The Best Women’s Ski Pants of 2024

New for the 2023-24 season, the Rab Women’s Khroma Diffuse GORE-TEX Pants ($445) quickly gained the ranks of the best ski pants we’ve tested, ever. To boot, the pants advance the traditional Khroma collection with a 100% recycled face fabric in that 3-layer durable sandwich. We found the material to be malleable, extremely protective throughout stormy blasts — including heavy snow and wind — and comfortable to rip around in.

We really enjoyed the silhouette of the Diffuse with articulated knees and roomy enough upper legs that don’t leave our quads gasping for air. The hem circumference is plenty wide to fit over the necks of our ski or snowboard boots but also includes a functional 9.5-inch long exterior lower-leg zip as an additional window. In a detailed twist, the internal gaiters have a soft pull-tab but ditched a metal hook, so you can’t snag your hand but also can’t double-secure the gaiter on your boots. Of course, the elastic band and interior grip strip typically keep the layer pulled down just fine. Up at the waist, we appreciated the option of using belt loops or the exterior integrated Velcro belt to tidy up the fit. (Based on the waist, we’d not recommend sizing up.) The pants close-up with a fly and two strong snaps.

The lower legs are truly beefy for 360 degrees with tall kick patches and a reinforced hem, so those bones won’t be breaking while you’re taking narrow steps with crampons or tight pivots with sharp ski edges. It’s a unique design: A secondary fabric amps up the hem, reaching 2 inches high on the interior and exterior, and also stretches 8 inches up the inside of the leg. In a trapezoid shape, that kick patch is 7.5 inches at its widest and 5 inches at its narrowest.

There are also two crampon patches — 5.5 x 8 inches and 4.5 x 8 inches — on either side of the lower-leg zipper. The crampon patches feel like super lean knee pads and are fully integrated into the fabric, so they’re not aesthetically obvious. While you don’t need to be concerned about holes any time soon, know that your pant legs won’t be easy to roll up but they’ll not sag and stay upright.

Nodding at the collection of pockets, those cannot be overlooked. Rab included two hand pockets — where you can actually fully submerge a hand — plus a deep lower thigh pocket that spaciously bags a beacon with some space to spare. Inside the lowermost pocket is another small interior, stretchy pocket.

While we’re on the fence about these types of hammocks — they’re typically too small for a beacon or a phone, in our experience — they could be a good spot to slide a slender item like a driver’s license or ID. To clarify, these pockets are roomy but not big enough for skins, in our experience, especially for splitboarders but also for skiers.

Also, we wouldn’t recommend sticking your skins in an external pocket on the descent: Put those in an interior pocket where the glue can stay warm in case you need to slap ’em back on. Or use a skin saver between the two in your pack, so you can quickly pull them apart later.

For a clean look and a top-notch pair of women’s ski pants that won’t wear out any season soon, we’ll keep pulling on the Rab Women’s Khroma Diffuse GORE-TEX Pants, especially for a pair that can rock resort days followed by long weekends out-of-bounds in any terrain, any weather, and at any time of the season. Plus, if you get steamy, there are two generous side leg vents to assist.

The Columbia Bugaboo Omni-Heat Insulated Ski Pants ($120) win for both comfort and style as well as a budget price. They are lightweight at under a pound and have internal gaiters, fully taped seams, and an adjustable waist to help with custom sizing.

While they lack a couple of key features (like vents), for waterproof snow pants, you can’t beat the price. The soft insulation adds warmth without sacrificing waterproofness. These pants are definitely a better option for resort skiers and beginner riders.

We don’t recommend these for backcountry travel. But if you’re an occasional skier looking for a pant that can also handle wet, wintry weather while working in the yard or sledding, the Columbia Bugaboo Omni-Heat Insulated Ski Pants will do the trick.

There’s not much this pant can’t withstand. The Arc’teryx Sentinel Pant ($600) is a super-premium build intended to be tenacious for big mountain freeride missions compared to mellower backcountry tours. Lined with brushed flannel, the pants also provide a bit of warmth. The tradeoff? The durable design only weighs 545 g, and the beefy construction is reflected in the cost.

