From windy summits to bountiful winter powder turns, the jacket you choose for your backcountry adventure has different attributes and strengths than your resort-oriented ski wear. How breathable it is, how much protection against the elements it gives you, and how easy it is to move in as you head up the skintrack all factor in heavily. We tapped our most experienced backcountry enthusiasts to use and abuse over 30 jackets designed for ski touring and high-output backcountry adventures. Here are our favorite pieces that performed well in whatever conditions we threw at them last season.

The Winners at a Glance

Unisex/Men鈥檚 Jackets

• Editor鈥檚 Choice: Strafe Cham Jacket
• Most Rugged: Dynafit Tigard Jacket
• Most Streamlined: Ortovox Ravine 3L Jacket
• Most Lightweight: Helly Hansen Odin BC Infinity Shell Jacket
• Best Resort/Backcountry Crossover: The North Face Summit Tsirku Jacket
• Best For Storm Skiing: Rab Khroma Diffuse GTX Pro Jacket

Women鈥檚 Jackets

• Best For Dry Climates: Orage Boulder Hybrid Jacket
• Best For Wet Climates:聽Mountain Hardwear Routefinder GTX Jacket
• Most Packable: Arc鈥檛eryx Alpha Jacket

The Reviews: The Best Backcountry Ski Jackets of 2024

Men鈥檚/Unisex Jackets

Editor鈥檚 Choice: Strafe Cham Jacket ($589)

Weight: 15.2 oz
Sizes: XXS-XL

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Breathable

Cons:

• Not the burliest waterproofing

With a name like the Cham Jacket, there鈥檚 no surprise that this shell was one of our favorites for long days in the high alpine. The three-layer design constructed with Schoeller Aerobrane fabric boasted a ton of air permeability and an impressively soft and supple handfeel, staying on during long climbs with the occasional deployment of pit zips. 鈥淪pent plenty of time roughing up this jacket on rock scrambles as well as around crampons and ice axes, and was impressed with how well this light jacket held up,鈥� said tester Lily Krass. It tucked away neatly in our packs, and the simple pack-accessible chest pocket configuration stashed a phone and gummy bears on one side and skins on the other for quick transitions and on-the-go fuel. In truly harsh weather, it didn鈥檛 compare to some of the burlier Gore-Tex Pro shells we tested, but for areas that see low-density snow and springtime skiing, this one is a keeper.

Bottom line: A versatile and lightweight shell for missions in the alpine

Most Rugged: Dynafit Tigard GTX Pro Jacket ($700)

Weight: 1.4 lbs
Sizes: S-XXL

Pros:

• Water resistance
• Durability

Cons:

• Packability
• Runs very large

Dynafit certainly has a reputation for bright colors and snug uphill-focused clothing, so we were excited to see the skimo company branch out with a baggier freeride-inclined kit. The Tigard kit鈥檚 muted colors and a spacious fit drew in testers who had 鈥渘ever been interested in Dynafit鈥檚 vibe before,鈥� sporting a burly Gore-Tex Pro membrane while maintaining the lightweight design that Dynafit is known for. We were impressed with the bombproof nature of the Tigard; after roughing it up while scrambling along rocky bootpacks in Grand Teton National Park, we never saw so much as a scuff. 鈥淒ry and warm while the heaviest of snow was falling, and I fit the whole hood over my helmet and never felt the wind,鈥� said tester Lucy Iselin. Dynafit nailed it with the pocket configuration, with three chest pockets and a small inside pocket that made it easy to reach for gear without having to come to a stop. 鈥淭here always seemed to be a pocket for whatever need I had,鈥� added Iselin. 鈥淔it my skins on the outside pockets for a quick lap, but I could also stash gloves or goggles in there.鈥�

Bottom line: A burly shell with plenty of pockets to stash snacks and gear close by.

Most Streamlined: Ortovox Ravine 3L ($620)

Weight: 1.1 lbs
Sizes: S-XXL

Pros:

• Breathable
• Weather protection

Cons:

• Not a ton of pockets

We loved the new Ortovox Ravine kit this season for long days on the skintrack, keeping us dry during long slogs in Grand Teton National Park and pre-dawn laps on Teton Pass. A Merino layer paired with the water-shedding Dermizax NZ membrane made for an impressively breathable shell that testers kept on for stormy uptracks and windy bootpacks. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 usually like touring uphill in a shell but this is one I definitely didn鈥檛 mind throwing on when it was snowing because it was breathable while still cutting the wind and moisture,鈥� said tester Lucy Iselin. The two chest pockets offered a little less space than most testers were used to (a few folks missed the waist pockets), but made up for it with a streamlined design that walked the perfect line of storm protection and packability. 鈥淎 good all-around jacket to do it all,鈥� summed up tester James Temple.

Bottom line: A streamlined shell that鈥檚 equally at home on deep powder days and spring missions

Most Lightweight: Helly Hansen Odin BC Infinity Shell Jacket ($650)

Weight: 15 oz
Sizes: S-XXL

Pros:

• Ultra lightweight
• Super packable

Cons:

• Simple design doesn鈥檛 have many features
• Hard to access the lower hand pocket with a pack on

Helly Hansen nailed it this year with their technical touring collection, and the new BC Infinity Jacket was our favorite shell to take on long missions above treeline. The lightweight three-layer polyamide shell features a thin and supple handfeel and impressive moisture-shedding properties, with a packable design that rolled down smaller than a 32 oz. water bottle. 鈥淚 wore this on back-to-back ski mountaineering missions in Grand Teton National Park totaling over 12K of vert,鈥� said tester Max Ritter. 鈥淚t was exactly the jacket that I needed to stay warm and protected from the summit wind, and the fitted design is great for skiing with a pack.鈥� The unique look of the offset zipper design threw us at first, then grew on us throughout the season, and the streamlined pocket design鈥攚hich featured two front pockets stacked on top of each other鈥攎ade it easy to access the chest pocket but a little harder to access the hand pocket while wearing a pack.

Bottom line: A lightweight yet protective shell for weight-conscious skiers

Best Resort/Backcountry Crossover: The North Face Summit Men鈥檚 Tsirku GTX Pro Jacket ($800)

Weight: 1.1 lbs
Sizes: S-XXL

Pros:

• Long hem provides ample protection
• Ample pockets

Cons:

• Bulky and less packable
• Less breathable

Named after a glacial river in Haines, AK, it鈥檚 no wonder the Summit Tsirku GTX Pro Jacket brushed off wet heavy storms without ever wetting out. 鈥淚 spent six hours full-on storm skiing in this shell, and never felt so protected,鈥� said tester Lily Krass. 鈥淭he long design doesn鈥檛 let any snow or moisture sneak in.鈥� Testers felt the long freeride fit of the robust 80-denier woven nylon shell (which features a Gore-Tex Pro membrane); much appreciated for layering puffy jackets underneath on frigid midwinter tours, but a little bulky for spring missions. The roomy hood cinched up cozily over a helmet, and the articulated shoulders provided smooth mobility with a heavy pack on. This was our top choice for folks looking for one shell to rule them all, easy to transition between the resort and backcountry.

