The 10 Best Women’s Snow Jackets in 2023, Tested & Reviewed
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We love the Helly Hansen Alphelia LifaLoft’s safety- and convenience-oriented features.
Travel + Leisure / Marcus Millan
Your skiing experience can be made or broken by staying warm and dry. To protect yourself from the elements, a waterproof jacket is the best way to arrive on the slopes prepared.
We sent our off-piste pros. resort skiers We went to the mountains to test 20 ski jackets designed for women. Every jacket was tested from the hood to the hem. We were very particular about the design, comfort, warmth and, most importantly the waterproofing. The winner is Helly Hansen’s Alphelia LifaLoft We were blown away by the ski jacket Recco reflectors You can also get a removable hood and premium waterproof materials for extra safety.
This was our most competitive product test to date. Many jackets earned perfect scores and were awarded coveted spots for best shell, best range and motion, and best sustainability. Consider all the rave reviews about ski jackets by testers who skied across Canada, Utah, Oregon, and other countries to help you decide which one is right for you.
Helly Hansen Alphelia LifaLoft ski jacket
Best Overall
It’s why we love it: The jacket’s insulated liner is discrete, but it keeps you warm and cozy.
Here are some things to consider: Some skiers may prefer a longer jacket.
There’s nothing worse than being cold while skiing, and we’re confident that the innovative, feature-packed Helly Hansen Alphelia LifaLoft Ski Jacket will keep you plenty warm while shredding. After our test, the jacket was rated the best. Our tester was able to ski for hours in 20-degree weather without feeling any chill. Arguably, the best part of this jacket is that it features the brand’s LifaLoft puffer-insulated lining, which keeps the fit of the coat notably slim and sleek despite it being so toasty. “The temperature dropped as the afternoon went on, but I was warm enough to continue skiing without an issue,” our tester said. The jacket’s waterproof polyester shell and water-resistant zippers will keep you dry even when it snows or rains. If you feel the need for a cooling down, you have underarm vents.
Helly Hansen seemed to have thought of all the details when it came to jackets and accessories that skiers might need. We love that the hood is helmet-compatible, and it’s also detachable so you can take it off during spring skiing with ease. Recco reflectors enhance rescuers radio signal connection in this jacket event of an avalanche and a special pocket to preserve your phone’s battery in the cold (our tester was shocked to find theirs still almost fully charged after her last run). Additional features include wrist gaiters with a powder skirt that can be detached, a goggle-shammy, two pockets for hand warming, and a ski pass pocket.
Price at the time of publication: $500
Sizes: | Insulated: Yes| Fit: Regular
Stio Shot 7 Down Jacket
Best Overall, Runner-up
Why We Love it: Our tester was kept warm by this jacket in sub-zero weather.
Here are some things to consider: It doesn’t have quite as many special features as our top pick.
Stio Shot 7 Down Jacket is close to our top choice, because it offers similar warmth, comfort and waterproofness. Made with a tough Gore-tex shell and 800-fill goose down, this jacket has a seriously premium feel to it — which is to be expected since it’s on the higher end of the price spectrum among the jackets we tried. The jacket was warm enough to ski in Canada’s minus 0 degree temperatures. Overheating is prevented by the underarm vents during difficult runs. Another tester tried the jacket in whiteout conditions. in Vermont The Goretex shell prevented water from soaking through, which was a great thing. The large pockets were useful for holding things like gloves liners, phone and ski passes. Additional features include an adjustable powder skirt, a water-resistant zipper, and a hood with a removable hood. We wish that the jacket came with more features, despite the fact that it is more expensive. For example, there are chest pockets with goggle wipes, and a removable hood. Still, we think this is an excellent jacket for skiing in extremely cold weather — one tester who worked in Antarctica felt confident it would have kept her plenty warm in the region’s extreme weather conditions. This jacket could also be a good choice if you like a longer fit and a wider body.
Price at the time of publication: $649
Sizes: | Insulation: Yes| Fit: Regular
Picture Organic Haakon Jacket
Best Long-fitting
Why We Love it: The coat has a long back with a freeride-snowboarding design.
Here are some things to consider: It may feel bulky.
