We don’t want to be party poopers but if we're not careful, Christmas can be a time of single-use — from table crackers to wrapping paper and bows to gifts that are used once and forgotten. Finding sustainable Christmas gifts for ski lovers that won’t break the bank or the planet isn’t easy — but we’ve compiled a few suggestions here from our favourite items. We’ve been careful to ensure all materials in these ski gifts are natural, recycled or recyclable, made in the UK where possible and that they promote reuse and help cut down waste. To be really sustainable though, what about an experiential gift or even rental of ski kit for a week?

HERE'S OUR TOP 10 IDEAS:

 

Powderhound water bottle

£29.99

The best way to cut down the use of plastic bottles and cups is to take your water with you. Available in red or black, with classic Powderhound silhouetted skiers design, this stainless steel, BPA-free water bottle will help keep skiers hydrated on the slopes and save money, too. The bottle, by Mizu, is 500ml and comes with a handy lid to attach to a backpack.

 Ten sustainable Christmas gifts for skiers

Personalised wooden ski marker,

The Alphabet Gift Shop

£24.00

Made from wood, these personalised piste marker are a fun wall ornament and a brilliant way to remember a special ski holiday. The markers come in green, blue, red and black can be personalised with the place, number and name of your choice. Hang on the wall and remember amazing times on the slopes all year round.

 Ten sustainable Christmas gifts for skiers

Junior ski or snowboard group lesson at The Snow Centre

£63 for 90 minutes

Give the gift of skiing! Why not buy the teenager in your life a snowboard group lesson at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead. Gift vouchers are valid for one year from the date of issue — so your teen can take the lesson at any point and book themselves online. Print off the gift voucher from the Snow Centre’s website and fill in with a code when you buy online. Lessons for younger children and adults are available, too.

 

Powderhound Christmas bauble gift set

£60

A long-lasting gift that will bring a touch of Alpine magic to your recipient’s Christmas tree every year, this set of four fine-bone china Christmas baubles feature Powderhound’s classic skier designs has been designed, manufactured and decorated in the UK. Also available as singles, from £16, and why not look at the Powderhound range of mugs and washbags, too.

Ten sustainable Christmas gifts for skiers

A week’s rental of Patagonia ski touring kit from EcoSki.co.uk

£74.57

Is your loved-one trying something new on the slopes this year? Going away for their first ski touring trip perhaps and don't own any lightweight ski kit? Buying a new Patagonia ski jacket and pants will set you back hundreds, but renting is easy on the pocket and the planet. Eight day’s rental of a Patagonia Ascensionist men’s jacket costs £37.86 and Patagonia Snow Guide men’s softshell pants £36.71. Why not add an avalanche bag? An Ortovox Ascent 30 Avabag costs £93.29 for eight days (compared with £600 to buy).

 Ten sustainable Christmas gifts for skiers

Wooden sunglasses, Dewerstone

 £49.95

Ski accessories have traditionally been made in plastic but now there’s no need — Devon-based firm Dewerstone sells a range of wooden and plant-based acetate sunglasses, all of which have polarized lenses, come with a proper cleaning bag, two-year warranty and crash replacement policy. If that’s not sustainable enough for you, all sunglasses are certified Climate Neutral, a tree is planted with every sale and donation given to 1% for the Planet.

Aside from that — they look extremely sharp on the slopes and the beach.

 Ten sustainable Christmas gifts for skiers

Powderhound

Alphabet Ski Mug

£16

Made in one of the last remaining potteries in Stoke on Trent, these personalised Alphabet Ski Mugs will brighten up anyone’s tea break and bring mountain memories straight to your kitchen. Miniature skiers in Powderhound’s signature skier and snowboarder design spell out your chosen initial on the front and back. The mugs are dishwasher safe and designed and decorated in the UK — we think they’re the perfect stocking filler for everyone in the family.

 Ten sustainable Christmas gifts for skiers

EcoSki Insulated Snack Pack

£72.99

Everything the ski lover needs for snacks on the go. This set includes a Picture Organic Asbury 450ml insulated tumbler for coffee, tea and hot chocolate, the stainless steel Black+Blum 750ml, 100% leakproof insulated water bottle to keep drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours and a Black+Blum sandwich box. This fab 1.25L stainless steel lunch box has a bamboo lid with natural anti-bacterial properties that doubles as a chopping board.

 

Ten sustainable Christmas gifts for skiers 

Pelotan SPF30 roll-on 50ml sunscreen 

£10

Another fab stocking filler, this high-performance “once-a-day” no-mess, clear, breathable sun protection has been designed by Olympians for athletes and is used by the British Triathlon team. Specifically designed for high-intensity sports where skin must breath and will sweat, Pelotan is also available as a 200ml spray for £20 — so we think it’s reasonably priced, too.

Free from parabens, preservatives and oxybenzones which cause skin reactions, Pelotan has not been tested on animals and every sale donates 1% for the Planet. In 2020, Pelotan also became one of the first companies in the world to be certified ‘plastic positive’.

 Ten sustainable Christmas gifts for skiers

Ski Train mountain art, Powderhound

From £40

What can be more sustainable than a gift that will sit on the wall all year round, for years to come, reminding your loved one of the mountains? This original modern photography ski print by Powderhound founder, photographer Natasha Durlacher, is available framed or unframed, and in two sizes. There are host of other prints to choose from, too — featuring photographs, art and beautiful scenes from the mountains. The perfect gift for skier homes.

 

If you need any more ski-themed gift ideas, check out Powderhound’s gift page for further inspiration.

 

Ten sustainable Christmas gifts for skiers

 

 

 

 

December 02, 2021 — Tim Hall