Bottom line: A robust crossover shell ideal for skiing a mix of resort and backcountry

Best For Storm Skiing: Rab Khroma Diffuse GTX ($525)

Weight: 22 oz.
Sizes: S-XXL

Pros:

• Impressive storm protection
• Spacious hood fits over a helmet

Cons:

• Bulky

We hid from dozens of storms underneath Rab鈥檚 new Khroma Diffuse Jacket, and came out no worse for the wear when battling our way through whiteouts and historic winter snowfall. Built with a Gore-Tex Pro membrane and a recycled polyamide face fabric, this bulletproof jacket was our go-to for the 眉ber deep multi-lap pow days, a layer we could count on even when the snow turned to rain one day on Washington鈥檚 Snoqualmie Pass. This jacket doesn鈥檛 stand out for packability, but makes up for it in moisture and wind-cutting chops. 鈥淚 took it out on some very wet storm days and the length of the jacket and size of the hood provided much appreciated coverage in harsh snow and wind,鈥� said Idaho-based tester Kailey Mckenna. 鈥淧ut it on and you don鈥檛 have to worry about it.鈥� Three external chest pockets were easy to reach into with a backpack and harness on, and the long hem added even more protection over our rear ends for days when the moisture just kept coming.

Bottom line: Storm day protection that you can count on, this jacket is ideal for folks traveling in zones with tons of precip

Women鈥檚 Jackets

Best For Dry Climates: Orage Boulder Hybrid Jacket ($630)

Weight: 21.5 oz.
Sizes: XS-XL

Pros:

• Breathability
• Wind protection

Cons:

• Doesn鈥檛 stand up to wet storms as well

Hardshell protection with a softshell feel, this jacket was so easy to move in, making the Boulder Hybrid Jacket our favorite shell for big tours in dry climates like the Rockies. A robust Oeko-Tex membrane combined with a recycled polyester face fabric shed snow and dumped moisture while we hunted for powder on storm days, and the soft jersey backing made it feel more like a midlayer than a burly shell. We were impressed with how well it cut wind, which came in handy on breezy Colorado summits. 鈥淎 great layer for going uphill on cold days,鈥� said Telluride-based tester Robin Kondracki. 鈥淢aybe too light for wet storms, but otherwise really versatile.鈥� Deep chest pockets and lower hand pockets stashed all the snacks we needed for a three-hour climb in Grand Teton National Park, making it easy to reach for a bar or energy chews without taking our packs off.

Bottom line: A great all-around touring shell for drier climates like the Rockies that see a lot of low-density snow and minimal rain.

Best For Wet Climates: Mountain Hardwear Routefinder Gore-Tex Pro Jacket ($700)

Weight: 1.2 lbs
Sizes: XS-XL

Pros:

• Large chest pockets
• Weather proofing

Cons:

• Bulky

Burly and ready for any storm we walked into, Mountain Hardwear鈥檚 Routefinder Jacket gained our trust while skiing the deepest powder of our lives, and it delivered. The three-layer Gore-Tex Pro membrane combined with an 80-denier nylon shell repelled snow, sleet, graupel, and unfortunate bouts of springtime rain. 鈥淚 felt like I could walk through a car wash in this shell,鈥� said tester Lily Krass. Features are streamlined yet functional; the hood fit cleanly over a helmet and goggles, with enough of a brim to block heavy snowfall and spacious chest pockets that are easy to reach into while wearing a pack. 鈥淚 liked how big the chest pockets were for a small notepad, phone, and snacks,鈥� said Jackson-based tester Molly Belk after a long day in the field digging snow pits. 鈥淚 also was able to keep it on during short climbs in the backcountry outside Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.鈥� The only drawback we found was that it doesn鈥檛 pack down as well as some of the other jackets we tested (it definitely runs large and features a slightly boxier fit), but it made up for that in breathability since we often scaled entire bootpacks without taking it off.

Bottom line: A burly shell for tackling storms head-on, this shell suits climates that see heavy amounts of snowfall.

Most Packable: Arc鈥檛eryx Alpha Jacket ($700)

Weight: 11.6 oz
Sizes: XXS-XXL

Pros:

• Packability
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Slightly less durable

Previously the Alpha AR, the updated Alpha Jacket has been updated with Arc鈥檛eryx鈥檚 proprietary Hadron LCP fabric to bump up the breathability and shed weight. The ultralight gridded nylon face fabric was placed in low-wear areas (basically everywhere but the shoulders and arms), and that, combined with a Gore-Tex membrane, made for impressively light storm protection. 鈥淚 love how thin this jacket feels, which makes it easy to move in and stuff in my pack,鈥� said tester Lily Krass. 鈥淏ut despite the featherweight design, it stood up to wet PNW storms no problem.鈥� The Alpha fit fairly slim but was still roomy enough for one 5鈥�8鈥� tester to fit two mid layers underneath a women鈥檚 small, and easy-to-reach pit zips allowed us to dump heat mid stride on a 20-degree storm day in the Tetons without stopping to fully peel a layer. The Hadron fabric did feel easier to scuff up than some of the other bombproof shells we tried this winter, but the reinforced shoulders and arms in areas where it truly counted made up for it.

Bottom line: An ultra-packable, lightweight shell for long tours and spring objectives.

How To Buy

No matter what kind of fancy tech your outerwear has, the best backcountry jacket is the ones that fit you and your style best. Here are a few tips for finding the jacket that works best for you. And whatever you do, find a way to try jackets on before committing; brand sizing is across the board, so the only way to really know is to get products in your hands.

All of the jackets in this category are shells (non insulated) but there is still quite a range of weight and warmth. Compare product weights as well as fabrics; some heavier membranes, like Gore-Tex Pro, are ideal for wetter climates but may be overkill for dry days in the Rockies. Unless it鈥檚 nuking snow, you鈥檒l likely be storing your jacket in your pack for a long climb, so it鈥檚 worth noting how well it packs down and how strapped you are for space in your pack.

Pay attention to the features. Some jackets have a more streamlined design with only a few pockets, and others are chock full of nooks and crannies for your snacks and gear. If you want something you鈥檒l also take into the resort, a pass pocket on the arm, and a few hand and chest pockets can be nice for a crossover piece. Otherwise minimalists who just want a waterproof layer to throw on at the top might be content with a more simple design.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 19
• Number of products tested: 31
• Number of miles skied: 1,200
• Number of vertical feet skied: 410,000
• Overnight ski tours: 8
• Peaks bagged: 16
• Deepest storm day total: 49 inches
• Longest single day ski tour: 8,600 vertical feet

From high alpine peaks to low-angle pow laps, our team of 19 skiers tested 31 jackets last season, evaluating each piece for its breathability, durability, protection, and features. Testers spanned the gamut from vert-crazed uphill fiends to downhill-inclined freeride skiers, newer backcountry skiers, and everything in between. Jackson, Wyo. was our hub for testing this year, the perfect place to put jackets through the wringer on both deep storm days and high pressure windows in the alpine. Testers also took these layers for a spin in maritime climates like the Pacific Northwest and Interior British Columbia, as well as the high peaks of Colorado鈥檚 San Juans and steep slopes in Southeast Alaska. We slogged up steep bootpacks, meandered along skintracks, walked knife-edge ridges, scored deep powder turns, smeared spring corn, and fought our way down variable wind crust to bring you the best backcountry jackets of the year.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Lily Krass is a freelance storyteller based in Jackson, Wyo., with a love for long days in the backcountry. In addition to an all-consuming addiction to powder skiing and exploring high places on skis, Lily takes snacking seriously, and when she鈥檚 not writing or sliding on snow, she鈥檚 likely deep into a baking project in her tiny kitchen. She is the co-author of Beyond Skid: A Cookbook For Ski Bums, a collection of dirtbag-friendly recipes inspired by life in a mountain town.

