How to Film Skiing with a GoPro: Tips, Settings, and Accessories (Updated for Hero 13)
Whether you’re charging steeps or just cruising the groomers with your family, there’s something incredibly satisfying about reliving your ski day through clean, cinematic GoPro footage. But as many skiers quickly discover, filming skiing with a GoPro isn’t as simple as hitting the record button. The wrong mount, shaky framing, or poor settings can turn your bluebird powder day into a blurry, nausea-inducing mess.
Over the past few seasons, I’ve tested dozens of filming techniques, accessories, and mounts across the GoPro Hero 10, 11, 12—and now the GoPro Hero 13. This post is your updated 2025 guide to how to film skiing with a GoPro like a pro, covering:
- The best GoPro mounts for skiing (and when to use each)
- Hero 13 settings optimized for snow sports
- Favorite GoPro accessories that make filming easier
- A quick-start guide for beginners
- My full GoPro Hero 13 ski filming setup
In this post, I’m sharing my updated approach to filming skiing using the GoPro Hero 13—along with my original video on GoPro ski filming using the GoPro Hero 12, which still holds up for Hero 11 and Hero 13 users. Watch both videos below, then scroll for all the extra tips, links, and context!
Skiing with a GoPro How-To Videos
Watch Part 1: How to Film Skiing with a GoPro (Basics + Mounting Tips)
Great for any GoPro model
Watch Part 2: Updated for GoPro Hero 13 – Mounts, Settings, and What’s New
Best for Hero 13 users and anyone wanting more cinematic ski footage
Why Film Skiing with a GoPro?
GoPros are made for snow. They’re lightweight, waterproof down to 10m without a housing, and built to survive freezing temps, crashes, and powder sprays. With each new generation—especially the Hero 13—you get improved image quality, stabilization, and smart features like Horizon Lock, making it easier than ever to capture buttery-smooth, cinematic ski footage.
But gear is only part of the equation. To get that pro-level POV, you need to pair the right GoPro ski mounts with the best camera settings—and know how to use them in a fast-moving, high-contrast environment like the mountains of Colorado.
GoPro Ski Filming Tips (That Actually Work)
Here’s a quick breakdown of the biggest takeaways from both videos:
1. Use the Right Mounts
- Chest mount: Most immersive angle, especially for tight trees or parks. Not ideal for layer changes.
- Ski Pole/selfie stick: Great for follow-cam or third-person perspective.
- Ski Helmet mount: Easy to use, but can feel less connected to the action due to high angle.
- Magnetic mounts: With Hero 13, these make swaps super easy! Or get a third party mod for your older GoPro to access this handy feature.
2. Hero 13 Settings for Skiing
In my latest video, I walk through updated settings for Hero 13, including:
- Lens modes (Wide vs Linear + Horizon Lock): Choosing this is based on what you’re filming. I use a max lens mod with the widest setting if I want to put on my helmet and be able to reframe for social. If I’m filming someone else, I usually try for horizon lock and a zoomed-in digital lens: try Linear.
- Frame rate & resolution for smooth slow-mo (The higher the frame rate, the greater the scope for slowing down footage to create slow-motion videos.) Filming at 60p allows you to slow the playback by half. Dropping down to 4K allows video at 120p for super slow-motion capabilities. The GoPro Hero13 Black maxes out at 60p at its highest resolution. You should shoot your videos at high resolution for maximum detail.
- Stabilization tweaks: GoPro’s HyperSmooth stabilization feature is essential for reducing camera shake during skiing.
- Horizon Level/Lock: GoPro’s Horizon Lock feature keeps the world level even when the camera moves through 360 degrees. Horizon Leveling keeps the horizon level but only up to a point.
- White Balance: Auto white balance works great most of the time.
- Exposure Compensation: It is advisable to boost exposure compensation on overcast days. I use +1/2 for overcast to partly sunny and +1 for stormy days.
- Color: Natural colour setting is a good choice for video quality.
