SUSTAINABLE SKIING & SNOWBOARDING

Skiing and snowboarding make it easier to get through a long, cold winter, and they provide an epic adventure for anyone visiting the mountains from out of town. But like any other activity, skiing and snowboarding can have a cost on the environment. From the fibers that your boots are made from, to the fill keeping your jacket warm, all the materials used in ski and snowboard gear can have a positive or negative impact.

Additionally, being mindful about how you source your gear — whether you buy it new or secondhand — can determine the overall impact of your winter activities. And since you’re likely someone who enjoys the beauty of nature (including those fresh pow days), these tips can help you choose sustainable ski and snowboard gear that performs for both you and the planet.

Sustainable Ski and Snowboard Gear

Like other sustainable clothing and accessories, you’ll want to look for ski and snowboard gear that uses recycled or post-consumer materials, low-impact production and distribution methods, and ethical labor. Unlike ordinary clothing, however, you’ll also want to find brands and products that keep you warm and suit your needs.

For example, waterproof jackets can keep you dry on days when it’s actively snowing, and extra insulation in gloves can keep your hands toasty. Think about which features are most important to you when you hit the slopes — then keep an eye out for products that meet these goals as well as core sustainability pillars.

Sustainable Base Layers

The proper base layers can keep you warm both on the slopes and afterwards. Sweat-wicking materials are best, as they won't hold moisture and make you cold. Instead of cotton, which is known to get heavy when wet, opt for recycled manmade materials like polyester and spandex, which will keep you dry.

Smartwool Women's Intraknit™ Thermal Merino Base Layer Colorblock 1/4 Zip

Balance temperature and moisture during long days on the mountain with the Smartwool Intraknit™ Thermal Merino Base Layer. These slim fit base layers are designed for cool to cold days and high intense activity. You can pair with this the Smartwool Intraknit™ Base Layer Bottom, which is designed to be layered beneath pants and works perfectly under snowpants. The Intraknit™ material uses a novel 3D knitting technique that reduces the amount of waste leftover compared to traditional methods. As a whole. Smartwool employs numerous sustainable manufacturing processes, such as using recycled wool fiber, reusing scraps from their Merino wool products, and partnering with sustainable manufacturers.

Women's Merino 260 Vertex Long Sleeve Thermal Top Glacial Flow

Another sustainable option for a merino wool layer is the Vertex Long Sleeve by Icebreaker, a sustainability-led company. This lightweight, yet warm layer is super soft and designed for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities. Icebreaker publishes a transparency report where they detail their earth-friendly initiatives, which include a commitment to regenerative agriculture and a dedication to using natural alternatives to plastic fibers, with 95% of their global fabric consumption stemming from a natural or plant-based fiber.

Black Diamond Men’s Solution 150 Merino Baselayer Crew

This base layer from Black Diamond is made from non-mulesed Merino certified wool, meaning it’s collected from sheep in an ethical way that doesn’t cause pain to the animals. This base layer is also designed to dry quickly, helping regulate moisture and temperature. As a brand, Black Diamond’s sustainability practices run deep, spanning corporate responsibility, product materials and social environmental advocacy. It’s a founding member of the Outdoor Industry Association’s Climate Action Corps, an organization that advocates for ethical business innovation, sustainable trade policies, ethical business growth, and more.

Sustainable Mid Layers

Every proper ski ‘fit needs a comfortable fleece mid layer. But there’s no denying that a long-sleeve fleece can get bunchy in the sleeves and make it hard to bend your elbows, especially when you’re layering it over a base layer. Plus, traditional fleece is a notorious source of plastic microfibers, which shed from the fabric as soon as it’s created. These can wind up in the ocean, where they’re one of the largest sources of pollution threatening marine life.

Girlfriend Collective Women’s Recycled Fleece Vest

A fleece vest is a smart (and cozy!) way to add warmth without bulk. Girlfriend, who’s known for manufacturing super-sustainable products from recycled plastic water bottles, hits the mark with their recycled fleece vest. The body is made from 100% recycled plastic water bottles, and the binding and pocketing is made with 90% RPET and 10% spandex. In addition to keeping you extra warm, this recycled fleece vest can be recycled with ReGirlfriend, a program that takes your used Girlfriend clothing, recycles it into new gear, and offers $15 in store credit in exchange. Lastly, we love that this vest is more chic than the average fleece, making it the perfect transition piece from the slopes to the afterparty.

Black Diamond Men’s Coefficient LT Hybrid Hoody

This light, stretchy hoodie makes the perfect base layer because it’s both warm and breathable with lightweight insulation. Black Diamond is a Blue Sky Program participant at the “Champion Level” meaning that they purchase wind power offsets each year. Additionally, Black Diamond has a vendor code of conduct, meaning they only work with vendors who can commit to their standards of using ethical labor, workplace safety, ethical responsibility, and more.