The sides have double zippers along the vents, which reach 14 inches in length, offering ample room for catching a breeze. But they don’t have mesh inserts, which we wish were added for a bit of protection and privacy.

On each thigh, the wide, deep pockets are super spacious for holding a big phone or snack bars. There’s also a small, hidden stash pocket in the right hand pocket. The hand pocket zippers are water-resistant (but not waterproof). Both a comfortable integrated waist belt plus wide belt loops provide the opportunity to adjust size and fit.

Among our favorite perks, we love the high-reaching and tenacious interior cuffs for hem and pant leg protection. To reinforce the fabric of the interior pant leg against ski edges, crampons, and abrasion, the stout Keprotec interior patches on the cuffs stretch 8 inches across and 8.5 inches high at their peak. The cuffs have super-stout 100-denier Cordura.

The waterproof-breathable Arc’teryx Sentinel Pant has taped seams and is as durable and as comfortable as ski pants come, so they’re a perfect option for mission-oriented and avid skiers that want to invest in a single pair for the long haul.

Debuting for the 23/24 season, the Eddie Bauer Chair Six Shell Pants ($229) is a 3-layer non-insulated pant that’s waterproof, durable, breathable, and fully seam sealed without cutting deep into ski trip funds. This is a straightforward pant with exactly what’s needed and no extra frills.

For snowy lift rides and inbounds hike-tos, we enjoyed wearing these pants. The waterproof fabric is topically treated with the brand’s in house StormRepel Plus DWR, which is the third tier (out of four) for waterproofness. 

We appreciate the basic fit with a slightly higher waist and tapered (but not tight) legs. There’s a flare at the hem to quickly accommodate ski or snowboard boots, which the internal gaiters can be secured over. The entire hem as well as the interior lower leg is reinforced with a burly Cordura fabric — a 8 by 6 inch patch — to prevent tears from metal edges and walking to or from the condo or parking lot. The patch is black, so it blends in with the pant.

Both zippered hand pockets are moderately spacious and softly lined, which we appreciate. There are two additional quad pockets with Velcro flaps — we wish there were an additional zipper here for security but we can still stash a snack, face mask, or glove liners. The exterior fabric sounds a bit crunchy but is soft under hand. 

At the waist, two small snaps are easy to close plus there are belt loops and built-in Velcro straps to snug up the pants for a more tailored waist if needed. For aeration, there are two 13-inch long interior leg vents that easily open and close. 

For added warmth on 15-degree days with ice-cold wind, we tested out the kit’s midlayer option dubbed the Chair Six Hybrid Pant ($119), a hip jogger with tapered ankles, which we’ve found ourselves also using for trips to the gym and hanging out at home. They look cool and block the wind well.

The insulated design is body-mapped with targeted 60-gram Polyfill synthetic insulation, which has a quilted aesthetic, from the hip to shin in the front and to the back of the knee. Everywhere else, there’s a soft, stretchy fleece for breathability. There are two hand pockets, an elastic band with a drawcord, and the midlayer can be worn solo, too. 

While the kit is advertised for both backcountry and resort skiing, we recommend this pant for inbounds resort days due to the fit and pocket design. We also suggest sizing up with the pants if you prefer a bit more room in the waist (we found the waistband didn’t have much give) especially if you would like to layer the Chair Six Hybrid Pant beneath.

Overall, we definitely suggest the Eddie Bauer Chair Six Shell Pants for the entry price point, all-around simplicity, and performance.

To learn about the matching Eddie Bauer Chair Six Shell Jacket, check out our GearJunkie Best Women’s Ski Jackets buyer’s guide.

Brag-worthy and eco-loaded is the new women’s Picture Seen Pants ($249). With industry-shaking sustainability, function, and style, this 2-layer construction is made of 100% Circular polyester: upcycled fabric from factory scraps and used jackets.

With the environment at the top of the mind, Picture’s next benchmark for sustainability is Circular polyester, which debuted in spring and summer technical apparel followed by 80% of the 2023-24 winter layers. A closed-loop, or circular, economy uses fewer resources than even recycling while further reducing emissions. 

