The Best Ski Pants of 2023

The Chemical Pant from Flylow ($365) can do it all. From steep trees to groomers and park laps, we found that these durable pants will keep you protected, clout all the top features, and kept us looking good, which all push this pant to the top of our list.

With sealed seams, waterproof zippers, and Flylow’s proprietary “Intuitive” fabric membrane, these pants are thoroughly waterproof. Just last season, the brand introduced a new and improved OmniBloq DWR finish that beads water and lasts for multiple seasons. For extra weather resistance, these pants will button to a Flylow jacket’s powder skirt, resulting in head-to-toe protection.

Thanks to large thigh vents, the Chemical Pants can be worn comfortably in a wide variety of conditions. They aren’t insulated, but the three-layer construction still feels warm enough on most days without the need for thick baselayers.

Due to their stiff fabric and mildly restrictive loose fit, these pants will perform at their best within the boundaries of the ski resort. Still, many skiers wear them in the backcountry with excellent results.

Other notable features of the Chemical Pants include three waterproof pockets, reinforced knees, and elasticated powder cuffs.

One of Helly Hansen’s staple ski pants, the Switch Cargo ($225) is a low-rise, hardshell snow pant complete with PrimaLoft insulation.

Lightweight and built for performance, the Switch Cargo pants have a two-layer, PFC-free DWR-coated fabric. They also have articulated construction at the seat and knees for comfort during higher levels of activity. And they have an embedded RECCO rescue reflector.

We really like these pants‘ extra cargo pockets and stylish boot-cut flare. These are great insulated ski pants. Due to the insulation, they’ll be hot for backcountry skiing, so they’re not a great choice for earning your turns.

We love the insulation, warmth, and great fit of these pants. And the majority of user reviews mentioned that the pants work well in many different conditions on the mountain. Read our full review.

For skiers on a budget, The North Face Freedom Pants ($169) offer high-end durability and performance for significantly less money than major competitors. Designed primarily for the ski resort, these pants are well-constructed and stylish. While we’ve listed the insulated version of the Freedom Pants here, a non-insulated version is available and slightly cheaper.

Though we haven’t included many insulated pants on this list, we found the 60g Heatseeker insulation in the Freedom Pants adds a nice touch. Skiers who tend to run cold will especially appreciate the added warmth, which feels pleasant and cozy without excess bulk.

The slightly baggy fit of the Freedom Pants allows for comfortable layering, and the resulting style fits right in at the resort. Because these pants lack stretch, they do feel mildly restrictive at times, meaning they aren’t ideal for backcountry skiing. We like the large side vents, which successfully counteract the warmth of the insulation on balmy days.

While these pants won’t win any awards for high-end features or cutting-edge technology, they are fully deserving of a shout-out for their unbeatable value.

From the breathable fabric to the slim athletic fit, the Dawn Patrol Pants ($215) from Black Diamond have been thoroughly designed for backcountry skiing and riding. Instead of attempting to create a versatile do-it-all pair of ski pants without clear strengths, Black Diamond went all out with only the backcountry in mind. The end result is comfortable, durable, and impressively stretchy.

Because the Dawn Patrol is a softshell pant, it won’t keep moisture out as well as some of the hardshell styles on this list. However, the pant features a high-quality DWR coating, which most wearers find is sufficient for almost all conditions.

The benefit of softshell pants is increased breathability and stretch. While skinning or hiking uphill, the Dawn Patrol Pants feel cool and airy, wicking sweat and preventing discomfort. If you still manage to overheat, two large mesh side vents offer additional temperature control.

Other features of these pants include removable suspenders, roomy zippered pockets, and simple powder cuffs. If you’re seeking top-notch outerwear for regular backcountry missions, the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol checks all of the boxes.

The stretchy softness of the AscentShell material in the OR Skyward II pant ($328) is unimaginably comfortable. For ease of stride on those uphill skin tracks, this pant makes for smooth movement. The articulated knees reduce chaffing and resistance in every step. The waterproof membrane material kept us dry from the elements and our own sweat.

Side zip venting allows for temperature control as you move up the track. Four extra large pockets allow for quick access to bars and energy chews without having to stop and dig through your pack. Velcro hip adjustments allow for an ideal fit without the need of a belt.

The comfort of the material and stretchability means that you can size these a bit snug without any regrets. The AscentShell 3L allows for enough range of motion in the crotch and knees both uphill and downhill. We preferred not to use the beacon pocket and found it to be less convenient than a traditional chest strap.

These pants are perfect for the backcountry skier who is looking to replace their old rigid breathable membrane ski pants with modern comfortable technology. These pants are worth their price in comfort from the novice to the expert. 

For the uphill traveler, the Stio Environ ($419) provides excellent breathability and range of motion. The durable PeakProof shell material allows for sweat to escape and the large vent zips have extra large durable zippers. We especially like the button thigh pocket zipper covers that kept snow and ice from accumulating on the zippers. We absolutely loved the soft microfiber lined hand pockets for those transitions when you need to quickly warm up an ungloved hand.