Other testers include Jackson, Wyo.-based Max Ritter, Lucy Iselin, Kailey McKenna, Molly Belk, and James Temple, who spent dozens of days going after big lines in Grand Teton National Park, sniffing out the deepest powder days on Teton Pass.

More From the 2024 Winter Gear Guide

The post The Best Backcountry Ski Jackets of 2024 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

More comfortable, better for the environment, and longer lasting. Those are the takeaway trends from the top resort ski jackets for this year. But after sorting through nearly 40 jackets, it鈥檚 the diversity that really stands out. Whether you want all the warmth you can get, layering under a minimalist shell, or the best deal on the slopes, you will find it among our top picks from four months of testing during one record-breaking ski season.

The Winners at a Glance

• Most Comfortable: Dakine Sender Stretch 3L
• Best For All Conditions: Helly Hansen Alpha 4.0
• Most Stylish: Strafe Hayden Jacket
• Best Value: Columbia Highland Summit Jacket
• Best For Sigle-Digit Temps: Mountain Hardwear First Tracks Down Jacket
• Best Resort-Meets-Backcountry Jacket: Rossignol Evader
• Most Eco-Friendly Insulated Jacket: Marmot Lightray
• Best Breathable Shell: Trew Cosmic Jacket
• Most Versatile: Salomon QST Jacket
• Best Weather Protection: Arc鈥檛eryx Sabre Jacket

The Reviews: The Best Men鈥檚 Ski Jackets of 2024

Most Comfortable: Dakine Sender Stretch 3L Jacket ($495)

Weight: 1.6 lb
Size: S-XXL

Pros

• Well organized pocket placement
• Stretchy, soft material

Cons

• Baggier fit than some skiers will like

The Stretch won admirers for the sum of its parts. The first thing everyone noticed was its namesake. The recycled and recyclable polyester that comprises the jacket has a buttery feel and a couple inches of give in every direction that makes good on its name. Tester Adam Jaber said the stretch made the fit seem custom. On its own the jacket is a little baggy. It pulled on easily over multiple layers on a chilly day at Vermont鈥檚 Stratton Mountain and never restricted touring during spring laps at N.H.鈥檚 Tuckerman Ravine. Plus, the long cut with an even longer tail kept flakes from wandering where they shouldn鈥檛. When Jaber crashed hard, no slush slid into his pants. That sealed the deal for a jacket he was already loving. The five exterior and two interior pockets were right where he wanted them, the hood easily fit a helmet and cinched down snug, the pit zips dumped excess heat, the shell-style jacket was watertight in wet conditions. He even liked the color options. 鈥淭his is my favorite sub-$500 shell,鈥� said Jaber. 鈥淒akine knocked it out of the park. Buy this jacket and get the matching pants.鈥�

Bottom line: If you like it baggy, this was the best shell jacket we tested.

Best For All Conditions: Helly Hansen Alpha 4.0 Jacket ($475)

Weight: 2.4 lb
Sizes: S-XXL

Pros

• Insulated phone pocket
• Warmth without stuffiness

Cons

• Narrow cuff gaiters don鈥檛 play nice with cuffed gloves

Think of the Alpha as the best kind of environmentally-friendly choice鈥攐ne without compromise. The four-layer design starts with an outer shell of Ocean Bound fabric, a polyester derived from salvaged fishing nets and marine plastic, backed by Helly鈥檚 proprietary waterproof-breathable membrane. Then there鈥檚 PrimaLoft Black Eco Ocean Bound, a recycled synthetic insulation. And finally a silky interior lining. The sandwich of layers is definitely warm, said ski instructor Chris Grover, who wore it with just a baselayer down to 15 degrees F. But even closer to freezing he rarely overheated because the insulation has holes in it that do a good job of locking in the warmth when it鈥檚 cold and releasing the excess heat as the interior temperature rises. These are just a few of the jacket鈥檚 many nice touches: an insulated phone pocket, fleece-lined hand pockets, adjustable powder skirt, Recco reflector, detachable hood, wrist gaiters. Fit was ideal for Grover鈥檚 broader shoulders and chest, but the sleeves might come up short on lankier testers. But his favorite feature is the independent collar and hood design. He could deploy the hood even with the collar zipped up snug around the chin.

Bottom line: The breathable insulation makes the Alpha an ideal resort jacket for zones with big variations in winter temperatures.

Most Stylish: Strafe Hayden Jacket ($519)

Weight: 2.4 lb
Sizes: S-XXL

Pros

• Great fit and comfort
• Best wrist gaiters we鈥檝e used

Cons

• On the bulky side

Slipping into this jacket is like getting a warm hug. The quilted interior lining is soft and smooth and glides on over midlayers. The stretchy wrist gaiters slip on unnoticed and still lock out cold and flakes. 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 have a thumb loop so they fit great and don鈥檛 interfere with gloves or poles,鈥� said Ryan Stuart. The hand pockets are fleece-lined. Both the recycled and waterproof polyester outer shell and PrimaLoft Silver P.U.R.E. recycled insulation (60 grams in the sleeves and hood and 100 grams in the body) have four-way stretch. Testers never felt constricted, even throwing tricks in the park. All together, the Hayden has the substantial feel of a weighted blanket鈥攁nd the same comfort. Another chilly tester was warm enough down to 10 degrees F with two baselayers underneath. And it鈥檚 customizable: The hood zips off and there are hidden vents for dumping heat. 鈥淵ou won鈥檛 want to take it off,鈥� Stuart said.

Bottom line: The perfect ski travel jacket for mid-winter trips, ready for whatever weather and casual enough to wear out at apr猫s.

Best Value: Columbia Highland Summit Jacket ($200)

Weight: 1.1 lb
Sizes: S-XXL; 1X-6X; LT-5XT

Pros

• Great price for warmth
• All the features we like

Cons

• Boxy fit on some

Our testers were loving this jacket even before they saw the great price. It鈥檚 loaded with all the handy features we expect鈥攑ass pocket, inside zipper pocket, wrist gaiter, hand and chest pockets, powder skirt, and a helmet-friendly hood鈥攑lus a few nice extras, like a goggle lens pocket and a drop tail. Tester James Sjogren especially appreciated the latter while sitting on a soggy chairlift at Whistler. Instead of a soaker, he slid off warm and dry. The proprietary Omni-Tech waterproof-breathable membrane helped and did a great job of deflecting coastal (read: moist) flakes. Even more clutch to the jacket鈥檚 impressive warmth for bulk ratio was the Omni-Heat Infinity, a metallic inner lining that reflects body heat back to the body. 鈥淚t was like a thermostat,鈥� Sjogren says. 鈥淭hroughout the winter, I wore the same layering and was always comfortable.鈥� Come spring, it got a little warm, but a less athletic skier could probably extend the season. Sjogren liked the look of the jacket, but older skiers weren鈥檛 all fans. And on some testers the cut looked boxy. But if it fits, this is a fully loaded jacket at a bargain price.

Bottom line: A great value ski jacket for anyone who has trouble staying warm.