Sustainable Outer Layers

Even the perfect base layers aren’t going to keep you warm unless you have the right outer layer jacket to trap in heat and repel cold and rain. A waterproof jacket is ideal if you plan on skiing in snowy weather, and breathable armpits and other features can also make sure your temperature stays regulated throughout the day. Extra pockets, a cell phone leash, and a hood are all additional features to consider when choosing a sustainable ski or snowboard jacket.

Black Diamond Men’s Recon Stretch Ski Shell

This Black Diamond shell jacket is an ultra durable, waterproof outer layer that offers breathability on warm ski days and protection from the elements on stormy days, thanks to its signature BD.dry™ feature. The hood is designed to be roomy enough to fit over a helmet, there’s plenty of pockets in the jacket for storing your phone, ski pass, and other essentials. Overall, the durability of this jacket helps ensure that it’ll last for years to come, making it a solid investment from a sustainability-led company.

Fjallraven Women's Expedition Mid Winter Jacket

This lightweight jacket is made to keep you extra warm during the coldest weather as you engage in all kinds of outdoor activities, including skiing. The material and lining are made from 100% recycled polyamide and the filling is made from 100% recycled polyester. In addition to leveraging sustainable materials and production, Fjallraven also invests in sustainable product design. This means that they create their products to last a lifetime, which includes creating timeliness, functional designs that are mostly recycled, recyclable, and easy to repair.

Craft Adv Training Pants

The Craft advanced training pants are designed to be both warm and wind-protective, making them perfect for snowy days while skiing. Available in men’s and women's ski pants, they have a windproof front panel and a drawstring waist, plus reflective pipings for safer visibility. Craft highlights a transparent, circular supply chain across all of their products, showcasing the entire cycle from design conception to shipping logistics. Since this is a Swedish company, their sustainability practices adhere to UN standards and they’re actively working to improve their commitments to environmentally-friendly practices.

Eco-Friendly Ski and Snowboard Accessories

Darn Tough Function X Over-the-Calf Midweight Ski & Snowboard Sock

The right socks can keep your feet warm and dry all day on the slopes. Darn Tough is a Vermont-based sock brand known for slim-fitting socks that are perfect for slipping into tall ski and snowboard boots. Their Midweight Ski & Snowboard Socks check all the boxes, and they’re made ethically right here in the USA. Another dependable pair of Darn Tough socks for skiing and snowboarding are the Due North Over-the-Calf sock made from Thermolite®, a 100% recycled vegan material that keeps your feet extra warm.

Turtlefur Taylor Knit Beanie

This sustainably-made beanie is perfect for aprés ski festivities and comes in three universally flattering colors. Turtlefur’s beanie is made from 50% recycled polyester, and they work toward a 100% transparent supply chain. They also aim for climate neutrality, publish an annual impact report, and measure and report their greenhouse gas emissions.

Used and Vintage Ski Apparel

While it’s always fun to get new ski clothes, the truth is, there’s a lot of cute and functional clothing that already exists in the world. That’s why buying used and vintage clothing is one of the best ways to keep your ski habit sustainable. And fortunately, there are many marketplaces making it easy to do exactly that.

JoJo Ski

If you’re in the market for a vintage ski suit, look no further than JoJo Ski. These ski suits are straight from the 80’s and 90’s, preserved in great condition over the past decades so you can rock them in modern day. This site has hundreds of ski suits for both men and women, and these one-of-a-kind pieces span all sizes, including petite. As the largest vintage ski suit retailer online today, JoJo Ski truly has something for everyone.

Out and Back Outdoor

This online marketplace provides a platform for buying and selling used ski gear. They have everything from skis and snowboards to jackets and boots, all at a huge discount (up to 60% off retail). Out and Back Outdoor is on a mission to make outdoor gear both more sustainable and more attainable for everyone, acknowledging that ski gear often comes at a high price point. Plus, it’s a great way to trade in old gear that’s still in great condition but no longer fits, especially if you’re ready for an upgrade.

REI Re/Supply

Find your favorite sustainable brands like Patagonia and Prana for a much lower price at REI’s Re/Supply, a site specifically for used gear and clothing. Here, you can see a snapshot of a product’s original and current price, plus any damage or defects to be aware of. REI’s secondhand site also has kids clothing and gear, so it’s great for outfitting the whole family for a truly sustainable ski trip.

Whether you’re shreddin the ‘gnar or scouting the best aprés ski look, these brands will ensure that you do so sustainably and in style.

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