The Best Gifts for Snowboarders

No snowboard has earned more hype over the last few years than the Lib Tech T. Rice Orca, and our snowboard experts affirm every bit of buzz is well deserved. The award-winning Lib Tech is volume-shifted, meaning it’s shorter and fatter than standard snowboards. This condensed design allows snowboarders to ride shorter lengths than normal, increasing maneuverability while maintaining or even amplifying float in deep snow. Factor in a colossal, anti-gravitational nose; an agile, stout and aggressively kicked tail; and an easily engaged rocker pocket between the feet, and the Orca is a buoyant apex predator born to prowl in powder.

What elevates this dynamic deck above relatively single-minded powder craft? Versatility. Serrated edges grip ice like polar bear claws, while a 7-meter sidecut improves nimbleness in tight trees. Camber beneath the bindings supplies powerful pop, edge hold and stability. Long story short (and fat)? The Orca is a rare powder shape that’s fun on groomers and trustworthy in sketchy steeps, making it an ideal addition to any intermediate-and-up rider’s arsenal.

Simultaneously easy to ride yet hard-charging, the Jones Dream Weaver Snowboard is a dream deck for riders who want one board that can do it all. A poplar core is laminated with biax fiberglass—a simple, tried-and-true construction that gives the shape a beginner- and intermediate-friendly mid-soft flex pattern. The directional shape has a slight taper, meaning the nose is a touch wider than the tail, a design feature that improves float in powder. Wavy edges provide grip in icy steeps, while a deep, nimble sidecut begets surfy slashing and a setback hybrid camber profile balances float in deep snow with precision, power and edge-hold on hardpack. Our favorite design element is the brand's 3D Contour Base, which adds subtle concavity to the nose and tail. This spoon-like curvature facilitates effortless, fluid edge-to-edge transitions, makes it harder to accidentally catch an edge and solidifies the Dream Weaver as a spot-on gift for progressing riders or cruisy all-mountain women.

If the snowboarder on your list is an intermediate and above resort rider who gravitates toward top-of-the-line gear, consider the hypercharged Super D.O.A, from Capita. The shape is identical to that of the original, award-winning D.O.A. (Defenders of Awesome), but the Super D.O.A. is built in Capita's most futuristic and lightweight construction.

The core is crafted from poplar, paulownia and beech, which is reinforced with thermopolymer channels sourced from recycled plastic bottles. This sci-fi-status core isn't just significantly lighter than that of the original D.O.A., it's also a touch stiffer and more responsive, making this board better suited for harder-charging and heavier riders.

Speed demons will also appreciate the Capita's exclusive HyperDrive ADV base-a sintered, ultra-speedy, anti-friction base that's blessed with a race-ready tune job before it leaves "The Mothership." For those unfamiliar, The Mothership is the brand's one-of-a-kind, sustainably powered board-building headquarters in Austria, and it's just one more reason we love Capita boards.

For decades, "high-performance step-in binding" has been an oxymoron. Not anymore. The game-changing, all-mountain Supermatic binding from Nidecker pairs the standard two-strap design snowboard purists love with ingenious rear-entry highback technology. That enables snowboarders to strap in quickly without bending over or, more importantly, sacrificing downhill performance. 

So, how does it work? The Supermatic’s asymmetrical highbacks fold backward, inviting riders to kick boots in place. A heel pedal subsequently triggers the highback to lift and lock in ride mode, making transitions easy-peasy. Exiting the binding is similarly simple thanks to a quick-release lever. That said, if conditions, terrain, a spicy line or technical trick demand you tweak binding tightness further, the Supermatic’s boot-gripping toe and ankle straps can be adjusted like those on a conventional two-strap binding. While this binding is a smart gift for intermediate riders and up who value both convenience and performance, it isn’t ideal for gram-counters, as the Supermatic is on the heavy side of the binding spectrum.

A longtime favorite, the REI Co-op Gauntlet GTX Gloves will earn two thumbs up from any rider. Warmth and mobility are mission-critical on the mountain, as cold, numb hands can send a would-be shredder straight to the lodge for a cup of cocoa and a case of FOMO. With that in mind, hook the snowboarder on your list up with these windproof, waterproof paw protectors. Fleece linings supply woolly warmth, high cuffs keep powder at bay, and leather palms minimize abrasions—consider the gift gauntlet thrown.

