There are countless ski and snow jackets out there, but they aren’t all built the same. The best ski jackets don’t just protect you from snow burn and sunburn, but have additional slope-specific features. That includes waterproofing, wind protection, breathability, a helmet-compatible hood, a powder skirt, and more.
Some ski jackets are even insulated for an extra touch of warmth. But all are designed to layer well over a base layer and midlayer such as a fleece or micro puffy.
The women’s ski jackets below impressed us not just with their available features but in how well they performed. We tested these jackets in cold, snowy weather on the slopes, and narrowed them down to the best of the best.
While we primarily focused on ski and snowboard performance, any of the snow jackets below would also be a great choice for other wintry activities like sledding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing.
If you’d like to learn what differentiates ski jackets, check out our buyer’s guide and FAQ at the bottom of the article. You can scroll down to the comparison chart, to help guide your decision-making process. Otherwise, read our full gear guide or jump to a category that interests you below:
Table of Contents
- Best Overall Women's Ski Jacket: Outdoor Research Women’s Skytour AscentShell Jacket
- Best Budget Women's Ski Jacket: Mountain Hardwear Women’s Firefall/2 Insulated Jacket
- Runner-Up Best Women's Ski Jacket: Arc’teryx Women’s Sentinel Jacket
- Most Sustainable Women’s Ski Jacket: Patagonia Women’s Powder Town Jacket
- Best Women's Ski Jacket for Backcountry Travel: ORTOVOX Women’s 3L Deep Shell Jacket
- Best Women's Ski Jacket for Plus Sizes: Columbia Women’s Bugaboo II Fleece 3-in-1 Interchange Jacket
- Best of the Rest
- Stio Women’s Raymer Jacket
- Norrona Women’s Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro
- Helly Hansen Women’s Elevation Infinity Shell Jacket
- The North Face Women’s ThermoBall Eco Snow Triclimate 3-in-1 Jacket
- Black Diamond Women’s Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell
The Best Women’s Ski Jackets of 2023
Outdoor Research Women’s Skytour AscentShell Jacket
Specs
- Fit Relaxed
- Insulation Not insulated
- Shell 3-layer
- Waterproof (mm)/Breathability (g) 10,000 / 20,000
- Weight 576 g
Pros
- Soft, durable fabric
- Great pocket design
- Relatively economic price tag for such a well-built jacket
Cons
- No powder skirt (which some skiers don’t need)
- Zippers on pit zips are a tad small — we wish they were a smidge bigger to more easily grab
Mountain Hardwear Women’s Firefall/2 Insulated Jacket
Specs
- Fit Relaxed
- Insulation Synthetic insulation (80 g/m² in the torso, 60 g/m² in the sleeves and hood)
- Shell 2-layer
- Waterproof rating (mm) / Breathability (g) Unavailable
- Weight 790 g
Pros
- Price is economic
- Two zippered chest pockets and two zippered hand pockets
- Contains recycled synthetic insulation
Cons
- Some users noted the arms were too long for their preference
Arc’teryx Women’s Sentinel Jacket
Specs
- Fit Regular/athletic
- Insulation None
- Shell 3-layer
- Waterproof (mm)/Breathability (g) 28,000 / 20,000
- Weight 590 g
Pros
- Lightweight jacket
- Fabric shields the elements
- Slightly longer fabric in the back and arm length for extra protection
Cons
- Powder skirt is not removable
- At least one exterior chest pocket would be nice
Patagonia Women’s Powder Town Jacket
Specs
- Fit Regular/athletic
- Insulation Yes
- Shell 2-layer
- Waterproof (mm) / Breathability (g) Unavailable
- Weight 620 g
Pros
- RECCO included
- Super comfortable to move in
- Underarm zippers are included
Cons
- 3-layer jackets are overall more durable for endeavors like backcountry skiing in forested areas
- Insulated upgrade provides perfect amount of warmth on a cold day but a bit toasty on super warm spring days
ORTOVOX Women’s 3L Deep Shell Jacket
Specs
- Fit Relaxed
- Insulation None
- Shell 3-layer
