The 9 Tackiest Ski and Snowboard Accessories

Skiers love to say they don’t care what anyone else is wearing on the mountain. After all, the only things that should matter are good snow, good turns, and good company. But spend a few minutes in any lift line and it’s obvious that’s not entirely true. Most people have at least one accessory or trend that makes them shake their head.

Some are harmless fashion choices. Others have become stereotypes that instantly spark opinions. Whether it’s something that’s genuinely impractical or just overdone, certain ski accessories have earned a reputation for being more cringe than cool.

We asked our readers which ski accessories they think are the tackiest on the mountain, and the responses came pouring in with over 430 comments. Below are the top 9 responses.

• Related: The 11 Most Annoying Things Anyone Can Do on a Chairlift Ride

#9 Onesies / Fart Bags

The one-piece ski suit, affectionately or not so affectionately known by many skiers as the “fart bag,” has long divided opinions on the mountain. Critics say they look like retro pajamas with lift tickets, while fans will gladly point out they’re warm, comfortable, and do a great job of keeping snow out when you’re tumbling through powder. Love them or hate them, they were one of the top comments for tackiness on the mountain.

“The outrageous onesies.” – Patrick M
“The baked potato onesies” – Alex V
“The colorful fart bags” – April B

#8 Chest Packs / Tactical Vests

Chest packs and tactical style vests have become increasingly common on the slopes, but plenty of skiers think they’re a bit much for a day at the resort. Unless you’re carrying avalanche gear in the backcountry or packing enough snacks to feed the entire chairlift, critics argue they can look more like military equipment than ski gear. Of course, fans love the easy access to phones, cameras, and trail snacks, proving that what’s “overkill” to one skier is the perfect setup for another.

“Those chest packs. You already have pockets.” – Tyler M
“Those dumb ass chest packs for your phone and keys” – Mekayla C
“Suburban white dads with Nordica enforcers and the tactical chest vest.” – Mitchell D
“The chest rig you bought on Temu” – Pete S

#7 Sports Jerseys Over Ski Gear

Sports jerseys on the mountain are another accessory that can divide skiers. While some riders love showing off their favorite team or bringing a little arena energy to the slopes, others see them as a fashion crime that offers little more than a way to stand out in the lift line. Unlike a proper ski jacket, a jersey won’t keep you warm, block wind, or keep you dry when the weather turns, but that hasn’t stopped plenty of skiers from proudly rocking their team colors.

“A sports jersey over their ski gear” – Sameer G
“Hockey jerseys” – Bryan W
“Any kind of jersey over a sweatshirt or jacket.” – Pete C

#6 Full Backcountry / Avy Kit In-Bounds

Showing up to the resort with a full avalanche setup can get some sideways looks from skiers who think the pack, beacon, shovel, and probe combo is a little over the top for a day of lift-served laps. Add in a pair of lightweight backcountry skis with pin bindings, and some people might assume you’re preparing for a Himalayan expedition instead of a few runs off the chairlift. But the gear is far from unnecessary for anyone venturing into serious terrain with deep snow, and many resorts require guests to carry avalanche equipment when accessing certain gates, bowls, and expert zones, making the setup less of a fashion statement and more of a safety requirement.

“The whole back country kit when they are just riding in bounds” – Josh W
“Airbag inbound on a 50 cm day” – Brian R
“Av pack wearing on piste skiers.” – Robert B
“Probe. Beacon, shovel, radio. Because one man’s blue is another man’s black diamond.” – Brent C

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#5 GoPros / Helmet Cams / Insta360s

POV cameras have become a common sight on the mountain, but some skiers find them more annoying than impressive. While the pros make helmet cam footage look like a highlight reel, everyday skiers sometimes record every turn, jump, and mediocre powder lap as if they’re filming the next ski movie. Of course, plenty of people love capturing their days on the hill, and there is nothing wrong with wanting memories of your best runs, but not every trip down the groomer needs its own cinematic release.

“Helmet GoPros from dudes French frying down a blue” – Dustin R
“GoPros. No one wants to watch your ski run from their desk on Monday” – J.D. K
“GoPro. Always looks like a snorkel” – Bill B
“Insta360 cameras. No matter how it’s mounted, the filmer is looking awkward 99% of the time.” – J

#4 Turtle Butt Pads / Butt Protection

Turtle butt pads are another piece of ski gear that can divide opinions on the mountain. Some skiers see them as a fashion crime, adding a little too much padding in a place where style was already questionable. But for beginners, park skiers, and anyone who has ever taken a hard fall on ice, those padded shorts can be a lifesaver and might be worth sacrificing a little mountain style for extra confidence.

“Stuffed animals turtle butt pads for the snowboarders.” – Ian H
“Those animals like turtles etc that go on your butt” – Ben H
“Turtle butt” – Marc T Josh K, Brett U, Steven K, Craig P

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#3 Helmet Hoods

Helmet hoods were a surprising ski accessory that divides opinions on the mountain. Some skiers think they look a little too much like a winter superhero costume or a fashion statement that belongs more in the parking lot than the powder, but others swear by them. For anyone who is always battling cold ears and frozen cheeks, a helmet hood can provide an extra layer of warmth and comfort when the frigid temps.

“Helmet cover things” – Barb B
“Those fluffy hoods over their helmets” – Chris L
“The helmet mohawks” – Will L
“The stupid helmet hoods” – Hayden M

#2 Backpacks In-Bounds

Backpacks on the ski hill can be a surprisingly controversial accessory, with some skiers viewing anyone wearing one in bounds as looking more prepared for a wilderness expedition than a few laps off the chairlift. Hydration packs and small packs can be incredibly useful, especially on long ski days, but critics argue they feel a bit excessive when the lodge is only a short run away and a hot chocolate stop is always within reach. Of course, those opinions often come from skiers without young kids, because anyone who has spent a day on the mountain carrying extra water, snacks, gloves, goggles, and emergency layers knows a backpack can quickly become the most valuable piece of gear on the hill.

“A backpack at a northeast resort where the lodge is one short run away.” – Teri L
“Backpack wearing inbound resort folk.” – Matthew A
“Backpacks on the east coast. Yes this includes patrol.” – Tom S

#1 Bluetooth Speakers / Backpack Speakers

Bluetooth speakers strapped to a backpack have become one of those ski accessories that instantly divides the mountain and was the most mentioned in our poll. Some skiers love cruising through the trees with a personal soundtrack, while others think blasting music in the lift line is the fastest way to become everyone’s least favorite skier. After all, nothing says “main character energy” quite like forcing an entire chairlift to listen to your playlist while they’re trying to enjoy the sound of the snow.

“A f*%king speaker playing music I don’t want to hear” – Matthew S
“Speakers. Speakers. Speakers.” – James R
“Bluetooth speakers! I don’t want to hear someone’s poor choice in music” – Jacqui G

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At the end of the day, skiing has always been a sport full of opinions, traditions, and a little bit of playful judgment. The same accessory that makes one skier cringe might be the exact thing that makes another skier’s day on the mountain better. Whether you’re rocking a bright onesie, carrying a backpack full of snacks, filming every powder turn, or blasting your favorite playlist down the run, take a moment to reflect on your choices. Maybe they are valid, and maybe they are tacky, but only you can decide if they are necessary for you.