We’re looking at some of the best skiing watches as heading down the slopes is one of the best winter sports out there, regardless of whether you prefer skiing or snowboarding. However, it is a well-known fact that both of these sports are incredibly expensive to maintain. Especially when you consider the amount of kit needed before you even factor in travel, slope fees, food, and accommodation.
Even though your bank balance may be under pressure with ski purchases, one of your key investments should always be a ski-specific watch. One that can withstand the sport and provide you with the information you need. To help you choose, we have shared some of the best skiing watches available on the market right now. Take a look before you purchase.
The Features You Will Need to Look for
Before you splash your cash, several features will be important. Ensuring you get the most from every minute spent on the slopes. To help you get the best, take a look at our list of recommended features:
GPS
To help you find your way and get support if you ever find yourself in trouble. GPS watches are on the rise.
Maps
Choosing a watch with maps installed will allow you to see the entire resort and work out which slopes you want to enjoy each day.
ABC
Using an Altimeter, Barometer and Compass will help you handle any extreme weather condition that comes your way and give you a warning of a change in weather when you are on the slopes. See our guide for ABC watches here.
Heart Rate Monitor
Keeping an eye on your heart rate will let you know how well your body is coping with the cold and exertion. Helping you stay healthy and know when to rest.
Waterproofing
When snow turns to ice and ice turns to water – that’s when you’ll need it most. You wear your watch under your glove, and all that ice/snow/water combo could easily get into your watch. You definitely need a waterproof watch.
Without further ado, let’s get on to our recommended Skiing watches.
SUUNTO 9 Baro/Peak
SUUNTO is a well-respected smartwatch maker, and the Suunto 9 Baro is an excellent device for anyone that enjoys skiing. Compared to other barometric smartwatches, the Suunto 9 Baro is somewhat affordable. The watch comes with an in-built GPS, ABC, a heart rate monitor, and a bright screen. Meaning it’s simple to read in any light or weather condition.
All types of sports can make use of this watch. It offers a full-color face and touchscreen so that you can access everything as quickly as possible. It also offers a companion app that gives you access to your health data. Ensuring you can monitor your progress, map your ski routes, and more. Plus, there is also a recovery feature that gives you a suggested amount of time you should rest before doing your next workout. This watch not only has a great number of features but it’s an excellent choice for anyone who wants to get something affordable that they can depend on.
Coros PACE 2 GPS Watch
If you want something more lightweight and affordable, then the Coros PACE 2 is well worth considering! Not only will you forget that it is on your wrist, but you will be impressed with how simple it is to navigate. Making your user experience more fun than ever before. It comes with GPD, GLONASS, and BDS. These help you navigate your time on the slopes and also offers an ABC system with impressive precision.
The battery life is seriously impressive. It boasts the ability to stay in GPS mode for a massive thirty hours before it needs to be plugged in. If you are keen to track your health data and sports, then there is a heart rate monitor, sleep tracker, and calorie and step counters that also give precise feedback. While you may not have heard of this watchmaker before – they are well worth considering!
The Garmin Fenix 6X Sapphire
Running watches are synonymous with the Garmin brand. However, the Fenix 6X Sapphire is a pretty special choice for skiers too! It has over two thousand different resort maps for you to access. Plus, there are also over forty thousand golf maps for when the winter ski season is over. If you want to map where you are, you can also tune into the real-time mapping facility. Allowing you to see your location and get a route back to base. We also recommend looking at new features which will be released with the new Fenix 7 when it comes out.
The Fenix ski mode gives you the capabilities to track your pace, performance, and ski routine. Health tracking capabilities include an Sp02 monitor and a heart rate monitor. And a wide range of sports tracking options gives you the performance stats you need to reach your goals.
| Garmin Product | Supplier | |
| Fenix 7 | Amazon | View Offer |
| Fenix 7 | eBay | View Offer |
| Fenix 7 | Garmin | View Offer |
| Fenix 7 | Target | View Offer |
Finally, when it comes to making the most of your battery – this device comes with four different modes. A GPS and music mode will run for up to ten hours from full to empty. A two-week smartwatch mode, an expedition mode that can last for four weeks. And, battery saver mode that can run for up to seven weeks. Which we think is pretty impressive! The watch also comes with an ABC system and offers updates and notifications direct to your wrist. The screen is bright and easy to read but is not a touchscreen. Meaning you need to use the buttons for navigation instead. In short, this device is an excellent choice for anyone that wants accurate tracking and high quality. There is a range of Garmin Fenix watches – see our guide here for more models.
