OutdoorGearLab

For a pant that will work for everything from groomer laps to the harshest storm days, our top choice is the Arc'teryx Sentinel AR. This pant earns its high marks for a handful of reasons. With bomber construction and high-performing weather resistance, fleece lining for comfort, and just a bit of warmth, as well as pocket space for your essentials, this pant is ready for whatever you may throw at it. There's space to layer up underneath them for cold resort laps while also featuring large external leg vents to dump heat while ski touring. We also loved the sleek and tailored look.
The catch? You pay for what you get. The price is high for a pant without many techy features, but we appreciate the minimal, less frivolous approach to ski pants. If it's performance you want, you're likely to be happy with the results that the Sentinel provides. Put it this way &mdash; investing in high-quality pants now may mean you don't have to buy ski pants again for several seasons. As far as women's ski pants go, we haven't found anything that checks all the boxes as well as this model. 

For a pant that will work for everything from groomer laps to the harshest storm days, our top choice is the Arc'teryx Sentinel AR. This pant earns its high marks for a handful of reasons. With bomber construction and high-performing weather resistance, fleece lining for comfort, and just a bit of warmth, as well as pocket space for your essentials, this pant is ready for whatever you may throw at it. There's space to layer up underneath them for cold resort laps while also featuring large external leg vents to dump heat while ski touring. We also loved the sleek and tailored look.
The catch? You pay for what you get. The price is high for a pant without many techy features, but we appreciate the minimal, less frivolous approach to ski pants. If it's performance you want, you're likely to be happy with the results that the Sentinel provides. Put it this way &mdash; investing in high-quality pants now may mean you don't have to buy ski pants again for several seasons. As far as women's ski pants go, we haven't found anything that checks all the boxes as well as this model. 
Read more: Arc'teryx Sentinel AR Women's Pant review

Best for Most

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expert-review

Arc'teryx Sentinel Pants

yotpo

bazaarvoice

powerreviews

Arc'teryx Sabre Pants Rated & Reviewed 2022 | Gearweare.net

Backcountry ski pants are used very differently than their inbounds relatives. They need to be lightweight, breathable, and possess thoughtful features, often doing so at the expense of weather resistance and warmth. The Arc'teryx Procline Pant uses an impressive Gore-Tex Infinium softshell membrane to allow plenty of breathability while retaining the ability to repel consideration precipitation. In a rainy deluge, these pants will soak through, but in the frozen environment of backcountry skiing, these pants are adequate for all but the stormiest days. They are stretchy and comfortable, have a perfectly tailored fit, and are stylish to boot. 
The breathable nature of the softshell fabric means warm air can escape easily, so these pants don't provide much warmth. But the biggest downside to these pants is the price. For a pair of ski pants that aren't waterproof, these pants come with a huge price tag. They fit like a glove and breathe perfectly, so frequent backcountry skiers might think the price is worth it. But for occasional backcountry skiers and those who don't need a pair of pants to fill the niche of fair-weather ski touring, the price isn't worth it. In their niche, though, these pants are exceptional.

Upgrade Pick

Arc'teryx Procline FL Pant | Blister

Whether you're looking to save a few bucks or just getting started with skiing or snowboarding, it's comforting to know you can get a pair of ski pants that won't break the bank while still performing. The Patagonia Insulated Snowbelle Pant steps up to the plate in this category, offering solid, base-covering performance at a reasonable price. This pair hits the sweet spot of performance that most beginner to intermediate skiers want. It looks good, is very comfortable and allows great mobility, has zippered pockets, keeps you warm on frigid chairlifts, and even has RECCO location technology.
This pant is best for someone who tends to get cold at the resort—they're insulated to keep you toasty, but wouldn't be ideal for backcountry touring or hitting double blacks regularly. Additionally, with just average waterproofing, this model may not be your best choice if you ski in wetter areas like the Pacific Northwest. That being said, it comes in a myriad of different colors, is warm, easy to move in, and you can rest easy knowing that you didn't over-pay on a great pair of ski pants.

