Yahoo Finance Best women’s ski and snowboard jackets 2021 to keep you warm on the slopes
It’s getting to that time of year again. After last year’s washout, the news that ski slopes are back up and running is welcome for many.
But as the season opens in full force again, there’s always one question on everyone’s mind: where did I put my ski kit? Closely followed by, will it still fit?
If your old ski jacket has seen better days, the waterproofing keeps you about as dry as a haddock’s bathing costume, or the once-retro Eighties one-piece is no longer doing it for you, it’s safe to say you’re in desperate need of direction. Or a new jacket. Or both.
Luckily, we’re here to help. With a selection from well-known brands such as Roxy, to some new faces on the scene, we’ve compiled a list of the best women’s ski jackets that is sure to give you piste of mind.
Before we get into the jackets, it’s worth keeping the name Ecoski in your memory. This company understands that skiwear can be very expensive, not to mention not particularly eco-friendly if you have to chuck them out after one season because they fall apart, which is why they offer a range of high-quality, sustainable brands of skiwear to both buy and rent.
If you are just going on a one-off trip and don’t want to invest in expensive kit, or equally want to get your hands on the latest and greatest eco skiwear, it’s worth first having a look at their extensive range.
Shop the best jackets below.
Picture Aeron jacket
We can’t get enough of Picture’s Aeron jacket. Not only is it refreshingly lightweight, it also comes in two funky colours – blue and purple.
Not only this, Picture is truly leading the way in terms of sustainable outdoor wear and this just proves it. The high-tech jacket includes the brands new bio-sourced hard shell which is made from repurposed sugarcane waste that has been converted into bio-based polyester. How cool is that.
With three-layer stretch, EcoElice PFC-free water repellent treatment and 20,000mm waterproofing, this jacket is next-level in terms of what it offers. To keep the elements at bay, the hood has a nifty adjuster that is hidden beneath the fabric so there’s no risk of it snagging and it also has inner wrist gaiters for added warmth.
For a jacket of this style, it also has several pockets – including a sleeve pass – which is perfect for those who like to carry all the essentials with them.
Buy now £400.00, Picture
Ortovox 3L deep shell jacket
Ortovox’s 3L jacket is light and supple for freedom of movement, whilst also being PFC-free and carbon neutral.
In order to protect you from the elements, it has a wind and waterproof membrane with merino insets in the chin and chest area to give you that extra layer of warmth. It also has Velcro cuffs and a two-way adjustable storm hood for poor weather, as well as zippable underarm ventilators if you need to let off a bit of steam.
The jacket has two very useful pockets on the front which are easy to access, as well as a fantastic phone compartment inside made with merino mesh to protect you in the cold.
Although it’s rather more expensive than some other brands, when you take in mind its durability due to the robust material and flat seams, you’ll see that it really is a jacket for the ages and it cleverly manages to combine both utility and style in one.
Buy now £499.99, Alpine Trek
Roxy Ritual snow jacket
One of the first things you should check when buying a ski jacket is the waterproofing. A good minimum level to go by for this is 10,000mm hydrostatic head, meaning it will be waterproof under light rain and average snow. However, if you are wanting something that will cover you in more extreme conditions, aim for a higher level of 20,000mm.
As a starting point, and with this in mind, Roxy’s Ritual snow jacket does the job for resort skiers. With 10,000mm waterproofing through their DryFlight technology, as well as WarmFlight technology to give lightweight but breathable insulation, this jacket is sure to cover you, whatever the weather.
As a female-centred brand, Roxy is aware of the effect that cold temperatures can have on your skin, particularly delicate facial areas, which is where their revolutionary Hydrosmart technology comes in, ensuring their fabrics are enriched with nourishing micro-capsules that helps keep skin moisturised in harsh conditions.
Not only this, Roxy also understands that our temperature can fluctuate regularly while skiing and so have included mesh underarm venting to cool you down without having to undo the whole jacket.
Buy now £200.00, Roxy
Roxy Jetty 3-in-1 snow jacket
If you’re someone who really feels the cold, once you get your hands on Roxy’s Jetty jacket, there’ll be no going back. With a delightfully soft removable fleece interior that continues all the way up inside the hood, this is one you wont want to remove whether you’re on or off the slopes.
The jacket has been crafted to ensure maximum warmth, with a powder skirt and poppers that ensures no snow gets under. There’s also Velcro-fastened cuffs and a three-way adjustable fixed hood to keep out icy winds, as well as a jacket-to-pant attachment. All of this comes together to create a bubble of cosy warmth that is like being tucked up inside a sleeping bag.
And, as an added bonus, the inside is made from recycled PET bottles, with several pockets (including a sleeve pass) for maximum ease.
Buy now £220.00, Roxy
Picture Tanya jacket
Picture is on a mission to fight climate change by using materials and processes that reduce their impact, which is evidenced through their B Corp certification – an award given to companies putting environmental and social responsibility at the core of their business. And the Tanya jacket is no exception to this.
Featuring Picture’s new bio-sourced hard shell made from repurposed sugarcane waste and made of 42 per cent recycled polyester dobby, the poncho-style Tanya hits all the spots when it comes to sustainability.
Not only this, it also provides 20,000mm of waterproofing, Teflon EcoElite PFC-free water repellent treatment and fully taped seams, along with a thermal dry system that wicks away sweat, so you can give it all you’ve got out on the mountains.
