8 Best Cameras for Skiing in 2023 [Top Picks by Skiers]

Sharing your joy of skiing with the world requires a ski camera that can capture that pleasure well and be just as much of a pleasure to use.

You need a small light camera that you can mount on a head or chest and forget about till you’re done having fun on snowy hills.

Considering these requirements, it wouldn’t be wrong to state that nothing can beat action cams in this case. They’re the perfect fit for activities like skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, and more.

In addition to that, action cameras are easy to find, but choosing the right one isn’t that simple.

Quite a lot of brands make action cameras these days.

And they’ve managed to cover different price points with so many unique features that it’s hard to make up our minds.

8 Best Cameras for Skiing in 2023

To help you pick the best action camera for skiing, I’ve consulted with dozens of accomplished skiers and compiled this list of top-rated options.

Each of these skiing cameras has something unique and exciting to offer, and you’re sure to find exactly what you need.

The cameras in this list aren’t just ranked by the price but also by features and design.

Whether you’re looking for a rugged stills camera, a 360 camera, or the best traditional action camera money can buy, you’ll find it here.

1. Best Overall: DJI Action 2 Dual-Screen

The Action 2 is meant to be a fully modular platform that you upgrade as you go.

Coupled with its unique magnetic mounting system, the DJI’s Action 2 will adapt, and quickly, to anything that you want it to.

The lightweight core unit is excellent for skiers looking for a mountable ski helmet camera, and the add-ons will appeal to more advanced users.

Why is it Suited for Skiing?

With a 120 FPS 4K mode and a 155° FOV, the Action 2 will get you those dreamy, 4K action shots you’ve always drooled over in those Youtube videos of your favorite skiers.

If you’d rather focus on your skiing rather than framing, the camera also supports a full 360° of horizon leveling if you don’t mind shooting in a cropped 2.7K “normal” lens mode.

The 12MP stills captured on this camera’s 1/1.7” sensor can’t challenge an iPhone, but it’s not like you’re going to whip an iPhone out of your inner pocket while hurtling down a ski slope.

Connectivity

The Action 2 dual-screen comprises a core camera unit and a secondary display unit that attaches magnetically and is required for charging and data transfer.

The camera unit comes with 32GB of internal storage, but the display unit supports 256GB microSD cards.

The latter also houses a USB-C port and an additional battery.

Design and Build

This little ski helmet camera is just as capable as any larger GoPro camera.

Measuring 39×39 mm and weighing a mere 0.12 lb, this tiny camera is perfect for use on drones.

Battery Life

The core unit’s battery life is rated at 70 minutes for a 1080p video and about 30 minutes for 4K.

The add-on camera unit takes that battery life up to 110 minutes of 1080p footage, but it’s not waterproof, and you’ll need to get the weather-proof cage accessory for the combo if you want more battery life on the go.

Should you buy it?

Other action cameras offer better image quality and features at this price, but there is no 4K action camera out there that’s as light and tiny as the Action 2.

If you’re a skier who loves to fly FPV drones to help capture footage, DJI Action 2 is the skiing camera you want.

2. Best GoPro for Skiing: GoPro HERO10

GoPro is synonymous with action cameras, and the GoPro HERO10 Black epitomizes the reasons why.

If budget is no bar and you need the best camera for skiing, Hero 10 is my go-to recommendation.

With exceptional image quality and unmatched stabilization, there’s simply no reason to get another camera if you can afford this one.

Why is it Suited for Skiing?

Capable of shooting 5.3K 60 FPS, 4K 120, and FHD 240, to say that the HERO10 is specced out is an understatement.

Image quality is superb, and paired with GoPro’s proprietary HyperSmooth 4 stabilization engine, you’re guaranteed the most buttery smooth skiing shots you could ever imagine.

Additionally, it captures great-looking 23.9MP stills, and thanks to that second screen on the front, it can also capture some well-framed selfies.

The camera also lets you grab 19.3MP stills from your videos.

Connectivity

You can use the HERO10’s fast Wi-Fi for quick and easy sharing of skiing pictures and videos, and there’s USB-C if you need to transfer a lot of data more quickly or are using a PC to edit.

