The Best Women's Ski Jackets of 2025 | GearJunkie Tested

Whether you’ve been skiing for one season or 10, you’ve probably encountered some nasty weather. That’s why your ski jacket is important: It keeps you warm and happy on the lift and slopes. Blustery winds, fat snowflakes, and bone-chilling temperatures are all a part of the experience, so you’ll need the right fit to feel comfortable and stylish.

To that end, not all women’s ski jackets are created equal. Beyond the basic protection against gusts, ice crystals, and sun, outer layers have a range of details from a helmet-compatible hood to a powder skirt and spacious pockets. Some options are insulated for warmth, while others are more waterproof.

Our top pick is extremely lightweight, sustainable, built for backcountry missions or resort days, and buttery soft: the Patagonia Women’s SnowDrifter Jacket. If you’re looking for a more economical choice that’ll serve you most days at the ski area, pick up the Picture Women’s Seen Jacket for nearly $100 less.

After testing dozens of ski jackets over our lives and for the past three winter seasons, since we first published this guide in 2021, this is our choice selection of women’s ski jackets. These pieces left a lasting impression with their fit, overall design, performance, and looks. We put these layers through the paces with many days of testing in sunny, freezing, and blizzard conditions at ski resorts alongside long, challenging days in the backcountry.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Women’s Ski Jackets buyer’s guide on February 11, 2025, with the field-tested and awarded The North Face Women’s Summit Series Verbier GORE-TEX Jacket.

It doesn’t matter if Mother Nature is throwing snow, wind, sleet, or gale-force winds at your ski day; nothing is going to get through the North Face Summit Series Verbier GORE-TEX jacket ($700). Designed with 100% recycled polyester, this 3-layer GORE-TEX shell barely flinched during our testing ski days in Aspen, Colo., and in the backcountry of British Columbia.

This is largely thanks to the Verbier’s thoughtful design and features. This jacket is made with Gore’s ePE fabric that’s PFAS-free, reducing the presence of chemicals in the environment — and we noticed no drawbacks in the jacket’s weather performance, density, or durability.

The helmet-compatible hood easily slides over ski helmets and the collar stands tall, offering more face protection than the average ski jacket. We also loved the longer hem — it reaches about mid-thigh — for its full-coverage protection during blower snow days. But, the length does come with a tradeoff: It’s snug on women with wider hips like our gear tester Heather Balogh Rochfort. She often found herself unzipping the two-way zipper an inch from the bottom to add a little more wiggle room.

Most ski jackets have pockets, but those found on the Verbier are tough to beat. A zippered pass pocket on the left sleeve, one zippered chest pocket, and two large zippered hand pockets are plenty — normally. But the highlight is the two gigantic covered-and-zippered cargo pockets near the hemline. Both are so large that they easily hold a cellphone, car keys, and snacks for a family of three, all with room to spare.

Other features include adjustable wrist cuffs with thumb loops, a secured powder skirt, zero shoulder seams so it fits nicely beneath a pack, and top-notch styling. The salt? It’s too bad it comes with a hefty price penalty. But if you’re looking for an extremely waterproof, windproof, and utilitarian ski jacket that’s stylish and comfortable, look no further than the Verbier GORE-TEX jacket.

With applause-worthy function and style, the Picture Women’s Seen Jacket ($370) is a 2-layer construction built 100% from Circular polyester: upcycled fabric from factory scraps and used jackets. As an eco-conscious brand, Picture’s Circular polyester rolled out through 80% of their 2023 winter goods, and in our experience, the performance and durability remained high. While the Seen debuted in 2023, we’ve tested the most recent iteration and it remains unchanged — and awesome.

On the most frigid days, Senior Editor Morgan Tilton typically wore this jacket with a base layer and light fleece midlayer beneath and felt cozy all day. For extra warmth, there are wrist gaiters. We highly rate the pocket quantity and layout. Both exterior hand pockets are spacious and softly lined. There’s an upper exterior zippered chest pocket — and an elastic band sporting a goggle wipe. Inside the jacket is a large mesh dump pocket and a zippered chest pocket. A pass pocket is on the left arm.

This jacket and the matching Exa pants are tailored yet easy to move in and stylish. A super soft chin guard inside the jacket collar is five-star (not all lower-face liners are created equal). The hood’s brim is reinforced. While the hood fits over a helmet, it doesn’t fully extend to block weather from hitting the front of the helmet. And while there’s a powder skirt, it’s fixed.

This piece also clouts Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Global Recycled Standard certifications. To help repel water, the seams are fully taped. The front, underarm, and chest zips are all waterproof. The textile also utilizes Teflon Ecoelite, a PFC-free bio-based, non-fluorinated stain and water-repellent treatment. Ultimately, the Women’s Seen is extremely protective against all the elements, durable, and warm while looking good.

While this kit can get toasty on a warm, sunny, wind-free spring day, there are underarm vents and you can surely drop to a lightweight base layer. If you’re looking for a more sleek, light, next-to-skin jacket, we recommend the Patagonia Women’s SnowDrifter Jacket, which is uninsulated and built with ePE GORE-TEX material, which feels pretty lean.

The Patagonia Women’s SnowDrifter Jacket ($449) is a Jill of all trades. Incredibly light but also an armed guard against snow and wind, breathable yet fully waterproof, the SnowDrifter manages to do everything we need. And the articulated fit of the hood — even over a helmet, while chatting on the ski lift, and swiveling our head while we ski — is a crowned jewel among many jackets that get it wrong.

This 3-layer hardshell feels as buttery as a softshell. With a next-to-skin impression, the weight-to-performance ratio truly stood out with this jacket. Coming in at a feathery 510 g, the SnowDrifter is among the lightest of layers we have tested. The SnowDrifter’s malleable feel makes it incredibly comfortable and non-restrictive for dynamic movement while carving big turns, bootpacking, or touring. The overall functionality across weather conditions, and its ability to bridge uphill and downhill skiing, placed this jacket as a top performer.

We were also impressed with the tailored fit — athletic yet feminine and stylish — and how good it looks. The only downfalls of this jacket are the potential tradeoffs: Lightweight and non-insulated also means the design is not the warmest choice for very cold or windy days. Due to the stellar breathability, the waterproofing might not be enough against a maritime snow climate for all you Pacific Northwesterners.

We’re still testing the durability over the long haul and will report back with what we find. But we’re confident that the SnowDrifter meets Patagonia’s internal H2No performance benchmark for high waterproofness, breathability, surface repellency, and durability over multiple years.

Also, don’t let the name confuse you: This silhouette was a complete makeover in 2023 and remains unchanged for 2024. With this piece, Patagonia unveiled 3-layer apparel that’s completely PFAS-free including the fabric and membrane in addition to the DWR face treatment. This jacket rocks 100% recycled polyester.

If your ski days range from sunny groomers to steep hike-to terrain to backcountry touring, the Women’s SnowDrifter Jacket is a true chameleon that performs well in range of conditions. Check out the matching Patagonia Women’s SnowDrifter Bibs review, too.