- Waterproof rating (mm) / Breathability (g) 20,000 / 20,000
- Weight 736 g
Pros
- Extremely protective against the elements, breathable and waterproof
- Pockets are super functional, spacious, and ergonomic
Cons
- Not the most lightweight ski jacket on our list
Columbia Women’s Bugaboo II Fleece 3-in-1 Interchange Jacket
Specs
- Fit Relaxed
- Insulation High-pile fleece liner (removable)
- Shell 3-layer
- Waterproof rating (mm) / Breathability (g) 10,000 / 10,000
- Weight Unavailable
Pros
- Storm hood is removable
- Super adaptable 3-layer shell with a removable fleece liner
Cons
- Not the highest amount of waterproofness and breathability but works for many climates
Best of the Rest
Stio Women’s Raymer Jacket
Specs
- Fit Regular
- Insulation None
- Shell 3-layer PeakProof with 50-denier plainweave fabric plus a DWR finish
- Waterproof rating (mm) / Breathability (g) 20,000 / 13,000
- Weight 482 g
Pros
- Fully sealed seams for waterproofness
- Four roomy, well-placed pockets
- Integrated brim on the hood
Cons
- Underarm vents are a tad on the short side at just under 7 inches
- No pass pocket on the arm, if you prefer one
- The brushed tricot interior chin guard could be more generous — it’s a vertical column
Norrona Women’s Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro
Specs
- Fit Regular/athletic
- Insulation None
- Shell 3-layer
- Waterproof rating (mm) / Breathability (g) 28,000 / 25,000
- Weight 642 g
Pros
- Center YKK zipper is strong and water-resistant
- Storm hood is a great size — not too big — and slides over a helmet
Cons
- Wrist gaiters could be less tight and more comfortable
- Lots of pocket options but no hand pockets
Helly Hansen Women’s Elevation Infinity Shell Jacket
Specs
- Fit Relaxed
- Insulation None
- Shell 3-layer
- Waterproof rating (mm) / Breathability (g) Unavailable
- Weight 670 g
Pros
- Proprietary chemical-free waterproof fibers
- The interior liner of the chin guard has impressive reach for comfort against entire face from ear to ear
- Some skiers love the extra length
Cons
- Hood and brim are a bit large and floppy
- When zipped up, the collar is rigid
- Wrist cuffs are a bit too wide and inflexible for our preference
The North Face Women’s ThermoBall Eco Snow Triclimate 3-in-1 Jacket
Specs
- Fit Relaxed
- Insulation Removable polyester liner
- Shell 2-layer
- Waterproof rating (mm) / Breathability (g) 15,000 / 15,000
- Weight 899 g
Pros
- Three-in-one jacket
- Insulation layer provides great warmth
Cons
- Some women didn’t like the silhouette — it was too boxy
- Other reviewers noted the fabric was not very malleable
Black Diamond Women’s Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell
Specs
- Fit Regular/athletic
- Insulation None
- Shell 3-layer
- Waterproof rating (mm) / Breathability (g) 20,000 / 20,000
- Weight 455 g
Pros
- The two harness-compatible chest pockets can hold skins
- PFC-free DWR
Cons
- Jacket is missing interior mesh and smaller pockets
- Bustier athletes noted the fit wasn’t dialed in the chest
Women’s Ski Jackets Comparison Chart
| Women’s Ski Jacket | Price | Fit | Insulation | Shell | Waterproof (mm) | Weight |
| Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Jacket | $379 | Relaxed | Not insulated | 3-layer | 10k / 20k | 576 g |
| Arc’teryx Women’s Sentinel Jacket | $700 | Regular/ athletic | None | 3-layer | 28k / 20k | 590 g |
| Mountain Hardwear Women’s Firefall/2 Insulated Jacket | $289 | Relaxed | Synthetic insulation | 2-layer | N/A | 790 g |
| Patagonia Women’s Powder Town Jacket | $349 | Regular/ athletic | Yes | 2-layer | N/A | 620 g |
| Norrona Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro | $549 | Regular/ athletic | None | 3-layer | 28k / 25k | 642 g |
| ORTOVOX Women’s 3L Deep Shell Jacket | $730 | Relaxed | None | 3-layer | 20k / 20k | 736 g |
| Columbia Bugaboo II Fleece 3-in-1 Interchange Jacket | $240 | Relaxed | High-pile fleece liner | 3-layer | 10k / 10k | N/A |
