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11 Best Cameras for Skiing, Snowboarding & Snow Sports

The best camera for skiing lets you capture all the action from the slopes. You can transform exhilarating snowbound action into awesome content. Skiing and snowboarding are fast and furious. But the best cameras for skiing take it in stride, giving you amazing photos and videos.

Our Picks at a Glance

All 11 Cameras
Original Top Pick
GoPro Hero11 Black
GoPro Hero11 Black

The original guide’s first choice for skiing and snowboarding.

Budget Alternative
Akaso Brave 8
Akaso Brave 8

The guide’s alternative for readers with a smaller budget.

360° Pick
Insta360 ONE X2
Insta360 ONE X2

The guide’s choice for capturing the action in every direction.

The GoPro Hero 11 tops our list of the best cameras for skiing. But there are 10 other action cameras that’ll deliver fantastic mountainside media. Whether you’re skiing, snowboarding, or tobogganing, we have a camera for you.

Skier doing a trick in mid-air on a snowy mountain
© Sebastian Staines

What is the Best Camera for Skiing?

Athletes in winter sports have to be brave, determined, and tough. It’s a dangerous life in the snow-topped mountains. And you need a camera that’s up to the challenge.

Every camera on this list has what it takes. Their features give you high-quality images and videos. And they’re tough enough for the extreme conditions of winter sports.

Here’s a quick run-through of our top cameras for skiing. We’ll jump into the details of each camera in the next section. And we’ve also created an FAQ section at the bottom if you still need more information.

  1. GoPro Hero11 Black
  2. Akaso Brave 8
  3. Insta360 ONE X2
  4. DJI Osmo Action 3
  5. Akaso EK7000
  6. Dragon Touch 4K Action
  7. GoPro Hero7 Silver
  8. Akaso Brave 4
  9. GoPro Max
  10. Olympus Tough TG-6
  11. Kodak PixPro SP360

11 Best Cameras for Skiing in Detail

These are the cameras selected in the original March 2024 guide. Compare the same four specifications for each camera below.

1
Original Top Pick

GoPro Hero11 Black

GoPro Hero11 Black

The original guide’s first choice for skiing and snowboarding.

Video
5.3K / 60 fps
Photos
27 MP
Stabilization
HyperSmooth 5.0
Waterproofing
10 m without housing

Strengths

  • 5.3K video at up to 60 fps
  • HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilization
  • Removable Enduro battery

Trade-Offs

  • Full-height 8:7 video is limited to 30 fps at 5.3K
  • Horizon Lock depends on the recording mode
2
Budget Alternative

Akaso Brave 8

Akaso Brave 8

The guide’s alternative for readers with a smaller budget.

Video
4K
Photos
48 MP
Stabilization
Electronic / SuperSmooth
Waterproofing
10 m without housing

Strengths

  • 48 MP for stunning image quality
  • Waterproof and durable body
  • Image stabilization for slick video

Trade-Offs

  • Not much cheaper than a GoPro
  • Not compatible with all smartphones
  • Some users have experienced glitches
3
360° Pick

Insta360 ONE X2

Insta360 ONE X2

The guide’s choice for capturing the action in every direction.

Video
5.7K / 30 fps
Photos
18 MP
Stabilization
FlowState
Waterproofing
10 m without housing

Strengths

  • Uses advanced FlowState image stabilization for smooth footage
  • Voice control operations
  • Waterproof and shoots underwater down to 33 ft (10 m)

Trade-Offs

  • Features are limited compared to non-360 action cameras
  • It has a tendency to freeze when used for a long time
  • Touchscreen is very small and fiddly
4

DJI Osmo Action 3

DJI Osmo Action 3
Video
4K
Photos
12 MP
Stabilization
RockSteady 3.0
Waterproofing
16 m without housing

Strengths

  • 4K recording at up to 120 fps
  • RockSteady 3.0 electronic stabilization
  • Waterproof body rated to 16 m

Trade-Offs

  • Low-light performance is a disappointment
  • Photography modes are a step behind the video options
  • Voice control is unreliable
5

Akaso EK7000

Akaso EK7000
Video
4K
Photos
Varies by version
Stabilization
Varies by version
Waterproofing
Housing required

Strengths

  • 30 fps burst for full-resolution photos
  • Loop recording, burst, and time-lapse video modes all built-in
  • Easy-control wrist remote when attached to helmet or handlebars

Trade-Offs

  • Requires a housing for waterproofing
  • The wrist remote is not waterproof
  • Photo resolution and stabilization vary between hardware versions
6

Dragon Touch 4K Action

Dragon Touch 4K Action
Video
4K
Photos
Not confirmed
Stabilization
Not confirmed
Waterproofing
Housing required

Strengths

  • 4K video recording
  • Wi-Fi connectivity

Trade-Offs

  • Requires a housing for waterproofing
  • The exact hardware version needs confirmation before comparing photo resolution or stabilization
7

