Best Walkie Talkies for Skiing

by Simon Naylor | Updated: November 24th, 2022 |  Recommended Gear

Have an upcoming ski trip with family or a group of friends and looking for an easy way to stay in touch on the mountain?

Using two-way radios when you're out on the mountain skiing is a great idea.  Walkie-talkies allow you to stay in communication even in areas with no phone signal or without relying on 3G data.

skiing walkie talkie

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After many hours of research, I've reviewed the absolute best ski walkie-talkies.

Best Walkie Talkies for Skiing

  1. Motorola Rechargeable Two-Way Radio (Winner)
  2. Dewalt DXFRS300 Walkie-Talkies (Best Range )
  3. Midland GXT1000VP4 FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio
  4. Cobra ACXT645 Walkie-Talkie
  5. Retevis RT27 Walkie Talkies (Best for Clear Reception)

1. Motorola Rechargeable Two-Way Radio

Winner

Awesome Features Worth Mentioning:

  • 121 privacy codes across 22 channels
  • 23hrs rechargeable battery life
  • 2 belt clips and ergonomic hold
  • iVox open mic feature and 20 ringtones

Downsides:

  • The range is not as great as promised
  • Not the sharpest sound quality

Where to Buy:

2. Dewalt DXFRS300 Walkie-Talkies

Best Range

Awesome Features Worth Mentioning:

  • Rugged design and shock-resistant - will withstand 2m drops
  • Voice-activated transmission
  • 8-12 hours of battery life under normal use
  • Backed by a lifetime warranty

Downsides:

  • Not that cheap

Where to Buy:

3. Midland GXT1000VP4 FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio

Awesome Features Worth Mentioning:

  • Small compact size with a decent range across 22 privacy channels
  • Very clear speakers, very little crackle when in range
  • Can handle wear and tear, dirt and mud, and some water
  • Accepts AA batteries for multi-day use

Downsides:

  • 12-hour charge time

Where to Buy:

4. Cobra ACXT645 Walkie-Talkie

Awesome Features Worth Mentioning:

  • Two-port re-charging dock and takes AA batteries (2-4 days battery life).
  • A built-in flashlight comes in very handy

Downsides:

  • Advertised as waterproof, but only water resistant and rainproof.

Where to Buy:

5. Retevis RT27 Walkie Talkies

Best for clear reception

Awesome Features Worth Mentioning:

  • The encrypted feature ensures that your communications remain private and avoid external interferences. 
  • VOX system and belt clip mean that you can communicate with this walkie-talkie hands-free. 
  • Strong shell design for durability. 
  • Ready to use, out of the box. 
  • When fully charged, this walkie-talkie can last for between 10 and 12 hours.
  • In open areas, the distance is 2-2.7 miles. In urban areas, the distance is 0.7-1.4 miles. 
  • 16 frequencies available 
  • Easy to charge via USB port 
  • 6-way charger included which is ideal for groups to stay in touch 

Downsides:

  • Some find there’s a delay when communicating. 

Where to Buy:

Ski Walkie Talkies Buying Guide

When buying a walkie-talkie specifically for skiing or snowboarding there is a number of key things to be on the lookout for.

orange ski jacket

Snow Proofing

A broken walkie talkie is no good. When you're out in the mountain the weather can turn quickly and heavy snow or whiteouts are common. So are wipeouts!

You'll want to look for a walkie-talkie with at least some protection against water. You don't need a fully waterproof walkie-talkie but you need it to be at least water resistant so that you can use it while it's snowing and not worry about the electronics getting damaged.

Battery Life

Most walkie-talkies are USB rechargeable but you can extend your battery life by using a walkie-talkie that also accepts AA batteries. This typically gives you 2-3 days of battery (but you sacrificed a slightly lower power and range).