It's finally here - the start of ski season! Lucky for us skiers that the start of ski season coincides with the start of the holiday season. Christmas markets around Europe are already open and mulled wine is flowing. With gift giving on the mind, here are some of our favorite gift ideas from our favorite brands for your favorite skiers.

For the Skier-Wine Lover

Picture this: your favorite skier is on vacation in the Alps, exploring the trail network during the day before experiencing the apres ski culture at sunset. Whether at the trailhead or on the trail, your favorite skier will be able to keep their mulled wine or hot cocoa at the right temperature with a stylish Stanley Thermos. Try one of our recipes for Austrian Glühwein or Norwegian Gløgg—two festive mulled wines made with seasonal spices.

For the Skier-Artist

Lumi guest Chris Zafren paints a scene a day when she’s traveling. She always packs her watercolor kit, which she likes to keep small and easy to use. We caught up with her to learn more about her daily practice of painting and what has inspired her. Check out what’s in her Watercolor Kit. It could be the perfect gift for your favorite creative skier!

For the Skier-Snacker

What’s a long ski without snacks? For your favorite skier who likes to pack the snacks, check out Salomon’s Trailblazer 20 backpack. This pack is also our recommendation for skiers who have to carry an 8-pound backpack symbolizing the Baby Prince Haakon Haakonsson, when they ski the Norwegian Birkebeiner on Lumi’s Norway Birken Trip. Pair it with an Insulation Kit and Hydrapak reservoir to keep your favorite skier’s water from freezing over the course of a long day out on the trail.

For the Grab-and-Go Skier

With temperature fluctuations throughout the day, it’s much easier to “grab and go” with skin skis than to have to pack waxes, a cork, and re-apply wax along the trail. New Moon and Pioneer Midwest ski shops sell all the main brands of skin skis. You can’t go wrong: skin technology has advanced really fast. Garrott got his first pair back in 2019 and now recommends them for classic skiing on all Lumi trips.

For the Playful Skier

Away from the ski trails, one of our favorite activities to experience in the alps is Rodeling – sledding down a mountain on a traditional Austrian toboggan, known locally as a Rodel. We try to find a place to Rodel on every Lumi trip, usually taking cable cars or trains to get up the mountain. We love the Rodels that the family-run company Kathrein has been making from Ash harvested from forests in Austria for over a century. 

For the Stylish Skier

Calling all Birkebeiner skiers! Will your favorite skier be skiing the 54 km classic event from Rena to Lillehammer this winter? Vermont sock company, Darn Tough, designed Lillehammer-inspired Women’s and Men’s socks for nordic ski boots. Ski the trails at the site of the 1994 Olympic Games and proverbial birthplace of skiing in style! Darn Tough socks are made from merino wool and if your favorite skier gets a hole in them, they can return them for another pair.

For the Generous Skier

Lumi guests will receive Skida hats on their trips this winter, but Julia's Journey Hats, Headbands & Neckwarmers, which support Lumi sponsored athlete Julia Kern, launched after we already ordered our 2023 hats. Gift your favorite skier the Sundial design and 40% of the proceeds will help to fund Julia’s podium pursuits this year on the World Cup circuit. You won’t find this style on any 2023 Lumi trip.

For the Skier-Explorer

On Lumi trips, our favorite accommodations are family-run, close to town, and a short walk to the ski trails. After exploring the local trail network, your favorite skier can pull on Coverboots to protect the outsoles of their Nordic ski boots while they’re walking around town. They also have better grip than ski boots in icy conditions.

For the Sunny Skier

Wintertime in the northern hemisphere doesn’t scream sunglasses, but two of our favorite ski destinations in the Austrian and Italian Alps are known for their sunshine, savory cuisine, and snow-making. If your favorite skier will be traveling to sunny Seefeld or Seiser Alm, they’ll want shades! Bliz Sunglasses keep your eyes protected and their wide selection offers styles that suit all types of skiers. Use promo code “Lumi” to take 30% off at checkout! 

For the Skier-Traveler

If your favorite skier will be flying with their skis, a hard-shell Ski Case with wheels is the way to go. Wheels are a big help for rolling skis through the airport or train station. The hard shell helps protect your favorite skier’s skis along their journey. New Moon Ski Shop carries Sportube, who makes the most popular hard-shell ski case. If you prefer traveling with a soft ski bag, you can still get a pole tube to protect your poles in your ski bag.

For the Skier who prefers Experiences

Let your favorite skier choose their favorite 2024 winter vacation with a Lumi Experiences Gift Card! Available with extra savings until December 31.

Did you notice that we didn’t include any waxing tools for gifts? On Lumi Group Trips, we take care of the waxing! After a day out on the trails, your favorite skier can kick up their feet and relax with a sauna while our trip leaders wax their skis, including race wax for Worldloppet events.