Read Review: Patagonia Women’s SnowDrifter Jacket: A One-Quiver Piece

If you need a lightweight, breathable, windproof, and waterproof shell for laps at the resort and backcountry adventures, here’s our superstar choice — the Outdoor Research Women’s Skytour AscentShell Jacket ($429). At 20% lighter than its predecessor, and now with no intentionally added PFAS, the hardy 65-denier nylon and spandex face fabric is paired with a 50-denier knit back, making this jacket a stalwart against harsh conditions and a loaded pack. The cut is roomy (but not baggy) long — below our hips — and even longer in the back, covering most of our glutes.

Though strong, the fabric is breathable, pliable, and buttery soft. The jacket feels good to move in whether we’re planting our poles on steep groomers or ascending a skin track. We appreciate that the hood is wire-brimmed so it doesn’t collapse. The brushed tricot chin guard feels smooth and comfortable against the face.

We also love the pockets. There are two lower hand pockets and two Napoleon-style exterior upper chest pockets that open toward the opposite hand, so they’re ergonomic to slide into and access. There’s one internal mesh pocket and another internal pocket with zipper access and a headphone port.

Dual two-way zipper access on the front and in the armpit vents makes the jacket highly adaptive to weather changes. And the wrist cuffs are the ideal width — sturdy but not too beefy. We reach for the Women’s Skytour AscentShell Jacket for resort days, backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering, snowmobiling, and pow surfing. It’s a top-notch all-around winter shell and may be the best women’s ski jacket available today.

Regardless of how harsh the wind gets above treeline, this jacket protects us from cold and damp conditions. The fabric of the ORTOVOX Women’s 3L Deep Shell Jacket ($730) is 100% windproof and is capable of blocking the heavy rain and snow you typically see in the Pacific Northwest. That’s a good safety investment for a backcountry skier.

Yet somehow, the jacket still feels breathable to our testers who sweat a lot on the skin track but prefer protection from the elements on the way up. The numbers check out: A whopping 32,000 g/m²/24h is achieved, which is a huge amount compared to other jackets, especially designs that are this waterproof, and is one reason why we are so comfortable in this kit on the up or down. The brand uses SwissWool for insulation and odor-neutralizing properties with Tasmanian merino wool in the chest and collar.

In addition to the spacious, ergonomic underarm zippers, the wool helps manage moisture and temperature. The cuff tabs are wide and easy to grab, and the powder skirt is removable. One aspect of the 3L Deep Shell we rave about is the pockets. ORTOVOX nails pocket size and functionality. The two large chest pockets are still accessible while wearing a heavy pack with a hip belt. We’ve also used the small arm pocket to hold a ski pass at the resort, and it’s a good spot for a whistle or a thin wallet.

ORTOVOX added an integrated mesh pocket to the left chest pocket on the Women’s 3L Deep Shell Jacket that’s well-angled and articulated, so you can easily secure your phone, even if it’s a larger size. (Note: If you wear your backcountry beacon in a chest harness, be sure to separate the beacon a minimum of 20 inches from your phone.)

Despite countless days of backcountry use skiing, snowmobiling, and managing a trailer across several seasons, this jacket has yet to see any holes: The investment is worth the price tag. Check out the full review of the matching Ortovox Women’s 3L Deep Shell Bib Pants.

When the snow is pounding and you’re shoveling a cake of flakes off your kit at the top of the lift ride, a super waterproof jacket is warranted. Fortunately, one such jacket launched in 2023 and remains unchanged for 2024/2025: The Rab Women’s Khroma Diffuse GORE-TEX Jacket ($500) is among the most waterproof choices among our top ski jackets for ladies. This outer layer kept us dry (and subsequently warmer) in beat-down storms with plenty of wind. Offering a boost, the face fabric is also treated with Gore DWR for extra repellency.

The hood easily slides over a helmet and allows us to swivel if we need to ride enclosed. Overall, we dug the fit, which offers a nice upper body reach for pole plants and boot or binding adjustments, thanks in part to the articulated sleeves. The center back length reaches a tad lower (than the front), at 30 inches, which we like for aesthetics plus a bit more protection on the backside.

For such strong fabric, the feel is relatively smooth and lightweight. The 3-layer build hinges on a 70-denier face fabric that’s 100% recycled. A portion of the zippers and trim is also recycled. A measly strip of soft fabric lines the interior fabric in front of the face — just 1.25 x 6 inches. We’d love to see an expanded chin guard. While there is a powder skirt, it’s removable, which is a nice touch.

The pockets are straightforward and spacious. On the chest is a 7-inch long zipper that enters a huge cavity — 12 x 6 inches. Two lower torso pockets, 9 x 13.5 inches, are equally roomy, though are placed a bit high to be hand pockets in the traditional sense.

It feels unnatural to hang our wrists that high but the pockets function a bit better with a hip belt clasped — you just need to slide everything inside above the belt. Inside, there’s one dump pocket with a tapered shape to help secure items. One more small pocket rounds out the collection on the upper left bicep.

Of course, you can’t forget underarm zips for a mission-oriented jacket, and Rab doesn’t here. The center zip also has a uniquely wide pyramid-shaped pull tab that’s easy to grab and slide. If you’re on the hunt for a non-insulated jacket with superior waterproofness that won’t bite the dust any time soon and can handle the shellacking of big backcountry days, consider investing in the Women’s Khroma Diffuse GORE-TEX Jacket.

For the price, adaptability, and quality, this jacket is hard to beat. Available in plus sizes, as well as XS-XXL, the Columbia Women’s Bugaboo III Fleece Interchange Jacket ($210) comprises two separate pieces: a high-pile fleece liner layer and an Omni-Heat-equipped two-layer shell that zip together. You can wear the pieces individually or layer them, giving you three options.

The jacket has a heat-holding ability, thanks to the fleece liner as well as the Omni-Heat thermal-reflective technology, which coats the inside of the shell. The design uses silver dots that retain and reflect body heat to help maintain temperature. This jacket is not the longest cut nor the warmest but fares well in moderately cold climates.

The ORTOVOX Women’s 3L Deep Shell Jacket and the Rab Women’s Khroma Diffuse GORE-TEX Jacket are both slightly longer, more tailored fits. And we have several favorite insulated designs on our list including the Halfdays Lawrence Jacket.

To get the best protection possible, the jacket also has an adjustable hood, cuffs, and hem. Critical seams are sealed, and when worn with both layers together, the fleece provides a boost of warmth. The fleece is super soft, too. While simple, it’s stylish with a nice cut.

There’s also a chin guard on the exterior jacket’s collar, to help keep your face warm and protected from the elements when you’re zipped up. We also appreciate the extended zipper pull, so we can quickly grab the zippers with our ski gloves on.