Best For Single-Digit Temps: Mountain Hardwear First Tracks Down Jacket ($350)

Weight: 2.5 lb
Sizes: S-XXL

Pros

• Plenty of warmth for frigid days
• Good value for a down puffy

Cons

• Limited temperature range
• Front snaps tricky with mitts on

Unless you鈥檙e perpetually chilly or live in Fairbanks, this probably won鈥檛 be your everyday resort jacket. But when the polar vortex drops in, it will keep you smiling and skiing, said category manager Ryan Stuart. He used it in 9 degrees F record lows on Vancouver Island last winter. That may not sound that bad, but when it plunges into the single digits in the Pacific Northwest, it feels colder than minus-40 in Alberta, he insisted. 鈥淯sually the moist cold gets into my bones and I鈥檓 the first guy to head in to warm up, but with the First Tracks I was the one going for another lap.鈥� The staying power comes from responsibly sourced, 650-fill down wrapped in a two-layer, windproof, recycled polyester outer. More protection came from an insulated hood that easily fit over the biggest helmet head, wrist gaskets that sealed glove leaks, and a draft collar that insulated the front zip. On the down side, the snaps on the draft collar were tricky to manage with thick gloves on. In warmer conditions, mesh-backed pit zips kicked up the A/C when needed, but, even wearing just a baselayer underneath, the First Tracks became a sauna above 25 degrees F. With good looks and a reasonable price, the First Tracks can do double duty as an around-town puffy and cold-weather ski jacket.

Bottom line: Ideal resort jacket for intermediate and advanced skiers who run cold or a dedicated cold-weather companion.

Best Resort-Meets-Backcountry Jacket: Rossignol Evader Jacket ($425)

Weight: 1.8 lb
Sizes: S-XXL

Pros

• Good looks
• Stretchy fabric and fleece backing felt cozy

Cons

• Wrist gasket interfered with social updates
• Watch the sizing: medium fit like a large

鈥淣ice jacket.鈥� Tester Chris Baikie heard it over and over wearing the handsome Evader. The praise wasn鈥檛 just external. Baikie says the waterproof-breathable fabric combo had plenty of stretch and the design was roomy. It made it easy to add layers and move freely without feeling constricted. A thin, fleece lining from the neck up added a touch of warmth and next-to-skin comfort. Together, the jacket felt bomber, supple, and cozy all at the same time. The high, fleece-lined collar sealed his admiration. Zipped up snug in a blizzard, 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 need my Buff,鈥� he said. In above-freezing temperatures the pit zips helped dump excess heat, and being a shell he used it right through the spring corn cycle. His biggest nitpick: the thumb loops on the wrist gaiters interfered with texting. 鈥淔irst-world problems, I know,鈥� Baikie said. More noteworthy is the sizing, Baikie usually wears a large but a medium Evader fit perfectly. The shell style was packable enough to take backcountry skiing and ideal for people who run hot. Overall, Baikie says this jacket is less 鈥渘ice鈥� and more 鈥渘iiiice!鈥�

Bottom line: One jacket to go from the backcountry to the frontcountry in style.

Most Eco-Friendly Insulated Shell: Marmot Lightray Gore-Tex Jacket ($375)

Weight: 1.6 lb
Sizes: S-XXL

Pros

• Environmentally friendly
• Lightweight for insulated jacket

Cons

• Stocky testers found that it fit snug

Environmentally friendly stats may be the headline for Gore Tex鈥檚 new ePE membrane, but its performance is what stood out to testers wearing the Lightray. Gore developed ePE to cut carbon emissions compared to its existing membrane formulation and to eliminate PFCs, toxic 鈥渇orever鈥� chemicals. The new membrane is also thinner and lighter, without impacting weather resistance or breathability. In the Lightray, that produced one of the lightest-feeling insulated ski jackets our testers tried. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a warm set up without being too sluggish or bulky,鈥� said Patrick Lowkes, a Vermont-based weekend warrior. Marmot paired the ePE with a recycled polyester, lightweight exterior fabric, PrimaLoft Black insulation and a soft liner. Skiing at Okemo Mountain, it kept Lowkes toasty down to 15 degrees and dry on a rainy day. Big and easy-to-operate armpit venting prevented overheating as the thermometer climbed. Another standout feature was the price. Testers thought this was one of the best deals we ran through the paces this year.

Bottom line: The best bet for value and environmentally conscious shoppers looking for an insulated shell that won鈥檛 weigh them down.

Best Breathable Shell: Trew Cosmic Jacket Primo ($499)

Weight: 1.6 lb
Sizes: XS-XXL

Pros

• Hood deploys without undoing zipper
• Super breathable

Cons

• Needs an interior zipper pocket

The Cosmic is a classic style from Trew, but the company鈥檚 new-last-season Primo fabric takes it to the next level. The jacket retains the same design: loose fit, double hand and double chest pockets, pass pocket on the sleeve, long pit zips, and one of the best hoods in the business. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even have to undo the neck zip to get the hood up over my helmet,鈥� said Chris Grover, a ski instructor at Vancouver Island鈥檚 Mount Washington. The only thing missing is an inside zipper pocket. The minor detail became even more insignificant thanks to the Primo fabric and a few laps of hiking to inbound chutes in a 33 degree snowstorm. 鈥淚 got pretty warm and it was snowing heavily,鈥� Grover said. 鈥淏ut I didn鈥檛 get wet!鈥� Trew worked with Toyota Textiles to develop Primo, its woven nylon waterproof-breathable fabric. It鈥檚 abrasion resistant, has a hint of stretch and proved to be both exceptionally waterproof and highly breathable. It鈥檚 also recycled and Bluesign approved. A nice variation on this year鈥檚 earth tone theme, the Cosmic comes in the cheery colors we鈥檝e come to love from Trew.

Bottom line: An excellent shell option for those who run hot and work hard.

Most Versatile: Salomon S/Lab QST GTX Pro Jacket ($700)

Weight: 1.6 lb
Size: S-XXL

Pros

• Bomber weatherproofness
• Excellent fit for a variety of body shapes

Cons

• The bold bumblebee look is not for everyone

This jacket is winning in both directions in the tug of war between packability on one side and features and weatherproofing on the other. At 25 ounces this is no minimalist shell, but it鈥檚 also not heavy for the category. 鈥淚t was my only shell for a weeklong backcountry hut trip and I never regretted the choice, even when I wasn鈥檛 wearing it,鈥� said category manager Ryan Stuart. On the other side of the line, it has every feature we look for in a resort jacket. There are pockets galore: five on the exterior, including two vertical hand pockets that work exceptionally well for holding an open beer. The hood is easy to cinch snug鈥攅ven with mitts on鈥攁nd 鈥渕oved with my head,鈥� said Stuart. The GoreTex Pro membrane is bomber, keeping testers warm and dry in everything from howling wind to pouring rain. And the articulated and slightly longer cut fit multiple testers just right, whether they were skinning, boot packing with skis over a shoulder, sitting on a lift, or crushing bumps. The yellow and black combo wasn鈥檛 anyone鈥檚 favorite, but once the jacket was on, no one complained.

Bottom line: One shell for backcountry, slackcountry, and resort skiing.

