Burly, Stylish, Tons of Pockets: The North Face Summit Series Verbier Ski Jacket Review

It’s tough to find one ski jacket that holds its own on both a chairlift and a skin track. And it’s nearly impossible to find one that checks those boxes while looking darn good. But I’ll say it: The North Face Summit Series Verbier GORE-TEX Jacket is a solid all-rounder for skiers looking for a stylish one-jacket quiver.

You get what you pay for with the Verbier — and trust, you’ll pay for it. But for the higher dollar, you get 100% recycled, three-layer GORE-TEX fabric with ample features. This design is stacked with more pockets than I ever knew what to do with while roaming the ski hills in Aspen. It also has a high collar, convenient thumbholes, and a fixed powder skirt.

In the backcountry, the longer hemline and underarms vents with two-way zippers were agreeable in variable conditions. The lack of shoulder seams worked well when wearing a backpack. Is it heavier and bulkier than I’d prefer while touring? Sure. Something always has to give when you’re looking for a one-quiver wonder. And that’s small potatoes compared to all of the other good stuff.

In short: The North Face Summit Series Verbier GORE-TEX Jacket ($700) is a high-quality, high-performing ski jacket that is lengthy and stylish on a chairlift while providing bombproof protection in the backcountry. As a standout detail, the nine pockets 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 — typically. 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. 

GearJunkie reviewed the matching Verbier women’s ski bibs, too. Otherwise, check out how this ski jacket compares to our other top picks in The Best Women’s Ski Jackets buyer’s guide.

The North Face Summit Series Verbier GORE-TEX Jacket Review

What began as a small mountaineering store in San Francisco in 1966 has since morphed into the outdoor giant that is The North Face. Practically every decade since, it has seen an iconic innovation. The brand launched a technical ski collection called Steep Tech in the 1980s, Tekware climbing apparel in the 1990s, and the debut of its Summit Series in 2000.

For the last 25 years, Summit Series apparel has been a line of premium products designed for hardcore athletes who spend a lot of time in extreme conditions high in the mountains. The Verbier jacket is no different.

I began testing this ski kit when the snow blew in — with a whopping 3 feet in 3 days over Thanksgiving break. I wore it at the ski resorts and skin tracks around my hometown of Aspen, Colo. Together, we’ve seen nuking snow, a polar vortex, and bluebird and sunshine days. And wouldn’t you know, the Verbier continues to be one of my favorite ski jackets in my weekly ski rotation.

How to Wash & Dry: High-Performing, Sustainable Fabric

GORE-TEX is the known name in the waterproof-breathable fabric game. It’s one of the most recognized technologies in the outdoor world. As a result, it’s become the industry standard — but it comes with a price tag compared to proprietary options.

For the Verbier, The North Face opted for three-layer GORE-TEX materials rather than its own technology (known as FUTURELIGHT). It’s made from 100% recycled polyester.

While this isn’t a completely petroleum-free solution, it uses less energy and cuts greenhouse gas emissions. It also reduces the demand for raw petroleum when compared to virgin polyester. It’s certainly a step in the right direction.

Plus, the performance is top-shelf. During a recent polar vortex that swept the state of Colorado, I mistakenly thought it would be a good idea to go skiing with temperatures hovering around -10 degrees Fahrenheit with wind chill. The wind was blasting above treeline.

But the Verbier did a fantastic job of protecting me from the absurdly awful elements. And the longer hemline added a bit of warmth to my backside, which I needed when the snow began blowing in circles.

Tradeoff: If you’re going to use this jacket on the uphill, it’s not as breathable as I’d like. It’s a fair assessment to say you get more weatherproofing than breathability.

Given that this fabric is PFAS-free, you’ll need to wash it frequently. Ideally, wash this jacket using a technical detergent. Otherwise, use an option like Seventh Generation versus something like Tide, because you want to avoid detergents that include a scent or fabric softener. You’ll hang the layer to dry. Then, you must put it in the dryer for 20 minutes on medium heat to reactivate the DWR fully. 