The Picture Organic Haakon Jacket is for those who prefer a longer, more fitted snowboarding jacket. It is designed for freeriders, with a flattering back and looser fit than other shells. It is versatile with adjustable hems and sleeves. The outer material is made of 20K/20K recycled polyester. The interior is lined with soft knit fabric for added coziness. We found the Haakon to be lightweight yet warm, and although the jacket has a looser fit, it’s easy to move around in. When the temperatures drop, we think the jacket is easy to layer underneath, and you won’t overheat during spring skiing thanks to the breathable membrane lining. “I especially like the breathable padding in the back of the jacket, it’s comfortable and could absorb sweat easily,” our tester shared. We love the goggle wiping, pocket, and wrist gaiters.
Price at the time of publication: $360
Sizes: XS-L| Insulated: No| Fit: A long, healthy back.
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Sync Women’s Headwall Stretch Shell Jacket
Best Shell
Why We Love it: This material is thicker than other shells, but it still allows for plenty of stretch and breathability.
Here are some things to consider: The pockets aren’t watertight.
Thoughtfully designed for snow athletes, the Sync Women’s Headwall Stretch Shell Jacket was a tester favorite for a multitude of reasons. The jacket is a shell but we love the thicker material. It provides warmth even in temperatures below freezing on the mountain. It is slim fitting, but our tester found it to be very comfortable. The coat has plenty of stretch so that you can layer under it when temperatures drop. “The fit isn’t too tight or too oversized, and it fits me nicely around the hips, chest, and shoulders without making me look like a marshmallow with three layers underneath,” our tester raved. While the jacket features a watertight zipper in the center, we found that the side pockets aren’t as waterproof as we hoped, with some moisture leaking through. The 20K/20K DWR recycled nylon three-layer and taped seams make the fabric waterproof and breathable. This jacket has many useful features, including a removable powder skirt with helmet-compatible sleeves, goggle wipes at the sleeve collar, and discreet chest vents. It is full of technical design that any skier will love.
Price at the time of publication: $549
Sizes: | Insulated: No| Fit: Slim
Helly Hansen Women’s Alphelia Infinity Ski Jacket
Best Slim-fit
Why We Love it: It’s exceptionally comfortable to wear and the fit is flattering.
Here are some things to consider: For a looser fit you can size up.
Helly Hansen’s Alphelia Infinity Ski Jacket has the perfect balance of a flattering and athletic look to take you from the slopes to the après party. “Helly Hansen describes this jacket as having a ‘feminine fit’ and it definitely does. The jacket is a more slim fit, which is quite flattering for an insulated jacket. I wore a base layer and a pretty thin sweater under it,” our tester shared. The tester suggested that if you are taller or prefer a looser fit, you might consider ordering a size up. During testing, the recycled polyester jacket proved to be warm and weatherproof in below-freezing temperatures with just the two light layers underneath when our tester took “some tumbles in the snow, skied through blasting snow-maker guns, and skied when the wind was blowing snow around.” The Alphelia Infinity also has special features including a powder skirt, armpit vents, a slew of pockets, goggle wipes, and adjustable cuffs that were helpful for customizing the jacket. In addition, it’s armed with safety considerations like Recco inserts and a special pocket for protecting your phone’s battery life from the cold.
Price at the time of publication: $600
Sizes: | Insulated: No| Fit: Slim
Strafe Lynx Pullover
Best Pullover
Why We Love it: For style versatility, the fit of this pullover can be adjusted.
Here are some things to consider: It can be difficult to remove pullovers from your helmet while wearing them.
Snowboarders and skiers have different styles. The Strafe Lynx Pullover offers both. The longer anorak pullover or hoodie design is typically a boarder-loved style, but our tester said “the best part is that the fit of the jacket is definitely longer, but the waist can easily be cinched up to give it more of a traditional ski jacket fit. But when I snowboard, I’ll leave it longer to fit the style of snowboarders.” The kangaroo pouch pocket proved to be exceptionally handy during a ski trip to Utah where our tester was able to fit four slices of pizza in a Zip-loc bag into the pocket for a mid-chair lift snack. The Strafe Lynx also features a ski pass pocket, thumbhole cuffs and a helmet-compatible jacket. The 20K waterproofness of the fabric and taped seams ensured that the jacket was dry in the wetter conditions of Oregon.
Price at the time of publication: $499
Sizes: | Insulated: No| Fit: Active
Arc’Teryx Sentinel Jacket
Best Weatherproofing
Why We Love it: The Goretex shell was lightweight, but powerful during testing.
