These 21 Ski Brands Are Piste Perfection

Founded: 1926
City: Garðabær, Iceland
Instagram: @66north
SSENSE says: Founded in 1926 with the purpose of protecting Icelandic fishermen against the extreme conditions of the North Atlantic, 66°North has a legacy built around adverse climates. The label’s updated offering may feature premium down linings and high-tech, breathable fabrics, but the values remain the same as 100 years ago. Aside from ski jackets, 66°North offers high-performance base layers and midlayer fleeces.

Founded: 2011
City: Tokyo, Japan
Instagram: @andwander_official
SSENSE says: and wander’s domination of the outdoor field can be chalked up to its even balance of style and utility. Hailing from Tokyo, the label has risen through the ranks in just over a decade to become as well-respected in performance circles as it is in fashion. Waterproof down jackets are the brand’s bread and butter, making it a prime candidate for some of the best skiing jackets of the season.

Founded: 1979
City: Stoney Creek, Canada
Instagram: @baffinworldwide
SSENSE says: Canada is home to an inordinate amount of brands that offer premium outdoor gear. The country’s harsh conditions make for the ideal testing grounds, and Baffin’s near-invincible boots are proof. Tested in industrial and outdoor scenarios, Baffin boots are certified to take on the worst weather conditions possible with waterproof uppers, multilayer insulation, and treaded sole units. While not designed expressly for it, Baffin boots make some of the best ski boots for avant- and après-ski scenarios.

Founded: 1957
City: Toronto, Canada
Instagram: @canadagoose
SSENSE says: Canada Goose’s pedigree is indisputable. Since 1957, it has outfitted some of the world’s most daring expeditions while remaining a firm favorite in urban environments, too. For those on the hunt for the best ski coats, Canada Goose’s lightweight down linings and waterproof shells are hard to refuse.

Founded: 1935
City: Tokyo, Japan
Instagram: @descente_allterrain
SSENSE says: With roots running all the way back to 1935, Descente ALLTERRAIN is a vanguard in outdoorwear. Innovations such as the label’s Motion 3D fabric and thermal-welded seams position Descente ALLTERRAIN as a leader in technical outerwear. Icons like the Mizusawa Down Jacket exhibit the kind of attention to detail and functionality that defines this label.

Founded: 1950
City: Tokyo, Japan
Instagram: @goldwin_official
SSENSE says: Goldwin has a longer history than most outdoor brands can boast, and the fact that it has remained at the cutting edge of its field for over 70 years is a testament to its powers. Golwin’s timeless design and technical prowess mean that its jackets and apparel are great investments for skiing.

Founded: 1993
City: Stockholm, Sweden
Instagram: @houdinisportswear
SSENSE says: Stockholm-based Houdini makes sure that everything it does is guided by the Swedish principle of friluftsliv—meaning “open-air living.” The brand's sustainability-first mindset plays into this, as do the hard-wearing, technically proficient accessories, coats, and more.

Founded: 1862
City: Seon, Switzerland
Instagram: @mammut_swiss1862
SSENSE says: Labels with histories as long as Mammut’s have usually been through multiple chapters and generations before reaching their current form. For Mammut, what began as a rope-making operation has ended up as one of the most well-respected skiwear brands in the world. Now made from eco-friendly materials, Mammut proves its connection to the wild landscapes that it services with every piece.

Founded: 1952
City: Milan, Italy
Instagram: @moncler
SSENSE says: In 1952, Moncler founder Lionel Terray had started producing a small range of tents, sleeping bags, and jackets when he realized his particular talent for making quilted jackets and focused his effort on outfitting skiers and mountaineers in the following years. In the modern day, Moncler ski jackets exist in the upper echelons of ski style thanks to premium builds and an uncompromising eye for style.

Founded: 2010
City: Milan, Italy
Instagram: @moncler
SSENSE says: Debuting at New York Fashion Week in 2010, Moncler Grenoble takes inspiration from the down jackets worn by the French alpine team at the 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympics, all designed by Moncler. The sublabel caters to a more experimental, style-forward approach while still relying on premium technical constructions to uphold its pedigree on the slopes.

