Top 7 Best Watches for Skiing in 2024 – Expert Picks

The classic, high-quality wristwatch is making a return, and it’s doing it with a slew of new functions. These characteristics not only make them a beautiful fashion accessory, but also an absolute need whether you’re at a resort or skiing.

The most advanced ski watches include tracking capabilities and can display preloaded ski maps while also showing your location via a GPS tracker. These are two of the most important functions. For skiing in the backcountry, they may come equipped with an integrated digital compass, and they can even provide a weather prediction so that you can organize your days.

Since the majority of standard watches do not have the additional features that are included in ski watches that are intended expressly for skiing, it is important to seek for a watch that is made to match the extreme sports lifestyle before your next trip.

I’m going to go through the characteristics of a few different ski watches that are considered to be among the finest on the market today. This will help you determine which features are really necessary for a good skiing watch and which ones are just gimmicks.

What To Look For In Watches For Skiing?

Basically… watches! Having the appropriate equipment may make a journey that is much more pleasurable for the traveler. Over the years, I have extensively used various equipment, stuffing my pockets to capacity with maps,  lift passes,GPS trackers, and tracking devices.

Although many of them are useful, particularly in certain circumstances, they all end up taking up precious space and becoming cumbersome. Having an all-in-one device sounds like a no-brainer.

When you first start looking for your new ski watch, it might seem like a bit of a daunting task. Every year, a new generation is introduced to the market, and it comes equipped with all of these characteristics that promise to make it the next must-have accessory to wear on your wrist.

Since there are so many different ski watches on the market, I have selected a few of the more popular models to review here so that you can get a head start on your search.

Is a Watch for Skiing Worth it?

Should I purchase a watch for myself? Is it worth the trouble? Certainly not as much as your ski jacket or ski goggles, but it is nice to have a tiny companion to perhaps strip back the weight of carrying the extras they provide for you.

The ability to control your phone with the tips of your fingers is always going to come in very handy when you have multiple layers on.

Top 7 Best Watches for Skiing in 2024

06/22/2024 11:34 am GMT

1. Suunto 9 Peak – Best Overall

The Suunto 9 Peak has a sleek, low-profile appearance that is achieved by its ultra-thin casing made of stainless steel. This watch is designed to serve a variety of purposes, and it comes equipped with eighty different sport modes as well as a number of other features that will be of great assistance to you while you are out and about on the slopes.

This touchscreen smartwatch is able to provide GPS navigation tools to your accompanying smartphone through the use of an app that can be installed on your smartphone.

You will be able to find your way using straightforward heatmaps and instructions with the help of the map that is presented on the screen of the watch. Since you will be able to see where you are going while cross-country skiing, the built-in maps will make the activity much simpler.

Even though it has a relatively small footprint, the battery life is not compromised in any way. When fully charged, it can operate for an impressive 25 hours in the GPS mode, which is known for being draining on the battery, and it can operate for 7 days in the tour mode, which uses less power.

The watch is naturally resistant to water up to a depth of 100 meters and features a number of monitoring functions, such as a heart rate monitor and a monitor for alerts regarding the weather.

Throughout the day, it will keep track of your descent, speed, ascent, as well as distance traveled, providing you with some interesting stats to share around the fire when you get back to the chalet.

Why Is It The Best Watch For Skiing In 2024?

The Suunto 9 Peak is an excellent choice if you are looking for a watch that is both stylish and fully functional for winter activities.

This watch may not have all of the additional features that some of the other, more expensive watches have, but if you just need something that will function across a wide range of sports, then this is the ideal watch for you to purchase.

It doesn’t become bogged down trying to do everything all at once; instead, it merely keeps it simple and retains a good battery life.

Specifications

• Item Package Dimensions: ‎3.51 x 3.51 x 3.39 inches
• Package Weight: 0.26 Kilograms
• Item Dimensions: ‎1.69 x 1.69 x 0.42 inches
• Weight: 62 Grams
• Warranty: ‎2 Year Manufacturer for Watch/ 1-Year Manufacturer for Accessories
• Color: ‎All Black
• Material: ‎Stainless Steel
• Model Year: 2021
• Components Included: Quick Guide, Suunto 9 Peak watch, charging cable, Warranty Leaflet
• Sport Type: Running, Cycling, Climbing, Swimming, Fitness

2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 – Runner Up

The Samsung Galaxy Watches are well-known for the exceptional quality of their construction as well as the athletic functionality they provide. They have excellent body tracking and work in conjunction with your phone to provide an experience that is both comprehensive and highly detailed. When it is worn, it is robust, stylish, and easy to identify at a glance.