DAKINE dove headfirst into the helmet game this winter with the debut of the Daytripper Snow Helmet. We’re big fans of the classic silhouette and minimal brimin not to mention the subtle wildflower graphic that pops against the matte black colorway. That's style we expect from the surf and snow juggernaut. But good looks only get you so far on the slopes. For your noggin's sake, DAKINE stuck to an industry-standard helmet construction, pairing an injection-molded hardshell with a 100% recycled EPS foam liner. The Daytripper also features a reliable magnetic chin strap for one-handed unbuckling and a dial adjuster for a snug, secure fit. Ventilation comes courtesy of 10 well-positioned vents for passive front-to-back airflow. All things considered, it’s a stellar, stoke-worthy debut from a storied name in snowsports.

Snowboarders who appreciate classic style will be stoked to unwrap the Smith Squad ChromaPop Snow Goggles. The wide, cylindrical lens is set into a semi-frameless goggle, oozing timeless flair while providing boarders with peripherals needed to scope out oncoming skiers and trees. The anti-fog hydrophobic lens features ChromaPop tech, which enhances clarity and contrast. Each goggle comes with two lenses: a darker-tinted option for sunny days and a low-light one for stormy conditions. To swap, just peel away the frame and pop the new lens in place. A cylindrical shape supplies an expansive field of view and classic style. This version is ideal for people with medium-size faces, but consider these Squad options in an X-Large, X-Large - Low Bridge Fit and Women's Small, Women's Small - Low Bridge Fit.

For riders who want to jam out to their favorite tracks while making fresh tracks, the Smith Aleck Nunchucks Wireless Audio is the way to go. Designed to fit inside audio-compatible helmet ear pads, these Bluetooth headphones offer the best on-slope sound we've heard yet. The controls are easy to operate with a gloved hand, allowing you to quickly pause music or answer a call on the chair (an especially helpful feature when playing hooky on a powder day). The headphones are also compatible with the Aleck app (available on iOS and Android), which enables walkie-talkie-like communication among groups over cell networks.

Every snowboarder knows that the early bird gets the turn on a powder day, so that makes the First Chair GTX Jacket from REI Co-op a thoughtful gift for riders who live for frosty mornings and storm warnings. Durable, dynamic two-layer GORE-TEX ePE waterproof/breathable laminate defends against precipitation and wicks away unwelcome perspiration. The fit is generous enough to accomodate a mid layer, and it features like pit zips, a lift pass pocket on the left wrist, a goggle pouch and a helmet-friendly hood that make the First Chair our first pick for any rider chasing first tracks.

Tired of your riding partner taking hot cocoa breaks on chilly powder days? Give a gift that'll keep them ripping all day long. The Exa Insulated Jacket from Picture Organic Clothing has a 20K/20K waterproof/breathable membrane, ensuring you're protected from powder (assuming, of course, that Mother Nature cooperates). The face fabric incorporates the brand's circular polyester, too, which is sourced from fabric off-cuts and used clothing. Targeted insulation (60 grams in the body and sleeves, 40 grams in the hood) boosts warmth on frosty days, and thanks to the breathability of the membrane and ventilating pit zips, the Exa is still wearable in balmier temps.

Shopping for a little skiier or rider? Deck them out with unisex, winter-ready outerwear from Hootie Hoo that performs as well as it looks. The Vermont brand crafted the Pinnakle 2L Insulated Jacket and Bib Snow Pants from 100% recycled, four-way stretch polyester reinforced with a 20K/8K waterproof/breathable membrane that holds up from the classroom to ski school. A PFC-free durable water repellent coating adds extra protection for precipitation and powder turns. And the kit is stain- and oil-resistant, too—a source of relief if base lodge chili dogs are on the menu. Hootie Hoo also stuffed each piece with PrimaLoft® Silver synthetic insulation for welcome warmth on chilly days.

Hootie Hoo was founded by an outdoor-loving mom, and that parental perspective is especially obvious when you take into account our favorite feature of this outerwear kit: the Owlet-Let-Out System. Both the sleeves of the jacket and the pant legs of the bibs extend by about two inches, so rapidly growing groms can enjoy the outerwear for multiple seasons.