Budget Pick

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Switchback Travel | Patagonia Insulated Snowbelle Jacket Review

Switchback Travel | Patagonia Insulated Powder Bowl Pant Review

The North Face Freedom Insulated Pants are the best bargain on the market. They are highly weather resistant, warm, durable, and stylish. And they do it all for a fraction of the price of the Arc'teryx Sabre AR. If you're looking for a great pair of pants for almost any day of the ski season, these are a bargain that gets the job done, and then some. Across the board, they perform adequately for most needs at the resort while looking and feeling great. 
Our primary issue with the Freedom Pants is that the pockets and some seams are unsealed. The main lower leg seams are taped, but the pocket and vent zippers are not waterproof. The seams that secure these zippers are not waterproof either. This will not be a concern for most casual skiers, but for hardcore chargers and everyday users like ski instructors and patrollers, we'd opt for a completely weatherproof alternative. None of the pants with fully sealed seams and waterproof zippers are as affordable as the Freedom Insulated.

Switchback Travel

For weekend warriors and those that don’t want to spend a ton on ski gear, no pant is more popular at the resort than The North Face Freedom. We love the value here: for well under $200, you get a thick 2-layer construction that is super durable and blocks out wind and snow effectively. The venting system is surprisingly good for a budget pant, and Velcro adjusters at the sides of the waist are a simple but effective tool at dialing in fit. Another plus is that the pant is offered in a very wide range of sizes (XXS to XXL) and three different inseam lengths. To be clear, the Freedom is a noticeable step down in quality from our top pick—and even the Helly Hansen above has a more premium look and feel—but it covers the bases for resort skiers at a reasonable price.

Keep in mind that although the Freedom pants will do the trick for skiing laps and long chairlift rides, performance-minded skiers likely will be left wanting more. To start, the fit is pretty generic—there isn’t any stretch built into the fabric, and they’re quite baggy around the thighs and lower legs. Moreover, it’s fairly easy to overheat with the cheap waterproofing technology, and while we like the zippered vents, their placement along the inner thigh creates extra bulk. But we keep coming back to value: the Freedom pants are a proven choice with a surprisingly long lifespan and undercut most of their competition by $30 or more. And for those that prefer an insulated pant, there’s a Freedom Insulated that’ll run you $169 (there's no non-insulated option for women)... Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's The North Face Freedom  See the Women's TNF Freedom Insulated

For budget-seekers and those just getting started, The North Face Freedom is a great deal and one of the most popular pants on the slopes. The value is hard to beat: for well under $200, you get a thick 2-layer construction that is super durable and blocks out wind and snow effectively. The 60-gram Heatseeker insulation is a nice touch for those wanting a little extra warmth, and the venting system is surprisingly good for a budget pant (many forgo ventilation altogether). It’s true that the Freedom is a noticeable step down in quality from a design like the Patagonia Insulated Powder Bowl above, but it covers all the bases for many resort riders at a reasonable price.

That said, although the Freedom Insulated will do the trick for casual resort-goers, performance-minded skiers likely will be left wanting more. To start, the fit is pretty generic: there isn’t any stretch built into the fabric, and the pants are quite baggy around the thighs and lower legs. Additionally, it’s easy to overheat with the cheap waterproofing technology, and while we like the zippered vents, their placement along the inner thigh (and the accompanying waterproof flaps) creates extra bulk. Finally, we think TNF could do a lot better with the pockets, which are prohibitively small and oddly placed. But we keep coming back to value: the Freedom pants are a proven choice with a surprisingly long lifespan and undercut most of the competition by $30 or more.See The North Face Freedom Insulated

For weekend warriors and those who don’t want to spend a ton on ski gear, no bib gets the job done like The North Face’s Freedom. We love the value here: For just $199, you get a thick 2-layer construction that’s super durable and blocks out wind and snow effectively. The fit is easy to dial in, with adjustable suspenders and Velcro tabs at the sides of the waist, and the bib is offered in five sizes (S to XXL) and three different inseam lengths. To be clear, the Freedom is a noticeable step down in quality and durability from our top pick, but it covers the bases for resort skiers at a reasonable price.

