A Ski Family's Holiday Gift Guide

There's lots of snow in my backyard, the skis are out, and I've already been listening to Christmas music since November 1st. (yes, I'm one of "those" people.) My annual holiday gift guide has always been one of my most popular stories, and this year I have chosen my family's favourite winter hobby as the theme. Skiing!

A Ski Family's Holiday Gift Guide 

Gift Ideas for the Downhill Family 

Ski Discount Cards

Didn't jump on seasons passes this year? No problem. Put an RCR Rockies Card in each adult or teen family member's stocking and you'll be able to afford multiple ski days on the slopes this winter. Each card costs less than $100.00 and includes three free days of skiing at four awesome resorts including Nakiska Ski Area, Calgary's closest resort. And for creative gift wrapping, wrap the discount card in a pair of ski socks or a new pair of gloves.

The Sunshine Super Card is another great discount card offering free days and discounts at Sunshine Village, Marmot Basin in Jasper, and Revelstoke Mountain Resort.

And finally, we love the Lake Louise Plus Card where you can get three free days of skiing at 5 great resorts including Panorama and Castle Mountain Resort. You can also link children to your Lake Louise Plus Card so that they receive discounts every time you use your card.

Read more about ski discount cards in the following stories:

Read: How to Become a Ski Family (without breaking the bank.)

Read: 7 Days of Big Mountain Skiing for Less than $400.00

Ski discount cards allow for more days on the slopes this winter!

A New Thermos for the Day Lodge

Save money on overpriced hot chocolate and coffee at the ski hill by bringing your own thermos with you.  You can also bring a hot lunch for the kids in a food thermos.

Thermos Suggestions:

• Vacuum Flask Stainless Steel Coffee Bottle Thermos - 500ml
  
  
• Hydro Flask Food Thermos 

New Skis

There must be somebody in your family who could use a new pair of skis. I know my husband hints about this often! Or at the very least, buy your wife a new pair of ski poles if she's been using the same ones since she was a teenager. (Yes, that's a true story!) And I should add that new ski boots also make a great gift idea. (Also good for the wife who's had the same pair since she was probably 18 years old.)

And if the kids need new ski boots, I suggest checking out the adjustable Roces Ski Boots from All Out Kids Gear, Affiliate Partner.

A New Ski Helmet

Kids grow. Helmets get too small. Upgrade to a newer helmet this Christmas and protect those noggins.

You can find great helmets for the kids from All Out Kids Gear where you'll get free shipping on all online orders of $49.99 or more (before taxes.)

Ski Helmets make great Christmas gifts

New Ski Goggles

My son will be getting  a new pair of ski goggles this Christmas because I just realized that he's been wearing his current ones since he was 2 or 3 years old. (He's now 8!) Helmet-goggle gap is a "thing" apparently, and so you'll want to make sure your child has a cool pair of goggles to fit his or her helmet.

You can add goggles to your cart on the All Out Kids Gear website when you're shopping for helmets and ski boots.

Two Way Radios for the Ski Hill

Have you ever lost a kid on a ski hill? Or a spouse even? I have, and it's terrifying! With two way radios, you can ski worry-free, even if your little shredder accidentally gets ahead of you and takes a wrong turn.

Get your family geared up for ski season!

Gift Ideas for the Cross Country Family

Ski Passes for your Local Nordic Centre

I'm thrilled that I actually have a seasons pass for the Canmore Nordic Centre this winter, and I plan to get out a LOT mid-week when my son is at school.

A New Thermos for the Trails

Invest in a vacuum insulated thermos (as already mentioned for downhill gift ideas) and bring tea or hot chocolate with you on the trail to stay warm.

Cross country skiing is a great family activity

New Skis

I'll never forget how happy I was when I received a pair of waxless cross country skis for Christmas a few years ago. (no more wax problems on sticky spring days!)

And there are so many different kinds of cross country skis out there, it shouldn't be hard to think of a new pair your partner would appreciate (skate skis, light touring skis with metal edges, actual skinny Nordic skis if he/she only has wider touring skis...)

And then of course there are the kids, who just won't stop growing!!

And you might be buying new boots to go with the skis.


