Getting new snowboarding gear can be exciting—even more so when that apparel, equipment, or new tech accessory you’re looking at is deemed to be a surprise for your “gear-head” spouse, snow buddy, or familial mega-ripper.

Whether you stop into a local shop or peruse massive gear sites, it can seem like a daunting task to sort through the plethora of items they have to choose from. That’s where I come in—cue superhero music—your personal shreducator, here to help!

My first piece of advice would be to do a little detective work to see what your avid snowboarder needs or likes. If they’re anything like me, they’ll talk your ear off about the latest tech they’ve been hearing about. Or how their old possessions have kept up with them for years—but are probably well due for an upgrade.

Speaking of upgrades…

1. Waxing and tuning kit

A good amount of seasoned riders prefer to wax and tune their own gear. If they’re not set up with a waxing and tuning kit yet, they want to be, trust me! Not only does it save time and money but riders will get a more custom glide and develop a deeper connection with their boards by doing the maintenance work themselves. A good one to start with is the Dakine Super Tune Kit ($125). It's got everything they need for a professional tune at home. The bag holds an adjustable-temperature iron, wax, scrapers, files, P-Tex, and more (including a little tuning instruction booklet, how cute).

2. Edge File

If you want something smaller to hide in a stocking, consider getting your expert an edge file. They fit perfectly in snow-jacket pockets and are super useful for deburring edges that can get roughed up during a full-day’s shred session. I recommend the Swix Diamond Stone. Depending on the grit, you can get one to bevel (coarse), sharpen (medium), or polish (fine).

A good amount of seasoned riders prefer to wax and tune their own gear. If they’re not set up with a waxing and tuning kit yet, they want to be, trust me! Not only does it save time and money but riders will get a more custom glide and develop a deeper connection with their boards by doing the maintenance work themselves. A good one to start with is the Dakine Super Tune Kit ($125). It's got everything they need for a professional tune at home. The bag holds an adjustable-temperature iron, wax, scrapers, files, P-Tex, and more (including a little tuning instruction booklet, how cute).

3. Neck Gaiter

Neck gaiters are one of the best and most budget-friendly crowd-pleasers out there. Believe it or not, face coverings were cool for snowboarders before COVID-19 made it mandatory. Now, they’re even more useful! But for serious riders, style doesn’t always take precedent—function does. We’re looking for something warm, wind-blocking, breathable, and resistant to fog or ice.

For SmartWool lovers (my backpacking and hiking clients can attest—I have a mild obsession with merino wool), the SmartWool Reversible Neck Gaiter is warm, breathable, and moisture-free for your rider. With its moisture-wicking material, this neck gaiter really helps reduce fogged-up goggles and prevents you from getting iced out on super cold days. Double-layered, highly-rated, and stylish!

4. Beanie

For your environmentally-conscious simpletons, the Coal Squad Beanie is styled after the military-surplus look and is made from recycled Polyana®. It’s a clean look for when the helmets are off, and it comes in a TON of different color options! This beanie is U.S. manufactured and a part of the POW (Protect Our Winters) crew.

5. Base Layer

Did I mention merino wool yet? It’s by far one of the higher-performing materials out there, so it’s no wonder that merino base layers are sought after, especially for those of us who spend a lot of time in the winter-sports world.

There will always be options based on thickness for base layers: lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight. Unless your rider is spending time out in the backcountry most of the season (heavyweight), I’d suggest going with a midweight for all-purpose riding, or lightweight for spring days.

One of the most reputable and dependable base layers would be the Helly Hansen LIFA Merino Midweight Pants. Ask one of our experts or search through our inventory for different gender and brand options!

6. Tights

For your hill regulars who want something extremely comfortable to change into after a day on the slopes, check out the Swix Motion Windblock Tights for a more casual/training, warm-wear option. It’s a versatile, multi-sport tight for high-speed outdoor cardio training under colder conditions. The Gore Wind-stopper stretch front panels make this a hybrid between a pair of tights and training pants.

7. Hoodie Jacket

For the steezy-petes who focus on their functional “drip,” the DC Snowstar Water Resistant Hoodie Jacket sheds water and makes for an excellent mid-layer, either underneath a good shell or on its own on a blue-bird sunny day. It runs true to size and comes with those super necessary thumbholes!

8. Goggles

If you have a little extra to spend to make your favorite shredder feel GOLDEN all of the time, check out the Smith I/O MAG Goggles (there are LOTS of color options). These are amazing goggles that come with both high- and low-light lenses, feature an interchangeable lens magnet system for quick and easy swap out in variable conditions, and a reliable anti-fog inner lens.

9. Helmet

Turn heads while protecting them with a Bern Watts MIPS Helmet. MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System, and it integrates engineering and special foam to reduce energy on impacts. MIPS helmets have been around for 15 years and are made right here in the U.S. if you need even more reasons to buy them!

10. Board Case

For the multi-continental snow-traveling “sunbirds” out there, consider taking a gander at the Burton Wheelie Board Case. This fully-padded, top-of-the-line carrier comes with compartments for boots, helmet, accessories, and has internal webbing to keep the board in place. This is the PERFECT board bag for airport trips! Did I mention it’s fully lockable?

Okay Curated fans, this should give you a good start to finding the perfect gift for your snow Bills and Betties out there! If you need any help finding the right gift for the snowboarder in your life, reach out to me or one of my fellow Snowboard experts here on Curated for free advice and recommendations. We will be sure to give you the best recommendations based on your rider’s build, style, and preferences. We also offer the option of a Curated gift card which can be used towards making a winter sports purchase with free expert help finding the right gear for your snowboarder's needs. Happy trails!