These pants are well insulated for super cold, wind-stricken days and kept our backside cozy even on blizzard-coated chairlift rides. We liken these to our most comfortable high-waisted jeans with three snaps that don’t feel cumbersome or press against the lower abdomen. An elastic fabric extends above the waistband and belt loops like faux boxers (but if that’s not your style, it isn’t often visible).

You can move easily in these pants, which are lightly tailored yet roomy. Overall, the exterior fabric is fairly soft and quiet though feels dense and durable. The two zippered hand pockets are spacious and softly lined. Inside each, an internal elastic cord can be pulled to cinch up the pant hems — a brilliant idea. 

This design also features both Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Global Recycled Standard certifications. To help block water, the seams are fully taped. The textile utilizes Teflon Ecoelite, a PFC-free bio-based, non-fluorinated stain and water-repellent treatment.

Ultimately, this full kit — the Picture Seen Pants and Jacket — performs across gusty, frigid, blizzardy conditions while feeling well-tailored, comfortable, and stylish sans pinch points or grievances. The pants can get a bit warm if you’re pumping out laps in the powder and making hot turns through the trees, so be sure to slim down your base layer according to the conditions.

Read more about the Picture Seen Jacket in our GearJunkie Best Women’s Ski Jackets buyer’s guide.

The North Face Women’s Freedom Insulated Pants ($220) are definitely a crowd-pleaser — and for good reason. The pants are well-insulated (a light base layer will do the trick even riding lifts on cold days) and have deep, fleece-lined hand pockets.

They might not have all the bells and whistles of more technical backcountry pants or a super fancy cut, but we really like this simple pair as a resort ski pant. The comfort combined with basic features like interior gaiters will keep you happy at the mountain all day long.

The pants use the Heatseeker Eco insulation, which is made of 100% recycled polyester fiber, and a mesh-backed venting system on the inner thighs. Also supporting eco-friendly design, the nylon and polyester fabrics used in the pants are now 100% recycled for the face and liner.

The Freedom Pant keeps us dry on days with wetter snow, thanks to the face fabric featuring a DWR (durable water-repellent) treatment and a PFC-free one at that. The seams are critically sealed (but there are unsealed pocket seams). The zips are also not waterproof for the front pockets or vents, but they are water resistant. We also love the easy-to-use ventilation system on these women’s ski pants.

In the size run, gals can choose short or tall variations in addition to regular. There’s also a separate size block created for plus or extended sizes from 1X to 3X.

The North Face Women’s Freedom Insulated Pants are an excellent choice for anyone who wants to stay warm and dry on the mountain while sticking to a budget.

For those who spend more time going uphill than down, the Dynafit Beast Hybrid ($350) is a great choice. This hybrid pant offers all of the breathability of softshell pants. But Dynafit added waterproof fabric in the knees, thighs, legs, and butt — places most likely to let water in during wet conditions.

These are primarily a high-performance pant for recreational skimo or touring athletes who get their cardio on the skintrack. But, our testers found that these pants also excel in a variety of conditions, and kept us surprisingly dry on storm days and even when digging snowpits.

The polyamide-nylon fabric has a soft feel and enables unrestricted, comfortable uphill movement, especially when climbing and bootpacking. These pants are incredibly stretchy. We occasionally almost forgot we were wearing ski pants, since the Beast Hybrid feel more like high-performance running tights.

Mesh-backed ventilation zips with smooth water-repellent zippers extend from knee to hip to quickly regulate temperature at any moment. The fit on the Dynafit Beast Hybrid is definitely on the slimmer side, so consider that when choosing your size if you prefer a more relaxed fit.

If you relish freedom of movement and baggy as a fashion statement, don’t kick this pair of freeride ladies’ ski pants to the sidelines. Brand new for the 2023-24 season is the Helly Hansen Women’s Powderqueen Ski Pants ($300), which brings the brand’s popular bib silhouette into a suspender-free option for the gals. While the bibs have been in the lineup for several seasons, some shredders prefer a bit more freedom and less fabric than what a bib offers.