| Stio Women’s Raymer Jacket | $399 | Regular | None | 3-layer | 20k / 13k | 482 g |
| Helly Hansen Elevation Infinity Shell Jacket | $750 | Relaxed | None | 3-layer | N/A | 670 g |
| The North Face ThermoBall Eco Snow Jacket | $360 | Relaxed | Removable polyester liner | 2-layer | 15k / 15k | 899 g |
| Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell | $350 | Regular/ athletic | None | 3-layer | 20k / 20k | 455 g |
Why You Should Trust Us
Our team has tested ski jackets and published ski jacket guides for women for many winter seasons with input from expert, lifelong skiers as well as average and beginner skiers. For this guide, we considered the most popular, highly acclaimed, well-made, and size-inclusive ski jackets made for a variety of conditions and across a range of prices.
To determine the best designs, our product testers have worn these jackets in a spectrum of snowy environments, including ski resorts from Crested Butte Mountain Resort to Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, and in a multitude of weather conditions.
Activities for testing included downhill and backcountry skiing, snowboarding and splitboarding, off-trail and on-trail snowmobiling, and skimo racing in the coldest, snowiest destinations in the country. Our crew of testers ranges from AIARE-certified and avid backcountry venturers to lifelong resort skiers.
Among our testers, Snowsports Senior Editor Morgan Tilton started alpine skiing in her backyard at Telluride Ski Resort at age 4, followed closely by learning to snowboard. Thirteen years ago, she completed her first AIARE 1 course and continues to pursue backcountry certifications and exploration today by skis, splitboard, pow surfer, and off-trail snowmobile.
The final list — the best women’s ski jackets — is the combined result of thorough firsthand experience. Throughout our testing, we determined the best ski jackets based on a variety of metrics including performance, protection, comfort, ergonomics, pocket design, adjustability, quality, fit, and value in addition to special features.
We also considered accolades, new technologies, popularity, and legacy designs. These women’s ski jackets serve a range of athletes, applications, and budgets.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Women’s Ski Jacket
Choosing the best ski jacket is based on where you ski most, your goals, and what fits best as well as your preferred jacket features and style.
Insulated vs. Non-insulated
A portion of ski jackets offer no insulation — only a shell — which is a versatile option to use across a variety of conditions. You can pull on this waterproof and breathable layer to stay dry and protected from the sun, wind, precipitation, surrounding debris like tree branches, or abrasive snow burn if you slide out.
Designs without insulation typically have enough room to add a midlayer in addition to a base layer beneath for chilly or cold days. This type of jacket works well 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 when you typically accumulate heat carving turns.
To decide if a non-insulated jacket is right for you, consider the ambient temperatures where you usually ski or snowboard, if there is frequent windchill, and your body temperature on the lift.
Other designs are insulated. If the temperatures are consistently super cold or windy or if you generally get chilled, an insulated jacket might be a good choice. Some skiers can wear an insulated jacket over a base layer without as much consideration for what midlayer to bring along.
Insulated ski and snowboard jackets can be prime for freezing or blustery conditions, long lift rides (especially with hair-raising gusts), or frequent breaks while going downhill. For some skiers, though, these jackets can pigeonhole them into donning too much warmth.
The type and warmth level of insulation vary across each jacket from flannel to down-filled panels or synthetic proprietary fabrics.
