The Best Women’s Ski Pants of 2024-2025

During our test laps, 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. New last season, they remain just as rad for the 2024/2025 season.

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 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 II Pants ($120) win for both comfort and classic style as well as a budget price. They are lightweight at under a pound, have internal gaiters, and have adjustable waist tabs, too. Even more, these snow pants are available in XS to XXL, as well as a plus-size run of 1X-3X.

Built for warmth, the Bugaboo pants have 60 grams of synthetic insulation that’s resistant to moisture, so you’ll always have coziness even in a downpour. The fill is made from 85% recycled polyester, which also makes us happy. Beyond the insulation, the pants have fully taped seams to block precipitation. Inside the pant is the Omni-Heat liner, which has silver dots that reflect body heat back to you.

The lower-leg gusset widens thanks to a couple of snaps, so the pant leg can easily slide down over a ski boot neck. To stash your belongings, both of the hand pockets have zip closures. There are another two pockets on the back, as well as a side leg pocket. We also appreciate the belt loops for the option to wear one.

While these lack a couple of key features, such as vents, and we don’t recommend these for backcountry travel, for waterproof snow pants you can’t beat the price. If you’re an occasional skier looking for a pant that can also handle wet, wintry weather while walking the dog or sledding, the Bugaboo II Pants will do the trick. If you’re looking for an economic pair with generous interior leg vents, check out the Eddie Bauer Chair Six Shell Pants, which costs about $100 more but delivers burly lower hem patches.

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 510 g, and the beefy construction is reflected in the cost. Update for 2024, these pants feature an embedded RECCO reflector, an anti-odor treatment, and have been updated with a 80-denier 3-layer ePE GORE-TEX, a PFAS-free textile. And we thought they couldn’t get any better.

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 Sentinel Pant has taped seams and is as durable and as comfortable as ski pants come. They’re a perfect option for mission-oriented and avid skiers that want to invest in a single pair for the long haul. But if you’re looking for a robust pair that’s hardy for wind-worn days at the ski area, but don’t quite need a mountaineering-level design, check out the Rab Women’s Khroma Diffuse GORE-TEX Pants for more than $100 less.

Launched a season ago and unchanged for 2024/2025, 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 Chair Six Shell Pants for the entry price point, all-around simplicity, and performance. You can also snag a matching Eddie Bauer Chair Six Shell Jacket.

Brag-worthy and eco-loaded, we really dig the women’s Picture Exa Pants ($230). 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 2023-2024 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 Exa Pants and Seen 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 in our Best Women’s Ski Jackets buyer’s guide.

The North Face Women’s Freedom Insulated Pants ($200) 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 60 grams of Heatseeker Eco insulation, which is made of 90% 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 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.

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 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.

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 last season and unchanged for 2024/2025 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 Women’s Powderqueen Ski Pants.

Tested on wet resort days, chilly morning ski tours inbounds, and in sunny spring conditions in the high-alpine backcountry, the Black Diamond Recon Stretch LT Pant ($350) is a dependable option for anyone looking for shell pants with a do-it-all attitude at the resort or in the backcountry. 

Seamless in design, these pants are lightweight but offer a few specific elements that make them unique. The built-in ladder lock waist adjustment acts as a fixed belt, adding to their minimalism. However, we found that once the belt is maxed out, the pants do not cinch any tighter as there are no added belt loops. So, if they don’t fit your waist, you’re out of luck. Another tour partner with both options — belt loops and an integrated Velcro cinch — is the Rab Women’s Khroma Diffuse Pants.

That said, the Recon’s ultra-lightweight ripstop fabric is silky-soft and comfortable against the skin on warmer days when opting to forgo a baselayer. Knee-to-thigh ventilation zippers made cooling down on the skin track easy. Though, there’s no mesh backing, which could let in moisture in wetter conditions and mean less privacy. We liked that the larger gaiters and cuffs have a reinforced hem are built with a tough Cordura fabric. 