At cost, the price is fair — for less than $300, you get three jackets in one. The Bugaboo III Fleece Interchange Jacket is available in 1X, 2X, or 3X.

Still cooking, the Patagonia Women’s Untracked Jacket ($699) sets a bar in sustainable snowwear while maintaining the high-performance standard that we know from this eco-champion brand.

Similar to the SnowDrifter’s in-house 3-layer design, this 3-layer GORE-TEX design eliminates harmful perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) from the fabric, membrane, and water repellency. In a burlier construction, the Untracked is made with 80-denier 100% recycled fabric compared to the SnowDrifter’s 50-denier face.

The Untracked is a tad heavier and feels more substantial against a storm, which some skiers prefer. You’ll see the price bump. If you’re primarily using your ski jacket inbounds, we suggest snagging the Untracked (instead of the SnowDrifter), especially if you ski in a zone that can get gusty and hammered with snow, and if you’re sensitive to cold or prefer a denser jacket.

If you prefer a minimalist feel and are using your ski jacket for backcountry, go for the SnowDrifter: It’s more than $200 less, and you can always wear a solid midlayer and down vest if you need to.

Additionally, this suit top delivers an integrated powder skirt with grippy material to ensure that the jacket stays planted and attached to your pants, preventing snow from creeping up beneath the hemline on deep days. With a cozy touch, the interior is lined with flannel.

We found that the Untracked allowed us to hunt all of the fresh snow no matter the weather. This layer kept us dry and warm in the windiest, coldest conditions. The flip side is that the Untracked is quite heavy for dedicated use in the backcountry and rather bulky when packed down to stash in your pack for the uphill. The only other potential downfall we noted is that the sleet green color, though neutral and sleek, can be hard to pinpoint on overcast days.

Read Review: Patagonia Women’s Untracked Jacket Review: Reliable With Benchmark Sustainability

The Halfdays Lawrence Jacket ($375) is among the most fashion-forward and functional pieces we’ve tested. Regardless of size — the layer runs from XS to 2XL — this fit is svelte and attractive while withstanding seriously stormy conditions. For decadent reasons, this jacket is Halfdays’ top-selling ladies’ ski jacket.

While riding the ski lift in whiteouts and then running errands after leaving the hill, a standout attribute is the jacket’s toasty insulation, which kept us cozy in freezing conditions. Loaded with PrimaLoft Black, the insulation is 100% recycled, provides the equivalent of 550-fill power down, and is coated with a water-resistant finish.

The Lawrence’s insulated collar stands tall without being cumbersome, keeping the neck and entire face tucked in. In a unique design, the fixed, insulated hood wraps around the collar’s exterior, providing double the warmth. The entire interior of the collar — all 360 degrees from the zipper pull to teeth — is wrapped with super-soft fleece-like fabric. The arms are long, which we appreciate, and the wide Velcro straps on the wrists are easy to place even with mittens on. Moisture beaded off the jacket’s surface, and snow piled up on the lift without the fabric wetting out a bit.

On warm spring days, there are underarm vents to help dump heat. The pulls of the narrow Aquaguard zippers are not the quickest to grab but smoothly open, and the length is a bit stunted at 9.5 inches but that also goes with the kit’s svelte style. We’re impressed by the small, useful additions to the design. The pass pocket on the left arm has an integrated elastic band that attaches to a goggle wipe, which can be released via a miniature buckle.

The chest pocket includes an integrated rubber leash shaped like a lasso to hold your phone, helping to prevent an accident on the lift or in line. The two hand pockets are lined with soft fabric and are spacious: 10 by 6 inches. There’s also a zippered interior chest pocket and mesh dump pocket on the left side.

One critique: We noticed the center zipper on the jacket felt stiff in the center any time we bent over to adjust our bindings or needed to make athletic moves while getting stuck in deep snow. The zipper serves its purpose of blocking the elements but isn’t very flexible.

And while the hood does slide over a helmet, we felt it restricts side-to-side movement, so we didn’t like to descend with it pulled on. To sum it up, the Lawrence Jacket is one of the most stylish, functional ski jackets for ladies who need to wear their jackets in a blizzard followed by an evening at the bar.

A durable, stylish, and supremely cute ski kit is delivered with the Rossignol Rallybird Ski Jacket ($425). Unlike other jackets with the trending freeride-type fit, we found the Rallybird silhouette to run slightly trimmer than normal with nice-to-have features like two zippered chest pockets and two zippered hand pockets.

But our favorite feature was the perfectly long wrist gaiters with thumb holes. One of our crew has longer-than-average arms and often struggles to use thumb holes since they are too short, but the Rallybird nailed the length, which made it really easy to slide mittens over top of the gaiters.

The 3-layer polyester shell uses a PFC-free DWR treatment that has zero issues shedding moisture in the nastiest of weather, as tester Heather Balogh Rochfort learned during whiteout conditions at Aspen Snowmass. The fabric is heavier than other ski jackets which makes it feel warmer on cold days. But, there is a tradeoff: less mobility, especially under the arms. Still, it isn’t a deal breaker and we logged more than 20 days skiing in the Rallybird over the course of 3 months.

Full pit zips allow skiers to dump heat in a hurry, but the burly materials make the Rallybird too heavy to justify for backcountry adventures. Alternatively, the piece that clouts the most breathability to weight and durability ratio? It’s the ORTOVOX Women’s 3L Deep Shell Jacket, our winner for best backcountry ski jacket. Our advice: stick to the chairlift, and the Rallybird will keep you happy.

Read Review: Stylish and Technical for Lift-Served Skiing: Rossignol Women’s Rallybird Ski Jacket Review

Sensitive to arctic blasts and ice-cold bluebird days? Get yourself one of Flylow’s newest designs for the ladies, the Flylow Charlie Coat ($600), a fully waterproof down jacket for ripping the ski hill. This jacket is loaded with 150 g of 800-fill down, which is Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified.

After Senior Editor Morgan Tilton tested the Charlie in extremely cold conditions at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, we can attest, it’s among the warmest choices out there. A squishy 5-inch-tall collar is fully insulated and sits inside a removable puffy hood that’s similarly stuffed. It’s our favorite elements of a sleeping bag and functional ski jacket combined.

The brand was founded in 2005, by Coloradans Greg Steen and Dan Abrams, on the premise that they needed durable apparel for backcountry ventures but didn’t forget style or fit. As telemark skiers, the pair was heckled one day on groomers when someone yelled: “You don’t ski fast — you fly low.” They ran with the tagline. Indeed, the fabric resists moisture at a high level — with a 20,000mm waterproofness tag — and is also buttered up with Empel DWR (a PFAS-free waterproofing treatment) for extra repellency. Even while skiing or riding in moisture-heavy storms, this jacket fared well.

While the design crowns itself on being breathable, we found the jacket to be pretty toasty, which was perfect for midwinter squalls, but we wouldn’t say the breathability of the fabric offset that toaster level in a noticeable way. If we needed to turn the dial down, we’d open up the 11.5-inch long underarm zips. The pulls are tiny, so we’d often need to pull off our gloves or ask a friend to help.