When it comes to watches for skiing, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is one of the best options available. It creates an environment that works with your other Samsung bits of technology, similar to how the Apple Watch does earlier in this review. The headphones, cell phone, and watch are all designed to go together flawlessly.

It’s top of the line when it comes to technology, but how does it perform as a watch when it comes to skiing in particular?

The battery life of the watch isn’t quite as good as that of other watches on the market that are designed more specifically for certain functions, but this is primarily due to the sheer number of functions that the watch is capable of performing.

The watch is compatible with any sport app that you might have installed on your phone; However, the skiing functionality of the watch is severely lacking. It has trouble keeping track of days spent on the mountain and doesn’t provide support for ski maps.

The body tracking features are excellent, including the capacity to monitor blood oxygen levels, weight loss, calorie expenditure, and heart rate, and to log all of this information into whatever health monitoring tool the user chooses to employ. 

Therefore, it is an excellent watch to use when skiing if you are concerned about your health or want to track your progression. There is no question that the Samsung smartwatch is one of the best currently available, but it is not necessarily designed with skiing in mind.

Specs 

• Dimensions: 1.55 x 1.55 x 1.59 inches
• Weight: 0.914 ounces
• Batteries: 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included)

3. Uwinmo Smart Watch – Budget Pick

This is the low-cost smartwatch for those who are shopping with a strict budget. It does not have the sturdy construction of many of the other models that we have researched, but it does have a few helpful features that you might want to use, as long as you are careful not to get it too wet or cold.

This watch is capable of connecting to your smartphone through an app developed by a third party, and once it is connected, it will mirror a number of the smartphone’s most essential features directly on your wrist.

You are able to quickly read messages and respond to phone calls, and you can also keep track of basic exercise statistics. You can adjust the music playing on your phone and keep an eye on your heart rate while you’re out skiing.

It does have many of the fundamental capabilities of a smartwatch, and it can offer some nice upgrades for the price, but you shouldn’t expect too much from a model with this kind of price tag.

It works best as a simple stats tracker and as a quick way to answer your phone without having to make the effort of fumbling it out of your pocket while wearing gloves. Additionally, it can be used to track your location.

The problem with the cheaper construction is that it does not have a design that is durable. This watch is susceptible to damage from both water and cold, but as long as it is hidden under your clothes, you should be fine.

This is an excellent option to go with if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a smartwatch but still require some of the more fundamental features.

Specs

• Dimensions: ‎6.77 x 3.03 x 1.73 inches
• Weight‎: 0.23 Kilograms
• Color‎: Gold
• Material‎: Plastic
• Style‎: Modern 
• Sport Type‎: Running, Walking, Fitness, Cycling, Climbing

4. Coros Vertix GPS Adventure Watch

This is a timepiece that can do a wide variety of functions. It has a very long battery life, a seriously light build, is suited for winter sports, and is created with a highly sturdy structure. These are its distinguishing features. This is the watch to get if you are planning to invest a significant amount of money on a piece of serious sports technology.

Titanium, which has been used in the construction of the Coros Vertix, is the material that offers the highest level of structural integrity at the lowest possible weight.

This is paired with a sapphire screen, which is a material that is exclusively used for the most premium watches available on the market since it offers a highly scratch-resistant and transparent display at the same time. When looking for watches to use for skiing, you should look for ones that can withstand rough use without losing their accuracy or functionality.

This ski watch claims to have a battery life of 45 days on regular use and 60 hours on full GPS mode. While this is not the longest battery life available, it is absolutely more than enough for any skier who is looking to head out and not worry about their navigation failing them, even for a few days at a time. The amount of time that the battery will last during a day of skiing or perhaps hiking is going to be more than sufficient.

This watch outperforms all others that we have looked at so far in terms of its resistance to water. However, the Coros Vertix features a resistance of 150 meters, whilst the majority of skiing watches only have a resistance of 100 meters. As a result, it is one of the models that is both waterproof and resistant to damage caused by damp situations.