Best Weather Protection: Arc鈥檛eryx Sabre Jacket ($750)

Weight: 1.6 lb
Size: XS-XXL

Pros

• Durable construction
• Warmth and comfort of flannel lining

Cons

• Longer sleeves and narrow waist didn鈥檛 fit all testers well
• Pricey

Vancouver-based Arc鈥檛eryx has staked its reputation on making gear worthy of playing in the foul weather of its Coast Range backyard. So it made sense to us to hand it off to some folks who do so for a living. Ski bums, pro patrollers and ski instructors in the Sea to Sky region took the Sabre for laps in weather that ranged from rain-on-snow to bluebird pow. It returned from 15 days of abuse by four different testers in near pristine shape. 鈥淲hat a wicked jacket,鈥� was a typical comment. Another tester found the features (pass pocket, interior pocket, two hand pockets, powder skirt, and a helmet-compatible hood) were just the right amount and worked ideally, even with gloves on. 鈥淭he pocket placement was perfect,鈥� he said. Some testers complained that the fit was a little long and narrow. But everyone was onboard with the material choice: a Gore Tex waterproof-breathable membrane sandwiched between a soft shell-like outer and a thin flannel liner. The latter added a nice feel to the jacket and a hint of insulation that backed up the solid weather protection. 鈥淚t rained and blew all day,鈥� said one tester. 鈥淚 was never cold and my base layer was dry when I got back to the car. Amazing.鈥�

Bottom line: An excellent Arc鈥檛eryx jacket for shell lovers who wouldn鈥檛 mind a little more protection and warmth.

How to Buy

There are literally hundreds of ski jackets to choose from, which could make shopping overwhelming. To help whittle down your choices, ask yourself five simple questions.

Insulated or not? This is a matter of preference. Do you like to wear an uninsulated shell and dress in layers or wear a warmer jacket with just a base layer or two? If you鈥檙e not sure, here鈥檚 our advice. For milder parts of ski country and if you ski hot, we recommend a shell style jacket, so you don鈥檛 overheat and can adjust to the conditions. Pick insulated if you regularly ski in temperatures below 20 degrees, if you鈥檙e always chilly, or you live in the south and travel to ski.

Do you need waterproof fabric? We generally recommend buying a jacket with a waterproof membrane 鈥� we鈥檝e gotten wet just about everywhere we鈥檝e skied. The exception is for insulated jackets. Chances are you are only wearing these when it is cold out and getting wet isn鈥檛 an issue. For insulated jackets a windproof membrane is sufficient. The best measure of a membrane鈥檚 waterproofness is a water column measure. Look for 20,000 mm and above.

Do you like the way it looks? To love a jacket you have to like the way it looks. That means color and pattern and also the fit and cut 鈥� in other words how baggy it is. This can be tough to tell online, though pictures with a model help.

Does it have the features you want? Our minimum is a pass pocket, helmet compatible hood and hand pockets. Powder skirt, interior zip pocket and vents are nice additions. Everything after that is gravy. Figure out what you need and find the jacket with those features. For instance, if you like to carry an extra goggle lens make sure there鈥檚 a pocket big enough.

Does it fit properly? More than just the style, this is about whether the jacket allows for a wide range of movement. Look for features like articulated sleeves and stretchy fabrics to improve mobility and adjustable cuffs, hem and hood to customize the fit. Trying on a jacket, it should have room for all the layers you usually wear, plus one.

Can you afford it? We think you get what you pay for and generally a higher priced jacket is going to work better and last longer. But there are many great value jackets, as well. They might not be quite as refined or use as high-quality materials, but they get the job done without breaking the bank.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 16
• Number of products tested: 39
• Number of ski days logged: more than 500
• Number of resorts skied during testing: 43-plus

We鈥檝e seen just about every kind of ski jacket in use on the hill, everything from floater suits to sequined denim. So the first step in testing ski resort jackets is defining what makes a jacket suitable for skiing at the resort. To us, this category prioritizes jackets that put features ahead of weight and packability. They tend to have pass pockets, powder skirts, and helmet-compatible hoods, but otherwise it鈥檚 a diverse lot that includes down puffies, thin shells, and everything in between. Once we decide if a jacket qualifies as 鈥渞esort,鈥� we call in samples to test and distribute them around a team of testers that live in just about every corner of the continent. Mostly we let testers just go skiing. We think this is the best way to figure out what works and what doesn鈥檛. As they log days with the apparel, we ask them to think a little deeper about key variables like fit, function, breathability, warmth, and weather resistance. We also ask them to hand the jackets off to other skiers to get different perspectives. Each tester fills out a feedback form, and from that we whittle our list of jackets down to the nine standouts that you will find reviewed here.

Meet Our Lead Testers

At some point last winter, category manager Ryan Stuart celebrated his 40th year on skis. He learned to ski at six years old on the T-bar at Calgary鈥檚 Paskapoo Ski Hill, now Canada Olympic Park. The other 39 winters have taken him around the world, from Japan to Italy, Alaska to Vermont. Last year he tested ski jackets in Utah, British Columbia, Quebec, and on Vancouver Island, where he lives. When he鈥檚 not trying out ski resort apparel, he鈥檚 running the ski test for Ski Canada Magazine and working on a book about the history of skiing in Canada. @ryanpstuart on Twitter

Tester Adam Jaber is the creator of Out of Collective, a network of outdoor related podcasts that includes his own Out of Bounds Podcast. He鈥檚 also the marketing manager for Colorado Skis & Bikes and a motivated skier. He logged 71 days last year at 19 different resorts in four countries. @adam_jab on Instagram

Chris Baikie figures his dual ski roles are ideal for jacket testing. Every Friday he volunteers with an adaptive ski program. Teaching anyone to ski means 鈥渟tanding around a lot,鈥� he says. 鈥淵our gear has to be waterproof and weatherproof or you will freeze.鈥� The role also involves plenty of bending over, a good test of mobility. Then on weekends Baikie tries to up his run count, while trying to ditch his ripping kids. He鈥檚 working hard and skiing fast, putting jackets through the other extreme.

More From the 2024 Winter Gear Guide

The post The Best Men鈥檚 Ski Jackets of 2024 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

One of the best ways to guarantee the best possible day skiing is to have clothing to keep you comfortable on the slopes, and a great ski jacket tops that gear list every time. A jacket that keeps you warm and dry, one that lets you move comfortably and naturally, and one that makes you look good will make you feel good on the slopes. It鈥檚 true, a killer jacket will boost your confidence and help you ski your best too. Whether you鈥檙e on a budget or ready to splurge, this season鈥檚 women鈥檚 ski jackets are the softest, sleekest, most functional and comfortable we鈥檝e seen. And many now have a great eco story, so you can feel good about what you鈥檙e wearing.

