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On or off piste, these jackets will have you covered this winter and beyond
Winter is coming – and if you’re planning on heading to cold climes for a snow sports holiday, a jacket designed specifically for skiing and snowboarding is a must. A good ski jacket is designed to be worn paired with ski pants and should be warm, waterproof and comfortable to wear all day.
There’s no avoiding it, good ski jackets are expensive, but they’ll last you for years of ski trips or a few seasons of working in the mountains, so it’s worth splashing the cash – we recommend spending around £200 to £300, to ensure you get a decent one.
Waterproofing is essential for staying dry in snowstorms (or just if you take a tumble on a piste), and ski wear designs showcase similar waterproofing techniques to rain jackets. Look for technology such as Gore-Tex waterproofing or a rating of how impermeable the jacket is – anything above 1,500mm is acceptable, but 10,000mm and above is your best bet for staying totally snow-proof, with the best jackets hitting the 20,000mm mark.
Meanwhile, a well-fitting, adjustable hood, adjustable cuffs and a snow skirt built into the interior of the jacket will help to keep out the elements further.
Some snow sports brands do a better job at getting a female-specific fit than others, so it’s a good idea to try on a few jackets in person. Make sure your new jacket feels slim-fitting but not restrictive, and that it can be adjusted at the hem and cuffs to trap in heat. It should be roomy enough to fit a base layer and a light middle layer underneath on cold days, so you may want to choose a size up from your usual. We favour a longer length of jacket (often chosen by snowboarders) as they offer better warmth around the lower torso.
We tested out each jacket in cold weather conditions and looked for a comfortable, female-specific fit that worked well over winter layers, plus full waterproofing that could withstand snowfall and, if applicable, decent warmth from insulation.
In our round-up, there’s a jacket to suit every skier and boarder, but we think Helly Hansen’s powderqueen is the cream of the crop. Beginners looking for budget options won’t go far wrong with the Mountain Warehouse moon II or Decathlon FR100, while Picture’s Sylva is a high-performing option for experienced skiers and boarders, as well as being a more sustainable pick.
Stay safe with our round-up of the best ski helmets for snow sports