Warmth on a Budget: Outdoor Research Snowcrew Insulated Women’s Snow Pants Review

There are certain kinds of women’s ski pants that you reach for again and again, and not because they’re the flashiest or most high-tech. Rather, you do it because the design nails the basics in a way that works for the majority of your days on snow. That’s the case with the Outdoor Research Snowcrew insulated ski pants for women.

These snow pants are a thermal, resort-friendly option for women who want solid warmth and decent features. Plus, the price won’t make you gasp in agony.

I found myself appreciating just how dialed these pants are for resort laps, over the course of five ski days at Aspen Highlands and one uphill outing at our local trailhead.

In short: The Outdoor Research Snowcrew ($229) ski pants for women offer resort skiers reliable warmth and thoughtful design. The pants have a comfortable fit at a wallet-friendly price. They’re impressively warm — even during a 12-degree Fahrenheit polar vortex day at Aspen Highlands — and include nice touches. I appreciate the thigh vents, boot strap slot, and dedicated device pocket. While the lack of cargo pockets limits storage, these pants are a solid pick for cold-weather ski days when staying warm takes priority.

See how these ski pants for women line up next to our favorites in the Best Women’s Ski Pants buyer’s guide.

Outdoor Research Snowcrew Women’s Ski Pants Review

Outdoor Research has long built its reputation on practical, performance-driven gear. The women’s Snowcrew line is a reflection of that.

Designed for resort skiers who prioritize warmth, comfort, and functionality, the Snowcrew women’s ski pants blend OR’s no-nonsense approach with a few skier-friendly features.

After multiple days of testing in Colorado’s variable winter conditions, I found them to be a reliable workhorse for cold-weather lift laps. I put the Snowcrew Pants to the test during a bitter cold snap in Colorado, skiing 5 days over 2 weeks at Aspen Highlands. We’re talking a true polar vortex: clear skies, no fresh snow, and the kind of cold that makes your nose hairs freeze the moment you step outside. (Trust me: it wasn’t pretty!)

An All-Around Value for Resort Skiers

The Snowcrew women’s ski pants were clearly designed with the everyday resort skier in mind. They’re a great choice for people who want to stay warm and dry without spending $500+ on high-end ski bibs. And honestly? They deliver.

These pants retail for $229, which feels fair given their level of warmth and the number of functional details packed in. They’re the type of ski pants that will work for a broad range of skiers. But they especially work well for those who spend more time on lift-served skiing.

On my coldest day of testing — 12 degrees F with wind chill — I wore these ski pants for women with a heavy base layer and felt almost comfortable. And, that’s saying something, because I’m the forever-cold skier who always has various hand warmers tucked somewhere on her body.

They’re not the flashiest pants out there, but they are practical. The fit is standard: not too baggy and not too tight. But, there’s still enough room to move through moguls without feeling restricted. 

Fantastic Warmth Without the Bulk

If there’s one thing these women’s ski pants do exceptionally well, it’s warmth. I don’t mean “kinda warm.” I mean warm. As in, standing around waiting for my kid’s ski school to start without constantly stomping my feet to preserve circulation in my legs.

The Snowcrew Pants use VerticalX Eco synthetic insulation, which is made from 85% recycled polyester. I paired the pants with a burly merino base layer on cold days. That combo carried me through every lift ride at Aspen Highlands without a single chill. I skied long days (our daughter’s lessons go from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., so why not?) and never once reached for an extra layer or wished I’d worn something different.

Also, it’s worth noting that I was pleasantly surprised by the streamlined profile of these pants. They’re not form-fitting by any means, but what insulated pants are? They don’t balloon out like some cheaper options, and the insulation doesn’t hinder mobility. While I wouldn’t necessarily consider them stylish, they’re a solid pant that gets the job done.

Decent Features: Thigh Vents, Functional Pockets

The Snowcrew ski pants for women may not be jam-packed with bells and whistles, but the ones they include are pretty darn useful.

Let’s start with the thigh vents. According to my phone’s measurements, they’re roughly 8 inches long and strategically placed on the inner thighs to dump heat. That said, I took our new dog on his first uphill skin in these pants and quickly realized they aren’t built for everyday aerobic pursuits.

Even with the vents fully open, I was roasting in the 25-degree F weather. That’s not a dig against the pants; it’s just the reality of wearing insulated gear on the uphill.

The Snowcrew Pants also include a dedicated device or avalanche beacon pocket. The right-hand pocket has a clip to hang onto that transceiver. It’s a nice nod to the backcountry skiing crowd, and perhaps some hardcore mountaineers in frigid conditions will use this, but it felt a bit excessive for my purposes.

These pants are so warm — which is a good thing — that I don’t see myself often using them for any type of uphill skiing that would require a beacon. Still, my Ortovox avalanche transceiver easily fits in the pocket, so it certainly gets the job done.

Unique Gaiters, Adjustable Waist, RECCO

Another feature worth highlighting is the boot gaiter design. OR includes a small internal strap slot on each gaiter, which makes it easier to loop over the power strap of your ski boots without causing bulk or interference. It took me a second to figure out the what and the why of the slot. But once I did, I was moderately impressed with the thoughtful feature.

These pants also boast an adjustable waist and RECCO. Neither of these is a mind-blowing feature these days, but they are nice to have. Both make your life as a skier much easier — and safer. 

Room for Improvement

The biggest shortfall with the Snowcrew Pants? Pockets, or a lack thereof.

There are two zippered hand pockets that are well-placed and deep enough for a snack or phone, but that’s it. I would’ve loved to see a cargo pocket or two on the thighs, especially if you’re planning on using one of the hand pockets for your beacon. If so, that brings you down to only one pocket. More storage would be appreciated.

Final Thoughts

The Outdoor Research Snowcrew Pants hit a sweet spot for resort skiers looking for real warmth, a few thoughtful features, and a reasonable price tag. While they’re not ideal for skinning or high-output activities, they’re a solid, warm, and practical option that should serve most in-bounds skiers extremely well — especially if, like me, you’re always the coldest one on the lift.