The Winners at a Glance

Editor鈥檚 Choice: Mammut Haldigrat HS Hooded Jacket
Best Technical Shell: Stio Figment Jacket
Most Eco-Friendly Shell: Picture Queya 3L Jacket
Best One-Quiver Shell: Ortovox Guardian 3L Shell
Best For Women Who Are Always Cold: Black Diamond Insulated Jacket
Best Value: Montec Moss Jacket
Best For Cold Temps:聽Orage Grace Insulated Jacket
Most Tailored: Rossignol Rallybird Jacket
Best Rear Coverage: Mountain Hardwear Powder Maven Parka
Best Anorak: Outdoor Research Snowcrew Anorak

The Reviews: The Best Women鈥檚 Ski Jackets of 2024

Editor鈥檚 Choice: Mammut Haldigrat HS Hooded Jacket ($629)

Weight: 1.4 lb
Sizes: S-XXL

Pros

• High-cut neck with a fleece liner
• Extra large chest pockets

Cons

• Single skin pocket not big enough to fit all skins

鈥淭his jacket is everything you need and nothing you don鈥檛,鈥� said Vermont tester Kerry Douglas Pearce. With a freeride cut, light and durable Bluesign-certified recycled fabric, and tasteful color hits, testers couldn鈥檛 clock enough ski days in this jacket. 鈥淚 love the Haldigrat鈥檚 slightly longer length and how it meshes so well with the matching bib pants,鈥� said tester Louise Lintilhac. 鈥淭he light weight made it a great choice for warmer weather adventures, but because it鈥檚 so flexible and has a lot of good stretch, it鈥檚 easy to stack warm layers underneath for added protection against the cold.鈥�

The high neck was superb at blocking wind on the coldest days. And we loved the Lycra cuffs that weren鈥檛 too tight but still kept the snow out. Mammut hid the hem cinch in tiny sewn-in pods that kept the pull cords retracted. And the powder skirt zips out when you don鈥檛 need it. The helmet-compatible hood also has a pull cord adjustment as well as an inner mesh visor that kept the hood from sliding over our eyes when we had it deployed while we were skiing.

Zippers are burly but flexible, and testers appreciated the pockets, including two oversized chest pockets, two oversized hand pockets, and an internal phone pocket. All were easy access. Elbow-to-hip pit zips enhanced airflow as needed. But the jacket was extremely breathable even when fully zipped. The Haldigrat is a great choice for skiers who are happy to layer, and who want a shell that鈥檚 light enough for spring skiing. We were all big fans of the recycled and fair wear certifications.

Bottom line: The perfect freeride kit for anyone looking to do front, side, and backcountry. If you can鈥檛 make up your mind about what you want to do for the day, this is the kit for you.

Best Technical Shell: Stio Figment Jacket ($499)

Weight: 1.7 lb
Sizes: XS-XL

Pros

• Burly without being stiff
• Cool color blocking

Cons

• Some pockets overlap so they鈥檙e not usable at the same time

Slip into this shell jacket, and you feel like the weather can鈥檛 touch you. The Figment鈥檚 100-percent recycled exterior fabric excelled at fending off wind chill, and at keeping us comfortable from bump runs to the skin track. While the shell material is tough, it鈥檚 highly breathable and not overly heavy. We wore this jacket resort skiing, touring, and everything in between in sub-freezing to sub-zero temps in Jackson and Vermont. Skiing steep trees at Jackson Hole, the jacket鈥檚 helmet-compatible hood, which has a bonded brim to seal out the elements, came in handy when we dropped in with whipping wind coming at us from the side. Traversing out of Granite Canyon in the spring sunshine, the pit zips proved easy to operate one-handed.

The jacket has a clean cut with hidden cord locks at the front and peripheral hood adjustments, and a bonded flap that conceals the cord lock at the back of the hood. Brushed fleece inside the collar and on the chin guard were soft and cozy and made this shell feel warm on the coldest days. The two-way water-resistant main zipper is cleverly designed with the draft flap on the inside to prevent zipper gaping and to keep this jacket鈥檚 lines clean. The chest pockets, sleeve pockets, and pit zips all use water-resistant zips. They were pliable, not stiff, and easy to operate. I stashed my phone in the easily accessible mesh media pocket inside the left chest pocket. Zippered hand pockets with flaps held snacks and a spare buff.

Bottom line: A highly weatherproof technical shell with a relaxed look and fit that can handle anywhere and everywhere you ski

Most Eco-Friendly Shell: Picture Queya 3L Jacket ($580)

Weight: 1.7 lb
Sizes: XS-XL

Pros

• Super-soft fabric
• Excellent pockets
• highly breathable

Cons

• Lycra thumb loop inner cuffs were tight on some testers
• No internal pockets

鈥淚 put this jacket on, and it felt and looked so good, I didn鈥檛 want to take it off,鈥� said Idaho-based tester Michelle Nicholson. The Queya 3L鈥檚 long, freeride cut gave us plenty of room to move and room to layer, and it had a flattering shape that worked for women of all dimensions.

Besides the delicious feel of the soft, stretchy, silent fabric, we all loved how well it breathed, and that for sunny days when we were skiing hard we could also vent the jacket with pit zips. Vermont tester Caitlin Kelly appreciated the extra-wide sleeves, which have glove-friendly velcro tighteners, and even allowed even bulkier gloves to slide underneath. Contrasting elbows and mid-torso panels gave this jacket a subtle but eye-catching style. So did the mountain-print seam tape on the inside.

The pockets were also awesome. The Queya 3L has sandwich-sized chest pockets, including one with a magnetic flap over the zipper. Top flap hand pockets have waterproof zippers too. On deep days, we appreciated that the removable powder skirt had loops that mate with Picture pants to turn your kit into a onesie. We pulled up the adjustable helmet-compatible hood to shed snow and wind. A zip ski pass pocket on the lower left arm kept us cruising through the lift line without a hitch. This jacket was also a huge win for being kind to the planet. It鈥檚 made from 100 percent circular polyester, which uses existing pre- and post-Consumer waste to save significant amounts of CO2.

Bottom line: The most environmentally friendly jacket you can buy with a unique style all its own

Best One-Quiver Shell: Ortovox Guardian 3L Shell ($820)

Weight: 1.6 lb
Sizes: XS-XL

Pros

• Wicking
• Temperature regulating Merino lining

Cons

• Expensive

While this is the priciest jacket we loved of the ones we tested, multiple testers said they鈥檇 invest in it because it鈥檚 so comfortable, well-made, and it was so good at keeping us warm. Plus it didn鈥檛 get stinky no matter how many days we skied in it. The stretchy outer membrane is wind- and waterproof. It鈥檚 also highly breathable. Paired with the sweat and stink-controlling inner lining, it was a near-perfect system. Utah-based tester Abby Ghent said, 鈥淭he Merino lining makes the shell feel more cozy, and paired with the membrane this jacket wicked sweat better than any other I tested. I never felt clammy in this shell.鈥�

The polyamide shell and Dermizax EV membrane never felt stiff or crinkly even when skiing bumps in below-zero temps at Vermont鈥檚 Sugarbush Resort. Pockets are positioned so that when testers wore this jacket with a pack for slackcountry, sidecountry, and backcountry, there was no need to rearrange gear to get it out of the way of pack straps. Ortovox gave this jacket mountaineering-worthy features: a two-way adjustable storm hood, and a removable snow skirt. We especially liked the Merino mesh inner pocket inside the left chest pocket as well as the small zippered pocket on the inside of the right chest. 鈥淭hese pockets were good for storing your beacon and phone far enough away from one another while still leaving some room for snacks and other things,鈥� said Ghent.

For a lot of testers, this jacket hit the sweet spot for warmth and insulation. 鈥淒efinitely catered towards the backcountry skier who could encounter any kind of weather, as long as they have proper layers鈥t was also a great spring jacket or warm weather jacket,鈥� said Nicholson. 鈥淪kiing off Jackson Hole鈥檚 gondola, I was grateful for its protection on a very windy and exposed slope鈥� Thanks to its robust membrane and flat seams, this freeriding jacket is particularly durable and long-wearing. It is also PFC-free and climate-neutral: Ortovox鈥檚 Merino comes from monitored, ethical sheep farms.