The blood oxygen and heart rate sensors on this watch are also worthy of being mentioned as a feature of this timepiece. This is a feature that is exclusive to the very finest timepieces. It is a function that will be most helpful to those who are really testing the boundaries of the mountain.

As you go to greater altitudes, the air becomes thinner, and the air pressure may begin to have an impact on the operations of your body. Using this watch, you can determine whether or not it is still appropriate for you to continue skiing. Having this gear protects you even from your daring and exploratory side, so be sure to get it.

If you are searching for watches that are specifically designed for skiing, this is one of the finest models that you can buy since it has a longer-than-average battery life, a design that is rugged while yet being lightweight, and a variety of functions.

Specs

• Weight: 2.72 ounces
• Dimensions: 1.85 x 2 x 0.66 inches
• Batteries: 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included)
• Display Size: 1.2 Inches
• Battery Life: 60 Hours
• Voice command: Dial

5. Garmin Fenix 7

The Garmin Fenix 7 is a tough ski watch that has a durable build and a battery life that matches its toughness. The reliable construction encases a smartwatch that communicates with your phone to perform an extensive variety of functions. It is packed with technology that will monitor your body, performance, and position throughout the day, allowing it to follow you as you participate in a wide variety of activities.

This is a top-notch timepiece that doesn’t break the bank. It is not the most affordable option among the variety of timepieces designed for skiing, but it will provide a lot. 

There is a mode on the Garmin Fenix that can be used for both skiing and snowboarding; in this mode, the device will monitor your travels and, in addition to a few preset ski maps, it will display your local map. Downloadable versions of the topographic maps may be found on the Garmin website.

Through the use of the built-in WiFi, users are able to download not just maps but also their progress, statistics, and any updates. You are able to download your favorite music applications and even save music on its 32 GB of memory thanks to the WiFi. 

You are still able to listen to your music even if you do not have a connection to the network. Your runs may be compared more accurately with your Garmin Fenix thanks to the watch, which records all of your outdoor activities.

The battery life of the Garmin Fenix skiing watch may be significantly extended by the use of solar power, which is supported by the watch. It claims to have a battery life ranging from 22 days when used as a smartwatch all the way up to 173 days when used in saving mode.

When it comes to wristwatches designed specifically for athletes, the Garmin Fenix is one of the top watches currently available. The sturdy structure is designed to be resistant to scuffs and scratches, as well as shocks, and is able to withstand the effects of severe weather.

As a result of the long battery life, you won’t have to worry about getting lost in the wilderness without your music or GPS. You will always be up to date on any and all statistics that you might be interested in checking thanks to the vast array of additional monitoring and tracking systems.

Specs

•  Weight:2.56 ounces
• Dimensions: ‎1.85 x 1.85 x 0.57 inches
• Display Size: ‎1.3 Inches
• Battery Life: ‎10 Hours
• Voice command: Touchscreen

6. Apple Watch Series 8

It’s safe to say that the Apple Watch Series 8 is one of the most well-known smartwatches currently available on the market. The Apple Watch Series 8 is an excellent option for those looking for a smartwatch that is both dependable and packed with features.

It is built from the ground up to be compatible with apple products and to provide a technical environment in which everything functions without a hitch.

This wristwatch not only has the capability to monitor your health, but it can also monitor your performance by keeping track of your speed and other important statistics as you ride. One of the most useful aspects is that it is compatible with all of the applications on your phone.

There is a specialized application that was developed for the Apple Watch that can download your ski maps and show them and you on the watch at the same time. Not only will it reveal where you are, but it will also be able to ping any of your pals who have GPS-enabled phones who are nearby.

 On the surface, the Apple Watch, with all of its many essential functions, seems to be the best option for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding.

However, the Apple Watch Series 8 is not well-known for having a design that is particularly durable. It can no longer work at temperatures below 0 degrees centigrade and has a water resistance of just 50 meters at its maximum.

The remarkable GPS accuracy and map features, in addition to its smooth connectivity with iPhone, make it the apparent pick out of all the skiing watches; nonetheless, its longevity is a major drawback.