Keep in mind that although the Freedom bib will do the trick for skiing laps and long chairlift rides, performance-minded skiers will be left wanting more. To start, the fit is pretty generic—there isn’t any stretch built into the fabric, and the no-frills design misses the mark for both laid-back style (like the Baker above) and more technically minded skiers (like the Arc’teryx and Patagonia options below). Moreover, the internal snow cuffs have a tendency to ride up and their top half is built with mesh, making them vulnerable to snow coming through. But we keep coming back to value: the Freedom bibs are a proven choice with a surprisingly long lifespan and undercut most of the competition by $30 or more. And for those who prefer an insulated bib, TNF offers the Freedom Insulated (women’s only), which will run you $220.See the Men's TNF Freedom Bibs  See the Women's TNF Freedom Bibs

It's possible to spend upwards of $600 on a pair of ski bibs, but casual resort-goers and first-time skiers can save considerably with a model like The North Face’s Freedom Bibs. For just $199, the Freedom Bibs have everything you need for a day on the slopes, including a long side zip for easy entry (which doubles as a swing hatch for bathroom breaks), inner thigh vents, gaiters to keep snow out, and a variety of pockets. The North Face’s DryVent membrane guards against snow and short bouts of wet weather, and a number of features help to dial in a good fit, including adjustable suspenders, belt loops, and availability in a range of sizes and three inseam lengths. Added up, the Freedom is a well-rounded bib that gets the job done for much less than the competition.

But while we like TNF’s entry-level design for recreational resort skiers (especially in dry climates like Colorado), many will find that it’s worth spending up for a higher-quality bib. You won’t want to test the Freedom in too wet of conditions: The DryVent membrane doesn’t offer the same stalwart protection as Gore-Tex, and the face fabric is prone to soaking up moisture. Further, the bib’s 2-layer construction with hanging liner adds bulk and lacks breathability compared to the 3-layer designs here, which is why we don’t recommend it for backcountry skiing. And finally, the overall fit and finish is a bit of a letdown, with a generic style and cheap-feeling features like zipper covers (rather than watertight zippers) and chest pockets that aren't very secure. But for a low-cost option for those who only get out a few times a year, the Freedom is hard to beat—and it also comes in an insulated version for $20 more. See The North Face Freedom Bibs

For budget-seekers and those just getting started, The North Face Freedom is a great deal and one of the most popular pants on the slopes. The value is hard to beat: for well under $200, you get a thick 2-layer construction that is super durable and blocks out wind and snow effectively. The 60-gram Heatseeker Eco insulation is a nice touch for those wanting a little extra warmth, and the venting system is surprisingly good for a budget pant. It’s true that the Freedom is a noticeable step down in quality from a design like the Burton Cyclic above, but it covers all the bases for many snowboarders at a very reasonable price.

That said, although the Freedom Insulated will do the trick for casual riders, performance-minded boarders likely will be left wanting more. To start, the fit is pretty generic, does not include articulated knees, and lacks the modern styling that many want (for a more trendy alternative, check out the Burton Insulated Covert). Additionally, it’s easy to overheat with the cheap waterproofing technology, and while we like the zippered vents, their placement along the inner thigh (and the accompanying waterproof flaps) creates extra bulk. But we keep coming back to value: the Freedom pants are a proven choice with a surprisingly long lifespan and undercut most of the competition by a sizable margin. It’s worth noting that TNF makes a non-insulated pant and bib version of the Freedom, both of which also get rave reviews for their combination of style, performance, and price... Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's TNF Freedom Insulated  See the Women's TNF Freedom Insulated

The North Face Freedom Insulated Pants are the best bargain on the market. They are highly weather resistant, warm, durable, and stylish. And they do it all for a fraction of the price of the Arc'teryx Sabre AR. If you're looking for a great pair of pants for almost any day of the ski season, these are a bargain that gets the job done, and then some. Across the board, they perform adequately for most needs at the resort while looking and feeling great. 
Our primary issue with the Freedom Pants is that the pockets and some seams are unsealed. The main lower leg seams are taped, but the pocket and vent zippers are not waterproof. The seams that secure these zippers are not waterproof either. This will not be a concern for most casual skiers, but for hardcore chargers and everyday users like ski instructors and patrollers, we'd opt for a completely weatherproof alternative. None of the pants with fully sealed seams and waterproof zippers are as affordable as the Freedom Insulated.
Read more: The North Face Freedom Insulated review

Ski Pants Comparison