The 5 Ski & Snowboard Gear Updates For Winter 2026

HIGH FIVE

Head-to-toe spanking new ski outfit, this winter? Only if you're arriving by heli in Gstaad or Aspen and are, thus, completely deaf to saving the planet - and snow.

It's not ecologically cool, let alone economically viable to buy totally new every winter, especially if you ski for one or two weeks a season, when ski or snowboard gear can last a decade. And, arguably, because of sloth-speed ski and snowboard style changes, it still doesn't look outdated.

Notably, weatherproofed fabrics, these days, are not going to be coated in PFCs, forever chemicals, and should be more sustainably sourced, but ditching your old outerwear because of this would be defeating the planet-saving object as in creating waste and polluting landfills.

So repair if you can and replace if necessary, this season, with these key five items of ski and snowboard wear that add both performance and style to your kit.

Main Image: Montec 2026

1) GOGGLE SUNGLASSES

If you sat on your aviators or dropped your wrap-arounds, buy these new google sunglasses to gain style kudos. As in the cycling world, sunglasses have become super-sized so they're not only stylish but also extremely practical offering a wider view and protection for your eyes in snow and sun.

The Wildcat Performance Sunglasses (above) come with two large lenses, which combine ChromaPop and contrast enhancement with light-responsive PhotoChromic tech. They are also designed to integrate with Smith helmets for a gap free fit and fog-free riding.

With around 15-25 percent of people breaking their sunglasses annually, up to 40 percent experiencing lens scratching due to carelessness and many a pair dropped from the chairlift, it's worth keeping sunglasses safe and out of already plastic-overloaded waste. Also, wise to buy replacement lenses, available in various colours.

2) COORDINATED JACKET AND PANTS

If you need to replace jacket and pants, buying them both at once from the same brand makes sense. But for years it's been uncool to be matchy matchy unless you're a ski instructor. Now co-ords are being offered by more and more brands and, actually carry a lot of style cred.

We've been fans of Montec (main article image) and their signature coordinated styling for a few seasons (you can actually create you own outfit online using their 'style creator'). And, yep, it gets even better from Montec, this winter, as they've seriously reduced the guilt-trip of buying more gear, saving us money along with the planet with their 'Renewed' line of refurbished jackets and pants, restored so they’re like new and ready for action at nearly half the original price. Read more here.

We're, also loving SCOTT's latest Freeride line (above), combining style and performance, in a totally cool upselling way, making it hard not to buy jacket and pants together, even if you didn't really need both.

3) PINK

There's often one hot colour for the season - and this winter it's pink. Yep, for guys as well. But, then, real mountain men are no strangers to pink having ridden pink Corvus Big Mountain Black Crows for years.

So if you need a new ski or snowboard jacket, think pink. Significantly Swedish double-back-flipping-off-cliffs freerider, Max Palm, who came to fame in the Freeride World Tour, thought pink would be perfect to launch his collab with Peak Performance (above).

Not saying you have to replace all your kit with Barbiecore but think pink if you need a new jacket that's going to make you stand out in the powder bowl, this winter. Especially if you're a guy.

Pink also makes a splash in Dope's eye-socking Doodle snowboard wear (above), which guarantees we'll be able to spot you in a white out.

4) UNDER SHORTS

Not necessarily replacing thermals because in Baltic conditions you'll want to wear both, but a pair of down quilted long johns with side zips, as above from Peak Performance, is the one item you'll want to add to your ski gear, if you haven't discovered them already.

Worn under shell ski pants they are the secret undercover agents, perfect for gnarctic cold days.

5) BOA SYSTEM SKI BOOTS

If you need new ski boots then dial in to the latest Boa-fastening system. Buckles will soon be as outdated as leather laces for ski boots. The BOA® Fit System gives an overall more even fit and pressure, locking in the heel, eliminating unwanted movement, although it has to be said pro skiers, often still prefer to be able to make localised adjustments with buckles,

Worth noting that, according to BOA®, their system increases power transfer from boot to ski by up to 6 percent and improves stability and control during turns by up to 10 percent.

Image above: Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 XTD BOA.

STYLE ALTITUDE has no affiliate arrangement with any brand or retailer and will not profit from any sales made through links in this feature.