In a 2-layer design, the material is Helly Hansen’s longstanding proprietary waterproof-breathable and windproof membrane, dubbed Helly Tech, which initially hit the market in 1984 — four decades ago. While we’ve ridden through blizzards more than a few times while wearing this fabric over the years, we’re still confident it works based on test laps in these pants.

What’s more, the Powderqueen is loaded with 40 grams of insulation, which is lightweight but powerful: we definitely noticed the warmth and felt far more relaxed on icy, damp lift rides. The designers opted for the PrimaLoft Black Eco, which is 100% recycled: Helly Hansen converts plastic bottles into fibers.

Among PrimaLoft’s classic lineup of insulation — Gold, Silver, and Black — the Black Eco offers up the equivalent of 350-fill power down. The CLO value, which is a metric used to measure the thermal insulation of clothes, is 0.65: Comparatively, nude skiing would be 0 and ripping turns in a highly insulated onesie would be more than 1.

We dig the pockets on these pants. Helly made sure to offer two hand pockets plus a deep pocket on the upper right quad. The waist is secure thanks to a triple-secure closure: fly, two snaps, and a slider. She’s not coming undone. In addition to wide belt loops, the pants also include a smooth, integrated Velcro belt along the interior of the waistband, so you can tailor the circumference.

While keeping us warm, we can’t overlook the mobility of these pants between the baggy legs — freeing our thighs — adjustable waist, articulated knees, gusseted crotch, and 2-way stretch. A couple of other perks include the integrated RECCO, for safety if a rescue is needed, PFC-free DWR, internal gaiters, and 8×8-inch durable kick patches on the interior hems. Bringing business and steez, don’t sleep on the Helly Hansen Women’s Powderqueen Ski Pants.

Looking for a do-all insulated and durable pant for winter? Look no further than the Flylow Fae Pant ($350). Especially if you already have a shell pant for uphill travel and need a comfortable, insulated pant for the coldest of resort skiing days (or just general winter wear), consider this one.

This design is lightly insulated, so you don’t feel like you’re in a sauna, in addition to being waterproof and well-built. We’re super impressed with the quality of construction. Since the pants debuted in 2020, Flylow switched to recycled Greenloft insulation, made from post-consumer recycled PET, which is our favorite detail, and upped the design’s insulation from 40 g to 60 g.

The cuffs are reinforced with 500-denier fabric.

When pulled on, the fabric is comfortable, soft, and easily moves with you whether you’re skiing or snowshoeing. We’re no fan of snow pants that feel too stiff or heavy — even if they’re advertised to have some stretch. So the Flylow Fae Pant fits the bill.

To dive in more, read our full review of the Fae Pant. 

The streamlined, high-rise Halfdays Alessandra Pant ($245) covers all the bases for ski gals who want style and to be super comfortable from sunshine to snowstorm. There’s a reason why this design is Halfday’s top-selling women’s ski pant.

With a high-waisted cut and trim, stretchy fit, these ski pants are a statement piece. Yes. Even the waistband is super malleable and comfy. Despite the well-fitted silhouette, we never noticed tightness or the waistband. They close up with a zipper, two strong snaps, and the Velcro waistband adds adjustability. As an eco-bonus, the polyester material from the exterior to the liner is 100% recycled.

Inside, the silky liner is standout soft, as is the fleece-like interior of the two zippered hand pockets. The same fabric lines the interior waistband, a nice touch. We like that there’s a small interior hang loop for the end of the day.  

Despite getting buried in snow on the ski lift and extending the day with errands, these pants kept every aspect warm from our hips to our ankles, all day. This baby is insulated with PrimaLoft Black that’s 100% recycled, provides the equivalent of 550-fill power, and is coated with a water-resistant finish to prevent wetting out. Our backsides were very happy on blizzardy lift rides. Even better, the face fabric wonderfully blocked wet snow and heavy moisture. 

To help release warmth are two interior zippered leg vents — but they are itty at less than 6 inches long and half a fingernail wide. At 598 grams, this pant is a moderate weight with standout weather protection and fun style. 

