Choosing wintersports pants

At Snowcountry, you’ll find winter sports pants for freeriding, (tour) skiing, snowboarding, and splitboarding. We distinguish four types of pants:

• 2L shell
• 3L shell
• Softshell
• Insulated pants

Technical high-quality winter sports pants

We mainly focus on the 3L hardshells. These are technical winter sports garments of the highest quality for demanding conditions. The 3L shell pants protect you from wind, rain, and snow, but do not have insulation to keep you warm. To add warmth and for extra comfort against your skin, you can pair the pants with a baselayer, and optionally, a midlayer.

2L vs 3L shell pants

Unlike a 3L, a 2L shell has an insulated or mesh inner layer that provides extra comfort. It’s a loose, non-removable layer. While this layer is not actual insulation, it does add some warmth. However, a drawback is that you can’t remove the layer when it gets warm.

Softshell pants

We also offer a selection of softshell pants. Softshell pants are popular in alpine sports and are also suitable for touring later in the season in dry, fair weather. The material is highly comfortable, providing plenty of freedom of movement and a nice feel against your skin, so you don’t need a baselayer. The downside of softshell is that the material is not 100% waterproof, which means less protection against rain and snow. This makes softshell pants less suitable for freeriding, snowboarding, and skiing in more wintery conditions.

Insulated winter sports pants

Insulated winter sports pants are most often seen with skiers and snowboarders. The insulation provides extra warmth, making these pants suitable for cold temperatures. If it gets too warm, however, you can’t remove the insulation layer. The waterproofing of insulated winter sports pants varies by product, so check the product description for details.

*Within 3L shell, there are differences in material thickness, which affect durability, weight, and flexibility. For example, a shell pro is the most durable, while an active or light shell is lightweight and flexible.

Are you skiing, snowboarding, or touring?

To choose the right winter sports pants, it's important to know what you’ll be doing. If you’re skiing or snowboarding, you’ll want to stay warm and protected from wind, rain, and snow. But if you’re splitboarding or ski touring, you’ll want to avoid overheating and wear clothing with ventilation options. To make it easier, you can filter by activity in our webshop. Below, we also explain the differences and what to look for when buying.

Ski pants vs. snowboard pants

There is generally no difference between ski and snowboard pants. The difference is mainly in style, fit, and brand identity. Snowboarders and freeriders often prefer a “baggy” style, while skiers on the slopes choose more fitted ski pants. Brand identity is usually the deciding factor. A snowboarder is unlikely to choose a brand marketed as a ski brand, and vice versa. It's important to pick a style and fit that suits you and makes you feel good.

Pants for ski touring and splitboarding

If you’re going ski touring or splitboarding, we recommend looking at pants designed specifically for that. The thickness of a shell for touring is slightly different, making the material more flexible and lightweight with high breathability. Additionally, touring pants usually have more side zippers for ventilation, allowing you to easily release heat during the physical effort of climbing uphill.

Bib winter sports pants

Ski or snowboard pants with a bib rise higher, providing better protection against snow. Bib pants are popular among backcountry skiers and snowboarders. In deep powder snow, a bib is practically essential! If you want a bib but worry it may be too warm on sunny days, there are also winter sports pants with a removable bib.

Attention, ladies: something useful to know!

Bib pants with suspenders usually have a long zipper along the hip down the thigh on one or both sides, allowing easy bathroom breaks without having to remove the suspenders.
This applies to men as well, but these pants typically also include a fly.

Suspenders or belt

If you want to prevent your pants from slipping down, choose winter sports pants with suspenders or use a belt. In our webshop, you’ll find high-quality belts with stretch, keeping the pants securely in place without constricting. Most bib pants come with suspenders.

All belts and suspenders

Ventilation zippers

Do you warm up quickly, or are you going ski touring or splitboarding? Then it’s helpful to look for winter sports pants with ventilation zippers. Many touring pants have a side zipper that can open completely, which is ideal in warm conditions! Some pants also have a thigh ventilation zipper for added cooling.

RECCO Rescue System

Nowadays, more and more clothing is equipped with a RECCO reflector. This system is used globally by most rescue organizations. If you get lost or caught in an avalanche, the reflector makes you easier to locate with a detector. A RECCO reflector is permanently attached to the clothing, requires no battery, and is always “on”.

NOTE: A RECCO Rescue System does not replace essential avalanche gear when going off-piste. With an avalanche beacon, probe, and shovel, you can take immediate action to rescue someone trapped under the snow before rescue teams arrive.

Pocket for avalanche beacon

An avalanche beacon is typically worn in a provided harness directly under your jacket. It can also be placed in your pants if there’s a dedicated pocket for it. If you’d like winter sports pants with a pocket for an avalanche beacon, you can easily filter for this in our webshop. If not used for your beacon, the pocket is also handy for your phone.

Snowcountry tips

Planning to buy winter sports pants? Think carefully about your intended activities. For example, if you’re looking for touring pants, you’ll want a flexible, lightweight pair with high breathability, like a 3L shell light. If you also want to use the same pants for skiing or snowboarding in midwinter, consider a “regular” 3L shell. This pair is a bit heavier, still highly breathable, and more versatile.

Need help choosing the best winter sports pants?

Not sure which winter sports pants are the best fit for your activities? Feel free to contact our customer service. They’re happy to help you find the winter sports pants that best