Luxury on the Slopes: Eye Protection Essentials and Fashionable Accessories for Skiing

If you enjoy the cold weather and winter season, you might enjoy winter sports like skiing or snowboarding. As such, snow sports holidays are also fairly common this time of year.

In the UK, a 2024 consumer report from the Ski Club of Great Britain found that 8% of adults in the country have enjoyed a snow sports holiday at some point. Meanwhile, 3% of all British adults took a snow sports holiday in 2022/23. The report suggests that the total number of adult skiers in the UK is at about 3.2 million, 1.2 million of which are considered active.

Whether you ski for athletic or recreational purposes, it's important to come well-equipped. This ensures you can maximise both your enjoyment as well as your safety. Unfortunately, being out on the snowy slopes can leave your eyes vulnerable to conditions like snow blindness and increased UV exposure.

Fortunately, you can keep your eyes protected while remaining stylish. In this post, we'll be sharing some eye protection essentials and fashionable accessories for skiing:

Ski goggles

One of the most important ski gear for eye protection, of course, is a good pair of ski goggles. Wearing these specialised goggles helps provide optimal visibility and safety for your eyes. Most ski goggles available on the market have special lens coatings like anti-fogging to ensure you can always see what's around you clearly.

Aside from functionality, many high quality ski goggles from reputable brands today also look fashionable. The new Oakley Flex Scape, for example, is the world's first hybrid sunglasses that combines the functionality of goggles and sunglasses. The goggles' innovative design uses an interchangeable woven strap which can be replaced by temples depending on the conditions. These goggles also use Oakley's proprietary PhysioMorphic™ Geometry technology, resulting in lenses that fit the contours of the wearer's face to expand the field of vision.

Sunglasses

Of course, if you're planning a fairly casual and laidback ski holiday, you can opt for less intensive gear. Some sunglasses designs are a viable option as they may provide more UV protection than conventional ski goggles, especially if it's bright or sunny outside.

Sunglasses are also good to have in between your skiing sessions. Nowadays, many luxury sunglasses come in wraparound designs, such as the Versace VE4482 and the VE2140, which can help provide sun protection and adequate coverage from potentially cold winds on the ski slope. Of course, while it's always best to have ski goggles for maximum protection, a pair of sunglasses can still provide protection from the sun. You can also opt for polarised lens upgrades to help protect the eyes from harsh glare and light reflections on snow and ice.

Ski helmet

Finally, another important and stylish ski gear to have is a solid ski helmet. This should be a crucial part of your gear when skiing, as it protects not only your eyes but your head. Nowadays, ski helmets vary in design depending on your needs and preferences.

For example, some ski helmets have a built-in visor, which eliminates the need for a separate ski mask. If you typically wear glasses for corrective purposes, this type of ski helmet is most recommended for comfort and convenience. Meanwhile, ski helmets that don't have an integrated visor need to be paired with a ski mask, which experts recommend over just wearing sunglasses. When choosing ski helmets, it's also important to consider their breathability and weight. Helmets that are heavier may seem uncomfortable, but this is because they are often made of more durable materials and may carry extra features compared to more lightweight helmets.

Check out our post on preparing for a winter sports trip for a more comprehensive list of essential ski gear, including ski boots, poles, and proper ski clothing.