11 best women’s ski jackets, tried and tested by a snow sports expert

This is everything a ski or snowboard jacket should be – flattering and insulated with well-placed pockets and elasticated sleeves which keep out the cold without cutting off circulation. Despite the generous amount of insulation, I still enjoyed total freedom of movement.

I liked the flap under which I could tuck the main zipper, and the partially elasticated hem meant this jacket stayed well and truly put. It’s worth pointing out that Mammut is known for making gear which is rugged, technical and incredibly thoroughly tested, so if you’re the kind of person who stays on the slopes until the last lift, this jacket is a brilliant choice.

It scores highly in the sustainability stakes too – the insulation is made from recycled rope, and the polyester used for the outer layer is recycled, too.

I normally steer clear of jackets with bold designs, but this one is the exception – and I love how the star-themed print is replicated on areas inside the jacket, too. I had more than enough room to move while wearing this jacket, and could easily slide the hood over my helmet (and, during an autumn stroll, over what might be the world’s biggest bobble hat). Oversized zip pulls were easy to grasp with gloved hands, and the extra high collar minimised the risk of windchill.

Finally, call me fickle but I was rather chuffed to discover the dark panels on the side worked wonders when it came to giving the illusion of a slimmer waistline. What can I say? As I’ve mentioned, when I’m in the mountains I simply can’t resist raclette, fondue or anything cheese-related.

Full disclosure – I approached this jacket with caution. Shell jackets are hard to get right, largely due to the challenges associated with creating an outer layer that keeps the wearer warm and dry, while still being lightweight.

Luckily, Columbia has nailed it. The material – recycled polyester featuring Columbia’s waterproof and breathable technology – allowed plenty of room for movement. A longer back meant I could bend over to do up my bindings without a builders’ bum-related scenario, and the hood was large enough to fit over my helmet.

Alongside standard features, such as the dedicated pockets for goggles and ski passes, I loved the PU-coated zips for extra waterproofing, and the way sewn-in folds at the elbows enhance freedom of movement. Bonus points for the retina-burningly bright zips – anything which helps us stand out on the mountain (or let’s face it, when we’re dancing on the tables at our favourite après ski bar) is a good thing, in my opinion.

Rossingnol is known for making some of the world’s best skis, and it turns out its outwear is pretty cool, too. The tailored look of this ski jacket meant I was admittedly sceptical about its ability to retain heat, but my concerns were unfounded and it did so incredibly well, courtesy of the perfect amount of insulation – enough to keep me warm but not enough to leave me resembling the Ghostbusters’ stay-puft marshmallow man.

An abundance of pockets meant more than enough room to stash the essentials (I was particularly impressed with the oversized ones on the inside) and although there aren’t arm vents, the garment’s breathable membrane meant this wasn’t a problem. I also loved the ultra-grippy lining of the powder skirt, which did a fantastic job of keeping me warm and dry while preventing the jacket from riding up, minimising the risk of accidental exposures.

Another ski jacket with an ultra-grippy powder skirt hem (you’ve probably realised, at this point, I’m a sucker for these), the cold spell jacket won’t let you down, even on the coldest, snowiest of days. There’s nothing North Face hasn’t thought about here, whether it’s the addition of extra reinforcement at key areas such as the lower arms (which should protect against the sharpened edges of skis), the insulated, helmet-compatible hood or the ultra-soft material on the inside of the collar.

It’s incredibly well insulated (mostly with goose down meeting Responsible Down Standard criteria) but still looks fabulously stylish – if you love the bulkier insulation provided by Canada Goose jackets but don’t want to resemble the Michelin Man, this might just be your dream piece of winter wear.

Say hello to proof that you don’t need to fork out huge sums to stay warm and dry on the slopes. Mountain Warehouse’s jacket makes certain offerings from my favourite ski brands look rather plain – it has taped seams, plenty of pockets, including two large ones at the front, along with arm vents and lift pass pockets.