Here are some things to consider: This jacket is expensive, but it’s a great choice for those who want to spend a lot.
If you’re looking for a ski jacket to ward off the elements, the Arc’teryx Sentinel Jacket is your best option. The sleek jacket is a shield when it comes to rain, snow, wind, and ice thanks to the lightweight Gore-tex material and watertight zippers on the pockets and armpit vents, and it’s plenty warm with a few base layers. “You know how magnets of the same poles repel each other? That’s what I was reminded of when I saw how the water reacted after putting my sleeve under the faucet,” our tester said. “I was so confident after skiing in this that I put one [pocket] under the water faucet with my Airpods inside with complete confidence.” The jacket is outfitted with a variety of pockets, but we found the interior chest pocket to be a tad small for a phone. The Sentinel’s weatherproofing is impressive. We love the jacket’s form and flexibility. While this coat is on the higher end of ski jacket prices, we think it’s worth it for skiers looking to invest in weatherproof outerwear in a polished, flexible package.
Price at the time of publication: $700
Sizes: XXS toXXL| Insulated: No| Fit: Regular
Black Diamond Recon Stretch Insulated Shell
Best Relaxed Fit
Why We Love it: This looser fitting makes it easier to layer clothing underneath.
Here are some things to consider: It’s not insulated, so you’ll want to layer up.
Park City-based Black Diamond manufactures a range of mountain sports gear. We love the Recon Stretch ski jacket, which is as light as possible. Utah snow. The jacket’s premium features include a helmet-compatible neckline and an adjustable waistline. This jacket earned almost perfect scores in our testing. This jacket is extremely roomy and can be used in all weather conditions. If the weather is chilly, you can easily wear several base layers, and if you’re backcountry skiing, you can stick to just a single layer underneath. The waterproof nylon woven nylon fabric will keep any moisture from seeping through, no matter the weather conditions. Our tester shared that although the jacket isn’t insulated, “it’s roomy so it fits layers underneath and kept me very dry and warm. It features DWR-treated pit zips for ventilation, which come in handy during uphill ski adventures.”
Price at the time of publication: $400
Sizes: | Insulated: Yes| Fit: Regular
Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell jacket
Best Range of Motion
It’s why we love it: The fabric is elastic, which makes it easy to layer clothes under the jacket.
Here are some things to consider: The watertight zippers can be difficult to zip and may get caught a few time.
Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell impressed with its stretchy material that allows for full motion on the slopes. The lightweight shell is made of a waterproof nylon/spandex mix that provides extra comfort. While the fabric is stretchy, the jacket still has a flattering standard fit with a length that isn’t too long or too short. The only downside to the jacket is that the sturdy YKK zippers snagged a bit when we zipped it fully, but since YKK zippers are self-lubricating, we’re hopeful that it won’t be an ongoing issue. The jacket is comfortable and has a great balance of warmth, breathability, so it can be worn in all weather conditions. It also has a skier-friendly hood that can be attached to a helmet, ample pockets, adjustable wrist straps, and tricot chin guard that prevents skin abrasion when the jacket’s zipped up.
Price at the time of publication: $379
Sizes: | Insulated: No| Fit: Regular
Related:
Patagonia Women’s Insulated powder town jacket
Best Sustainability
Why We Love it: The two-layer shell, which is 100 percent made from recycled materials and has no harmful chemicals, is packed with useful features.
Here are some things to consider: The jacket is slightly larger than the average.
It’s no secret that Patagonia is an industry leader in sustainability, so we weren’t surprised that the brand’s Powder Town Jacket is the best eco-friendly option for skiers. The two-layer jacket is made of 100 percent recycled polyester and is waterproof and windproof. The lining is 80g thick and keeps our tester comfortably warm. The jacket is also PFC-free. This means that no harsh chemicals are used in its production. “They also buy back their own products for Patagonia Worn WearThat sustainability is something I love. I really believe in the quality of Patagonia and think it’s a phenomenal company, so I’m more than happy to spend money on their products,” raved our tester. We love the large pockets, including one with a cable routing to charge your phone! The jacket is a bit looser than we expected, so if you want a more fitted jacket, size down.
Price at the time of publication: $399
Sizes: XXS toXXL| Insulated: Yes| Fit: Regular
Other Ski Jackets We Have Tested
This season’s competition for the best women’s ski jackets was incredibly stiff. After extensive market research, our skiers loved 20 jackets. We chose four jackets to test and found many positive aspects.