With a GoPro subscription and a nearby smartphone, you could also upload your footage directly to the cloud.

Design and Build

The HERO10 is built like a tank with good reason.

It’s designed to deal with the abuse you throw at it, and it’s entirely weatherproof and waterproof down to 33 ft.

A bit of snow is simply not going to be a bother.

Battery Life

GoPro says that you’ll get 120 minutes of continuous record time per battery with the HERO10.

However, expert opinion suggests that this is not enough for a full day’s shooting and that you’ll be better off carrying a spare battery or two.

The camera does charge via USB-C, so that’s an option as well if you remember to charge the device between ski touring.

Should you buy it?

There’s no question about it, if you need the best action camera for skiing, just buy the HERO10.

It might seem a little pricey, but rest assured you’re getting the very best there is, both in terms of features and image quality.

3. Best 360 Camera for Skiing: Insta360 ONE X2

360 cams are great ski action cameras because you get to reframe your shots as you like without worrying about the placement.

The Insta360 ONE X2 is the best example of such a camera with excellent AI editing features and a fun little lanyard for Matrix-style slo-mo shots.

Why is it Suited for Skiing?

When shooting 360° ski videos, the ONE X2 outputs a 5.7K 60 FPS file.

This can be dropped to 3K 100 FPS if you want slo-mo, which you will if you play with the lanyard.

In addition to this, you’ll find Flowstate stabilization, horizon leveling, and AI features like clone trails.

Overall, it’s a great video camera for skiing and other relevant activities.

Photography with this camera isn’t bad either.

It’s capable of capturing 18.5MP 360° stills and 6.4MP panoramas using a single 180° lens.

The camera also supports HDR, interval, night mode, bursts, and more.

Connectivity

This camera is all about quick, fun edits, and to ensure that happens, it’s packing support for 802.11ac Wi-Fi.

Wireless data transfer is fast.

You could also connect an Android device or PC via USB-C or use a microSD card reader to download data from the UHS-I class card that the camera uses.

Design and Build

To keep things simple, this camera features a small, circular touchscreen that helps only with framing and basic controls.

Two 180° cameras near the top give it that 360° view, and it uses AI to eliminate the body, selfie stick, etc., to give you a seamless 360° image.

The camera is, of course, weather-sealed with a rating of IPX8, making it great for use in the snow.

Battery Life

The camera charges via USB-C, and the internal battery should allow you to shoot for up to 85 minutes.

Battery life does drop in the cold, however, so do remember to keep the camera topped up between sessions.

Should you buy it?

If you’re looking for a fun 360° ski camera that can capture unique perspectives, look no further than the Insta 360 ONE X2.

Image quality is decent, but its real strength lies in its software support and easy AI editing features.

4. Best Camera for Backcountry Skiing: GoPro MAX

If you’re a fan of GoPros and need a 360° camera from their stables, the GoPro MAX is what you want.

The camera packs all the amazing software features that make GoPros great while shooting excellent, high-quality video.

It’s the perfect skiing companion.

Why is it Suited for Skiing?

The MAX shoots 5.6K 360° video, but only at 30 FPS.

You’ll need to drop the resolution to 1440p for a higher frame rate, which means this camera is more beneficial for cinematic shots than action ones.

You can also live stream 1080p video if you have a phone nearby.

Photos from this camera are great, with the sensor getting you 16.6MP 360° stills, 5.5MP 180° stills, and 6.2MP panoramas.

Staple GoPro features like 360° horizon leveling and HyperSmooth are supported.

Connectivity

As expected from a GoPro, connectivity is great, and you get fast Wi-Fi and USB-C support for tethered data transfer to an Android phone or PC.

The MAX can also automatically offload data to a connected phone and upload it to the cloud if you have a premium subscription.

Design and Build

As with most 360° cameras, the MAX is very narrow but, unusually, has a square face.

This additional real estate allows for a larger display, which should help greatly with framing.

The camera is weather-sealed and waterproof, and the package even includes a protective case for shock protection.

Battery Life

Battery life is about average for this class of devices.

The included 1600 mAh battery charges via USB-C and can power the device for up to 85 minutes of continuous recording.