Because it cannot function properly at low temperatures and has a water resistance rating that is significantly lower than average, it is not a viable option for anyone looking for the best watch to use for any kind of serious winter sports.

Specs 

• Case Weight:  45mm: 38.8g (Aluminum); 41mm: 32.0g 
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.0
• Width: 35mm, 38mm
• Depth: 10.7mm
• Battery life: Up to 18 hours 

7. Polar Grit X Pro

You don’t need to look any further if you’re looking for a watch for skiing that can withstand the rigors of a long day spent on the mountain because this is the one for you. This behemoth is designed to withstand the rigors of military use by using the toughest and most dependable materials for both the screen and the body.

The display panel is made of sapphire glass, which is marketed as the most scratch-resistant and transparent material in existence. In addition to this, the watch is constructed to withstand the rigors of military service and is resistant to water for a depth of up to one hundred meters. 

This device, in contrast to the Apple Watch, can work in temperatures ranging from -20 degrees Celsius to +50 degrees Celsius, which means it may be worn in any setting.

Aside from its sturdy construction, it also comes with a number of really attractive extra features that have been designed to improve both your skiing safety and your pleasure of the sport. 

This is a GPS watch that can not only keep track of the path that you have traveled, but it can also direct you back to the direction that you came, assuring that you will never get disoriented. When you go off the beaten road and into the wilderness, this nifty function is going to be of tremendous use to you.

The sophisticated heart rate monitor that is included into the Polar Grit X Pro offers benefits that are advantageous to the vast majority of skiers. This goes beyond just keeping track of your beats; instead, it makes use of its heart rate monitoring to determine how well your cardiac recovery is progressing throughout the course of your time spent exercising and relaxing. 

When participating in a sport that requires a significant amount of physical exertion, such as skiing or snowboarding, it is critical to schedule enough rest periods in order to make the most of the time you have available.

This is the best watch for anyone who is looking for something with a design that is built to last as well as some really great features that are geared toward the person who enjoys participating in athletic activities. 

In addition to a plethora of additional sport-specific accessories, it is equipped with both a global positioning system and a heart rate monitor. This water-resistant watch for skiing may be heavy, but it will be on your wrist for years to come and is certain to improve the experience of whatever activity you participate in.

Specs 

• Dimensions: 3.27 x 3.7 x 4.84 inches
• Weight: ‎10.5 Ounces
• Color: White
• Material: Synthetic
• Style: ‎Modern
• Size: S/M

How to Choose the Best Watches for Skiing in 2024? 

GPS

In my opinion, having a GPS on a ski watch is a really useful feature. It is a blessing that one does not need the use of a cumbersome and large map any more in order to determine the location of the next lift.

I have wasted far too many hours of my life waiting on lifts with a worn out and soaked map for not to appreciate the presence of a reliable GPS and map in such an accessible location. 

There aren’t too many watches out there that have this feature, but investing the additional money to get one that does is well worth it. Where do we stand with the altimeter?

The very minimum of what you should anticipate from anything that wants to be called a watch for skiing is that it should include this feature. These were included in even the simplest Casio digital watch model.

Water Resistance

Snow is moist, which means that your watch will also get wet. Even if you keep it tucked away under your arm the entire time and just take it out to tap it when you really have to, the water will still get on your wet ski gloves.

Make sure to keep a lookout for water resistance, particularly if you already possess something like an Apple watch. Skiing is a somewhat high-energy activity that necessitates equipment that is up to the challenge. No matter how cautious you are, you will still need something that is robust enough to survive a number of hits and scrapes.

Durability 

There is no use in investing money on something that won’t even go through one ride before it breaks. Keep an eye out for constructions made of solid titanium and steel, as well as strengthened sapphire screens. 

You are able to monitor how strenuously you are working out and, over the course of time, measure how much healthier you are getting. A great number of applications can communicate with heart rate monitors to keep a record of your overall physical health over time.

Conclusion

Although a ski watch is not the most essential piece of equipment that you can get for your next vacation, having one might make the activity a great deal more fun for you.

These days, a single piece of technology, known as a smartwatch, may perform the functions that formerly required a number of different pieces of apparatus.

It will save you a lot of time and aggravation if you will not have to struggle with a soaked ski map or search through your many pockets for your phone.