Ortovox 3L Deep Shell Jacket at Ortovox: The jacket is warm and waterproof, but there aren’t any regular hand pockets on the sides and the fit was a bit awkward around the hips.
Stio Women’s Environ XT Anorak Jacket: We were impressed by the lightweight, warm material. However, we loved the design and versatility of the Strafe pullover.
Trew Women’s Stella Primo: Our tester loved the relaxed fit of this ski jacket, but the hood and pockets are a little bulky.
The North Face ThermoBall Eco Snow Triclimate: It’s very warm and breathable, but our deal-breaker is that the jacket is only water-resistant and not waterproof.
Our Testing Process
We tested 20 ski jackets from notable outdoor gear brands like Patagonia, Outdoor Research, Helly Hansen, and more to find the very best women’s ski jackets. With ski season in full swing, we sent our pros out into the wild to provide insights on the jacket’s warmth, comfort, waterproofness, value, and design.
No matter if the testers were skiing or snowboarding, they tested the jacket’s waterproofness by putting it on the ground or placing a pocket or sleeve under a running tap to see how the material held up against water. Our testers were completely dry and protected by waterproof jackets. Many of the outer layers can be worn below-freezing temperatures. Thermal regulating jackets are the best option for warmth.
The jackets we liked best were equipped with technical features that would suit any skier. Goggle shammies are watertight pockets, helmet compatible hoods, adjustable sleeves, hems, Recco reflectors and powder ski skirts are some of the top-scoring jackets. These jackets were extremely comfortable to wear on full-day ski trips and offered a range of motion.
Tips for buying a ski jacket
Look at the fit
There are many styles of ski jackets, including loose, active, regular, standard and slim. The regular or slim fit is preferred by skiers, which are great for aerodynamics and speeding down the slopes. Snowboarders typically enjoy loose or active fits better, as those are more closely in line with the “freerider” style.
Consider carefully the differences between insulation and shells
This hot debate is among snow sports enthusiasts. Some prefer to wear an insulated jacket and others prefer a shell. Backcountry skiers A shell is the best option as it allows you to remove layers for the climb and then add them again for the descent. In extremely cold conditions, skiers may prefer to wear a non-shell jacket. However, you should be aware that you might overheat so make sure to get armpit ventilation.
Waterproofing is essential
No matter what your opinion is on insulated jackets or shells, waterproofness is the most important quality to be aware of. Being wet while skiing will guarantee you a miserable experience, so it’s important to look at the waterproof scale in the jacket specs section on the website. It will usually include the amount of waterproofing and breathability, and you’ll want to look out for 20K/20K, which means the fabric can withstand 20,000 millimeters of water before you feel any type of dampness.
Frequently Asked Question
What type of jacket is best to ski?
<p>The best ski jackets are water-resistant and breathable. Whether you prefer a shell or insulated outer layer, you’ll want to keep your eye out for technical features like powder skirts, adjustable hems and hoods, wrist gaiters, goggle shammies, RFID pockets, Recco reflectors, and watertight zippers. The investment in a ski jacket of high quality will be well worth it. <br/></p>
How can I tell if a jacket works well for skiing?
<p>When you’re on the hunt for a ski jacket, be sure to look at the specs listed on the brand’s website. Ski jackets that are water- and windproof will have a minimum of 20,000 opacity and waterproof scores. When it comes to fit, that’s a personal preference, but generally, a looser fit is better for snowboarding, and a slim fit is the favored route for skiers. <br/></p>
What should I wear underneath a ski jacket?
<p>If you have a shell ski jacket, you’ll want to layer up. Consider wearing or bringing several layers of synthetic sweaters, tops, or fleeces that are moisture-resistant so you don’t sweat through the layers. For those with insulated jackets, you will probably only need one or two layers. However, be sure to have more in case it drops dramatically. <br/></p>
Travel + Leisure: Trustworthy
T+L commerce writer Anna Popp Anna grew up in Bend, Oregon skiing, and every winter she spent time with her dad. Anna has lived in Grenoble (France), where she learned to ski in all the French Alps. To put together the best women’s ski jackets, Anna participated in this test along with other skiers and expert product testers.
Next up: The Ultimate Ski Trip Packing List and Expert Tips for the Mountain
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