Skiing or snowboarding may seem difficult or complicated at night, but it can be so much fun when you have the right equipment. Seeing clearly is one of the most important aspects of getting out there at night, and goggles are vital in making it happen.
I am a certified snowboarding instructor, and I’ve been riding since I was a kid. I’ve been out night riding many times and have used numerous goggles to help me see under the lights and in the dark over the years.
The Oakley O-Frame 2.0 Pro is my choice for the best goggles for night skiing and snowboarding. They have a clear lens that will allow for 100% VLT and help you navigate the slopes in the dark.
There are a few other good options out there for your nighttime adventures in the snow, and I’ll show you those in this post.
Let’s wait for the sun to go down and get out there.
Contents
Who Should Get This
All of these goggles come with enhanced visibility that makes them perfect for people who like to ski or board at night.
Whether you like to go after the resorts close or wake up early and hit the slopes before sunrise, the clear lenses give you the best chance to see under the stars.
As these models work well in no light, they also do a good job in low-light. The wide frames and high VLT mean you’ll be able to use them at both dawn and dusk.
They are perfect for riders who like to head out at odd hours or embark on long expeditions.
Top Goggles for Night Skiing or Snowboarding
Here are my top picks for the best goggles for night skiing and snowboarding.
1. Best Overall: Oakley O-Frame 2.0 Pro
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: High definition optics, wide field of view, comfortable, good venting, anti-scratch and anti-fog
- VLT: Clear
- Lens: Interchangeable/Anti Fog
- Cost: $$
The Oakley O-Frame 2.0 Pro is my favorite pair of goggles for skiing or snowboarding at night. They come with a clear lens that will give you 100% VLT so you can see whatever comes your way on the mountain.
You’ll get a comfortable fit thanks to a flexible mid-sized frame that will mold around the shape of your face.
High-definition optics create outstanding clarity and contrast to adapt to the variable lighting conditions under the lights at night. The field of view on the O-Frame is exceptional, and you’ll get excellent peripheral vision.
Good ventilation and an anti-fog coating help limit moisture from building up and ensure that you see clearly at all times.
The strap is very comfortable and fits well, and the face foam provides a good contact point between your skin and the goggles.
The lenses are interchangeable, but it’s challenging to get them out quickly.
==> You can also get it on Oakley or Evo or FramesDirect.
2. Best for Helmets: Smith Cascade
- Best for: Helmets
- Key features: Easily adjustable, cylindrical dual-lens, hypoallergenic face foam, lifetime warranty
- VLT: Clear
- Lens: Not interchangeable
- Cost: $$
The Smith Cascade is an excellent option for helmet compatibility because it has an easy-to-adjust single strap system. This will give you the ability to adjust the size to stretch over your helmet quickly.
These have a medium fit that will work for many different face sizes, and the frame is flexible to mold around your eyes and cheeks.
Clear lenses give you 100% VLT for adequate visibility when you are skiing or snowboarding at night. The dual-lens system features a cylindrical shape to provide you with better clarity and curvature that mimics the human eye.
A single layer of hypoallergenic face foam provides lasting comfort and helps keep wind, snow, and moisture away from your face and the inside of the goggles.
They also come with a lifetime warranty, which adds value and translates into quality you can rely on.
The Cascade doesn’t have the best ventilation, so it can be prone to fogging if you build up a sweat. And the lenses are not interchangeable.
==> You can also get it on Smith Optics or A Sight For Sport Eyes or Backcountry.
3. Best Budget Pick: Juli Ski/Snowboard Goggles
- Best for: Budget Pick
- Key features: Affordable, great ventilation, helmet-compatible, comfortable, lifetime guarantee
- VLT: 83%
- Lens: Not interchangeable
- Cost: $
If you want a cheap and effective option to help you get out in the snow at night, check out the Juli Ski/Snowboard Goggles. These will work well when you’re under the lights, and their price is certainly right.
They come with a clear lens with 83% VLT. This will give you excellent vision under and contrast at night and provide you with just a little bit of tint to cut down on the glare from the lights.
The goggles come with excellent ventilation thanks to ports located on the bottom and top of the frame that works to pull cold air in and let hot air escape. This limits fog from building up and reduces moisture.
You’ll also get a long strap that is easy to adjust and makes the goggles extremely helmet-compatible. This also means they will work for skiers and riders of all sizes.
The Juli goggles also come with a lifetime guarantee, which increases their already good value.
They don’t have the most durable lens. You’ll want to make sure you take care of them so they don’t get scratched.
==> You can also get it on AliExpress.
4. Best for Under the Lights: Bolle Mojo
- Best for: Under the Lights
- Key features: Slightly tinted, Flow-Tech venting, double lens design, P80 plus anti-fog/anti-scratch coating, one year warranty
- VLT: Around 80%
- Lens: Not interchangeable
- Cost: $$
Some people like to have a little bit of tint when they are out night skiing or snowboarding. The Bolle Mojo will provide you with just enough to cut down on the glare of the lights while still allowing you to see everything coming your way on the mountain.
They have a medium/large fit that is versatile and will work for most riders. They also come with an advanced lens technology that increases clarity and contrast.
