14 best women’s ski pants for 2023/2024 that will keep you warm and dry

Our pick of the ski pant pack for this winter is Planks’s roamer, which we reckon is nigh-on the perfect bib salopette, and should suit most female skiers and boarders. A comfortable, flexible and flattering fit hugs the female form and feels freeing to move in all day long.

A highly waterproof 20,000mm membrane and high-cut bib keep snow firmly on the outside of your trousers and there’s even an “escape hatch” so you can pop for a pee without taking the bib off fully. The roamer is made with 100 per cent recycled polyester, so it’s a more eco pick than most.

There are a lot of high-performing but eye-wateringly pricy salopettes designs on the market, but if you’re a beginner skier or tend to head on a snow sports holiday just once or twice a year, there’s really no need to go for the spendiest snow pants on sale.

TOG24’s collection of women’s salopettes are some of our favourites when it comes to comfort and fit, and their glaze salopette is an ideal first snow pant. It’s waterproof enough to take on snowfall, insulated enough to keep you cosy on chilly chair lifts, and features braces and an adjustable high waist for a comfy and flattering fit.

Helly Hansen’s switch cargo is ready for subzero temperatures. A relaxed, baggier cut is super-comfortable and easy to layer over thermals but still traps in plenty of warmth, which coupled with a generous helping of 100 per cent recycled PrimaLoft® black eco insulation makes these pants ideal for the coldest conditions.

The switch cargos are a shade too warm for spring ski sessions, although wide vents do help with cooling off, and they come into their own in deep snowfall, keeping you totally dry. If you like your ski kit to be matchy-matchy, you’ll appreciate the seven colourways on offer.

Shopping for salopettes on a budget? One of our top picks for under £100 is Mountain Warehouse’s moon II. This slimmer design will suit skiers who are after a streamlined fit, and some thoughtful design has gone into this ski pant, which is stretchy and forgiving to wear, with a great snug high waist. The moon II is true to size and fits well over base layers, with a flattering slim cut – ideal if you don’t like bulky or baggy snow sports kit.

There’s enough insulation to keep you comfy on more casual skis, but the moon II isn’t waterproof enough to withstand a blizzard – wear it on dry days.

Fancy standing out in the snow? OOSC’s whole collection is as eye-catching as it is functional. We also love the fit of this yeh girl bib, which is on the slim side without looking too figure-hugging. The pants offers good flexibility of movement at the hips and knees, though curvy women may need to go for a size up.

Not only can its 20,000mm of waterproofing withstand a scurry of snow, but these pants are also fully recycled, using a material made from discarded fishing nets. Plus, if you want to go matchy-matchy, OOSC sells colour-coordinating jackets and base layers.

Great bib pants are often eye-wateringly expensive – unless you decide to shop at Decathlon, that is. We were really impressed with the French brand’s not-very-excitingly-named FR900 on test – this pant is so waterproof that snow just brushes off the surface.

Tough trousers coupled with a stretchy waist make it easy to move about, though it’s a pity this bib doesn’t feature more of a high dungaree cut. It’s also breathable enough to work all season long – just add a thicker base layer pant underneath in the depths of winter. The FR900 even has a RECCO reflector built in. A bib to suit skiers of all levels for a decent price.

The U62 is, quite simply, a brilliant bib – on test we loved the dungaree styling and the fit, which is adjustable and features a stretchy Lycra back panel. This pant is also highly waterproof at 20,000mm and very breathable – ideal if you’re going further than the pistes into the backcountry and are working up a sweat while you do so.

All the extra details we usually look for are here, including taped seams, well-placed pockets (we like the chest pocket for storing a phone) and snow gaiters. The U62 isn’t insulated, but teamed with good thermals, it’ll work for most winter conditions, although it’s still on the heavy side at 900g.

While we’ll always put performance before looks when buying ski gear, we have to compliment the U62’s smart utility styling, and we love the neutral shades it’s available in.

Dreaming of big mountains and deep snow? Arc’teryx reckons its sentinel is “made for epic days”. Storm protection comes from hardcore Gore-Tex fabric, which is the holy grail of waterproof and breathable. This is a shell pant, but a soft, thin liner feels nicer than most plastic-y pants against the skin, and the lack of insulation makes this bib ideal if you’re a more experienced skier planning backcountry adventures where you don’t want to overheat.

We love the cut and comfy, unrestrictive fit of the sentinel bib, and the tan colourway is rather gorgeous. A RECCO reflector is included.

If you favour a salopette over a bib pant, our pick of the trousers is The North Face’s summit stimson. This salopette is surprisingly soft, flexible and comfortable against the skin, and the slim cut and high waist keeps your torso warm (and dry if you take a tumble).

The summit stimson has good adjustable cuffs with kick panels and deep pockets that take a phone or a lift map. The adjustable shoulder straps are quite thin, so we’d pick another design if you like using braces, and while the waist has some stretch it isn’t fully adjustable, so check you’ve got the right fit.

The snug highland summit uses a layer of insulation plus Columbia’s own-brand Omni-Heat thermal reflective lining, effectively trapping in body heat and making this bib pleasingly cosy as soon as you pop it on, all without feeling too bulky to move in.

On test we found this design was waterproof enough to withstand deep snow, and flexible enough to suit more advanced skiers and boarders heading to the park or off-piste.

We’d pick the black over the cream or blue colourways, which could look dirty quickly.

Hang loose in Roxy’s super-comfortable Nadia, which sits lower on the hips than most ski pants and has a flexible, roomy fit that’s ideal for layering up underneath. The Nadia ticks all the boxes with plentiful pockets, decent waterproofing and adjustable gaiters, and the smart, neutral colourways are likely to match your current ski kit nicely.

The Nadia has middleweight insulation that should suit more casual skiers and boarders, but won’t provide enough warmth for the chilliest of winter days. A short version is also available, ideal for petite snow sports fans.

Out in the elements all day, every day? Invest in 66 North’s hardcore Hornstrandir pants for skiing, mountaineering, guiding or working in the toughest weather conditions.

These nigh-on indestructible bibs, designed in Iceland, are waterproofed with Gore-Tex to a whopping 28,000mm (nothing’s getting through that) and have reinforced panels on the rear, knees and sides of the legs. Adjustable braces and cuffs make it easy to get a snug fit. There’s no insulation here, so you’ll need a thermal base layer underneath.

A great all-rounder you can wear daily in the mountains – worth investing in if you spend all winter working outdoors.

Proving that it’s not just the poshest brands that are using more sustainable methods to make ski wear, Dare 2 B has launched the effused II, made with 100 per cent recycled polyester sourced from used plastic bottles.

These pants may be on the basic side and aren’t waterproof enough to tackle deep powder, but they are water-resistant enough to work for ski holidays or your first lessons. They’re also breathable and comfortable, with decent articulated knees and well-fitting braces.

A good, affordable pick for beginner to intermediate skiers and boarders keen to choose a planet-friendly design.