Goggles with minimal ventilation prioritize wind protection and a tight seal over airflow, which can actually be nice if you're cruising groomers on cold, dry days and don't work up much of a sweat. They block wind effectively at speed and are often found on budget-friendly or fashion-focused models.
The trade-off is fog. With limited airflow, moisture from your face has nowhere to escape, so these goggles fog up quickly once you start skiing hard, hiking for turns, or dealing with wet snow. If you run hot or ski in variable conditions, minimal ventilation will likely leave you frustrated.
They're best suited for casual resort skiers who stick to cold, dry weather and prefer a windproof feel. For most riders, stepping up to at least standard passive ventilation is worth it for the fog relief alone.