3. Accessories Worth Having
These are the GoPro ski accessories I use:
- GoPro Hero 13 Black
- Max Lens Mod – Get the auto lens version for your Hero 13
- Sticky Helmet Mount
- Magnet Mounts – super handy for Hero 13
- Third Party Magnet Mount Fits Hero 12
- Ski Pole Mount – skip the extra pole
- Ski Clamp Mount – fun mount, but less practical
- Sandmarc Snow Edition Kit
- Sandmarc Pole
- Sandmarc Variable ND Filter
- Fixed ND Filters – handy especially if you get the auto versions for the Hero 13
- Extra Batteries: Cold weather can drain battery life quickly
A few other tips worth noting: Extra short and long thumbscrews can be handy accessories for GoPro cameras. Extra Curved and Flat Adhesive Mounts can be useful for GoPro setups. The GoPro Volta is a handle and power supply in one that supports various GoPro models (ideal for vlogging). GoPro’s enduro batteries are recommended for better cold-weather performance (the new Hero 13 batteries are even better). Moisture can cause fogging inside the GoPro housing, affecting video quality. Anti-fog inserts can help prevent fogging of the GoPro lens in cold conditions.
(These are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission at no cost to you—thanks for the support!)
Save Money – Get a GoPro Hero 12
While all the marketing and media will tell you to get the latest and greatest GoPro, sometimes you want to save some money and get an older generation. Afterall, the year before, everyone was raving about the new release. Here is a review of the Hero 12 Black if you’re considering it:
Best GoPro Mounts for Skiing
Choosing the right mount makes or breaks your ski footage. Here’s a breakdown of the top GoPro skiing mounts, their pros and cons, and when I recommend using them:
1. Chest Mount
Why it’s great but not my favorite:
The chest mount offers a grounded, immersive perspective that captures your skis, poles, turns, and the slope ahead. It’s dynamic and stable—ideal for tree skiing or park riding. Chest mounts restrict visibility to a forward view only while skiing.
Best for:
- Powder turns
- Park laps
- Trees and glades
- POV skiing tutorials
- Looking faster since mount is closer to the ground
Tips:
- Angle the camera slightly upward to avoid filming just your skis.
- Tighten the straps well—loose mounts bounce and ruin the shot.
- Combine with Horizon Lock to reduce distortion. A chest mount provides a stable viewpoint and is comfortable for extended periods while skiing but is a pain when you need to do a layer change. Also, you have to get over the look of wearing a harness.
2. Pole Mount / Selfie Stick
Why it’s great:
A pole or extension stick gives you those cinematic, third-person follow-cam angles—like someone else is filming you. With the right timing, you can get beautiful arcs and body movement. Pole mounts can capture unique angles, but their stability depends on the user’s grip.
Best for:
- Solo skiing footage
- Following a buddy
- Variety in your edit
- Slow-motion turns
Tips:
- Use the Sandmarc Pole Metal Edition for extra reach.
- Get close for dynamic action (don’t be afraid to ski fast!).
- Keep your movements smooth and stable to reduce shake.
3. Helmet Mount (My Go-To POV Angle)
Why it’s great:
Hands-free and easy to set up, the helmet mount provides a high vantage point that sees the terrain well. However, it can feel a bit detached from the action and can be tricky to get your skis and the horizon in the frame. Helmet mounts offer a first-person view but can cause disorientation due to head movement.
Best for:
- Scenic wide shots
- Skiing in open bowls
- Minimal setups
Tips:
- Use a front helmet mount—not side-mounted—for better symmetry.
- To keep the helmet out of the frame, place the sticky mount on the front of your helmet
- Stabilization is key. Turn on HyperSmooth Boost or Horizon Lock.
- Try slow pans with your head to create movement.
4. Ski Clamp Mount
Why it’s great:
Provides a unique angle. Shows your experience from the front without a selfie stick. Don’t try sticking a 3M mount to your ski, your GoPro will fall off and it can be hard to find depending on the terrain.
Best for:
- Unique angle
Tips:
- The clamp must be locked down TIGHT
- Put 3M sticky pads down, then clamp to those
- Be aware of how you will find your camera if it falls off
Surfboard mounts can be used on skis for low-angle shots but their adhesion can be unreliable. Wrist mounts allow for versatile filming directions but may limit pole use while skiing.
5. Magnetic Mounts (Hero 13 Only)
Why it’s great:
The GoPro Hero 13’s new magnetic mounting system makes switching between mounts quick and painless. No more fiddling with thumbscrews while wearing gloves.
Best for:
- Fast transitions between shots
- Mounting on skis or poles temporarily
- Creative new perspectives (boot shots, ski tips, backpack straps)
Tips:
- Test magnets for strength before sending big lines.
- Use lanyards for backup if mounting in sketchy spots.
6. Other mounts to try
I’ve heard that Peak Design Capture with POV Kit allows camera positioning on a backpack strap for hands-free use. My worry is that this would be off-center. Let me know if you’ve tried this.
Best GoPro Settings for Skiing (Hero 13)
The GoPro Hero 13 offers serious image quality, but getting the settings right is key—especially with snow’s extreme highlights and fast motion.