There’s a small horizontal hip pocket that’s perfect for a ski pass in-resort and some energy gels while off-piste. The right thigh’s dedicated beacon pocket has an elastic cord leash, making accessing and handling a beacon easy. The inside of the pocket has a padded protective layer that guards your leg against the beacon or any other impact. This padding is noticeable compared to the ultra-lightweight ripstop fabric that makes up the rest of the pants. This doesn’t take away from the design but could be a turnoff for someone seeking true minimalism. 

Overall, we liked the Recon LT for being an ultralight and low-profile yet rugged pant. It does the job as a breathable, waterproof shell option with its BD.dry 3-layer face fabric, which is stretchy and great for movement. From the reinforced cuffs to the waterproof zippers, we were constantly impressed with the construction and functional elements of these pants. Though, they do seem to run a little big for smaller skiers. If you’re on the smaller end, the non-insulated Arc’teryx Sentinel Pant has a size 0 with a short 29-inch inseam, whereas the extra-small Recon LT has a 29.5-inch inseam. For anyone else seeking a more technical shell pant that can translate between the backcountry and the resort, these pants will do the trick.

Overhauling its gear with GORE-TEX ePE technology, the 2024/2025 tuned-up Marmot GORE-TEX Lightray Pants ($325) are thermal-regulating for anyone needing a dash of comfort and warmth. These utilitarian pants are 100% seam-taped, and a PFC-free DWR treatment keeps moisture beading on the surface. Despite keeping us cozy in wet weather and temperatures that did not exceed 15 degrees Fahrenheit, we were happily surprised by their general breathability. 

The Lightray women’s ski pants get a bump up in sustainability with the ePE fabric, which has a PFC-free membrane and construction. Albeit lightweight, the PrimaLoft insulation kept us quite toasty, and the interior zippered vents released heat well. But, these vents have no mesh backing, so leaving them open while descending on heavy snow days was not an option. The pants have three zippered, lined pockets including two standard hand pockets and one deeper side pocket on the upper right leg that’s ideal for a cell phone but not designed to carry a beacon. This design also has an embedded RECCO rescue reflector. 

Cordura scuff guards reinforce the cuffs, and the gaiters are wide enough to stretch over any boot we explored in. While there’s good ventilation and gear tester Jessi Hackett found these pants to be breathable; we recommend the Lightray Pants primarily for in-bounds skiing and riding — due to the insulation. That said, we were delighted not to overheat when boot packing terrain at the ski area. So if it was very cold out and you selectively wanted a heftier pant for a frigid day in the backcountry, these pants could do the trick with a 20,000-gram rating for breathability.

With a regular fit, these pants are high-waisted and relaxed, with a slight taper at the knees and a straight cuff opening. We found them to run a little big for petite testers, but they do offer a wide range of waist sizes (24.5 to 38.5 inches) with an adjustable Velcro strap, plus belt loops that assist in achieving a tailored fit.

However, if you’re looking for something more form-fitting, high or shorter in length, these may not be the best choice, as the shortest inseam available is 30 inches. Alternatively, The North Face Women’s Freedom Insulated Pants has an XS size short with a 28.5-inch inseam. All considered, the Lightray’s straightforward design balances waterproofing and breathability while trapping heat. If you’re looking for a thermal-focussed, insulated pant with a relaxed fit these pants fit the bill. 

The streamlined, high-rise Halfdays Alessandra Pant ($275) 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 also like that there’s a small interior hang loop for the end of the day. 

Regardless of getting flurried on the ski lift and heading straight into errands, these pants kept every aspect warm from our hips to our ankles, all day. For 12 hours. This baby is insulated with PrimaLoft Black that’s 100% recycled, and provides the equivalent of 550-fill power, meaning these pants perform well between 0 and 40 degrees, according to the brand. We found that 40 degrees is definitely the upper-end of comfort, especially if it’s sunny and slushy outside, and the insulation certainly kept us warm at 0 degrees. These pants are also 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 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. If you’re looking for a more freeride fit that’s also insulated, check out the Helly Hansen Women’s Powderqueen Ski Pants.

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.

Tester and contributor Mary Murphy 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. We have really loved the insulation, warmth, and great fit of the Switch Cargo Insulated Ski Pants.

Read Review: Helly Hansen Switch Cargo Pant Review: A Durable, Versatile Snow Pant