A Pair of Adjustable Trekking Poles for the Kids

I grew tired of constantly having to buy my son new poles every year or two (for both cross country and downhill skiing.) So last year we just bought him some adjustable trekking poles and he uses one pair of poles for everything!! Brilliant, right?

Shop trekking poles from All out Kids Gear. 

Not bad for adjustable trekking poles!

Ski Clothing and Outerwear Gift Ideas

• Ski Socks - Can you ever have enough ski socks? 
  
  
• Ski Gloves - Skiing is fun when hands are warm. 
  
  
• A New Toque or Beanie
  
  
• A New Set of Long Underwear for the Kids  - Again, kids grow, and chances are they won't fit last year's base layers anymore.
  
  
• A New Buff to Wear Under a Ski Helmet - Kids tend to chew holes in their buffs (at least my son does) so chances are, your child could use a new ski buff. 

Shop online from All Out Kids Gear

You'll also find great toques and beanies from  Sunday Afternoons.

Warm toque, fleece buff, and warm gloves for ski day victories

Stocking Stuffers

Hand and foot warmers


Fun granola bars - the expensive ones or flavours that you never buy because they don't come in bulk from Costco.


Fun snacks - Christmas themed chocolate, fun items to take on the trails, or anything the kids beg for (and never get.)


Ski Wax - There's always a new and better ski wax for cross country skiing.


Ski Repair Equipment (base repair kits, metal scrapers, repair tools and kits)


A Ski Lock- I just received a few of these and look forward to trying them out at the ski hill this winter


Ski Socks - Because you can never have enough pairs of ski socks


Take my suggestions and browse to find what works for you. There are dozens of different products available for ski tuning, waxing, carrying and strapping skis, or caring for your skis.

And by ordering off of Amazon, I "might" receive a few dollars as an Affiliate partner.

Load the stockings with items to make skiing more fun this winter

Ski Books 

The book that I have on my Christmas list is Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies - 5th Edition - It is the ultimate ski touring guidebook for cross country skiers looking to get off the groomed and beaten path (and for backcountry skiers looking for a scenic ski tour.)

Follow this link to browse a giant list of other Ski Books off Amazon.ca.

Including these ski books:

- Summits and Icefields - Alpine Ski Tours in the Canadian Rockies

- Backcountry Ski Safety guidebooks

- Avalanche Safety guidebooks

- Ski themed cookbooks

- Tips for teaching kids to ski

- Powder: The Greatest Ski Runs on the Planet

- DIY Ski repair

Buy "Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies" and find hidden trails like this one in Banff

And, if you're looking for some great ski-themed children's books, check out a few of these Ski Books for Kids off of Amazon.ca. 

Top Suggestions for Picture Books would include:

- Ollie's Ski Trip

- Squirrels on Skis

- Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee

- Bunny Slopes

- It's a Day for Ski and Play

- First Tracks

And for chapter books:

- Ski School Sneak (Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew)

- The Little Rippers: Volume 1 - Here come the little rippers

- Go West Little Rippers

And, check out this Skiing Coloring Book!

As mentioned already, if you buy a book or two here off of Amazon, I "might" make a few dollars to order a few for my family too.

Inspire the kids this winter with some fun ski-themed books

Fun Ski-Themed Gift Ideas

Ski-themed tree ornaments

A mounted photo of one of your favourite family ski days - Take one of your favourite ski photos, take it down to any photography shop, and get it dry mounted for your rec. room. (It would also be great on a child's bedroom wall if it was an epic ski photo of your little ripper.)

A favourite ski map, dry mounted - My son LOVES ski maps. He would love a giant map on his bedroom wall for his favourite ski resort.

Ski Wall Art Decals for the House 


And again, these contain links to Amazon.ca. Browse around if you want and support my affiliate efforts. 

Never a bad day on skis

Check out my complete holiday gift guide collection

 

A Holiday Gift Guide for Happy Campers

A Holiday Gift Guide for Active Kids 

A Ski Family's Holiday Gift Guide 

A Holiday Gift Guide for Outdoor Families: Trips, Activities, and Tours 

A Holiday Gift Guide for Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing  

Top Ten Christmas Gifts for Snowy Winter Fun