Best Ski Pants 2023-24

Ski pants, trousers or salopettes, whatever you want to call them, are a crucial part of your ski gear for the season and need to keep you warm, dry and of course, looking good. We’ve got you covered from the ever-more popular bibs in some pretty outlandish colours to the simple, high quality pairs that will last you seasons and everything in between. We’ve also given you our best tips and what to look for when shopping for your ski trousers when you scroll to the bottom.

Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated Pants

RRP: £180

Best for: High performance resort skiing

We always appreciate Helly Hansen for offering excellent value, high-performance, long-lasting ski clothing. Although the Legendary Pants are somewhat unremarkable, what they do, they do well. The fit and specs make these ideal ski resort pants, with a tidy rather than baggy silhouette that will appeal to some more than others. They are very well put together, with articulation in all the right places so you feel free when you ski.

The waistband is soft and Velcro adjustable with a popper closure and belt loops giving you the option to accessorise. The Legendary Pants are Helly Tech equipped, this is a higher waterproof and breathable material ideal for skiing, and the Primaloft insulation keeps your legs warm on particularly cold days. The hand pockets are zipped to keep your kit safe and there's an additional back pocket should you need it.

Verdict: Great for those looking for a simple, fuss-free yet high performance ski pant.

Buy Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated Pants: £180 at Helly Hansen

The North Face Chakal Insulated Pants

RRP: £215

Best for: All mountain skiing with a resort focus

These are some of the most popular The North Face ski pants because they tick a lot of boxes for the demanding resort skier. The Chakal pants offer The North Face quality at a reasonable price, not budget, but less expensive than the exotic Futurelight range. Featuring The North Face 2L Dryvent material the Chakal pants perform impeccably on the slopes, remaining highly waterproof and breathable no matter the conditions. If you're going to get insulated ski pants, make sure it's a thin layer so you don't overheat.

The Chakal pants have the perfect amount, at 40g of Heatseeker Eco insulation which takes the edge off chilly mornings without getting clammy. Inner leg vents allow you to dump excess heat and there are two hand, and two thigh pockets to stash your kit in. The comfortable waistband features double popper fasteners and adjustability via elasticated Velcro. The cut allows for freedom of movement and these are on the baggier side of resort pants making them a good buy if you like a looser cut without resorting to freeride or park stylings. 

Verdict: Looser fit ski pants with good insulation and extra pockets.

Buy The North Face Chakal Legendary Insulated Pants: £215 at The North Face

Men's Burton Ballast GORE-TEX 2L Pants 

RRP: £295

Best for: The one stop shop for snowboarders

With over 40 years in the industry and Burton being THE company to introduce and develop snowboarding to the world, you know they’ll have all your bases covered. From the microfleece handwarmer pockets to the lining reacting to your body temperature, these pants are designed with maximum comfort in mind for full days of riding on the mountain with minimum faff.

Yes, these pants are a shell so you may need to layer up on those extra cold days, but with these being a regular fit, there’s plenty of room and with inner thigh vents, you can cool yourself down too. These are Burton’s most waterproof and windproof pants guaranteeing you stay dry whatever conditions you ride in and however many times you need to sit down (or fall) in the snow.

A huge bonus is that these pants also come in Tall and Short ranges to fit all heights as well as a lifetime warranty.

Verdict: You really can’t go wrong with these if you’re looking for a long term, high quality investment piece.

Buy Men's Burton Ballast GORE-TEX 2L Pants: £295 at Burton.com

The North Face Women's Sally Insulated Trousers

RRP: £135

Best for: A more budget friendly but high quality ski trouser 

These trousers are on the cheaper end of The North Face range but they still tick all the boxes you need for a great trip. The waterproof, breathable, seam-sealed DryVent 2L shell and non-PFC DWR coating will keep you protected against the elements while the recycled synthetic insulation will keep you nice and snug. They’ve got an adjustable waist in case you want to layer up and two sets of closures to ensure comfort and security. If you’re fed up with being in all black and want to be a little recognisable on the slopes, they also come in a gorgeous Dark Sage.

Verdict: Great if you’re heading out to the mountains for the first time and want all bases covered.

Buy The North Face Women's Sally Insulated Trousers: £135 at The North Face

Columbia Men's Highland Summit™ Waterproof Ski Bib

RRP: £225

Best for: Keeping the warmth in and the snow out on those epic powder days.

With the bibs making a comeback, and for good reason too, you’ll be sure to make a splash on the slopes with this outfit. This ski bib will keep you warm, dry and extra-cosy with its Omni-Tech and Omni Heat Infinity systems ensuring advanced heat retention and breathability, all whilst staying waterproof. 