I was especially chuffed to see the detachable hood – in recent years, I’ve noticed these have become somewhat of an endangered species, but the ability to remove a jacket’s hood, thereby reducing the jacket’s overall bulk (especially on warmer days) shouldn’t be overestimated. That said, on colder days you’re in for a treat – the entire hood, not just the collar, is lined with ultra-soft material which won’t chafe. Another rarity was the double strips of Velcro on the cuffs, which did a much better job of keeping my sleeves in place under our gloves.

You can often take advantage of discounts via our dedicated Mountain Warehouse deals page.

I’m not typically a huge fan of pullover-style outer layers, but Columbia has converted me. All too often, this style of garment lacks the tech which is standard for full-zip jackets, but the coreshot bucks the trend – there are sleeve vents alongside a powder skirt and a ski pass pocket, along with more toggles than you can shake a ski stick at, making this one of the most adjustable pullover-style outer layers I’ve come across.

For me, the pièce de resistance was the large kangaroo-style pocket on the front. Not only was it huge (a fun fact: I was able to fit a can of Sprite, a bag of Doritos and a family-sized bar of Cadbury’s dairy milk inside) but it had double access points, with zips along the top and on the side.

The wide elasticated waistband on Roxy’s insulated jacket adds a touch of vintage glam, and while I was initially concerned about its boxier shape being less than forgiving on occasions when we’ve overindulged in our beloved raclette, the diagonal hemlines ensure the jacket still retains a tailored, fitted look. Although there are no arm vents, Roxy’s famous waterproofing ensures there’s still brilliant breathability – which is even more impressive given the generous use of down insulation.

Generous use of cloud-soft materials on the inside (including the collar) ramps up the snugness, and I appreciated the oversized internal pockets – especially the reliance on a meshed material designed to allow moisture to escape.

This ski jacket is perfect for sunny days on the slopes – days when you need to stay warm and dry but the likelihood of a sub-zero snowstorm is minimal. It’s a jacket which has clearly been precision engineered – it’s packed with all of the features needed for a shell garment, including sleeve vents and a powder skirt, but none of the extras which would add unnecessary bulk, such as the sleeve liners you’re more likely to find on jackets with more insulation.

And while this sounds like an odd aspect to flag, I loved the rigidity of the hood – I was able to slip it easily over my helmet, and its precision-engineered design meant it stayed in place, too. It’s also worth noting that the water-repellent treatment is fluorocarbon free, as fluorocarbon is known to cause harm to health and the environment.

This jacket from Klättermusen is guaranteed to be a hit with the Swedish brand’s legions of devotees, many of whom love its unique aesthetic, whether it’s the off-centre zips or the great range of colours. That said, its gear is also packed with tech, and there were endless features I loved in this jacket – the high collar, the ease with which I could tighten the waistband of the jacket with a quick yank of the toggle, and the strategically-placed areas of reinforcement (such as on the shoulders, where backpack straps often rub).

The PrimaLoft insulation on this insulated ski jacket did its thing incredibly well, keeping me toasty warm on a chilly day, while also drying incredibly quickly after an unexpected rainfall interrupted my autumn stroll. My one gripe? I can’t help feeling slightly disappointed, given the £320 price tag, that there weren’t more added extras on this jacket (I’d have loved to see a snow skirt or lift pass pocket, for example).

This is a jacket with all the essentials (underarm ventilation zippers, a powder skirt and adjustable toggles in all the right places) plus plenty of extras. For example, I loved the pockets’ soft brushed lining and the pocket designed to keep gadgets going for longer in sub-zero conditions. I also loved the heat-trapping combo of strategically placed PrimaLoft insulation and H2flow technology, designed to enhance breathability.

The jacket sports my favourite hood on test, thanks to its ultra-soft fur trim and the extra padding at the collar, which was higher than average and did a great job of keeping out unwanted breezes. Just keep in mind that the sizing of the jacket is on the snug side, so you may want to size up. However, this is my only gripe about this garment, which is packed with technical features.