For thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies, skiing is definitely a sport that will feed that buzz.
But of course, it’s only fun if all the equipment you use is high quality, solid, and safe. This includes wearing a feature-filled watch, not for showing off, but for safety. A decent skiing watch should include GPS, vital stat tracking and the ability to raise your core body temperature – okay we are exaggerating on the last point, but a decent watch can save your life in extreme conditions.
Never fear, though, we’ve got your back and have checked out the best wristwatches for skiers; after trying out every feature, these are our top choices:
1. Casio Pathfinder Triple Sensor Watch
Casio Men's Pro Trek Stainless Steel Quartz Watch with Resin Strap, Black, 18 (Model: PAG240-1CR)
Features
- Black solar-powered sport watch with multiple features including digital compass, altimeter, barometer, thermometer, low temperature resistance (-10 C/14 F), EL backlight, world time (31 time zones, 48 cities), city code display, five daily alarms, 1/100-second stopwatch, full auto calendar (pre-programmed until 2099), countdown timer, 12/24-hour formats, battery power indicator, and power-saving function
The Casio Pathfinder Triple Sensor Sport Watch has solar technology and triple sensor features to measure altitude, air pressure, and temperature, while the adjustable resin band provides a comfortable fit while skiing. It even has an LED light to provide illumination even in the darkest of environments.
With its large 51 mm stainless steel case and mineral dial window, you’ll be able to tell the time, your stats, altimeter, compass and stop-watch clearly at a glance even in snowstorms. With all these amazing features, it’s no wonder why this watch is one of the most sought-after sports watches by Casio.
2. SUUNTO Core All Black Military
SUUNTO Core All Black Military Men's Outdoor Sports Watch - SS014279010
Features
- Suunto Core: This classic outdoor sports watch is packed with intelligent features like a Storm Alarm, Altimeter, Barometer and compass to keep you informed of conditions while you hike, bike, or camp
- Essential for Adventure: This watch has dual times, date display, and alarm, plus predicted times for sunrise and sunset to help maximize your daylight hours and a depth meter accurate up to 30 feet
- Suunto Sports Watches: Versatile and durable, Suunto sports watches are great for running, swimming, cycling, gym workouts, hiking, and other outdoor sports; Whatever your needs, Suunto has a watch for you
- Adventure Starts Here: Combining Scandinavian design with ultra durable materials, our watches track your sports, daily activity, and sleep to help you keep life, training and recovery in balance
- Authentic Heritage: Founded in 1936, Suunto brings over 80 years of high quality heritage craftsmanship, relentless accuracy, and pioneering innovation to our watches, compasses, and dive products
The SUUNTO Core All Black Military is an excellent outdoor sports watch with a modern digital design, but this watch isn’t just about style. With an amazing storm alarm, you get notified of changes in air pressure and of possible incoming storms, which is an awesome feature to have while skiing, providing an indication of whether it’s safe to continue, or head for home. Apart from that, you get a compass and sunrise/sunset times for over 400 locations around the world. The best part is this sports watch is the most affordable item on our list! For the best watch for skiing without breaking the bank, this is the choice to go for!
3. Garmin Fenix 5X Sapphire
Garmin Fenix 5X Sapphire - Slate Gray with Metal Band
Features
- Ultimate multisport GPS watch with full color TOPO U.S. Mapping, routable cycling maps and other outdoor navigation features
- Fit for adventure with rugged design that features stainless steel bezel, buttons and rear case. Preloaded gym activity profiles: strength, cardio and elliptical training, stair stepping, floor climbing, indoor rowing and yoga
- Built in navigation sensors include GPS and GLONASS capability to track in more challenging environments than GPS alone as well as 3 axis compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter
- Put key stats at your fingertips with the performance widget that shows your training status, training load and more. Display type: sunlight visible, Transflective memory in pixel (map)
- Connected features include smart notifications, automatic uploads to Garmin Connect online fitness community and personalization through free watch faces and apps from our Connect IQ store
Most sports watches have resin or silicone bands, but the Garmin Fenix 5X Sapphire brings the sophistication of a metal band to your active lifestyle. Navigation is made easier with its built-in GPS and GLONASS features, and it even allows phone free communication via its innovative pairing app – perfect to call for help. It comes equipped with a compass, gyroscope, barometric altimeter, and a sunlight-visible display.
Not every sports watch can look this good, which makes it a perfect pick for the style-conscious. If you value aesthetics aside from function, this Garmin watch is definitely the one you’re looking for.
4. Coros Pace Multisport GPS Watch
Coros Pace GPS Multisport Watch with Wrist-Based Heart Rate Sensor, Triathlon Features, Barometric Altimeter and Strava & TrainingPeaks Compatible, Red/Black
Features
- Features a wrist based heart rate monitor and performance metrics for running, swimming and cycling activities
- Engineered with a power efficient central core, allowing for battery life up to 30 days in standard mode and up to 25 hours in GPS mode
- Built-in Barometric Altimeter for more accurate elevation readings. Compatible with STRAVA.
- GPS, GLONASS and BDS work together to precisely locate your position, even through interference outdoors
- Receive and control notifications from your phone, including call, text, email and other social media applications
Getting tired of the all-black designs of sports watches? If you want a hint of color to go with your sports watch, choose Coros Pace Multisport GPS Watch. The watch band comes in three different colors, and this particular model features a striking red shade that certainly makes a statement when worn. The slim casing also feels lightweight and comfortable compared to other sports watches with a bulky design.
Consisting of a heart rate monitor, barometer, altimeter and compass wrapped up with a great 30-day battery life and an impressively robust GPS system even in dense woods, this is a worthy contender for the number one slot!
5. Garmin Fenix 6X Sapphire
Garmin Fenix 6X Sapphire, Premium Multisport GPS Watch, features Mapping, Music, Grade-Adjusted Pace Guidance and Pulse Ox Sensors, Dark Gray with Black Band
Features
- Fit for performance with rugged, sophisticated design that features a big 1.4 inches sunlight-readable display (36% larger than previous fēnix models) with bezels in stainless steel, titanium or diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating.Special Feature:Bluetooth.
- Enhanced estimated wrist heart rate and Pulse Ox to support advanced sleep monitoring and altitude acclimation at high elevations (this is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition)
- Advanced training features include PacePro for grade-adjusted pace guidance throughout your activity plus environmentally adjusted VO2 max and training status estimates.Water rating:10 ATM
- Navigate the outdoors with preloaded TOPO maps, ski maps for over 2,000 worldwide ski resorts, multiple global navigation satellite system (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo) support and built-in sensors for 3-axis compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter
- Support for Garmin Pay contactless payments (not all countries and payment networks are eligible), music storage with premium streaming service (may require subscription with third-party music provider) support, smart notifications and more
Another offering from the sports watch expert, Garmin, is the Garmin Fenix 6X Sapphire. This watch is equipped with almost 2,000 detailed topographical maps of ski resorts around the globe, a highly beneficial upgrade from the usual GPS features in most sports watches. It even has a mode for skiing that will provide specialized health, terrain and weather analytics – perfect for surviving on the bleak mountainside.
This watch comes with a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, a highly durable material that will keep your watch protected from any scratch or dent. Its impressive battery life of 46 days is definitely commendable, making sure that you never run out of battery in the middle of a ski trip.
Check out our other popular outdoor watches, such as the best watches for biking, and our hunting watches!
