Touchscreen-compatible gloves have conductive threads or pads built into the fingertips, letting you use your phone without freezing your hands. If you check trail maps, snap photos, use resort apps, or navigate with GPS on the mountain, they're genuinely handy—especially on chairlifts when pulling off a glove means exposing bare skin to biting wind.
Not all touchscreen gloves are equal, though. Look for ones that enable the index finger and thumb, since those are the digits you'll actually use. Some models only activate one fingertip, which feels clunky. Also know that conductivity can fade over time with wear and washing, and the feature works less reliably when your fingers are very cold or damp.
If you keep your phone zipped away all day and don't touch it until après, you can skip this feature. But for riders who like staying connected on the hill, it's a small upgrade that makes a real difference in everyday convenience.