Best Ski Pants & Bibs of 2027
The 2027 season is shaping up to be a great one for ski and snowboard pants. Whether you’re lapping the resort, chasing powder out of bounds, or sending it in the park, this year’s lineup delivers the same promise: serious weather protection that doesn’t sacrifice comfort. Bibs are still gaining ground, with smarter pocket layouts, better ventilation, and fits that run from slim and sleek to roomy and freeride-ready. Brands have also beefed up the details that matter most, including tougher kick patches, reinforced hems, and drop seats that are actually easy to use. Whatever your terrain, your bottom half can finally keep up with your ambitions. Here are a few picks from our lineup worth your attention.
Best Technical Ski Pants
Technical ski pants and bibs are built to keep you dry, warm, and moving freely, whatever the mountain throws at you. With waterproof, breathable fabrics, taped seams, vents, and reinforced cuffs, they’re made to handle everything from resort laps to powder days out of bounds. For backcountry skiing, the demands go up. Big zippered vents and breathable fabrics keep you comfortable on the climb, while a lighter, slimmer build keeps you efficient uphill and still leaves room to ski hard on the way down. Look for pockets that fit skins and a beacon, and tough cuffs that can handle sharp edges and crampons. Bibs add extra coverage on deep days, while pants offer easy on-and-off and a classic fit. Either way, this is gear that works as hard as you do. Here are a few picks from our lineup worth your attention.
Arc'teryx Men's Sabre Bib Pants
The Sabre Bib is a full-featured hardshell bib for skiers who want serious protection without the bulk of an insulated pant. It uses 3-layer, 80-denier GORE-TEX® ePE with a recycled nylon face and a lo-loft flannel backer, which makes it slightly warmer than a standard hardshell and suits cold chairlift rides and average winter temperatures. Durability is the power play: 100D Cordura PowderCuffs take the daily abuse of boot contact, thigh vents regulate heat, and an articulated fit keeps you nimble on tricky lines. Storage is practical, with a zippered bib pocket and two zippered thigh pockets big enough for gloves, snacks, and a lift pass, and a RECCO® reflector adds avalanche-safety peace of mind. It leans toward resort and freeride use rather than ultralight touring, but we love the materials and durable features that keep up with hard daily use.
Norrona Women's Lofoten GORE-TEX Pants
The Women's Lofoten GORE-TEX Pants are a rugged, easygoing freeride shell for skiers who want real protection on the everyday. It moves suprisingly well for a 3-layer GORE-TEX® shell. Like the jacket, it is rated at 28,000 mm waterproof, is totally windproof, and fully taped, so storms and soggy chairlift rides aren't a problem. It delievers on all the technical features —the reinforced lower legs prevent boot and edge damage, and the snow gaiters and snap-adjustable hems keep slush and powder out. long side vents for a quick cool down, and the articulated knees and seat let you move freely when the terrain gets gnarly. Another plus is that the waist adjusts easily, and they zip into Norrona's bib and powder skirt for deep days. They're not the lightest pick for long skin tracks, but for resort and freeride days with a little backcountry mixed in, we love how well they hold up.
Best Resort Ski Pants
Resort ski pants and bibs are built for the chairlift laps, lodge breaks, and long days on groomers, moguls, and in the park. With waterproof, breathable fabrics, and insulation options for everything from bluebird spring days to frigid midwinter mornings, they keep you comfortable from first chair to last. Look for handy details like zippered vents for warm afternoons, boot gaiters that seal out snow, and cargo pockets that hold your pass, phone, and snacks. Fit matters here too, with options ranging from slim and tailored to relaxed and baggy, so you can pick the look and movement that suits your style. Bibs add extra coverage and a cozy, snow-proof feel on deep days, while pants offer easy on-and-off for those quick bathroom breaks. Either way, this is gear that keeps up with you all day and here are a few standouts we love this year.
Helly Hansen Men's Alpha Insulated Pants
Some pants try to do everything, but the Alpha keeps it simple: stay warm, stay dry, and don't get in your way. A fully sealed HELLY TECH Professional shell handles the wet stuff, and a thin 40g layer of PrimaLoft Black Eco handles the cold, so you get warmth without the marshmallow feel. Four-way stretch and articulated knees go along for the ride, vent zippers open when the sun comes out, and built-in gaiters keep snow out of your boots. It's all wrapped in a clean, classic look that doesn't shout. Reinforced lower legs, a RECCO reflector, and an adjustable waist cover the practical side, and at 670 g there's nothing to fuss with. Pull them on, ski all day, and don't worry about a thing.
Obermeyer Women's Malta Pants
A reliable resort pant that's earned its spot as one of Obermeyer's best-sellers, and now we know why. Here's what's to love. First the HydroBlock® Sport fabric keeps you dry through wet, heavy snow, while Thermore® insulation strikes a nice balance — warm enough for cold lift rides without overheating once you're moving. The Ski Contour™ articulation lets you move freely through turns, and the adjustable, fleece-lined waistband keeps snow from sneaking in on powder days. And the fit is overall very flattering and easily pairs with a baggier outerwear coat or a more fashion-forward ski coat. At the end of the day it's a dependable ski pant that delivers on performance while staying easy on the wallet.
Best Luxury Ski Pants
Luxury ski pants and bibs prove that top-tier performance and standout style can live in the same piece of gear. Built with premium waterproof, breathable fabrics, they’re often finished with details you won’t find on standard gear: sleek tailored cuts, soft stretch materials, quality zippers, and refined touches like cashmere-feeling linings or insulated panels that keep you warm without the bulk. These pieces look just as good at the lodge as they do on the lift, and they’re built to handle a full day on the mountain just as well as their technical counterparts. Either way, this is gear that proves you don’t have to choose between looking sharp and staying comfortable. Here are the top picks from our team.
KJUS Men's Formula Snow Pants
Kjus has made the Formula Pant its best seller, and now we know why. It has a regular fit and mid rise, with four-way stretch fabric and articulated knees for freedom of movement through sharp turns. Waterproof Toray Dermizax fabric and a DWR finish keep you dry, and Fast Thermo Core insulation gives lightweight warmth that helps regulate body temperature when it’s cold. Snow gaiters, adjustable Velcro waistband, and thigh vents round out the details. They’re made for skiers who want proven performance and a clean, classic look, from first chair to après.
Goldbergh Women's Pippa Ski Pants
With its sleek, slightly flared leg and high-waisted fit, the Goldbergh Pippa Pant is a modern take on the classic stretch ski pant you’d see in the Alps. It’s cut from a three-layer Schoeller softshell with four-way stretch, so it moves with you, and it’s windproof, water-repellent and breathable. A soft bonded fleece lining adds warmth without bulk, and the slim, tailored fit is comfortable all day. Practical touches include internal snow gaiters, lower leg zippers for easy boot access and a detachable belt. These are pants for skiers who want to feel confident on the first run and just as good at lunch on the terrace, and they’re built to be worn season after season.