The best funny ski mask depends on where you'll wear it. If you want to ski or ride in it with goggles and a helmet, pick a full-face knit mask with one wide goggle opening and nothing big sticking out of the top. If it's mostly for photos without a helmet, horns and animal ears get the biggest reaction. If you need a cheap one-day gag for a group, printed face masks are hard to beat on price. Below we compare the five main styles of funny ski mask on warmth, goggle fit, helmet fit, photo impact and price, so you can pick the right type before you pick a design.
Who wrote this: this guide is by blockhead.shop. We make the Blockhead ski mask, which belongs to one of the styles below. We've tried to be fair about every style, including our own, and we point out where Blockhead isn't the right pick.
What are the main types of funny ski masks?
Most funny ski masks fall into five styles:
- Animal-face balaclavas: knit or fleece masks shaped or stitched like a bear, frog, shark and so on, often with ears.
- Devil horn masks: balaclavas or hoods with knit horns on top.
- Beard beanies: a beanie with an attached or detachable knit beard that covers the lower face.
- Printed photo-face masks: thin stretch masks or neck gaiters printed with a face, sometimes a custom photo of a friend.
- Character and blocky-head masks: full-face knit masks with a 3D head shape and a cartoon face, like the Blockhead ski mask.
How do funny ski mask styles compare?
This is a general comparison of each style, not a review of any single product. Models vary a lot, so always check the listing for the opening size and material.
| Style | Warmth | Goggle fit | Under a helmet | Photo impact | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal-face balaclava | Medium to high | Varies; small eye holes can clash with goggles | Varies; ears and 3D parts can bunch up | High | Low to mid |
| Devil horns | Medium | Varies | Poor; horns don't fit under a helmet | High without a helmet | Low to mid |
| Beard beanie | Medium; gaps around the cheeks | Good; the eye area is open | Poor to fair; a thick beanie adds bulk | Medium | Low |
| Printed photo-face mask | Low; usually thin fabric | Good | Good; thin and flat | High up close, lower from a distance | Low |
| Character / blocky-head mask (e.g. Blockhead) | Medium; fun, not technical | Good if it has one wide goggle opening | Usually good; check the listing | High, even from across the slope | Mid (Blockhead is $24.99) |
Are animal-face balaclavas good for skiing?
They can be. A thick knit animal mask is often one of the warmer funny options. The catch is the face. Many animal masks have two small eye holes placed for the look, not for goggles, so the goggle frame sits on top of the knit or leaves a gap. Ears and snouts can also bunch up under a helmet. Best for: people who ski without a helmet, kids' sizes (many animal masks come in them), and anyone who wants cute rather than chaotic.
Do devil horn ski masks work with a helmet?
Not really. Horns are the whole joke, and a helmet hides or squashes them. Devil horn masks are great for après, snow parks where you film without a helmet, and photos at the top of the lift. Best for: the photo moment, not the full ski day.
Is a beard beanie a good ski mask?
It works as a cold-weather joke, and the open eye area means goggles fit fine. But it's two pieces, the beard leaves the cheeks partly exposed, and a thick beanie under a helmet can feel tight. Best for: cold walks, chairlift laughs and people who don't like full-face masks.
Are printed photo-face masks warm enough?
Usually not on a cold day. Most are thin stretch fabric, closer to a neck gaiter than a knit balaclava. That makes them easy under a helmet and cheap to buy in bulk. A custom print of the groom's face is a classic for a bachelor party ski trip. Best for: one-day group gags, spring skiing and big groups on a tight budget.
What makes character and blocky-head masks different?
These are full-face knit masks with a real head shape and a cartoon face, so the joke works in 3D and from a distance, not only up close in a photo. The Blockhead ski mask by blockhead.shop is one example. It's a bright yellow full-face knit balaclava with a blocky toy-like head, a knit knob on top, thick black eyebrows and one of four faces:
- Tongue Out: a cheeky smile with a red tongue. See the tongue out ski mask.
- Big Grin: a wide smile with one row of white teeth, and the most picked face. See the smiley face ski mask.
- Chomp: a huge grin with a full grid of top and bottom teeth. See the ski mask with teeth.
- Smirk: a sly one-sided smirk.
It has one wide eye opening sized for ski goggles, and it fits under most ski and snowboard helmets. Best for: people who want to wear the joke all day on the mountain, with their normal goggles and helmet.
Where does Blockhead fit, and what are its downsides?
Blockhead is built for lift rides, cold days and being easy to spot in a group. Here's what it doesn't do:
- It's not a technical base layer. It's a polyester stretch knit of about 150 g, made for fun. On a brutally cold, windy day, wear your usual layers too.
- One adult size only. It's made for heads about 22–23 in (56–59 cm). It isn't designed for kids, and it may be loose on smaller heads. Read are ski masks for kids? before buying for a child.
- Goggles aren't included. The opening is sized for them, but you bring your own.
- It's a pre-order. The ship-by date is on the product page, and tracked delivery then takes 7–14 days to the US and 12–21 days to Europe. Order well before your trip.
- The top of the head hides under a helmet. The face still shows, but the blocky shape and knob look best on the lift and at après with the helmet off.
- It's loud. It's bright yellow. If you want something subtle, this isn't it.
- It's a new brand. Blockhead is a small independent label from Sofia, Bulgaria, started in 2026, so there's no long track record yet. There's a 30-day return window for unworn, unwashed masks.
Which funny ski mask should you pick?
- You ski with goggles and a helmet and want to wear the joke all day: a full-face knit character mask with one wide goggle opening.
- It's for photos, après or a costume party: devil horns or a big animal mask.
- It's a one-day gag for a big group on a budget: printed face masks.
- The person hates covering their face: a beard beanie.
- It's for a young kid: a mask sold in a kids' size, not an adult one-size mask.
If the character style is your pick, you can choose your Blockhead face here. It's $24.99, and 2 masks get 15% off, 3 get 20% off and 4 or more get 25% off, applied automatically. For gift ideas by personality, see our funny ski mask gift guide.
FAQ
What is the funniest ski mask for skiing with goggles?
A full-face knit mask with a cartoon face and one wide opening sized for goggles. You get the joke without fighting your goggles. Masks with two small eye holes often don't work well with goggles.
Can you wear a funny ski mask under a helmet?
Thin printed masks and most full-face knit masks fit under a helmet. Horns, big ears and thick beanies usually don't. The Blockhead ski mask fits under most ski and snowboard helmets.
Are funny ski masks warm?
It varies by style. Thick knit masks are warmer than thin printed ones. Most funny masks, Blockhead included, are made for fun on lift rides and cold days, not as a technical base layer.
What's a good funny ski mask for a group trip?
Matching or mixed character masks are easy to spot on the mountain and in photos. Blockhead has four faces and an automatic group discount: 2 masks get 15% off, 3 get 20% off and 4 or more get 25% off. More on that on the group ski costume page.
Do funny ski masks come in kids' sizes?
Some do. Blockhead doesn't. It's one adult size for heads about 22–23 in (56–59 cm). Measure before you buy for a child.
How much does a funny ski mask cost?
Printed and beard styles are usually at the low end, and knit character masks are usually in the middle. The Blockhead ski mask is $24.99, and shipping is free over $40 to the US, Canada, Europe, Japan and South Korea.