Developed for adrenaline junkies, GoPro cameras are a must have if you’re going snowboarding or skiing. Thanks to their wide lens, you can record immersive, wide-angle videos to commemorate those thrilling moments later.
GoPros are shockproof, waterproof, dustproof and designed to withstand extreme temperatures, just how an action camera should be. So even if you fall a gazillion times, your camera won’t break. Instead, it would record all of your embarrassing falls!
In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Choices
The 5 Best GoPros for Skiing
Since GoPro comes in various models, we have listed down the ones that we think are best for skiing. Let’s see why these models are the best for recording those downhill moments:
1. GoPro HERO9 Black
GoPro HERO9 Black is the flagship GoPro camera that offers it all at a justified price. So if you have a large budget and you are looking for a skiing camera that does it all, GoPRo HERO9 Black is the one for you! It allows 5K video resolution to record those downhill trips with the clearest details.
GoPro HERO9 can take 20MP photos, as compared to 12MP photos in GoPro HERO8. You can even live stream at 1080p on your social media when skiing down the icy slopes. And don’t worry about recording shaky footage! Because GoPro HERO9 comes with HyperSmooth 3.0, that ensures ultimate stabilization in your videos. A new big touch screen on the back lets you zoom in and out by touching it whereas a much better front display lets you intuitively control camera frames. GoPro HERO9 is currently the best action camera in the market that is available at a slightly higher price than its previous models.
Pros
- Comes at a great bundle price.
- Better front display.
- Improved battery life.
- 5K video support and 20MP photos.
- Great stabilization.
- Larger back display.
Cons
- Slightly bigger in size than the previous models.
- Slow HDR processing.
- Slightly heavier.
- The screen is sometimes unresponsive.
2. GoPro HERO8 Black
If you are looking for a great GoPro at a lower price than the flagship GoPro HERO9, GoPro HERO8 Black is the one for you! With a sturdy body, GoPro HERO8 is one of the best action cameras for extreme sports. It comes with one of the best video stabilizers and records 4K videos for that immersive experience. However, it gets a bit hot when recording videos.
GoPro HERO8 comes with a design that does not require housing for mounts. You can also live stream at 1080p and even record great quality time-lapse videos with impressive video stabilization.
Pros
- Great video stabilization.
- Sturdy build quality.
- 4K videos.
Cons
- Video quality is not as great as GoPro HERO9.
- Gets toasty when recording videos.
- Battery life is just okay.
3. GoPro MAX
While GoPro HERO8 and HERO9 have ultra-wide lenses offering a 155 degree view, GoPro MAX offers something extra. GoPro MAX gives you a 360-degree view, allowing you to capture everything that’s around you. If you want to record a holistic view of the snowy mountains, this is the best option for you. You can stitch together the videos using the GoPro app. It also acts as a single-lens camera.
However, if you are looking for a 4K video shoot, you will be disappointed.
Pros
- 360-degree coverage.
- Offers great stabilization.
- Comes with mounting clips.
- Great video stitching.
Cons
- Editing time is higher.
- Quality drops in low light.
- Does not offer 4K video shoot.
4. GoPro HERO7 Black
GoPro HERO7 Black is a great option for you if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a GoPro. It offers 4K video quality as well as amazing frame rates at full HD, offering you a great camera quality at a lower budget. Its build quality is sturdy as usual, like all GoPros. It also has live streaming like the latest GoPro models.
However, the touchscreen is unresponsive sometimes. Also, it gets quite toasty when recording 4K videos.
Pros
- Amazing 4K video quality.
- Sturdy build quality.
- Live streaming.
- 240 fps at 1080p.
- Great video stabilization.
- Big range of mounts and accessories are available.
Cons
- Voice commands do not sometimes work.
- Gets hot when recording 4K.
- Touchscreen is sometimes unresponsive.
5. GoPro HERO5 Session
GoPro HERO5 Session is a tiny package of great video quality in smaller size. This GoPro model would not take too much space, so it’s perfect to take on skiing with you. It also records 4K footage, so you won’t miss out on great video quality. However, the smaller size comes with a few drawbacks. It does not come with a screen or a replaceable battery. You need to control it using the GoPro app on your phone, which gets challenging especially when you are on a mountain slope. But since it is of a smaller size, it gives you a lot of mounting options.
Pros
- Records 4K videos.
- More mounting options.
- Basic controls.
- Very compact size.
Cons
- Non-replaceable battery.
- Lower audio quality.
- No GPS.
- Does not have RAW or WDR support for still images.
What to Consider When Buying GoPro for Skiing
If you are looking for the best GoPro for skiing, the above options mentioned above would meet any and all of your needs. If you need any help choosing from the above-mentioned options, here’s what you should consider when buying a GoPro for skiing:
- Video quality
- Build quality
- GoPro size and weight
- Control options
- Mounting options
- Video stabilization
- Live stream option
- Your budget
- 4K capability
- Wide-angle vs. 360 degree angle
- Wi-Fi compatibility
Our Final Thoughts
Our top choice for the best GoPro for skiing is definitely the GoPro HERO9 Black model as it is the flagship model with everything under its umbrella. However, GoPro HERO8 comes at a close second as it offers almost (if not exactly) the same features as its successor at a slightly lower price.