Here’s my go-to Hero 13 skiing setup:
Setting | Value/Notes |
|---|---|
Resolution | 4K or 5.3K (wide aspect for detail) |
Frame Rate | 60fps or 120fps (for slow-mo edits) |
Lens Mode | Linear + Horizon Lock (clean POV) |
Color Profile | Natural or Flat (for editing) |
Bitrate | High |
Shutter | Auto (or manual for ND filter use) |
Stabilization | HyperSmooth Boost or Horizon Lock |
White Balance | Auto or lock around 5500K on sunny days |
EV Comp | +0.5 or +1 for stormy days |
Pro Tip: If you’re filming with bright sun on snow, increase your EV comp to avoid under-exposure. Snow can trick GoPro’s metering into underexposing the highlights. Additionally, it’s essential to keep GoPro batteries warm in cold weather to prevent them from discharging quickly. It is recommended to keep spare batteries warm in an inner pocket.
Lessons Learned After Years of Filming on Snow
Stability > Everything: Even with amazing stabilization, a loose mount ruins your shot. Tighten your straps, test angles before skiing, and double-check your gear at the lift.
Clean Your Lens Often: A snowflake or smear can wreck your entire run. Carry a microfiber cloth or use your glove to give it a quick wipe.
Angle Matters: Frame your shots so viewers can see the slope ahead and some skis/poles for context. Too low = boring. Too high = detached. Better yet, follow your friends so you have a subject. Even if your friends are on snowboards! Planning different camera angles can lead to more engaging skiing videos.
Editing & Mount Tips: GoPro’s Quik app is a user-friendly tool for editing on the go. I also use it to check my mount angle. With magnet mounts, you can set it and forget it when it comes to the mount angle.
Don’t Overfilm: Battery and card space are limited. Pick your runs wisely and shoot intentionally. Capturing time-lapse shots and unique angles can add excitement to skiing videos. Use this to mix it up so you don’t just have hours of the same POV.
Getting Started: GoPro Ski Filming for Beginners
If you’re new to skiing with a GoPro, don’t overcomplicate it. Here’s a quick checklist to get you rolling:
- Start with a helmet mount for easy, immersive footage
- Use the pro video mode (with settings above) with 60fps in 4K
- Turn on Horizon Lock or HyperSmooth
- Keep your angles wide
- Review your footage often and adjust your mount position – lock it in once you have it right and use a magnet mount so you don’t have to adjust it.
Don’t forget fresh spare batteries (they’re worth the extra weight) and a dry lens! Keeping spare batteries in an inner pocket can help maintain battery life while skiing.
My GoPro Ski Filming Set-up
Below is my current GoPro set-up for filming skiing.
- GoPro Hero 13 Black
- Max Lens Mod – Get the auto lens version for your Hero 13
- Sticky Helmet Mount
- Magnet Mounts – super handy for Hero 13
- Ski Pole Mount – skip the extra pole
- Ski Clamp Mount – fun mount, but less practical
- Sandmarc Snow Edition Kit
- Sandmarc Pole
- Sandmarc Variable ND Filter
- Fixed ND Filters – handy especially if you get the auto versions for the Hero 13
- Extra Batteries: Cold weather can drain battery life quickly
Final Thoughts: Start Simple, Then Upgrade
You don’t need the newest camera or all the accessories to get started with GoPro ski footage. Learn the basics, dial in your angles, and most importantly, keep filming and reviewing your footage. That’s the fastest way to improve, practice on a few runs, and you’re on your way.
Whether you’re using the Hero 13 or an older GoPro, focus on stable mounts, smart settings, and good storytelling. Mix up your shots, have fun experimenting, and get outside and enjoy the turns.
Have questions about your GoPro ski setup? Drop them in the comments below or on YouTube—I try to respond to every question.
Similar Content on the Blog
Looking for more photography tips? Check out these posts on Photography Basics: What is the Rule of Thirds and ND Filter Beginners Guide. Or these Tips for Travel Photographers: Photography Tips for Mountain Landscapes, Adventure Photographer Gear, Travel Photography Gear
About the Authors
We’re the Bergreens, a photography team based in Evergreen, Colorado. On the blog, we share our favorite gear tips and photography advice.
Download our free guide on how to build a creative business and a life you love or our free money and gear guide for photographers. Don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can help! If we link to a product we love, Amazon links and others are affiliate links, it’s a great way to support our ad-free blog.
In the meantime, remember to…
