The Best Stocking Stuffers for Skiers
This article originally appeared on Ski Mag
At SKI, we believe good things come in small packages, and stocking stuffers are just further proof of this. Whether you’re lining a stocking or just looking for a little something extra we have compiled a list of gifts perfectly fit for a stocking (or a ski boot). These stocking stuffers are a mixture of fun and practical but despite their small size, they’re sure to put a big smile on your giftee’s face!
Aviator Nation Trucker Hats ($48)
We love that trucker hats are making a big resurgence, especially in and around mountain towns! Women-owned and designed Aviator Nation takes its signature logo and adds a skier for special edition Vail and Aspen items to make a perfect trucker hat. There are also designs with important sayings like “pray for snow.” With various colors from neon pink to black, you can advertise your love of the mountains all year round. Thanks to the durable mesh backing, the hats are lightweight and will be a signature in your closet for years. And for fitting the brim of the hat inside of a stocking… you may need some extra holiday magic for that!
Grounds & Hounds Coffee ($14.99) / Hot Chocolate ($14.99)
No good ski day ever started without a warm drink, and we think adding a little morning juice to a stocking makes for an excellent gift! Grounds and Hounds is a coffee company with Fido in mind. The online store donates 20 percent of its profits to helping shelter dogs receive meals, vaccines, toys, and surgeries, and the coffee isn’t half bad either! The Single Serve coffee is brewed just like tea, so as long as you have hot water, you’ve got coffee, and the box is filled with ten individual packs, so it can easily be split up (or not) upon recipients. For those that prefer something a little sweeter, the hot chocolate is rich and velvety, perfectly served with whipped cream, preferably slopeside.
Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack 1L ($35)
One of Patagonia’s smallest products is also one of their most practical. The mini black hole hip pack is a perfect addition on or off the mountain because it is large enough to carry a phone, keys, a credit card, a piece of gum, and nothing else. The pouch folds into itself, making it perfect for travel, and comes in various sizes. Plenty of fun colors exist so every giftee can have a product that best suits their style.
Tifosi Sunglasses ($54.95)
Sunglasses make for a superb gift, and with their small size, we think they’re pretty great at fitting in a stocking. There is no shortage of quality lenses on the market, but we found Tifosi glasses to be some of our favorites. Their reasonable price point makes them perfect to give as gifts, and they are some of the best-polarized lenses we’ve tested-- perfect for bright and snowy conditions. Tifosi glasses come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and styles, ranging from sport to chic, so there is bound to be a frame to fit everyone on your list.
Various Beanies ($44–$75)
Beanies are the ultimate gift for a skier; they’re versatile, on the smaller size, and there is no limit to style and functionality. And because of the latter, we couldn’t choose just one for this guide, so our top picks for this year come from three different brands. For a fashionista, we recommend the always bright and cheery Aviator Nation. With a mix of pom or no pom hats, patches, and a rainbow of color options, we found their California-made hats to be a surefire winner. For the night owl, we love the L.L. Bean Pathfinder Rechargeable LED Beanie, which is exactly what the name states: a warm fleece-lined beanie with a built-in light. For the serious skier, the Halfdays Merino Wool Beanie is toasty warm and designed for a female head. And if you don’t believe us, check the reviews with write-ins saying the beanie is the softest ever and one reviewer proudly saying, “Never knew I’d feel so strongly about how much I love a beanie, but this one is perfection!”
Ski Socks ($27–$54)
If there’s one thing that skiers will never have enough of, it’s high-quality ski socks, and you can’t go wrong stuffing a stocking with some socks (so long as they aren’t cotton!). Some of our favorite styles and brands are the Smartwool Ski Targeted Cushion sock because over 50 percent of the sock material is made from merino wool, and there are targeted heel and toe areas with added cushion, exactly where you need it. The Thermolite line from Darn Tough is another toasty gift and will keep your giftee’s toes extra warm with an additional layer to the sock. To keep things even toastier, a heated pair of socks is a special gift that anyone who’s ever thawed out their toes in a lodge will appreciate. A budget pick for heated socks is the rechargeable PEEH brand from Amazon.
Dermatone SPF Chapstick ($8.99)
Every skier needs chapstick!! We’re willing to bet this is the most misplaced item on the mountain, so we might as well get ahead of the loss with a brand-new tube of the good stuff. Dermatone makes some of the best chapsticks we’ve tried. It’s unscented, goes on smoothly, and prevents chapping, not to mention it’s also got SPF in it! Best of all, you can use it on your lips, nose, or anywhere else on the face that needs a little more TLC.
Patagonia Gear Patch Kit ($19)
Sometimes, it’s not about giving something new but more about putting life into something old. We recommend a gear patch kit for the giftee who does not want anything. The concept is simple: a band-aid for your garment so you can keep shredding for years. We think that’s pretty rad!
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