The adjustable waist and straps make it incredibly adaptable so that whether you’re layering up or need a bit of extra room after the lunchtime cheese fondue, you’ll stay comfortable. 

The chest pocket zipper is a good extra for storing your valuables, especially on those warmer days when you may not want to wear your jacket and don’t want to weigh your trousers down. The articulated knees allow for your maximum range of movement too.

Verdict: Must buy for those powder days we’re all dreaming about!

Buy Columbia Men's Highland Summit™ Waterproof Ski Bib: £225 at Columbiasportswear.co.uk

Planks Clothing Men's Good Times Insulated Pant

RRP: £200

Best for: All mountain skiers looking for high performance with an added eco bonus

This pant is made for comfort, warmth and of course making sure you look good too. The 15k/15k recycled fabric made from plastic bottles will not only get you kudos on the slopes, alongside the durable water repellent coating and taped seams, it’ll also keep you dry. The 2 way stretch fabric also increases and allows for lots of movement.

It boasts a regular to slightly baggy fit that looks good on everyone and you can adjust the waist to make it fit you perfectly. A favourite of ours are the large dump pockets so that you’re no longer fiddling in tiny pockets for your keys. Your pants are also protected from any scuffs from your skis with the protection panels on the bottom of the inside legs.

Verdict: A great comfortable and warm pant.

Buy Planks Clothing Men's Good Times Insulated Pant: £200 at Planksclothing.com

Black Diamond Recon Women's Pants

RRP: £299

Best for: High intensity backcountry and touring

For those looking for a tried and tested, durable ski pant for those long epic days chasing powder or touring, look no further. All the standard elements are covered with these pants including the fully sealed seams, adjustable waist and inner gaiters to keep the snow out. They also have long outer leg vents when you need to cool down quickly as well as lower leg zips for easy access to any ski boot adjustments you need to make whilst out and about. 

The 3D stretch fit will work just as hard as you are out on the mountain and the soft brushed polyester and nylon feel great too. The YKK Aquaguard zips will keep your valuables nice and dry in the large and deep pockets, as long as you remember to zip them up that is!

Verdict: The perfect all-rounder for those high-performance days.

Buy Black Diamond Recon Women's Pants: £299 at Ellis Brigham <<BEST DEAL>>

Buy Black Diamond Recon Women's Pants: £300 at Snow + Rock

Norrona Lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated Women's Pants

RRP: £479

Best for: A long term investment that will protect you from the elements for seasons to come

If you’re looking for an all-rounder that will have you covered from the ski days in-resort to off-piste and finally to apres-ski, these pants are it. They’ve got the insulation to keep you warm without feeling bulky, lower leg reinforcement to protect against any cuts from your skis and lots of pockets to store your valuables too. Even your phone gets its own pocket where it’ll be extra safe inside the right thigh pocket.

You can stay cool and airy on those Spring skiing days with the hip-to-knee leg mesh vents.
These pants also give you the option to attach your jacket powder skirt to them so that you can keep any snow, wind or anything else the mountain throws at you, at bay.

Verdict: Cover all your bases for many winter seasons to come.

Buy Norrona Lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated Women's Pants: £479 at Ellis Brigham

Helly Hansen Powderqueen Bib Pants

RRP: £290

Best for:  Standing out on the slopes whilst being protected from the elements.

Bright blue corduroy bib pants anyone? The Powderqueen Bib Pants are certainly eye-catching, and we were also really impressed by the fit. They’re very comfortable to wear, with a nice fleece lining for some added warmth. Despite the soft look and feel of the outer fabric, the material still provides good waterproofing. The shoulder straps are comfortable, and there are plentiful pockets.

Verdict: These eye-catching, flattering pants will take you all over the mountain.

Buy Helly Hansen Powderqueen Bib Pants: £290 at Helly Hansen

Rossignol Women’s Ski Pants

RRP: £195

Best for: Piste skiing or boarding in comfort 

You’ll be cosy and warm on colder days in these pants with the lightweight 40g padding and Primaloft breathable padding insulation made from 100% recycled material from post-consumer plastic bottles. They also have a waterproof and breathable membrane, long-lasting water repellent and all the main seams are sealed so that you stay dry whatever the conditions. 

The straight-leg fit and stretch fabric allows for full range of movement and the integrated gaiters will keep the snow and wind out. The elasticated gaiters fit well over your boots and the adjustable waistband will keep you comfortable. Zippered front pockets allow for easy access to all your necessities.

They also come in white if you dare!

Verdict: Practical, no nonsense pair of ski pants with all the necessities.