For toting around goods, the jacket has a fair number of pockets: six total. Two functional hand pockets are roomy at 7 x 10 inches. An exterior upper left chest pocket is a great spot for quickly sliding in a phone. Inside is a mesh pouch on the left, faced by a zippered pocket on the right. On the left arm is a pass pocket: we wish this was on the lower forearm, because an I.D. would get caught in our cubital fossa whenever our arm bent.

While there’s a powder skirt, it’s removable. Without obstructing style, the brand adds snaps along the skirt’s elastic hem, which can be connected with a lineup of snaps along the exterior of the brand’s pants and bibs.

Ultimately, this jacket offers up a nice range of movement without excess fabric. It has a true middle-of-the-road fit that’s not too tight or baggy. Another insulated favorite on our list is the Picture Women’s Seen Jacket, which comes in with 20K/20K waterproofness and breathability, as well as a lower heat meter: 60 gsm of insulation in the body and sleeve, and 40 gsm in the hood, and at more than $200 less.

If you don’t mind having less insulation and water protection, go for the Seen. But if you live in a blizzard-ridden zone known for the gales and frigid temps, we’d suggest investing in the Charlie, which will withstand the worst of storms.

With the Arc’teryx Women’s Sentinel Jacket ($750), this premium brand delivers a tough, flexible shell jacket for tackling big days at the ski resort or in the backcountry. It still boasts a more relaxed and modern cut than seen in previous years, thanks to a 23-24 redesign that ditched the previous hourglass shape. The big news for the 2024-2025 season is the updated fabric. The Sentinel now boasts 80-denier GORE-TEX ePE, a PFAS-free material.

From blustery conditions to blower powder, the three-layer GORE-TEX fabric is waterproof and breathable, and it blocks wind well. The design is also Fair Trade Certified. The seams are fully sealed to block moisture, and if you build heat on deep-snow laps, the underarm vents are a lifesaver, while the powder skirt helps keep base layers dry.

A soft, flannel backer provides a bit of warmth for cooler days on the chair lift. But if it’s really cold, we’ll throw on a fleece midlayer, too. The hood fits nicely over a helmet with a stout, laminated brim.

To hold your goods, there are two generously sized hand pockets with exterior zipper access. The zippers do sit a tad higher than traditional hand pockets on the hips, so walking with your hands in your pockets feels a bit awkward.

There’s one small sleeve pocket for an ID or lift pass, an internal mesh pocket, and one (small) internal pocket with a zip closure. Given the internal pocket is too small for our phone, we wish there was a chest pocket on the outside of the jacket that could hold our phone up higher and off our hips.

Mostly, this streamlined, athletic jacket simply feels good to wear. If you’re looking for a comfortable shell that withstands season after season of abuse while managing variable conditions from spring sunshine to winter storms, the Women’s Sentinel Jacket is tough to beat.

The Norrona Tamok GORE-TEX Performance Shell Jacket ($699) is a new freeride shell that’s fully functional and tapped with style for resort days. Norrona started with eco-friendly materials by using GORE-TEX’s relatively new ePE membrane, the first PFC-free technology from the waterproof-breathable giant. Not to mention, it comes in at $100 less than the Norrona Women’s Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro Jacket.

In contrast, the Tamok has two lower-placed hand pockets with fashionable flaps, feminine articulation throughout the back, a slightly longer cut, and slightly less breathability than the Lofoten. Yet, the Tamok doesn’t leave behind key features like the integrated chest vent or superior waterproofness.

The Tamok uses 100% recycled nylon throughout and is fully certified by Oeko-Tex, a standardization that signifies non-hazardous products. And performance doesn’t suffer with the greener materials. Both the shoulders and the elbows are reinforced with 200-denier ePE GORE-TEX, and it showed in testing.

After 2 months of skiing with a backpack, we couldn’t find a single abrasion. The Tamok boasts the same details often found in other ski jackets like a helmet-compatible hood and pit zips. But Norrona thought through the niceties and carefully placed each one in this jacket.

The zippered chest pocket is slightly longer than usual and carries an attached goggle wipe inside. Those two lower zippered hand pockets are huge and easily swallowed essentials like an entire bag of gummy bears — it’s a required ski snack, okay? The zippered upper arm pocket is great for ski passes and quickly registers as you zip through the chair lift scanners. And, our favorite: stretchy hand gaiters with thumb holes that kept snow away from our wrists.

With a slightly relaxed fit, this piece is flattering on most women. And the longer hemline adds tons of backside protection, even when sitting in a snow bank. Tradeoff: It may not suit every skier’s style, and women with wider hips should pay attention to the size charts to get the correct option. The asymmetrical cuffs come to a point over the top of your hands but are plenty loose enough for women who prefer to tuck their mittens beneath.

If the price is still too shocking, check out the extremely functional Rossignol Rallybird Ski Jacket for more than $200 less, which is less waterproof, less breathable, less articulated, and has fewer of the fine details — like no integrated goggle wipe — but is still nicely cut, comfortable, and kept us dry in a range of weather conditions at the ski resort.

Read Review: Fully Stacked and Tougher Than Nails: Norrøna Tamok GORE-TEX Performance Shell Jacket Review

If piercing winds and teeth-chattering temps are frequently faced at your home ski hill, check out the Helly Hansen Women’s Powchaser 2.0 Jacket ($350), which is stuffed with toasty goodness. In this case, what’s sound for morale and energy is also good for the planet. Helly integrated the Powchaser 2.0 with PrimaLoft Ocean Bound, a synthetic insulation that repurposes plastic found near coastlines in an effort to prevent ocean fill.

With 100% post-consumer recycled material, the technology is totally new as of 2023 and premiered via Helly Hansen as well as the apparel of Isbjörn of Sweden. This insulation extends into the hood and kept Senior Editor Morgan Tilton comfortable and warm on freezing, blustery days at Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

Also delivering warmth, the inside of this freeride-style jacket is lined with a cozy fleece along the side of the torso. The left side is a 9 x 13-inch patch and the right side is 5 x 13 inches. Protecting our lower face is a wide, soft chin guard made of brushed tricot fabric reaching 6 inches high and 3.5 inches wide. Thank you, Helly. Surrounding that softness is a 100% recycled polyester liner.

On the workmanship side, this jacket has plenty of pockets. Two lower torso pockets are on the left side and there’s a single, larger pouch on the right. All three of these pockets have top entrances with ground-facing flaps, which we found makes them less ergonomic when we’re trying to quickly grab our phone for photos on the slopes.

The two lowermost torso pockets are also lined with a brushed fabric on the side facing the knuckles, while the palm side is not, but we think that’d be a nice addition. However, the lines are aesthetically pleasing and the size is suitable. On the lower left forearm is a small zippered purse with a leashed goggle wipe, one of our favorite features of the jacket.