Bottom line: Bombshell jacket that takes the weather head on and still looks and feels good.

Best For Women Who Are Always Cold: Black Diamond Insulated Shell ($480)

Weight: 1.6 lb
Sizes: XS-XL

Pros

• Stretchy and moveable
• Warm enough without being too warm

Cons

• No internal phone pocket
• Pass pocket is on the shoulder, not the sleeve

Cozy, breathable, comfortable, and warm. When a dozen testers all say a jacket is one they鈥檇 buy, you know you found a winner. 鈥淚 liked the slimmer cut and longer hem length and the stretchiness made that possible without feeling Constricted,鈥� said Jackson-based tester Eve Barnett. The understated jacket uses a proprietary nylon stretch woven shell and a versatile 60 grams of 100 percent recycled insulation that gave testers wind and weather protection that was perfect for lift rides and that didn鈥檛 feel sweaty on descents.

The jacket utilizes zoned insulation to trap body heat in key areas while remaining breathable in zones where you鈥檙e prone to overheating. 鈥淲hen I got off the lift and the typical gusts were kicking up, the quality of windproofing was really apparent,鈥� said tester Bec Wojtecki. 鈥淭his jacket kept out the usual chill that sweeps through me on the blustery summit.鈥�

The jacket is simple and streamlined with a single chest pocket for essentials, and two internal mesh drop pockets for skins, sunnies, extra gloves, a pass pocket, and hand pockets. The removable powder skirt was great on days when it was deep. Other days, it stayed out of the way. Pit zips provided venting when needed. A waterproof front zipper and a helmet-compatible hood added protection on storm days. The adjustable cuffs were cut wide enough to easily slide gloves underneath. And pretty much every tester appreciated this kit鈥檚 low-key vibe. 鈥淚 felt chic and stylish without being a poser,鈥� said Jackson-based skier Flo McCall. 鈥淚鈥檝e never received so many compliments, both on the hill and on social media, as when I was wearing this kit,鈥� said tester Kerry Douglas-Pearce. 鈥淭he warmth, comfort, and fit were all topnotch.鈥�

Bottom line: If you ski where it鈥檚 cold and like a low key vibe, this is the jacket for you.

Montec Moss Insulated Jacket ($239)

Weight: 2.25 lb
Sizes: XXS-XL

Pros

• Affordable
• Spacious chest pocket with inner zip pocket

Cons

• Not as breathable as others
• Stretchy sleeve cuffs didn鈥檛 work with all gloves

There鈥檚 a reason you see Montec gear in every ski resort liftline from Maine to California鈥攊t鈥檚 affordable, with youthful styling and a freeride vibe. Montec鈥檚 Moss Insulated jacket was a hit with our testing team across mountain ranges. We loved the medium cropped length, contoured fit, and the moderate layer of insulation. 鈥淎s a fan of a more insulated jacket, this was a great weight to layer up or layer down,鈥� said tester Bec Wojtecki. 鈥淎nd for my curvy, medium-plus body, this coat fit perfectly. I had a lot of mobility and was comfortable layering.鈥� For a budget jacket, Montec bakes in a load of features that make the jacket versatile, including a storm-blocking hood, underarm vents, an elasticized storm skirt, long, stretchy wrist gaiters, oversized sleeve openings, and a microfleece chin guard. Wojtecki also praised the double internal chest pocket, saying, 鈥淚t was the perfect place to safely stash my key fob.鈥� The jacket does have noticeable differences from its more expensive competition. The fabric wasn鈥檛 as breathable as in some other jackets, the stretchy wrist gaiter sleeves were not compatible with all gloves, and the zippers were more delicate. But the price and the styling made it one of our faves.

Bottom line: A great jacket for the casual skier on a budget, and for skiers who want a great looking jacket in extended sizing.

Best For Cold Temps:聽Orage Grace Insulated Jacket ($500)

Weight: 1.8 lbs
Sizes: XXS 鈥� XXL

Pros

• Muted colors
• Insulation was warm but not bulky

Cons

• One-way zipper
• Hand pockets were hard to get into

Want to be protected from the worst of the winter weather but still hit the slopes? This is the jacket that will get you there. Tester Bec Wotejski said Orage鈥檚 Grace was one of her favorites. 鈥淚 loved the long length, and that this stretchy jacket had room for my curves. Plus the color scheme was natural and low key, but with fun hits of color.鈥� From Vermont to Jackson Hole, testers praised the Grace鈥檚 warmth, cozy-against-the-skin lining, and low bulk. 鈥淭his jacket was warmer than it looked thanks to its low-bulk insulation,鈥� said Jackson tester Eve Barnette. 鈥淚 liked the low-key style and earthy colors.鈥� Cuffs were comfortable with Lycra inner sleeves worn with or without the thumb loops.

The insulated hood easily slid over a helmet without being loose and bulky. 鈥淚t was easy to toss up and cinch down the three-way adjustable hood when the wind kicked up at the summit,鈥� said Wojteski. 鈥淚 felt good in this jacket, both in terms of look and fit.鈥� Testers also loved the headphone port that ran from a stretchy below-the-boob pocket鈥攚hich also had a phone tether鈥攖o the collar. Hand pockets were spacious, and the left one had a lanyard, but some testers found the hand pockets and the pit zips hard to fully open one-handed. Orage uses YKK waterproof zippers throughout. The inner mesh goggle pockets were roomy enough to hold lunch. The powder skirt doesn鈥檛 zip out, but it does snap out of the way when not in use.

Bottom line: A long, warm, low-key, earthy-chic insulated jacket that鈥檚 ready for the coldest days.

Most Tailored: Rossignol Rallybird Jacket ($420)

Weight: 1.5 lb
Sizes: XS-XL

Pros

• Heavier fabric felt warm
• Tailored fit

Cons

• Internal pockets are too small for skins
• Powder skirt isn鈥檛 removable

Wear it tailored, wear it more relaxed. Rossignol鈥檚 Rallybird is a seam-taped waterproof-breathable hardshell that feels like a softshell. It kept us warm and dry through the gamut of winter weather and temperatures from the sunny Rocky Mountains to the fjords of Norway. The three-layer jacket has weatherproof underarm zippers for venting, plus the easy-to-operate two-way zipper seals you in and away from the cold and snow.

Rossignol designers spent time thinking through the cuffs, which testers loved. They鈥檙e cut long to slide over or under gloves, with an elastic thumb loop with a tab that made sliding the cuffs inside a glove easy. For skiers and riders who prefer to wear their cuffs over their gloves, we appreciated the elastic on the insides of the cuffs which helped keep the sleeves from sliding up. The jacket had functional pit zips, but they were on the shorter side. A broad fleece band where the jacket touched our faces was deliciously warm. 鈥淚 loved zipping up this jacket because the soft lining of the extended collar felt so cozy on my face,鈥� said tester Bec Wojtecki.

Rossignol uses a PFC-Free Durable Water-Repellent (DWR) coating that sheds light snow and rain without the use of toxic fluorocarbon-based chemicals. Dual chest pockets, handwarmer pockets, and mesh pockets rounded out the package. It鈥檚 worth noting that testers found this jacket to run large.

Bottom line: A stretchy, warm shell for the skier who prefers a more fitted jacket.

