10 Gift Ideas for Winter Sports Enthusiasts

Fall brings a broad spectrum of colored leaves, the joy of raking and bagging leaves, and the start of winter sports season. For winter sports enthusiasts, they long for the days of whiter powder and cold temperatures. Thinking about the snow against their face as they move from side to side, down the slopes, makes their heart beat faster. These inexpensive gift ideas will provide winter sports enthusiasts with the same level of excitement.

Winter Sports Enthusiast Gift Idea #1: Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Bags are a classic gift; however, winter sports enthusiasts find these to be very useful gifts. When searching for a sleeping bag, the devil is in the details. When choosing the proper sleeping bag considers the conditions your winter sports enthusiast will be in. Things that should be considered are distance being hiked, temperature, and climate. Hikers will need a lighter weight sleeping bag. Colder temperatures will require a higher weight sleeping bag. Heavy snow will need a waterproof sleeping bag.

Winter Sports Enthusiast Gift Idea #2: Eating Utensils
Good set of eating utensils meant for camping. Eating is a must for every person, even winter sports enthusiasts that are in top physical condition. Winter sports such as cross country skiing, may require carrying your campsite with you. It is impractical to carry a complete kitchen with you. Quality eating utensils can be used with everything from canned beans to rehydrated freeze dried food.

Winter Sports Enthusiast Gift Idea #4: Gift Cards
Often, Winter sports enthusiastes are looking for the next "thrill". This search can cause them to switch between several different winter sports. This may make it difficult to get a useful gift. No one wants to purchase a set of skis, only to realize the receiver is now snowboarding. Gift cards make it very easy to avoid such embarassment. Gift cards are available from a number of quality wilderness stores including; Bass Pro Shops, McSports, or Cabella.

Winter Sports Enthusiast Gift Idea #5: Gloves
A classic gift, for winter sports enthusiasts, is gloves. Gloves are a gift that keeps on giving. Ofte, winter sports enthusiasts may lose gloves from one season to the next. It can be very frustrating to prepare for the big ski trip and realize that you cannot find your gloves. Many brick and mortar and online retailers offer quality winter gloves.

Winter Sports Enthusiast Gift Idea #6: Quality Socks
While I have never been a winter sports enthusiast, I have spent many hours doing security work in cold weather. Whether you are skiing, snowboarding, or patrolling, it is important to protect your feet from frostbite. Thorlo offers a pair of ski socks that are perfect for winter sports enthusiasts. Thorlo's ski socks offer such benefits as; Thermolite to ensure maximum warmth and wicking of perspiration, a cushioned ball and heel to provide maximum cushioning, and thin cushioning in shin to protect from boot pressures. At only $18.99, these socks are a quality, inexpensive gift.

Winter Sports Enthusiast Gift Idea #7: Multi-Tool
Most, winter sports enthusiasts do not set out to be survival experts. However, it is important to remember the Boy Scout model and "be prepared". While not planned, emergency situations can happen. A quality multi-tool can be used for either tightening bindings, fixing a stuck zipper, or even open a bottle. Volcom describes their multi-tool as, "Multi-Tool with Small Phillips Head Screwdriver, Large Phillips Head Screwdriver, Flat Head Screwdriver, Bottle Opener and Split Ring." (Volcom Multi Tool - Gold, n.d.) Volcom's multi-tool is effective and will not break your pocket book. Volcom's multi-tool can be purchased for $17.94.

Winter Sports Enthusiast Gift Idea #8: Hand/Foot Warmers
Winter sports enthusiasts spend a large amount of their time in cold weather. I realize this may sound like a "no duh". You would be surprised how many non-winter sports enthusiasts overlook this fact. When the body gets cold, the hands and feet are the first areas to receive lower blood flow. With lower blood flow, fingers and hands may lose dexterity. Hand/foot warmers are an inexpensive gift that will help keep, your winter sports enthusiast, safe and warm. REI sells a 2 pack of hand warmers for $2.50. (Grabber Hand Warmers - Two Pack, n.d.)

Winter Sports Enthusiast Gift Idea #9: Under Armor
Many of our inexpensive gifts are geared towards keeping your winter sports enthusiast warm. In keeping with this theme, you should consider Under Armor. Under Armor was first made famous by summer sports as a quality garment that was cool and kept perspiration away from the body. Under Armor also makes a line of undergarments targeted for winter sports enthusiasts. These garments keep winter sports enthusiasts both warm and dry. Under Armour offers shirts for $59.99, vests for $79.99, and a base crew for $79.99.

Winter Sports Enthusiast Gift Idea #10: Headliner
Keeping your head warm and dry is just as important as your hands or feet. REI offers a headliner balaclava that provides Thermax® polyester to wick away moisture and dry quickly. It is blended with stetchy Lycra® spandex for a comfortably snug fit. It is also lightweight and stores easily in a pocket.

This holiday season, finding a gift that is useable and meets your budget is even more important. Whether your winter sports enthusiast enjoys snowboarding, skiing, or hiking these gift ideas will provide hours of enjoyment. More importantly, many of these gifts will aid in keeping them safe.

References
Ski Socks - Thin Cushion. Thorlo.com. Retrieved on November 7, 2009 from http://www.thorlo.com/socks/ski-socks/over-calf/78.php
Volcom Multi Tool - Gold. Volcom.com. Retrieved on November 7, 2009 from http://www.shredshop.com/store/product/104280/Volcom-Multi-Tool---Gold/
Grabber Hand Warmers. REI. Retrieved on November 7, 2009 from http://www.rei.com/product/405046