Glorious Storage Space: 9 Pockets Total

Pockets, oh, the glorious pockets! I often ski with my 7-year-old daughter, so carrying snacks is a necessity. I hate riding chairlifts with a backpack, so I’m usually cramming calories in every possible pouch. But with this jacket, it’s almost too easy.

On the left sleeve, there is a zippered pass pocket with an included goggle wipe. There’s also a zippered chest pocket and two zippered alpine pockets that sit above the backpack’s waist belt.

But the real MVP? The two cargo pockets that sit just above the front hemline. Thanks to the small pleats in the design, these things are gigantic. They fit way more snacks than I ever needed during a single day on the slopes. In just one, I could cram a pouch, two cheese sticks, three packages of fruit snacks, and my car keys — with room to spare. Inside the jacket are two mesh dump pockets. There’s also a zippered pocket with a media port.

Sleek Aesthetic

I’m not a skier who cares about a svelte look. I don’t wear ski suits, and you’ll never see me choosing a trim fit for my ski wear. I care more about cramming layers beneath than I do looking stylish. (Yes, that’s code for: I’m a hot mess.) Yet, somehow, I scored more compliments on this ski jacket than I have in a long time.

Credit: The sleek aesthetic and streamlined design. The Verbier somehow boasts a relaxed fit (pleasing my inner function-first personality) but looks polished and somewhat refined. The straight silhouette doesn’t bulge in weird ways. I appreciate that the fixed powder skirt doesn’t bunch around the waist — a personal pet peeve.

You see many trendy ski kits in Aspen, but most of them don’t function the way I’d like. The Verbier checks both those boxes.

Room for Improvement

The glaring holdup with the Verbier GORE-TEX jacket is the cost. Spending $700 on a jacket alone makes me wince — and I work in the industry, so I’m used to seeing those hefty price tags.

But, sustainability also adds to the overall expense, and I believe in paying for efforts like the fully recycled materials. And I do not doubt that the Verbier is a durable ski jacket that will last for years. If you can swing it, I’d consider this a “buy once, cry once” purchase.

I also want to note that the longer hemline can be slightly tricky for women with wider hips. I fall into this category after birthing a child. And I noticed the jacket would pull against my hips whenever I got off a chairlift. It was easily fixable. I just unzipped the two-way zipper an inch or two from the bottom. But if you have wider hips than me, it may be worth trying on in person.

Editor’s Note: Updates for 2025-2026

The 2025-2026 version of the Verbier women’s ski jacket will receive several fit updates.

For the length, 3 inches will be removed from the back, and close to 2 inches will be removed from the front. The initial version tested by the GearJunkie team reached well below the glutes, and the updated version will reach the mid-glute.

The silhouette will be straighter from front to back, reducing the severity of the taper. The final center-back measurement will be 28.75 inches.

The ski jacket’s chin and neck construction will also get a makeover. The new build will be a bit more forgiving and less rigid. The collar will be flexible enough to be rolled down into a more relaxed position if desired.

The North Face Summit Series Verbier GORE-TEX Jacket: Conclusion

The North Face Verbier Jacket is a great crossover jacket that feels most at home on the chairlift but can also pull double duty in the backcountry, as long as you’re not trying to use a super-lightweight, packable jacket on your ski tours. Aside from the long fit, this jacket’s most unique detail is the huge variety and placement of pockets.

The Verbier somehow toes the magical line of looking sleek and streamlined while packing every feature a skier could want. All the essentials are there: thumbholes on the wrists, two-way zippers on the front and pit zips, and a generous helmet-compatible hood. An integrated powder skirt and a high collar protect your face from wind and scratches, thanks to a soft tricot chin guard.

This ski jacket for women is loaded with ample details and major style points. With a rugged design and top-shelf weatherproofing, the Verbier is a high-quality ski jacket that will last for years while hitting a new environmental benchmark.