There’s one interior right-side mesh dump pocket and a single interior zippered chest pocket, which is specially designed to keep your phone warmer using thermal-resistant materials. Dubbed the Life Pocket, the brand claims the fabric keeps a phone two times warmer than pockets without. The pocket certainly seemed protective without losing pliability, and the size is complimentary to carrying a large phone.

As an extra shield against moisture, the fabric’s face is coated with PFC-free DWR. The powder skirt is fixed, but some skiers prefer a removable one. Also, the wrist cuffs are a bit over-the-top with a 2.5-inch width, but they didn’t steal our attention while zipping around, and we were still able to secure ’em over undercuff gloves.

Adding a touch of safety, the jacket includes a RECCO detector for rescue teams, in case the wearer gets lost or injured. Of course, such a fireside-esque coat would be risky without underarm zips, which we used many times while riding deep powder and working up heat in the trees. At the end of the day, we don’t think you’d regret snagging a Women’s Powchaser 2.0 Jacket if you need an extra layer of warmth, some help maintaining your phone’s battery, and enjoy a baggier fit.

If you’d like a more traditional cut, and you still want an insulated jacket, check out the premium-grade, super warm Flylow Charlie Coat or the more economic, moderately toasty Picture Women’s Seen Jacket.

Super well-built and very comfortable, the backcountry style Norrona Women’s Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro Jacket ($799) reached the upper tier of our favorite jackets, given its functionality yet simple design. Even after testing a huge pool of pieces, this design still sits on the favorites list of two of our primary testers.

One of the primary details: Two huge Napoleon pockets that let you carry the bulk of your goods up high, out of the way of a hip belt on your pack, making this jacket ideal for backcountry missions. The powderskirt is removable for less bulk. Plus, with a premium degree of waterproofness and breathability — 28K and RET 6 — there’s really not a better jacket to wear for protection from the elements.

While taking backcountry powder laps via snowcat, skinning slopes, or riding the lifts, this jacket manages moisture extremely well, keeping wet snow and wind out — it’s 100% windproof. The seams are taped, and the underarm vents let you dump heat. We also love the articulation on the elbows and tapered wrist cuffs, which are slightly longer along the outer edge. The hem of the integrated wrist gaiters are a bit tight but feel fine once we pull them on.

As a leader in sustainability, Norrona kitted out this jacket with synthetic fibers that are more than 50% recycled. The 70-denier GORE-TEX Lofoten is Bluesign and Oeko-Tex certified. The factory where the goods are manufactured is also third-party inspected to ensure a sound work environment and open factory listed by the brand for transparency.

One chest pocket doubles as a vent with interior mesh to help you cool down. Inside, there’s a mesh dump pocket and a small zippered pocket. There’s also a small exterior pocket on the left bicep. Creating a sleek lower half comes at the expense of two hand pockets, which isn’t the worst sacrifice, especially because we really like using this piece in the backcountry.

With a unique touch, there’s a goggle and sunglasses wipe attached inside the arm pocket via a buckle on an elastic band, which is super handy. If you prefer a svelte, tenacious, and buttery-smooth jacket for backcountry and resort use, the Women’s Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro Jacket might be the optimal tool for you, if you’re able to stomach the price.

Scroll right to view all of the columns: Price, Fit, Insulation, Shell, Waterproof/Breathability Rating, Weight.

In addition to our life experience on skis and wearing ski jackets, the GearJunkie team has heavily researched and field-tested women’s ski jackets for this guide for several winter seasons since it was published in 2021. Since then, this guide has received seven updates to ensure we’re covering the most current best of the best.

Gear tester Heather Balogh Rochfort is a writer and editor based outside of Aspen, Colo. Other contributors include gear tester Mary Murphy and professional ski guide and avalanche instructor Kaylee Walden, who are also both based in Colorado.

Leading the team, GearJunkie Senior Editor Morgan Tilton specializes in snowsports and grew up skiing in the mountains of Southwest Colorado. She’s been a gear journalist for more than a decade including reporting at nearly 16 outdoor industry trade shows for the Outdoor Retailer Daily and Snow Show Daily, and serving as Snowboard Editor at Teton Gravity Research.

Based in the blustery heart of Gunnison Valley, Tilton tests ski jackets in Crested Butte. In 2023, Tilton tested women’s ski jackets for nearly 200 hours and 70 days in the backcountry and frontcountry. To date in 2024, she tested women’s ski jackets for 215 hours across 60 days. Those numbers exclude shoveling massive amounts of snow. Her field days entailed blizzards, sub-zero temps, harsh wind, heavy and wet snow, plenty of sweat, and sunshine.

In the Roaring Fork Valley, Rochfort logged more than 60 days on skis during the 2023-2024 season in an effort to put women’s ski jackets to the test.

The GearJunkie team has gathered twice annually for a ski week at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in 2022 and 2023.

We test women’s ski jackets in a range of conditions and across many days while considering the overall fit, waterproofness, breathability, density, comfort, sustainability, durability, functionality, hand feel, quality, and value. We take note of the details, including the quantity, arrangement, and style of the pockets, as well as the zippers, zipper pulls, hood, brim, cuffs, wrist gaiters, collars, and liners. We also dive into finding the jackets with the top accolades, new technologies, and legacy designs.

The final selection has been chosen by our team as the best options that are currently on the market. While these jackets are multipurpose across a variety of winter sports, these pieces serve a wide range of downhill skiers.

The pool of women’s ski jackets can seem endless. Choosing the best ski and snowboard jacket is based on where you ski most, the climate and weather conditions, your goals, and what fits well, as well as the product’s granular details — like where pockets are located and if the powder skirt is removable — plus your preferred aesthetic and style.

A couple of significant dividers: Maritime-based folks in the Pacific Northwest should consider options with a higher level of waterproofness. Skiers who frequent a sunnier, drier climate like Colorado, with a continental snowpack, can typically opt for less waterproof, more breathable jackets. Another major factor is if you prioritize riding ski lifts inbounds or head in the backcountry, which influences the design of the jacket.

Within those goals and parameters, you can nail down other features you value, like insulation, a larger hood, or underarm vents. The time commitment and demands of your skiing can inform how durable your gear needs to be and an appropriate budget.

There’s no getting around the fact that we also want our jackets to look good. Consider all the technical factors as well as the style to find the best option for you.

Many dedicated women’s ski jackets offer no insulation and simply act simply as an exterior waterproof, windproof shell. Shell jackets are the most versatile option to use across a variety of conditions. You can pull on this outer layer to stay dry and protected from the sun, wind, precipitation, surrounding vegetation like tree branches, or abrasive snowburn if you slide out.

Designs without insulation typically have enough room to add a midlayer in addition to a base layer beneath for colder days. This type of jacket works best for climates with a range of temperature conditions as well as spring days (with cold mornings and warm afternoons) at the resort or powder days where you’re working harder and potentially building up more heat.