Founded: 1969
City: Montello, Italy
Instagram: @moonboot
SSENSE says: Borrowing technology from astronaut space suits, the cushioned build of Moon Boots is not only cozy and comfortable but also tough against the elements. Available in a range of styles and colorways, Moon Boots have been the unofficial uniform of all the best après-ski parties since 1969.

Founded: 2022
City: Copenhagen, Denmark
Instagram: @norseprojects
SSENSE says: While its parent label caters to a refined, urban Scandi look, Norse Projects ARKTISK exhibits the brand’s technical capabilities to their full extent. Fully waterproof shells with lightweight down linings are the focus while peripheral pieces like waterproof trousers and performance accessories fill out the collection.

Founded: 1975
City: Lake Forest, California, US
Instagram: @oakley
SSENSE says: Oakley sunglasses are perhaps the label’s best-known export, but the full collection deserves a once-over when buying your ski gear. From jackets to ski trousers and practical backpacks, Oakley is an underrated one-stop shop for a ski trip. After all, it’s well-known that there are few better options than Oakley sunglasses for skiing.

Founded: 1967
City: New York, US
Instagram: @ralphlauren
SSENSE says: Ralph Lauren’s legendary name has many facets, from the quiet luxury of Ralph Lauren Purple Label to the outdoor prowess of RLX Ralph Lauren. Still underpinned by the all-American aesthetic that defines anything carrying Lauren’s name, RLX’s close focus on athletic silhouettes and technical protection has made it a firm favorite of skiers with a penchant for classic design that really performs.

Founded: 2015
City: Ferrara, Italy
Instagram: @roahiking
SSENSE says: ROA made a name for itself with a range of style-forward hiking boots. Although its hiking boots remain a defining quality of the Italian label, recent seasons have seen the expansion of a range of apparel. For a label with less than a decade of experience under its belt, the high-performance down jackets and fleeces are truly impressive and promise a very bright future for ROA.

Founded: 1958
City: Sanjo, Japan
Instagram: @snowpeak_official
SSENSE says: Japanese clothing brands have a propensity to garner cult followings like few others, and it’s often down to the kind of considered, highly wearable style that Snow Peak lives by. From camping cutlery to top-tier quilted ski jackets, Snow Peak products are always designed to be used—but that doesn’t mean that they’re not also beautiful.

Founded: 2016
City: Tokyo, Japan
Instagram: @taion0802
SSENSE says: The phrase “ski gear” has become largely synonymous with ski jackets but this shouldn’t be the case. In fact, with the right base and midlayers, buying the right ski jacket becomes a much easier and less important job. TAION is a go-to for lightweight insulation and while it doesn’t yet offer full-blown outerwear, its down liners are the building blocks of a high-functioning winter wardrobe.

Founded: 2017
City: Victoria, Australia
Instagram: @templa_projects
SSENSE says: Templa’s Belgian-Australian roots mean that its collections are as suited to the mountains as they are to the city. High-end, eco-conscious manufacturing sets a strong foundation for the brand’s experimental colorways and washes.

Founded: 1966
City: San Francisco, US
Instagram: @thenorthface
SSENSE says: The North Face has asserted itself as one of the most popular ski brands in the world. Offering a host of reliable ski jackets, salopettes, and accessories, the cherry on top is the price point. The North Face is up there with the most affordable ski gear, which makes it a worldwide household name.

Founded: 2006
City: Tokyo, Japan
Instagram: @whitemountaineering_official
SSENSE says: Lauded in streetwear circles as well as on the pistes of the world’s ski resorts, White Mountaineering®︎ perfectly exhibits what Japan has to offer when it comes to designer puffer jackets. From lightweight GORE-TEX layers to heavy-duty down jackets, the label’s offering caters to style and substance.

Founded: 1910
City: Milan, Italy
Instagram: @zegnaofficial
SSENSE says: While ZEGNA may have crossed your radar because of its überrefined tailoring, it’s worth remembering that this brand originates in the Italian Alps. Alongside luxury cashmere sweaters and world-renowned suits, ZEGNA offers high-end skiwear. You can expect the same kind of exacting eye for detail and no-compromise approach to craftsmanship that has made ZEGNA a pivotal name in the upper echelons of modern luxury fashion.