GoPro Hero7 Silver

GoPro Hero7 Silver
Video
4K
Photos
10 MP
Stabilization
Electronic
Waterproofing
10 m without housing

Strengths

  • 4K video at 30 fps
  • Electronic video stabilization
  • Waterproof without an extra housing

Trade-Offs

  • No front-facing screen
  • No external microphone input
8

Akaso Brave 4

Akaso Brave 4
Video
4K
Photos
20 MP
Stabilization
Gyro Stabilization
Waterproofing
Housing required

Strengths

  • Stunning 20 MP photo resolution
  • Adjustable viewing angle between 70 and 170 degrees
  • Built-in smart gyroscope for excellent image stabilization

Trade-Offs

  • The processor can struggle when shooting at high resolutions
  • Limited number of features compared to newer models
  • Menus could be easier to navigate
9

GoPro Max

GoPro Max
Video
5.6K / 30 fps (360°)
Photos
16.6 MP (360°)
Stabilization
Max HyperSmooth
Waterproofing
5 m without housing

Strengths

  • Records both 360° and single-lens video
  • Max HyperSmooth stabilization
  • Six microphones for 360° audio

Trade-Offs

  • Expensive for a limited action camera
  • Limited shooting modes compared to GoPro Hero range
  • 360-degree footage often requires editing for best results
10

Olympus Tough TG-6

Video
4K
Photos
12 MP
Stabilization
Photo + video IS
Waterproofing
15 m without housing

Strengths

  • RAW photo capture
  • Close focusing down to 1 cm
  • Full HD slow motion at 120 fps

Trade-Offs

  • Cold temperatures reduce the number of photos per charge
  • The optional fisheye converter needs a separate adapter
11

Kodak PixPro SP360

Kodak PixPro SP360
Video
Full HD
Photos
10 MP
Stabilization
Electronic
Waterproofing
Splashproof only

Strengths

  • Electronic image stabilization
  • Freezeproof to −10°C
  • Wi-Fi remote control

Trade-Offs

  • Distortion and glare is common at the widest edges of images
  • The camera body design is water-resistant but not waterproof
  • The 360-degree footage is difficult to stitch together

Our Verdict

Life in the snow-topped mountains isn’t easy. That’s why a skiing camera needs to be tough and rugged. But you also want glorious results for photos and videos. A camera for skiing and snowboarding needs tough on the outside and technical on the inside.

That’s why the GoPro Hero 11 is the best camera for skiing and snowboarding. It has all the best features. And it can handle life on the mountainside. You also have the Akaso Brave 8 if you want high quality on a budget. And the Insta360 One X2 gives you full 360-degree videos.

Skier on top of a mountain using an action camera with a selfie stick
© Lucas Favre

FAQs for the Best Cameras for Skiing

You might not want to buy a skiing camera before you have all the information. This section will get you clued up on cameras for skiing and snowboarding. We hope to answer your biggest question so you can make the best decision when buying a camera.

What cameras do skiers use?

Many skiers use action cameras. They’re perfect for life on the slopes. They are compact and robust. And you can attach them to your chest or a ski helmet.

Action cameras take still images and record video. You can record action videos as you fly down the ski slopes.

The top action camera brands are GoPro, DJI, and Akaso. We’ve included others in our list. But these are the most popular cameras for skiers.

What cameras do snowboarders use?

Snowboarders use similar cameras to their skier friends. GoPro and Akaso action cameras are very popular with snowboarders. They’re durable and robust. And they allow you to capture stunning snow sports action.

Are GoPro cameras good for skiing?

GoPros are excellent cameras for skiing and snowboarding. The GoPro Hero 11 is a step ahead of the competition for features and performance. It’s the best action camera on the market. And you can fix it to your ski helmet. That’s why it’s number one on our list of the best skiing cameras.

GoPro GoPro 11 11 with funky yellow pattern background
GoPro Hero 11 is an excellent action camera choice and perfect for skiiers

What is the best 360-degree camera for snowboarding?

The Insta360 ONE X2 is the best 360-degree camera right now. It has the best video resolution and is more durable than other models. But the GoPro Max is another excellent 360 option. And the Kodak PixPro SP360 is ideal if you’re looking for a budget option.

How do you film yourself while snowboarding?

There are several ways you can film yourself while snowboarding. The first is to use a camera on a selfie stick. You can get a great full-body shot. But you do need advanced skills on a snowboard for this.

The best way is to transform an action cam into a helmet camera. Use the special mount to attach the camera to your ski helmet, and you’ll have incredible POV footage. You can also get camera mounts for your chest for a different angle.

We hope you picked up some great tips for choosing a camera for skiing. If you’re still not sure which action camera is right for you, try out articles on the best camera for skateboarding or best camera for nature photography next!.

Written by Chris Bryan-Smith for CameraReview. Updated March 2024.
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