There is some debate on the effects of polarized lenses on snow-covered surfaces. Some experts say they can reduce the intense glare that is caused by sunlight reflecting off snow. Others purport that the lenses are not satisfactory for sports such as downhill skiing because they may not provide the contrast the eye needs to distinguish ice patches or moguls.

Sunglasses ideal for the downhill run»

To meet the demands of the casual and competitive sportsperson, much research and development has been done by the sunwear manufacturers as to how they can create the best sunglasses for the most people. The results: lightweight, flexible and durable materials, no-slip components that do not fail in the heat of the moment, and of course lenses, lenses, lenses.

Insist on ultraviolet light protection. UVA and UVB are the rays to guard against. Short-term exposure can give you a painful sunburn on your eyes, called photokeratitis. Long-term, UV rays can damage your eyes permanently and lead to cataracts and other eye diseases. Look for goggles and sunglasses that block at least 95% of these rays, which bounce off the snow and into your eyes even on cloudy days.

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Look for good peripheral vision. Newer, lower-profile styles fit better with a helmet and may look cooler than traditional styles with large lenses. But if you choose the low-profile look, make sure you have enough peripheral (side) vision — some skimp out on that.

Ideally, you should be able to see 180 degrees, to help you avoid skiers and riders left and right. If you prefer sunglasses, choose a wrap style with the least amount of distortion at the sides that you can find.

Make sure they fit. Take the time to adjust the strap to your head. If the strap is a complete pain to adjust, or if the buckle doesn’t stay in adjustment, move on. Some styles have softer, more rubbery buckles that won’t dig into your scalp. Wider bands are more comfortable than narrower ones. And foam inserts keep out wind, ice and dirt. The foam should be thick enough to help cushion your face if you fall, but not so dense that it encourages fogging.

If you wear glasses, make sure the goggles will fit over them. Many optical stores, especially those near ski areas, will make up prescription inserts for goggles, so you won’t need glasses at all.

Wrap-style sunglasses can’t always accept prescription lenses because of the curvature of the frame. An optician will know which frames are prescription-suitable and will be able to order and fit them for you.

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What else to look for?

Choose the right lens tint. Weather, terrain, and activity all come into play here.

• In low light and fog, yellow, gold and amber lenses filter out blue light, emphasizing shadows in the snow so you can see bumps better. They also work well in moderate light.
• Rose lenses are excellent on low-light gray days. And they’re fun to wear.
• In bright light, dark tints (especially green) will keep your eyes more comfortable.
• Polarized lenses block reflected glare off the horizontal plane and are great when it’s bright out. But they may not be ideal near the end of the day when long shadows appear in the snow, because they are usually made with a darker tint than most sun lenses.
• Mirror (or "flash") coatings will block some, but not a lot of glare. They are usually more of a cosmetic than a practical feature.
• For night riding and skiing, use only clear lenses.

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Look for anti-fogging features. Choose goggles with double lenses that discourage condensation from forming when the warm air of your breath makes contact with the cold lens. Anti-fog coating inside the goggles helps, while vents along the sides, top and bottom clear the warm air out of the inside of the goggles.

Wider vents tend to do this better than narrow vents or tiny vent holes. But the drawback of wide vents is that your face will get cold in a harsher climate.

Make safety a priority. Most goggles and sunglasses made for fast-moving winter sports have polycarbonate lenses; this material is much more impact-resistant than glass or regular plastic. Also, the more flexible the frame and lens, the less likely the lens will break or pop out in a bad fall. Foam inserts at all impact points are important.

As for sunglasses, look for polycarbonate or other impact-resistant frame materials rather than metals. Adjustable rubber earpieces and nosepieces will keep them on better when you’re tackling bumps and might be more comfortable than hard plastic ones that don’t adjust.

What else? A scratch-resistant coating will help your goggles and sunglasses last longer, especially if you like glade runs or tend to fall a lot. Always keep your eyewear in a soft pouch or lined case when not in use.

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