Switch to 180° shooting, and you could extract another 15 minutes of life from the battery.

Should you buy it?

While I do wish the camera supported 60 FPS video at 5.6K, I must admit that it’s not something a skier really needs unless they’re going for fast-paced action shots.

For everything else, the MAX has plenty to offer and is the best camera for ski photography.

5. Best Budget Action Camera: DJI Osmo Action

Think of the Osmo Action as a budget GoPro Hero 9.

It gives you 90% of the more expensive camera’s features at a fraction of the price, and what DJI Osmo Action” offers isn’t compromised in any way.

With excellent 60 FPS video, stabilization, and leveling, there’s little reason to spend more.

Why is it Suited for Skiing?

Shooting 4K 60 FPS video, or FHD 240 FPS for 8x slo-mo, the Osmo Action certainly delivers on the video front.

The in-built RockSteady stabilization system will rival that of the GoPro HERO 9, and you get some amount of horizon leveling.

The Osmo’s 1/2.3” CMOS sensor captures very decent 12 MP stills in good light, especially with that F2.8 aperture.

ISO only goes to 3200, though, and images can get noisy, so avoid using the camera in the dark.

Connectivity

With 802.11ac Wi-Fi and BLE 4.2 support, connectivity is quick and easy.

Data can also be transferred out via USB-C.

Stills and video can be recorded to a 256 GB microSD card, which is good because the Action supports the exFAT file system.

Design and Build

It’s built like a traditional action camera and, in terms of weight and dimensions, is smaller and a bit lighter than the GoPro HERO 9.

It also features dual touchscreens (though only one can be used at a time) and a very smooth and responsive UI.

With the hard-plastic protective case, the camera ends up compatible with GoPro mounts as well, making it very flexible to use.

Battery Life

Given its more efficient processor, the OSMO Action promises about 90 minutes of continuous recording even in the snow.

Still, you’ll want to carry a couple of spares if you anticipate being away from a charger for a day or more.

Should you buy it?

While everyone wants a GoPro, the OSMO Action is all we really need for most of what we shoot.

If you’re looking for the best budget action camera for skiing, this is the ideal sweet spot in terms of value and features.

Spending more will primarily give you a higher resolution image, which not everyone needs.

6. Best Build Quality: OLYMPUS Tough TG-6

The TG-6 fills an unusual niche, that of the shock-proof, weather-sealed stills camera.

The OLYMPUS Tough TG-6 is built like an old-school point-n-shoot but is ruggedized to a military grade and is primarily designed for capturing photos in harsh environments.

Why is it Suited for Skiing?

The 1/2.3” sensor in here is the same size as the one you’ll find in most action cameras, and its 12 MP resolution is much lower.

However, it makes up for that with great optics, offering an excellent 35-100 mm F2 equivalent zoom lens that will get you nice, sharp images that no action camera could capture.

The camera can shoot 4K 30 video if you need it to, but with only CDAF for focusing and no horizon leveling, this is more a vlogging camera than an action one.

Connectivity

You’re going to need a fast SD card reader if you shoot a lot.

The camera supports 802.11n Wi-Fi, which is fast enough for quick transfer to a phone, but the micro USB port in here is only rated at USB 2.0 speeds.

Design and Build

The TG-6 is one of the only crush and shock-resistant stills cameras you can buy at this price, and that’s what makes it special and perfect for use as a skier.

The camera will survive crashes, and with a minimum operating temperature of 14° F, it’ll handle the snow with ease.

Battery Life

This being a stills camera first, battery life for video isn’t great, and you’ll be lucky to break the 50-minute mark when recording 4K footage.

For stills, however, the battery will easily last you 350 shots or more.

Should you buy it?

If you’re looking for a ruggedized stills camera, this is the camera you want.

It’s also a great gift for kids experiencing the snow for the first time.

Its inexpensive and rugged design will hold up well to the unintentional abuse it’ll suffer at a child’s hands.

7. Best Camera for Skiing Photos: GoPro HERO9 Black

The HERO10’s younger sibling is a powerful camera in its own right.