Mountain Hardwear Powder Maven Parka ($379)

Weight: 2.2 lbs
Sizes: XS-XL

Pros

• Unique looking
• Long cut covers your butt

Cons

• Several mostly unusable pockets
• No real phone pocket

Mid-priced, lightly insulated, with a bold look and freeride cut, the Powder Maven Parka was lauded for its attitude, its butt-covering waterproofness, and its tailored insulation throughout. Generously cut to leave plenty of room to move without being a sack, the Powder Maven used body-mapped insulation that kept Vermont-based Louise Lintilhac 鈥渨arm even when the wind was cutting.鈥� In lift lines in multiple states, including Stowe, Vt., and Crested Butte, Colo., Lintilhac got compliments on this color-blocked but not flashy jacket that鈥檚 eye-catching without being obnoxious. 鈥淭he baggy fit and longer cut were flattering,鈥� said Lintilhac. 鈥淎nd when it was deep, I loved that I could button the powder skirt to the Powder Maven bibs to keep the snow out.鈥� The helmet-compatible hood had three-way drawcord adjustment that kept us seeing clearly in a storm. And underarm zip vents with mesh backing let us dump heat while keeping snow out on blower days. An interior chest pocket proved the perfect spot to store a phone. Phones also fit in the Velcro chest pockets, but we didn鈥檛 want to ski with them there because the pockets didn鈥檛 zip. A skin pocket was the perfect place to store goggles and gloves when we weren鈥檛 using them. Lycra cuffs have thumb loops and the jacket cuffs have a gusseted opening to make it easier to slide glove cuffs inside.

Bottom line: This is a mid-priced jacket that will keep you looking and feeling good on greens, blues, blacks, and beyond.

Best Anorak: Outdoor Research Snowcrew Anorak ($329)

Weight: 1.9 lb
Sizes: XS-XXL

Pros

• Deep chest zipper
• Kangaroo and handwarmer pockets

Cons

• No pass pocket in the sleeve
• Not very stretchy

Anoraks have a unique style on the slopes, and this one ups the eco-friendly ante with 60 grams of partially recycled polyester insulation that鈥檚 warmer, stretchier, and more breathable than most polyester insulation. Testers loved the way soft polyester shell anorak looked, with bright zippers, a colorful lining, and playful color blocking that stood out against the monotone of winter.

Sometimes anoraks can feel confining, but not this one. A deep chest zip made it easy to get on and off. The zipper is covered with a wind flap to keep you toasty inside. And pit zips assist with venting on hot days. The fit was spot on, able to accommodate one tester鈥檚 wider shoulders, not too baggy, not too tight. It鈥檚 cut to mid-butt length which was warm skiing, but not so long as to feel like it was cramping anyone鈥檚 style. Lycra inner cuffs prevented snow from getting up one tester鈥檚 sleeves on a chest-deep powder day at Utah鈥檚 Solitude Mountain Resort.

A fleece-lined kangaroo pocket stashed goggles as well as lunch, apr猫s drinks, and gloves, and there was still space to warm up cold fingers in the pass-through handwarmer pocket underneath. The jacket is seam sealed, and it鈥檚 made for carving turns in frozen water on cold days. Bonus: the hood is insulated too.

Bottom line: This is a聽great value, fun and functional pullover that will keep you warm on the slopes.

How to Buy Women鈥檚 Resort Jackets

The very best way to buy a jacket is to try on several and buy the one that fits and feels best. Whether you鈥檙e shopping in-store or online, here are our pointers for picking a ski jacket you鈥檒l love:

Choose insulated, or not. First, determine how cold it will be where you ski, and if you want an insulated jacket, or you want to layer up underneath a shell. An insulated jacket will require less layering, and it may feel cozier than a shell, but it may not work as well for warmer weather skiing.

Find your fit. We鈥檙e all built differently, and every manufacturer cuts the size small, medium, or large to their own specs, not an industry standard. So don鈥檛 be surprised if you鈥檙e a small in one brand, and a large in another. Whenever possible, try before you buy. That will also help you hone in on if you prefer a more tailored or a freeride fit, and whose pants fit your curves best.

Check the features. If you need a pass pocket to get through the gates at your home resort, get a jacket that has one on the arm. If you鈥檙e a storm skier, you probably want a powder skirt. And If you want easy phone access for tunes or photos, be sure to pick a jacket where the pockets work for you. Not every jacket has every feature. Think about what鈥檚 most important for you, and get a jacket with the features to deliver.

Stick to your budget. Ski shells run the gamut when it comes to pricing. If you want to splurge or price isn鈥檛 an object, there are many options. If you鈥檙e on a budget, don鈥檛 stress. You can still get a great jacket.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 19
• Number of Products Tested: 45
• Number of Days on Snow: 846
• U.S. States Tested In: 8 (plus 4 other countries)

The goal: To get as many different types of jackets tested by as many different types of skiers in as many different conditions as possible. To do so, box up gear and send it all over the country: Vermont, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Montana, and New Mexico. Then we hit the slopes, the side country, and the backcountry and we took notes, lots of them. We noted the temperature and how warm we felt, if the jacket covered our butts, if we felt free or cramped as we arced down the mountain or pulled ourselves up from a powdery wipeout. We noted how well the jacket protected us from weather, if it was breathable or not, if we had the pockets we needed. And when we got compliments in the lift line, we noted that too. We wore all 46 jackets at ski resorts across the U.S., and we also wore them for everyday activities we found ourselves doing throughout the winter, from grocery shopping to mountaineering. We鈥檙e women from 23 to 59. Some of us are expert skiers and ski professionals. Some are full-time moms who shred. Some of us are weekend warriors and dawn patrollers who get laps in before work and after hours. All of us love to ski whenever, wherever, and however we can.

Meet Our Testers

Berne Broudy is a Vermont-based skier who calls Stowe Mountain Resort her home hill, though she spends as much time in the backcountry as possible. Broudy has been reporting on environmental issues, gear, and travel for two decades. She鈥檚 developed and guided hiking and cycling trips all over the U.S. and South America. She鈥檚 led students through Ghana and Peru, and she鈥檚 biked across the U.S. She鈥檚 had fat biking first descents in Alaska, she helped establish the first sport climbing in East Greenland, and she was on the first female team to traverse the country of Jordan by bike. She skis every day there鈥檚 snow on the trails behind her house, and clocks resort days and backcountry days anytime and anywhere she can, from Vermont to Japan and all points in between.

Louise Lintilhac is a former Freeski World Tour contestant. She filmed for four seasons with Meathead Films and still strives to spend 80 days a year at the resort and in the backcountry. Though she鈥檚 logged thousands of ski days in her 38 years, one stands out: lapping Alta with Angel Collinson, Eric Hjorleifson, and Zach Giffin. There was three feet of fresh powder, and it had snowed around three feet and Lintilhac had a 102掳F fever. She popped some Chloraseptic in her pocket, and skied her face off.

Bec Wojtecki is a former nurse, executive director of a community trails non-profit, and a mom. She spends most of her ski days showing her kids, Lucca and Drew, the slopes. Born and raised on the East Coast, Bec, who calls herself an intermediate skier, loves to lap the fast corduroy and try to keep up with her kids. 鈥淢y favorite thing about skiing is that it鈥檚 so easily shared with friends and family,鈥� says Wojtecki. When not skiing, mountain biking, or fundraising, she can be found hiking with her Great Dane mix pup, working in the garden, and building Legos with Lucca and Drew.

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