The integrated belt is convenient but the clasp is a bit difficult to unhook until the webbing gets broken in. The velcro hip cinches add additional sizing changes. The fit on these pants is true to size allowing seamless movement in the skin track. The Cordura cuff guards are extremely resistant to ski edges on the downhill too.

This pant is prefect for the dedicated backcountry enthusiast who is not shy to pay extra for high quality gear. Although it lands in the higher priced range of the products tested, our testers felt its worth the investment.

These Elevation Infinity Pants ($550) from Helly Hansen utilize the brand’s latest waterproofing technology. Lifa Infinity Pro is a cutting-edge materials innovation that provides waterproofing and breathability for the entire lifespan of the garment. According to Helly Hansen, water-repellent protection is inherent in every fiber of the jacket, so users never need to reproof with DWRs or other chemical treatments.

We used these pants while heli-skiing through untracked powder in the Canadian Rockies. Even when we wandered into the waist-deep stuff, our lower bodies felt completely covered and protected. The stretchy snow gaiters kept the snow from seeping through at the ankle, and the burley rubberized zippers and taped seams kept moisture at bay. Plus, the slim, yet articulated fit never felt tight or restrictive. You can ski or ride to the fullest in these pants with your entire range of motion intact.

Only time will tell if the Lifa Infinity Pro technology really works, but so far these pants offer elite-level waterproofing. They seem fairly breathable too, but we definitely needed to open up the well-placed high vents on a few occasions.

These pants are geared toward off-grid backcountry skiing — a D-ring transceiver attachment in the pocket and reinforced bottom hem provide extra utility in the backcountry. They’re perfectly good for the resort too.

The Khroma Kinetic Pants ($325) are well-made with a versatile mixture of handy features. While cruising through powder or skinning up steep slopes, you’ll surely appreciate the fine balance of breathability and waterproofing.

Surprisingly, Rab’s’ Proflex material is both fully waterproof and reasonably stretchy. Though these are hardshell pants, they manage to offer plentiful freedom of movement. Waterproof zippers keep your phone and valuables safe — even in waist-deep powder.

For such lightweight ski pants, the Kinetic Pants incorporate impressive durability in all the right places. For example, reinforcement patches around the ankles provide protection against ski edges and crampons. When paired with a good ski jacket, these pants form part of a full-body weatherproof system ideal for ski mountaineering.

We appreciate the sleek and understated look of these pants. All available color schemes are muted, handsome, and not overly flashy.

Other key features of the Kinetic pants include elastic snow gaiters, side vents, and thoughtfully placed pockets. At a reasonable price, these pants are an exceptional value.

Norrona is known for high-quality outwear, and the Lofoten Pants ($849) are no exception. These durable and thoroughly weatherproof ski pants are designed with mountain freeriding in mind. GORE-TEX Pro is the company’s most substantial waterproofing system. When combined with Norrona’s 200-denier outer fabric, the result is perhaps the most rugged pair of pants on this list.

When prayers are answered and the powder gets deep, the Lofoten Pants are ready with a lightweight and breathable zip-in bib. On both legs, large inner thigh vents offer amplified airflow. To avoid wear from ski edges and crampons, both ankle cuffs are fully reinforced.

These pants have a moderately baggy fit. Though they could feasibly be worn both in and out of bounds, backcountry skiers and riders may wish the outer fabric was more breathable.

GORE-TEX Pro, while excellent for keeping the weather out, can also feel quite stifling when hiking uphill. Ultimately, these pants really shine in cold, windy, and stormy conditions.

If your skiing style calls for ultimate weather protection, we highly recommend the Lofoten pants. Even when the wind is whipping at 25 mph, your legs will feel warm and sheltered all day long.

Compared to many options on this list, the Legendary Ski Pants ($200) from Helly Hansen stand out for their simple, classic design. For skiers looking for a clean, understated look that also performs well, look no further than these stellar resort skiing pants.

With a form-fitting shape that still offers room for baselayers, the Legendary Pants are fully compatible with both ski and snowboard boots. The articulated knee joints offer freedom of movement, and the reinforced bottom hem holds up to abuse from ski edges.

For insulated ski pants, these still manage to feel lightweight and breathable. The 60 g PrimaLoft Black insulation reduces the need for excess layers, even when the temps drop into the low teens. Appearance-wise, the insulation is only slightly noticeable. We’re glad these don’t have the fluffy “Michelin Man” look of some other insulated styles.

Helly Hansen’s Performance Fabric comes with taped seams and performs as well as just about any waterproof outwear on the market. Plus, it breathes fairly well and only sometimes becomes clammy on the inside. When the temps rise, two-leg vents allow the wearer to get rid of excess heat.

The Legendary Pants are perfect for the occasional skier looking for simple yet high-quality pants for resort skiing. They’re not the cheapest options out there, but they can easily justify their price tag in the long term.