A double lens design helps create a thermal barrier that ups your vision to another level and creates a seal to the weather outside.
Flow-Tech venting helps minimize moisture build-up and fogging. This system uses ports to promote constant airflow within the inner layer of the goggles.
A P80 Plus anti-fog and anti-scratch coating are highly effective at limiting the possibility of both factors that can impact your vision.
These aren’t a great option for anyone with a small face.
5. Best Low Profile: Oakley L-Frame
- Best for: Low Profile
- Key features: Fits smaller faces, O matter frame, polycarbonate lens, triple-layer face foam fleece, impact-resistant lens
- VLT: Clear
- Lens: Not interchangeable
- Cost: $$
The Oakley L-Frame is a good night goggle for anyone with a small face. They have a low-profile O-matter frame that will mold nicely around smaller faces.
A clear lens gives you good optics at night, and the polycarbonate construction makes them very strong. The lens is also coated with an anti-fog layer that helps block scratches.
Even though the L-frame is low profile, it will still work with glasses, so it is a good option for anyone who doesn’t want a large profile OTG option.
Triple-layer face foam fleece provides a nice cushion against your face and helps wick away sweat and keep snow out.
The L-Frame wasn’t explicitly engineered as a snow goggle, so they don’t repel moisture quite as well as some other Oakley goggles.
==> You can also get it on Oakley or RevZilla or Cycle Gear Direct.
6. Best Field of View: Zionor X
- Best for: Field of View
- Key features: Wide field of view, panoramic design, enhanced durability tech, helmet-compatible, comfortable
- VLT: 94%
- Lens: Not interchangeable
- Cost: $$
If you want to extend your field of view to get better vision while you are out night riding, the Zionor X has a lot to offer. These come with a panoramic design that gives you outstanding peripheral vision.
The lenses have a 94% VLT so you will see clearly and get excellent contrast at night. The lenses also have been optimized with an anti-fog treatment to enhance visibility even further.
Enhanced Durability Tech has been engineered into the goggles to make them better suited to impact resistance.
Thanks to a fully adjustable strap and a triple-layer of face foam that helps make a good seal against your face, the X is also very comfortable.
These can feel a little bit bulky, but that’s the price you pay for an extended field of view.
==> You can also get it on Walmart or Sears.
How to Choose Snow Goggles for Night Skiing/Snowboarding
Before you buy a set of goggles for night skiing or snowboarding, read through the information below to help you make the best choice.
VLT
When it comes to snow goggles, visible light transmission (VLT) is king. VLT refers to how much light your goggles let through. The lower the VLT number, the more tint. As such, you want a high VLT number when picking up nighttime goggles.
Look for lenses that are either completely clear or have a very slight tint. Such colors will let in the maximum amount of light and give you the best chance of seeing under the moon.
Anti-Fog Technology
You always need to pay attention to your surroundings when you’re out at night, which is why you don’t want your goggles to fog.
There are a few ways to cut down on condensation, including dual-pane lenses and ventilation. Look for models that utilize either.
Dual-pane lenses help regulate temperature, while good ventilation lets cold air in and allows warm air to escape.
Field of Vision
Night skiing or snowboarding, while fun, can be dangerous. That is why a wide field of vision is so important. A large field of view enables you to see as much of the mountain as possible.
That tends to lead to better peripherals, giving you the ability to keep track of any obstacles you might face.
FAQs
Here are some quick answers to a few common questions about night skiing and snowboarding.
Do I need clear goggles for night skiing?
Technically, no. But I think clear lenses are the best way to go. These will give you the most light and will help you see better than tinted lights. You can use a slight tint with a higher VLT%, and it will work just fine.
What color goggles are best for night skiing?
I like clear goggles the best. These give you the most accurate vision when you are out night skiing or riding. If you are in a location that has really bright lights, a yellow or orange tint can work as long as it has a higher VLT%
Are orange lenses good for night skiing?
Orange lenses can work but make sure that they have a higher VLT%. Some orange or amber lenses are a little bit darker than others. You want as much light to come through your lenses as possible when you are out at night.
What should I wear for night skiing?
You should pretty much wear what you usually would when skiing or snowboarding. I would be prepared for extra cold temperatures, however. Wear an extra layer or two, or at least have options in your pack in case it gets really cold.
Additional Tips and Resources
No matter how well you know the area or how much gear you have, it always helps to take the proper precautions. Night riding can be dangerous, and having the ability to see is critical.
A big part of night riding is keeping your goggles fog-free. While the above models have specific built-in attributes that cut back on fog, you can take some steps to clear your lenses if they ever fog up.
Here’s an awesome short video showing you some valuable tips during night skiing:
My Verdict
The Oakley O-Frame 2.0 Pro is my top pick in a goggle for night skiing or snowboarding. These will give you excellent vision in darker conditions and are super comfortable. They also come with solid construction and Oakley’s high standard of excellence.
A clear or near-clear pair of snow goggles is critical when you’re hitting the slopes at night. You’ll find all of the options here come with clear lenses or have a very high VLT% to help you stay safe out there.
About Lorraine