest Daily News in Framingham, Mass. For three years, I cut my teeth at The Daily Orange from reporting with public health and student government beats to working in multiple editing roles.
100 % Nylon Pu Fashion Raincoat I am a general assignment reporter on the wealth team. I previously interned at CNN Politics, LinkedIn News, and The MetroWest Daily News in Framingham, Mass. For three years, I cut my teeth at The Daily Orange from reporting with public health and student government beats to working in multiple editing roles.