Skiers who spend time on hike-to terrain, or in the sidecountry or backcountry, will want a shell jacket so that they can maximize control over their layering system and temperature regulation. An option like the Patagonia Women’s SnowDrifter Jacket would work well.

Other designs are insulated. If the temperatures are consistently cold, windy, or if you generally get chilled, an insulated jacket might be a good choice. Insulated ski and snowboard jackets can be prime for sub-zero or blustery conditions, long lift rides (especially with hair-raising gusts) and lift lines, or frequent breaks while going downhill. Photographers, teachers, instructors, guides, and parents might find value in a jacket with insulation while taking stops.

Some skiers can wear an insulated jacket over a base layer without as much consideration for what midlayer to bring along. The type and warmth level of insulation varies across each jacket from flannel to down-filled panels or synthetic materials. The Helly Hansen Women’s PowChaser 2.0 Ski Jacket is a great option for a warm yet versatile resort skiing jacket, as is the Halfdays Lawrence Jacket.

For some skiers, though, insulated jackets can pigeonhole them into donning too much warmth. To decide which type of jacket is right for you, consider the climate where you usually ski or snowboard, if there is frequent windchill, and your body temperature on the lift.

A two-layer jacket has a face fabric — often polyester or nylon — connected to an inner liner that protects the fabric, which adds comfort and breathability. These jackets usually feel less hefty than a three-layer jacket.

Some have an insulation layer, and the outermost surface is usually treated for waterproofness. The price is generally more moderate compared to three-layer jackets.

Dialing up the durability, a three-layer jacket is a waterproof/breathable membrane — often made by GORE-TEX or a brand’s in-house tech, like The North Face’s DryVent or FUTURELIGHT — sandwiched between a tough face fabric and liner. Sometimes the outer fabric is treated for waterproofness. These jackets offer more protection for fierce weather conditions, which the price tag reflects.

Broadly, you’ll want to scrutinize how robust you need your jacket to be for the conditions you’ll ski in as well as budget needs.

A waterproof jacket is ideal for skiing because weather can change in an instant, and you don’t want to run the risk of getting wet from snow or rain. The top-tier standard for waterproofness is GORE-TEX, a membrane integrated into various jacket designs.

The material is waterproof, windproof, and breathable. Some brands have a proprietary version of waterproof/breathable fabrics.

Often, waterproofness is measured by the amount of water that a fabric can withstand before it leaks, from 5,000 to 20,000 mm or greater. The latter end of the spectrum leads to a less breathable fabric.

For many locations, a waterproof range of 8,000 to 10,000 mm works well for mild to moderate precipitation. If you generally ski in a wetter climate with heavier snow (meaning, the snow water equivalent, or the water content in the snow, is higher) or you want to use your ski jacket for the backcountry, a jacket with more waterproofness is a good call.

Among the most waterproof ski jackets on our list are the Arc’teryx Women’s Sentinel Jacket and Norrona Women’s Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro Jacket, which both provide 28,000 mm of water protection and are great options for the backcountry.

Face fabric treatments, which can be eco-friendly formulas or chemicals toxic to the environment, can also make a jacket waterproof. And some ski jackets have sealed seams and waterproof zippers to help block moisture.

A jacket’s breathability is the ability of the fabric to allow your body heat or perspiration to pass through from the interior to the exterior.

Generally, breathability is measured by the grams of water that can pass through one square meter of fabric over a 24-hour period (written as g/m² or an abbreviated g). However, there’s no industry standard for testing a jacket’s breathability, so the methods vary across manufacturers.

For high-output resort skiing or on powder days, aim for a jacket with a breathability rating of 10,000 to 15,000 g/m². Backcountry skiers and uphill athletes should look for even more breathability — 20,000 g/m² or more.

Ski jackets often offer ventilation by way of underarm zippers, which help regulate body temperature. This feature is great for warm-blooded folks or those who ride or ski in warm conditions and for powder days when your body works hard to make turns (on powder days, remember to close your vents before your descent!).

Some underarm zippers are longer than others. One of the most generous designs in our guide is offered in the Outdoor Research Women’s Skytour AscentShell Jacket, which stretches from the hem past the entire armpit and to the underside of the arm.

One innovative ventilation design is to combine front-facing and closable mesh vents that parallel the front zipper. In terms of quality, YKK brand zippers are the toughest and the most universal.

Generally, ski jacket designs land in two camps: trimmer with a more streamlined, athletic fit or roomier and boxier with a more relaxed silhouette. Both can be comfortable. If you’re wearing a backpack in the backcountry, it can be better to wear a well-fitted jacket so extra fabric doesn’t get pinched up. A slightly longer jacket can provide extra protection from wind and snow, and keep you a bit warmer, but some skiers find the additional fabric cumbersome.

Each manufacturer has its own size charts. Ski jackets across the industry do not carry a universal size, so the measurements are unique to each brand. Plus, a brand can offer various fit styles across its lineup of ski jackets.

Be diligent about checking your personal measurements and matching those with the size charts. Remember to consider the type of midlayer and base layer you’ll wear beneath your jacket, too. It might be better to size up, so the layering doesn’t feel restrictive.

A handful of companies deliver more size inclusivity with broader offerings in the women’s categories, including Columbia, Obermeyer, and L.L.Bean. Everyone’s body is unique, so check the exchange and return policy before you buy. Here are the size ranges for our favorite jackets:

A jacket’s weight is an important factor for backcountry skiers who don’t want to carry extra grams uphill. Weight is also connected to density, which is essential when you need to stash a jacket in your pack and can’t sacrifice space. Uphill athletes completing a workout and creating continuous heat often want a light outer layer. Occasional resort skiers take laps with a backpack and store their jackets as the conditions warm.

Alternatively, not every skier wants a super-lean jacket. Some folks prefer a heavier weight and thickness, feeling that the layer protects them against cold and wind.

The lightest jackets in our top picks generally hover around 590 g, which is where the Arc’teryx Sentinel Jacket tips the scale. Being both lightweight and tenacious is reflected in the cost, which some consider to be a long-term investment. In step, the Norrona Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro Jacket is only 642 g.

Slightly heavier but still relatively lightweight designs include the ORTOVOX 3L Deep Shell Jacket at 736 g.

Lighter isn’t necessarily better for every circumstance. Consider the tradeoffs of an increased price and a potential decrease in durability, and examine the waterproof rating, which could be lower on a lighter jacket. Here are the weights of our favorite ski jackets:

An ergonomic collar and hood are significant features for face, head, and neck protection against sun, snow, sleet, hail, wind, or rain. Pulling up a hood can help you retain heat in chilly conditions.

Jacket collars vary in height and ideally have a fleece-backed interior chin guard that feels snug against the face — a key component on a gusty chair lift.