Customizable, comfortable and built to shred inbounds and out, Vans’ women-specific Luna Ventana Pro Snowboard Boots are a go-to for indiscriminate all-mountain rippers. The medium-flexing boots sport a hybrid lacing system that consists of reliable traditional laces from toe to shin, a power strap over the cuff and a BOA dial that wraps around the calf and instep for fine-tuning fit and flex. The powercuff strap adds responsiveness when cinched down, or you can pop it open for a surfier ride feel or more range of motion on the skintrack. You can even adjust the positioning of the BOA wrap thanks to the brand's Custom Slide Guide, further dialing in heel hold and board feel.

Factor in V2 PopCush footbeds (some of the best stock insoles in the business), a lightweight foam midsole and rugged, waffled outsole, and the Luna Ventana Pro absorbs joint-jolting impacts without breaking a sweat. The anti-stink, merino-lined, heat-moldable boot liners (a collaboration with sister brand Smartwool) ensure you can ride comfortably from bell to bell. If you’re shopping for a snowboarder who wants to ride hard all day and come home without blisters or bruises, look no further.

Many Vans pros swear by the all-mountain Infuse—and we get it. Between the comfy, heat-moldable liners and a comprehensive hybrid lacing system, fine-tuning the fit of the Infuse is a dream. Traditional laces provide an old-school feel, while a zippered shroud protects the lower laces from snow, ice and general wear and tear. A BOA dial cinches the liner in place and supplies unparalleled heel hold. Finally, a VELCRO® cuff strap ramps up responsiveness for sketchy straightlines and full-throttle freeriding. If you’re touring or bootpacking, releasing the strap also loosens up the boot and facilitates a more natural stride.

Superb lacing and fit aside, customizable flex elevates the Infuse to the next level. A pair of removable, high-rebound tongue stiffeners are included in each boot. Speed-demon freeriders will cherish the stiffeners from day one, as they provide more backbone and reliability at speed out of the box. Backcountry cruisers, on the other hand, may prefer to ditch the stiffeners for softer, surfier vibes. All-mountain freestylers can experiment, keeping one stiffener in for more lateral or medial support as needed. Another benefit of this flex tech? You can keep the tongue stiffeners on ice, then deploy them after a season of shredding to inject more life into broken-in boots. If you’re shopping for an advanced snowboarder but you’re unfamiliar with their flex preferences, the highly customizable Infuse is a high-IQ gift.

The Cartel from Burton is one of the most popular bindings in the history of snowboarding, and for good reason, too. The Vermont megabrand has constantly refined its recipe, and today's version of the medium-stiff, all-mountain binding is better than ever. Best-in-class toe and ankle straps balance all-day comfort, playfulness and high-speed performance. Ergonomics are on point, thanks to canted highback and cushioning, which help angle the feet and knees inward to reduce stress on joints—and encourage bell-to-bell riding.

If the snowboarder in your life rides a standard four-hole pattern, opt for the Re:Flex (pictured above). If, however, they rock a board equipped with The Channel—a narrow slot instead of a four-hole binding pattern—get the EST version. Shopping for a smaller-footed, lighter-weight ripper? Check out the comparable Burton Lexa.

Jamie Anderson, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the best to ever strap in, has been known to crush slopestyle competitions one day and film banger backcountry segments the next. Her go-to binding? The Union Trilogy Classic, a versatile all-mountain binding with a responsive flex, secure straps and supportive highbacks. We love its ratchets, which are strong, light and reliable, as well as the brand's lifetime warranty on heel cups and base plates. For hard-chargers who are hard on their gear, the Trilogy is ready to rip.

Looking for a stoke-worthy stocking stuffer without breaking the bank? Look no further than the Mega Claws Stomp Pads from Crab Grab. These iconic stomp pads have amassed a cult-like following in snowboarding over the years, and for good reason. The foam Claws add a playful energy to any snowboard topsheet and provide welcome grip for getting on and off chairlifts, skating through the flats or even working on one-footers in the park. Our advice? Grab a few of these for any and all snowboarders in your life.