G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400
The G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400 is yet another high-quality device that may be worth considering for a ski companion. All the G-Shock watches are made with the outdoors in mind. And the rugged design of this device is sure to leave you with the protection you need when you are on the slopes. The LCD screen is simple to read and can be switched off when you don’t want to be disturbed. The watch is also solar-powered. Helping you get the best from the battery through the sun’s power.
This device is packed with features. These include a thermometer, a countdown timer, alarms, world time zones, altitude, barometric pressure, and more. It is also water-resistant to depths of 200 meters and shock-resistant, which is great when you take a tumble. Ultimately, this is a watch designed to be used outdoors and can take as many knocks as you can imagine. Never leaving you without the support you need. It may not be a traditional ski watch, but it is certainly a choice that you may want to consider.
Casio Triple Sensor Pathfinder
If you often take a tumble when you are on skis, or you need a durable watch, then the men’s Triple Sensor Pathfinder by Casio is a clear winner! It offers G-Shock capabilities and looks great in all scenarios. Plus it tracks a wide range of other sports. So you don’t need to invest in another device when you are back at home.
The great thing about Casio devices is that they are designed to be robust and give you the tools needed to handle the slopes. This specific device comes with an ABC system, a solar battery, and the ability to check out multiple time zones so that it can travel with you wherever you go.
The only downside we think you should consider is that the sensors are not as accurate as other devices like the Garmin Fenix 6X. Furthermore, you will need to regularly maintain the compass as the rotation device can gather dirt, stopping it from working effectively.
Garmin Instinct 2
The Garmin Instinct 2 offers serious competition for skiing fans with military standard specifications and a highly accurate navigational system. It is also water and shock-resistant with an incredibly durable design. The 2’s rugged build means you can enjoy it for many ski seasons to come!
You have several options as to which type of Instinct 2, with each model having slightly different features. For skiiers, we recommend the Instinct 2S Standard Solar- it is lightweight, charges while you’re on the hilly any time it is exposed to sun, rich with activity-tracking features, and comfortable for under your gloves.
It has an ABC system and GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo to help you make the most of every slope. When you use it with the Garmin app, you can also pre-plan your ski routes before you even step out of the door, helping you maximize your time having fun. Garmin’s Tracback Routing is also helpful for skies: your Instinct 2 can help you find your way back in the snow no matter how lost you might start to feel.
This is next in line after Garmin’s original Instinct GPS smartwatch, also an excellent option if your budget is a little lower.
Coros Vertix GPS Adventure
For a tough and durable watch to cope with all the adventure skiing brings, the Coros Vertix is a top choice for several reasons. Not only is the casing created with high-quality titanium alloy, but the sapphire glass screen will ensure this timepiece keeps ticking no matter how many spills you take in the snow – just like its brother, the Coros PACE, also on our list.
It has been designed to incorporate navigation capabilities and has a biometric edge thanks to the blood oxygen and heart rate monitors. It can deal with low temperatures of up to minus 30 degrees and is equipped with a barometric altimeter, compass, and accelerometer. If you select the Altitude Mode, then this watch excels at providing an evaluation of your acclimatization to the heights, especially useful if you plan on spending a few days at high altitudes for an extended period.
The black background with white lettering makes reading this watch extremely easy against the bright white snow all around. All this comes with a battery that can last 45 days of regular use or a full 60 hours of GPS mode where your every step is mapped. What’s more, the smooth design fits great underneath your bulky ski gloves and only weighs around 50g.
Do I Really Need a Watch for Skiing and Snowboarding?
If you are not sure whether you need a watch for skiing or snowboarding, then the answer is simple – yes, you do. From safety to health and wellbeing, there are some crucial features that the right watch can offer you to ensure that you come back from your trip feeling great.
All of the watches reviewed have left us impressed and would be a great addition to your ski or snowboarding kit. The SUUNTO is the easiest to read, the Garmin offers specific ski tracking, and the Casio is ideal for anyone that takes a few knocks on the slopes. All you need to do is pick the device that best suits your needs and style and then treat yourself – you will not regret it!
Looking for more generic sports watches? Take a look at these great outdoor watches here.
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Last Updated on March 13, 2022
Emma brings over a decade of freelance copy and content writing experience and is our Editor, Social Media Manager, and regular contributor. Specializing in long-form content such as blogs, articles, lead magnets, and white papers, Emma also provides businesses with email marketing, website copy, and landing pages.