Many ski jacket hoods are helmet-compatible, which is a priority if you need extra protection and warmth around your face and neck while riding a lift or skiing during a snowstorm. Some hoods are adjustable via elastic pulls like the Patagonia Women’s SnowDrifter Jacket. And others have an integrated visor so they don’t collapse beneath moisture. Occasionally, hoods are removable, but most of the time they are permanently fixed on the jacket.

Every helmet-compatible hood fits a bit differently. The shape of each hood is unique and helmet sizes vary — not every size small is the same circumference, for instance — so it might even be best to try a hood on with your helmet and make sure they fit together well, and that there’s enough room to move. We do our best to share our field experience with ski jacket hoods in this guide.

Powder skirts can be a great addition to a jacket to prevent fluffy flakes from flying up and soaking your base layers or lower back (which isn’t an issue if you prefer women’s ski bibs over ski pants). Some powder skirts are removable, and some have attachment points to connect to your ski pants.

Sleeve cuffs generally have a Velcro closure, though some designs have additional snaps, and cuffs vary in width and length. Some sleeve cuffs have an inner wrist gaiter, which is also known as a storm cuff: a stretchy fabric for warmth and to block wind. A cuff-within-a-cuff sometimes has thumbholes to help secure the fabric over the top of the hand.

Wrist gaiters can help block out wind, but they can also be too bulky for some folks, especially if they like to wear a watch or tuck their glove gauntlet into their sleeve cuffs.

Most jackets, like the Rossignol Rallybird Ski Jacket, include two exterior hand pockets with zip closures, which can be low or placed higher for compatibility with a backpack belt or harness for ski mountaineering. Other exterior pockets can include small pouches on the arm or chest, such as for an ID or ski pass.

Deep, wide, higher-placed exterior pockets, like a chest pocket, can be nice for stowing a smartphone or notebook in the backcountry or on the lift, such as in the Halfdays Lawrence Jacket. In contrast, putting heavier or bigger items in the lower-placed hand pockets can sometimes smack against the upper thigh while uphilling, sitting on the ski lift, bending over to reach your ski boots, or making aggressive downhill turns.

Interior pockets often have a zip closure (these can be great for storing a credit card or ID), ports for headphones, or a mesh construction with an elastic band at the top. Deep, wide interior mesh pockets with an elastic closure can be essential for holding backcountry skins (especially in particularly cold and snowy conditions when you need to prevent the glue from freezing between laps) or gloves or goggles, like the interior pockets featured on the Helly Hansen Women’s PowChaser 2.0 Ski Jacket. Occasionally, a zippered pocket is insulated to help extend the battery life of your smartphone.

Examine what you’ll need to carry, the adequate pocket size, and if the pockets are located in the most comfortable place for you.

Choosing sustainable, environmentally friendly outerwear can help support brands putting in the extra work to make sure their manufacturing practices aren’t generating excess waste, pollution, or putting harmful chemicals in close contact with your body.

Eco-centric apparel helps protect wildlife, workers, natural resources, and the beautiful places where we recreate. No longer a huge minority, today’s sustainable designs are generally stout, comfortable, and shield well against the elements.

Traditional DWR (durable water repellent) treatments contain various fluorocarbons, which are extremely resilient chemicals that extend a product’s durability and life. Fluorocarbons, also known as PFAS or forever chemicals are toxic and don’t biodegrade. They have become so pervasive in the environment that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms we all have PFAS in our bloodstream.

These harsh chemicals pollute water, and air, and are carcinogenic for humans, according to The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer. Fluorocarbons can lead to infertility, reports researchers from the University of Oxford. PFAS harm the environment and wildlife, such as dolphins and porpoises, according to the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).

It’s no surprise the European Union banned perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a type of fluorocarbon, and related compounds, in 2019. Large retailers like REI have also taken a stance, refusing to partner with brands who still use PFAS. And beginning in 2025, California has banned all PFAS in textiles while 36 other states are considering hundreds of additional bills on toxic-related policies. This has dramatically changed the landscape for outdoor brands making waterproof apparel since California is a massive market.

While some outdoor brands have been working on phasing out PFAS for years, others are now scrambling to hit this goal before the new policy takes place. In particular, zippers continue to pose a problem for many apparel brands since they are typically made by a third party and not in-house with the outdoor brands. There will be a lot of change in this category over the next calendar years as the entire outdoor industry adjusts to the new normal.

Pushing the benchmark, the 3-layer Patagonia Women’s SnowDrifter Jacket is made with 100% recycled materials that are PFAS-free, including the fabric and membrane — new GORE-TEX ePE — in addition to the DWR face treatment. At this time, pieces of apparel are able to tackle some of those variables but this was the first time all three have been addressed.

Now, the Arc’teryx Sentinel uses a PFAS-free fabric and the Flylow Charlie uses a PFAS-free DWR. The Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell also now boasts a PFAS-free construction.

Helly Hansen created the Lifa Infinity Pro, a waterproof-breathable and wind-resistant textile that nixes the need for a toxic chemical DWR treatment. The brand’s proprietary hydrophobic Lifa fiber, which it’s been using for 50 years, is paired with a polypropylene membrane that has microscopic holes, allowing vapor out yet prevents water from seeping in. The waterproof qualities are permanent.

Norrøna, a Norwegian company that makes the Women’s Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro Jacket, implements more than 50% recycled synthetic fibers into the jacket.

In 2023, Picture launched the Circular polyester made from upcycled fabric from factory scraps and used jackets (in a 60/40 ratio), to replace the brand’s bio-sourced polyester, because the upcycled textile offers a significant reduction in emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Launching in 2023/2024, 80% of Picture’s winter outerwear is now made with Circular polyester, including the Picture Women’s Seen Jacket, which has 100% Circular Polyester in the fabric.

Likewise impressive, the Helly Hansen Women’s PowChaser 2.0 Jacket boasts Ocean Bound recycled polyester sourced from post-consumer plastic bottles, which are collected within a 31-mile radius of coastlines and central waterways that face a high risk of plastic pollution. For the certification process, the brand partners with OceanCycle as a credible global third party.

Another arm of the brand’s Ocean Bound program creates a polyamide using a minimum of 50% repurposed, abandoned fishing equipment: Nearly 10% of marine waste comes from the fishing industry’s ghost gear, reports Helly Hansen. Currently, the polyamide is sourced from buoys, turned into recycled nylon yarns, and utilized in Helly Hansen’s sailing apparel. In the future, snowsports products might incorporate the polyamide, too.

The Picture Women’s Seen Jacket meets the Global Recycled Standard to verify the content of recycled materials, as well as the efficacy of the entire process down the supply chain, as well as the Oeko-Tex Standard 100, meaning the textile was tested and clear of harmful substances. The Global Recycled Standard is provided by NSF (National Sanitation Foundation), a team of global scientists that assess health risk and certify products.

In addition to Oeko-Tex-certified fabric, the Norrona Women’s Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro Jacket is also Bluesign-certified. Bluesign examines the manufacturing process from the chemical suppliers to the production site to the brands and retailers.