We love the design of this jacket and the pouch on the front is easily accessible and great for storing essentials; the only thing worth bearing in mind is that the opening zip is on the left side, meaning it’s not the easiest for left-handers to get out of.
Buy now £239.95, Alpine Trek
OOSC 1080 women’s ski and snowboard jacket
For those who truly want to stand out on the slopes, look to OOSC.
These funky, fitted jackets are available in a selection of eye-popping colours – including peach and mint, pink and purple, and pink and green – that offer the perfect transition from piste to après party vibes.
The jacket offers a 10,000mm waterproofing rating and 10,000gsm breathability. There’s also an all-important fleece-lined chin guard that stops drafts from getting in and reduces the chafing you often get from harsher materials. Bonus features also include a google pocket, headphone loop and helmet-adaptable hood.
For those concerned with how their clothes are made, you can be reassured by the fact that all of OOSC’s outerwear is made from 51 per cent recycled polyester and every jacket is made from at least 25 plastic bottles.
Stepping out in style has never been brighter.
Buy now £186.55, Winter Sport Store
Arc’Teryx Ravenna Lt jacket
Set aside all your preconceptions of what a ski jacket is traditionally – bulky, heavy and takes up most of your suitcase. Arc’Teryx has mastered the modern way of dressing for the cold with the Ravenna, which is quite possibly the most lightweight and compact ski jacket you can get your hands on.
Designed for resort skiing, it is made of Gore-Tex – a waterproof and windproof material that ensures you’ll keep dry – with a moisture-wicking flannel backer for added warmth. Heat is also kept close to the body thanks to its slim fit, which is flattering and comfortable and offers you full range of mobility – there’s no Michelin man look going on here! If you do get a bit hot, however, the zips in the armpits offer the perfect cooling mechanism.
The Ravenna is available in black, dark brown, mint green and red, and its minimalist design means it works for everyone. One of the best features of this jacket is the dropped hood, which can fit over a helmet – something that is absent from so many out there and you’ll appreciate when winds pick up. I also love the fact that the zip goes all the way up to just over the chin so you don’t get any nasty breezes down your front.
When you’re looking at jackets that go the extra mile, Acr’Teryx clearly knows what it’s doing as the Ravenna also contains Recco avalanche technology to keep you safe on the mountain. It is more expensive than other jackets out there but once you see the quality, you’ll understand why.
Buy now £480.00, John Lewis
DC Bandwidth snowboard jacket
Coming in three bold prints, you’ll be the talk of the slope wearing DC’s Bandwidth jacket, which gives off super cool skater vibes. But more importantly, with DC’s constant testing of weather defence and insulation in their skiwear, you can be sure you’re in safe hands.
The superior waterproofing – 15,000mm– along with the jacket-to-pant attachment is sure to keep you dry even in the toughest conditions. Meanwhile, the profill insulation offers not just heat-trapping warmth but also takes the moisture away from your body so you can get your groove on come snow or shine.
Lastly, the double pockets on both sides are worth a mention as they are impressively large and offer ample storage for anything you may need to take with you.
Buy now £220.00, DC Shoes
Dare2B Coded waterproof ski jacket
Another more purse-friendly brand is Dare2B. Their Coded waterproof ski jacket, which comes in a baby pink, black and white ribbed design, is very flattering due to its fitted shape.
The jacket it incredibly warm owing to the fleece back panel and filling which is low bulk so doesn’t have any of that puffiness. It also means it’s much easier to pack.
In terms of technicalities, one of the best features is its retractable hood that can be zipped up to stop it getting in the way. This is something we haven’t seen anywhere else but is a great innovation. Along with the lens wipe in the inside pocket, this jacket is sure to fulfil all your piste needs.
Snap one up before it comes off sale.
Buy now £170.00, Dare2B
DC Transition anorak
As one of the most affordable jackets out there, DC’s Transition anorak is certainly worth more than a cursory glance. It is so soft. That and the fact that it’s reversible! That’s right, you can turn it inside out, allowing you to slide easily from slope to street style.
Although it doesn’t offer quite the waterproofing level of the others – at 5,000mm – this jacket is the perfect choice when conditions get a little colder, owing to the 150g worth of insulation and zip-up hand warmer pockets.
The large pouch pocket on the front, which has another smaller zip pocket inside it, is also a major draw as it can be unzipped from both ends and so is easily accessible.
Buy now £135.00, DC Shoes
Sweaty Betty Exploration softshell ski jacket
You can always rely on Sweaty Betty to create clothing that is both stylish as well as practical, and their Exploration jacket is no exception.
This sleek black jacket is a tailored fit that will suit any body shape, emphasised by the fact that it is available in sizes XXS-XL. You can tell that the brand has really worked on making something that will work for everyone in this regard.
The woven fabric lends it windproof, water repellent and breathable abilities, with a soft brushed backing that helps regulate temperature, as well as brand-leading PrimaLoft insulation to keep you snug as a bug on the slopes. It also has the most luxurious detachable faux-fur fluffy hood which is just the cherry on top.
What’s more, it also contains Recco technology. You can feel reassured in the knowledge that you’re in safe hands with Sweaty Betty.
Buy now £385.00, Sweaty Betty
Verdict
True, it is quite a bit more expensive than other brands out there but Picture’s Aeron jacket offers more than enough benefits to make it worth every penny. Not only is its dedication to sustainability a major draw but it also offers supreme waterproofing on top of all the basic features you’d want. The durable material also means this is sure to be a jacket that lasts, providing more than enough reason to do away with one-season jackets that just fall apart.