Buy Rossignol Women’s Ski Pants: £195 at Rossignol.com

Dope Con W Snowboard Pants Women

RRP: £140

Best for: Snowboarders looking for a slimmer fit without being limited in their movement

If the baggy look isn’t your thing but you’re worried about losing your ability to move with anything too tight, these pants are the perfect solution for you. Their thigh-hugging and overall slimmer fit doesn’t compromise your movement thanks to the 2-way stretch material. The fabric also offers high level waterproofing, breathability and extra waterproofing coming from the fully taped seams and durable water repellent.

You don’t have to worry about layering up either as the whole pant has medium-weight insulation (40gsm) so you can keep the fit nice and snug without worrying about stretching it out. 

These trousers also come in 9 different colours, a zipped gusseted hem, an elastic Velcro adjustable waist and belt loops for suspenders so you can customise them to just how you like it.

Verdict: Slimmer fit ski pant that doesn’t compromise on quality.

Buy Dope Con W Snowboard Pants Women: £126 at Dopesnow.com/UK <<SALE DEAL>>

Salomon Brilliant Insulated Pant

RRP: £270

Best for: Classic styling, comfort and durability.

These pants have been around for a while for a reason and Salomon just keep tweaking them to make them even better. Updating the fabric to Cordura increases the durability and resistance to abrasions, tears and scuffs meaning they’ll stay looking good for even longer. 

With high quality 3D stretch lining wicking moisture away from your body and the AdvancedSkin Dry technology ensuring breathability, you’ll always feel dry. The fully seamed seals make sure that no snow or water gets in either.

The inner leg vents can be used to increase your airflow and cool you down. Buckled ankle adjustments and reinforced material on the lower leg also ensures that your pants stay fresh for longer.

You’ll feel free to move however you want to on the slopes with the anatomically pre-formed knee articulation.

Verdict: The ski pant that’s designed to last.

Buy Salomon Brilliant Insulated Pant: £270 at Salomon.com

Ski pants buyer's guide: What to look for in ski pants

Before buying ski pants ask yourself these questions.....

Are the pants fully waterproof and how do I tell?

Get the basics right first, make sure your ski pants are fully waterproof. We would suggest a minimum level for skiing and snowboarding of a 10,000mm hydrostatic head, this information can be found on the tag of the jacket or on the manufacturer's web page. If you're putting the pants through their paces then you should aim for a higher level of 20,000mm or above.

What are taped seams and do I need them?

Taped seams are important to stop the gradual creep of moisture past small holes created when the various panels of the pants are sewn together. It's rare to find ski pants without fully taped seams i.e. every seam has a layer of waterproof tape bonded over the top of it, but some more freestyle orientated options or those on the very edge of the budget end of the scale might only have critically taped seams.

Are the zips waterproof?

Any zips will need to either have storm flaps - a flap of material over the top of the zip - or preferably be watertight. If they don't have either eventually moisture will creep through. You can tell if a zip is watertight by looking at the area on either side of the teeth, if it has a rubbery-looking coating then you're good to go. Also, ensure that all zips run smoothly and have chunky pullers so you can easily use them with gloves or simply with cold hands.

How many pockets do I need and do I need vents?

We don't recommend keeping too much stuff in your ski pants but it's useful to have at least a couple of hand pockets - one for your phone and another for a wallet. If you're going to be doing a lot of high-intensity skiing or ski touring then thigh zips are a must for ventilation through the legs.

Do I need insulated ski pants?

Whether you go for shell or insulated depends on the conditions you're going to be skiing in and whether you like to wear baselayers or not. We generally recommend pants with at least a little insulation for most skiers and snowboarders, as unlike shell pants you can't easily put extra layers on underneath if it gets cold.

Is down any good for skiing?

As a general rule synthetic insulation is better than down for ski clothing as it retains most of its insulating properties when wet. Be careful not to buy overly insulated pants as you'll quickly get hot and clammy when skiing or hiking.

Do I need bib pants?

Bib pants offer extra protection with a raised bib at the front and back held up by suspenders. This stops cold wet snow sneaking in between your jacket and pants so is a definite bonus, especially for freeriders sending powder snow up, behind, and around them. If your skiing is much more sedate and mainly on the piste then a bib is probably overkill as there's little chance of the hardpack snow making its way into that area.

Other features

Make sure your ski pants have boot gaiters. These sit below the outer material and are elasticated to hug your boots, stopping snow from getting in and keeping your pants in place. If you're worried about abrasion from boots, bindings, and ski touring kit then look for reinforced insteps - patches of sturdier material on the lower legs.