The human and environmental criteria includes chemical application, carbon emission, water and energy consumption, as well as worker health and safety. When a snowsports product carries a Bluesign label, that apparel meets the strictest requirements in the global industry.

Other options are made within a partnership with Fair Wear, a nonprofit that helps brands monitor conditions in their supply chains and adapt management practices to be healthier and safer.

Women’s ski jackets run a wide price range: our favorites are between $300 and $800. Depending on how many days you ski each season and your goals, you might want to make more or less of an investment.

Quite a few options are available that are in the $300 range, and that’s about as much of a steal as we’ve been able to find. Our top budget pick is the Picture Women’s Seen Jacket ($330), which offers plenty of protection against the elements, including insulation and waterproofing, as well as a roomy fit that you can put layers under. The jacket is also very sustainably made, setting an industry benchmark. For most skiers and moderate or challenging winter climates, these jackets do a fine job.

Others in this tier include the Helly Hansen Women’s PowChaser 2.0 Ski Jacket ($350) or other insulated options like the Halfdays Lawrence ($375). What you typically miss in this price range is durability, higher breathability and waterproofness for wet and heavy snow, and enhanced details like an insulated pocket for devices or embedded RECCO reflectors.

If you spend more time on the slopes, you might consider investing in a higher price point for more specialized and detailed jackets like the lightweight and durable Patagonia Women’s SnowDrifter Jacket ($449), which is an excellent piece for in-bounds or backcountry days. You’ll see greater waterproofness and breathability at 20K/20K, as well as a more ergonomic fit and supple yet durable fabric. The hood on that jacket is also very articulated and one of our favorites.

This pool includes jackets like the Rab Women’s Khroma Diffuse GORE-TEX Jacket ($525) and Outdoor Research Women’s Skytour AscentShell Jacket ($429), both of which are among the favorites we’ve ever worn. These pieces are all built supremely well and with performance in mind while having an excellent fit. The Rossignol Rallybird is both durable and stylish ($425).

You’ll pay a premium for jackets with superior features, including the highest level of waterproofing, breathability, durability, packability, excellent pockets, and sustainable manufacturing and materials. This collection is best for dedicated skiers who venture inbounds and into the backcountry, which demands performance in all conditions.

Top-of-the-line options include the Norrona Women’s Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro Jacket ($799), Patagonia Women’s Untracked Jacket ($699), and the Arc’teryx Women’s Sentinel Jacket ($750).

The answer to this question largely depends on your budget and the amount of time you can dedicate to skiing. Our favorite women’s ski jackets here range from $210 to $799.

Have you never been in a winter climate and are skiing for the first time? Do you only ski or snowboard on vacation? Consider jackets on the lower end of the price spectrum, with fewer bells and whistles.

If you dedicate a lot of your time to winter activities each year, you’ll need a higher level of performance and technical features, and may need to pay a premium to ensure that your ski jacket checks these boxes.

Check out all the jackets on this list and find the one or two best for you, and then investigate to see if you can find them on sale. Often you can count on seasonal gear like ski jackets being listed at a discount after the ski areas close, so the spring and summer are a great time to shop for winter apparel.

If you are able, we strongly encourage trying ski jackets on, whether buying from a store with a return policy or shopping online.

We’ve included extensive notes on the fit of each jacket for this very reason — finding the right-fitting jacket is hard!

If you’ve made it this far, you can probably guess the answer: Yes, a ski jacket is better than a soft-shell jacket (or any other coat that isn’t fully waterproof).

Although they’re also waterproof, we don’t recommend using a rain jacket for skiing. Rain jackets don’t have the capacity to fit correctly over insulating layers, the hoods are too small, and the pockets don’t have glove-friendly zipper pulls. They could also be too short in length to provide enough protection from water and snow. Rain jackets also don’t have insulation while some ski jackets do.

There are many sizes of jackets at a variety of price points on this list. Ski jackets also work great for other winter activities such as snowshoeing, dog walks, winter hiking, and sledding.

Ski jackets are a more complex and technical piece of equipment than they appear. They’re built for protection in very cold conditions but also a high level of activity. They have a combination of waterproofing, windproofing, breathability, and ventilation, as well as warmth, durability, and tailored features like a helmet-compatible hood and ski season pass pocket. Other sport-specific features include powder skirts to seal out snow, pockets built for avalanche transceivers, and RECCO reflectors.

With the best ski jackets, you should be able to wear them all day — on the skin in, on a windy chairlift, a sunny day, or a cloudy day with negative temps — all without changing or removing your jacket. Seemingly small elements, like zipper vents and insulation are really important here. Outerlayers like the Columbia Women’s Bugaboo II Fleece Interchange Jacket are great budget friendly options that will help you hit the slopes with the proper protection.

Somewhere in between. Not so tight that it restricts movement but not so loose that there’s extra space between the jacket and your body (you’ll lose heat and get cold more easily). Plus, extra material can feel bulky while going downhill or wearing a pack.

On the other hand, freeride style is inherently baggier, looser, relaxed, and longer fitting compared to traditional ski jacket cuts. Some skiers feel that this type of jacket offers a wider range of movement that’s unencumbered.

You can usually tell if a jacket is too big by looking at the shoulder lines (as in, if the shoulders are too loose) after zipping it up. If a jacket feels too tight, it probably is, and it won’t be comfortable to ski in.

Check a brand’s individual size charts for chest and length dimensions given each brand’s product sizes vary.

GORE-TEX is a waterproof, windproof breathable membrane that is part of the fabric. For a long time, GORE-TEX has been the gold standard in waterproofing.

Being too cold while skiing is a bummer. While we find that shell jackets provide the highest level of versatility to take us through every day of the ski season no matter the weather, the caveat is that they require a bit of layering finesse to keep you warm on the extra cold days.

The answer to this depends largely on where you live, and what type of skiing you like to do. For backcountry skiing, a jacket with high breathability enables you to wear the jacket during heavy exertion without trapping too much sweat. This can help prevent you from getting too cold from excess moisture when you transition to head back downhill.

More brands are prioritizing sustainable and environmentally friendly production methods. Look for brands that use recycled materials in their production. In the product specifications, the brand will list if the jacket is made from recycled materials, as well as Fair Trade or eco-friendly ingredients. Manufacturers usually spotlight their sustainable methods wherever the gear is advertised.

Our top sustainable apparel options in this guide come from Patagonia, Picture, Helly Hansen, and Norrona with the Patagonia Women’s SnowDrifter Jacket taking the cake for the most sustainable, eco-friendly, and all-around choice. Almost every jacket in this guide contains a portion of recycled materials, which is an exciting step in the right direction for the outdoor and snowsports industries.

We tested the best women’s ski pants for the resort and backcountry including our top picks from Rab, The North Face, Arc’teryx, and more.

We tested the best ski socks from Smartwool, Darn Tough and more to help you find the best option for your needs and budget.