Around the interior of each cuff, a 9 by 8-inch patch reinforces the material to help prevent wear and tear from ski and board edges. In step with the classy style of the Halfdays Alessandra Pant, the patches are the same uniform color as the pant. Inside, the gaiters easily stretch over your snowboard or ski boots. We give a nod to the hem design, which includes a tall 11-inch high zipper with a gusset, so you can widen the leg when needed.

Among staple ski pants, the Helly Hansen Switch Cargo Insulated Ski Pants ($225) is a low-rise, hardshell snow pant complete with PrimaLoft insulation that’s also 100% recycled polyester.

Really, these ski pants for ladies are among our favorites overall because they check all the right boxes from sustainability to safety, comfort, style, and function. On the durability side, the pant hems are reinforced with tenacious panels, so they won’t shred while you shred. Plus, they help keep our backside warm while riding the ski lift on a frigid midwinter day.

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 liked the extra cargo pockets and stylish boot-cut flare. Due to the insulation, they’ll be hot for backcountry skiing, so they’re not a great choice for earning your turns. That said, they have interior thigh zippers to ventilate when you’re working hard on-piste.

Our testers have loved the insulation, warmth, and great fit of the Helly Hansen Switch Cargo Insulated Ski Pants.

Interested to learn more? Read our full review. 

Similar to the iconic Flylow Foxy bib, the three-layer Flylow Nina Pant ($365) is everything you could want or need from a hardshell — just in a pant version. This well-fitting, versatile hardshell is likewise making a name for itself.

Fully outfitted, this design comes with an adjustable waist (Velcro closure), articulated knees, and powder gaiters. Plus, there are both inner and outer thigh vents, which is one of our favorite parts of the design.

These pants provide a solid waterproof shell with great venting and are versatile enough for the resort or the backcountry. Those who are taller might find them short over their boots. Otherwise, we found them comfortable and true to size.

The pockets on the Flylow Nina Pant are spacious and lined, and the lower thigh pocket is comfortable enough for carrying a cellphone while moving and skiing. There’s also just the right amount of fabric to move and stretch in these pants, without feeling too light.

For more information on why we love the Nina pant, read our full review.

Malleable and breathable, the La Sportiva Excelsior Pant ($189) is a go-to softshell pant for uphilling at the resort, especially when intervals or a speed workout are involved. And you don’t need to worry about quick kick turns scuffing your pants with those wide cuff reinforcements.

We love that the cuffs have an inch of reinforcement around the entire parameter and a 8.5″ high patch inside the leg. The cut is super streamlined but stretchy and easily pulls over our quads, glutes, and hips. That slender-fitting shape is great for exercise without any rub points or tight spots. For extra air passage, there are two exterior side ventilation zippers that stretch nearly a foot, offering a quick way to cool off.

Two hand pockets and one front thigh pocket offer space to hold goods, but have no dedicated pocket for an avalanche transceiver. But since we tend to use these pants for uphill exercise at the ski area or in non-avalanche terrain, we didn’t miss the addition of a transceiver pocket and don’t usually like extra weight in our pockets anyways. And the zipper teeth on the hand pockets are not the most comfortable to slide our hands through.

Also a standout on the La Sportiva Excelsior Pant is an adjustable hem, which has a zipper and three snaps to tighten or expand depending on the placement over your ski boots, which can be helpful for creating a snug fit on lower profile skimo or mountaineering boots.

Compared to many of our top selects, the Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated Ski Pants ($200) stand out for their simple, classic design. For skiers looking for a clean, understated look that also performs well, search no further than these stellar resort skiing pants.

With a form-fitting shape that still offers room for underlayers, the Legendary Pants are fully compatible with both ski and snowboard boots. The articulated knee offers 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 (thanks to venting). The 60 g PrimaLoft Black insulation reduces the need for excess underlayers, even when the temps drop into the low teens. Appearance-wise, the insulation is only slightly noticeable. We’re glad that these don’t have the fluffy “Michelin Man” look of some other insulated styles.

The Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated Ski Pants are perfect for the occasional skier looking for simple yet high-quality pants for resort skiing. These are also one of the lowest price tags on our list, and the materials are also Bluesign-approved, adding an eco-friendly stamp.