The HERO10 only builds on the performance characteristics of the Hero, after all, and is more of an evolutionary upgrade.

This means that the 9 is a better value for skiers.

Why is it Suited for Skiing?

The camera shoots cinematic 5K 30 FPS video, but for action, you’ll want to drop the resolution to 4K to shoot in 60 FPS mode or the 2.7K 120 FPS mode.

You also get 8x slo-mo at FHD, 30 degrees of horizon leveling, and 360 degrees of leveling with the optional MAX lens mod.

For stills, the camera can output 20MP images and supports virtual lenses that crop in the frame to narrow the ~ 150° FOV to something less distorted.

The front-facing OLED helps with framing selfies, and you get a bunch of accessories that make shooting easier.

Connectivity

Connectivity is the standard GoPro fare.

You get fast Wi-Fi for quick data transfers, auto-offload, and upload with a GoPro subscription and live streaming support.

There’s also an HDMI port and a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.

Design and Build

The HERO9 features a more powerful processor and thus went with a larger body that allows for better heat dissipation and a larger battery.

It still only weighs 0.35 lb, though, and even long-time GoPro users won’t notice the difference.

Given its rugged, waterproof shell, this is an excellent choice as a ski camera.

Battery Life

While the battery is larger than the one in the GoPro 8, battery life is only rated at 70 minutes.

This is partly because of the more powerful GP1 processor, which trades performance for power draw.

You’ll need to carry spare batteries on your ski trips. 

Should you buy it?

If you don’t need the HERO10’s flagship modes and insane horizon leveling, the HERO9 is a great option that will save you a 100 bucks or so.

Treat it as a 4K 60 camera, and you won’t be disappointed.

8. Cheapest 5K Action Camera: AKASO Brave 7 LE

The brand isn’t as well known as GoPro or DJI, but what you lose in brand value, you gain in savings.

The camera is dirt cheap and just as capable as 2 or 3-generations old GoPros while selling at a fraction of the cost.

As a pocket-friendly option, Brave 7 LE is hard to beat.

Why is it Suited for Skiing?

The camera shoots 5K 30 FPS video and 240 FPS slo-mo at 720p.

This is good enough for cinematic action shots in the snow, though you don’t get premium features like HyperSmooth or 45° horizon leveling.

You can capture 20 MP stills with this camera but be warned that the sensor is only suitable for use in good lighting as dynamic range is low and noise levels are high in low light.

However, there is a front-facing screen, which is very useful for selfies.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are supported, but more for enabling wireless remote features than data transfer to a smartphone app.

The micro-USB port here is only rated at USB 2.0, so I wouldn’t recommend using it for data transfer either.

Get a good card reader and copy the files off the 128 GB UHS-I class microSD cards that the camera uses.

Design and Build

It’s designed like a GoPro but isn’t as well built.

That said, the camera is weather-sealed and, with the hard plastic case, supports GoPro mounts.

If you’re skiing, take the case with you, and you won’t have to worry about damaging the camera or getting it wet.

Battery Life

At 65 minutes, battery life is below average but nearly matches the much more expensive GoPro HERO9.

You can charge via micro USB, of course, but I’d recommend carrying spares rather than attempting to fiddle with cases and USB ports in the snow.

Should you buy it?

At this price, there really isn’t any other option.

The camera isn’t as impressive as a GoPro, but it gets the basics right, making it a good choice for kids or as a budget option for someone learning the ropes, so to speak.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

There’s no question about it, the best GoPro for ski videos is the HERO10 Black.

With its cutting-edge stabilization, horizon leveling, and impeccable image quality, it shoots videos that would normally require an entire film crew.

• If you need a 360° camera for filming skiing, I’d recommend the Insta 360 ONE X2. it’s a great, fun little camera with excellent features and even better software support.
• On a budget, I’d recommend the AKASO Brave 7 LE, or if you can up it a bit, the DJI Osmo Action. These are great skiing helmet cams that nail the basics, sacrificing frills for value.

I hope you learned enough about skiing cameras from this list to help make an informed decision and pick that perfect camera for your next ski trip.

Just remember that the goal is to have fun and not to get caught up in specs and features!