Two-Layer vs. Three-Layer Waterproof Membranes
A two-layer jacket has a face fabric — such as polyester or nylon — connected to an inner liner that protects the fabric, is breathable, and adds comfort. 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 and are pricier.
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.
Waterproofness
A waterproof jacket is ideal for skiing because weather can be flippant, 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 can be placed atop a fabric before it leaks, from 5,000 to 20,000 mm or greater. The latter end of the spectrum leads to a less breathable fabric.
- 0-5,000 mm: Resistant to light rain, dry snow
- 6,000-10,000 mm: Waterproof for light rain and dry, non-heavy snow
- 11,000-15,000 mm: Waterproof for moderate rain and dry, non-heavy snow
- 16,000-20,000 mm: Waterproof for heavy rain and wet snow
- 20,000 mm and greater: Waterproof for heavy rain and dense, wet, heavy snow
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 is the Arc’teryx Sentinel, which provides 28,000 mm protection and is a great option 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.
Breathability
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.
- 5,000-10,000 g/m²: Not the most breathable, suitable for inbounds alpine skiing
- 10,000-15,000 g/m²: Moderate breathability
- 15,000-20,000 g/m² and higher: Super breathable, good range for inbounds uphill workouts and backcountry tours
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.
Ventilation
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 Skytour AscentShell Jacket, which stretches from the hem past the entire armpit and to the underside of the arm.
One innovative ventilation design is in the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell, which has a front-facing and closable mesh vent that parallels the front zipper. In terms of quality, YKK brand zippers are the toughest.
Fit & Sizing
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 the fabric doesn’t get pinched up. A slightly longer jacket can provide extra protection from wind and snow, but some skiers find the additional fabric cumbersome.
Each manufacturer has its own size charts. Be sure to take your personal measurements and match them up with the size charts, which can differ across brands. And remember to consider the type of midlayer and base layer you’ll wear beneath your jacket. 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.
Weight
A jacket’s weight can become an important factor for backcountry skiers (or snowshoers) who are carrying a day pack or may need to stash their jacket in a pack and can’t sacrifice space for bulk (weight plays into overall volume).
Similarly, some uphill athletes want to wear a jacket for weather protection but only need a light layer. And occasional resort skiers take laps with a backpack on and might need to store their jackets as the conditions warm.
The lightest jackets in our top picks are 590 g, like the Arc’teryx Sentinel, which is a lightweight but durable shell, and achieving a high level of both those traits is reflected in the cost. In comparison, the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell is only 455 g, Patagonia Powder Town at 620 g, and the Norrona Lofoten is 642 g.
Slightly heavier but still fairly lightweight designs include the Ortovox 3L Guardian Shell Jacket at 736 g.
Ultimately, you shouldn’t compromise a jacket’s protection and durability or comfort features and adequate warmth to drop a little weight.
Collar & Hood
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 the body retain heat in chilly conditions.
Jacket collars vary in height and ideally have an interior chin guard that feels snug against the face — a key component on a gusty chair lift.
Hoods can be 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 Ortovox 3L Guardian Shell Jacket. And others have an integrated visor so they don’t collapse beneath moisture. A handful of hoods are removable, while others are fixed.
Sleeve Cuffs & Powder Skirt
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 — a stretchy fabric for warmth that 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.
Pockets
Most jackets 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. 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 chambering 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 if the temperature is crisp and you need to prevent the glue from freezing over between use, or gloves or goggles.
Occasionally, a zippered pocket is insulated to help extend the battery life of your smartphone like in the Helly Hansen Odin Mountain Infinity 3L Shell Jacket.
Examine what you’ll need to carry, the adequate pocket size, and if the pockets are located in the most comfortable place for you.
FAQ
The answer to this question largely depends on the type of skier you are. Have you never been in a winter climate and are skiing for the first time? Do you only ski or snowboard on vacation? Maybe look for a jacket for the $200 range or less.
Or do you engage in winter activities that require a durable shell for much of the year? Make sure you get one that has all the features you need — you may need to spend a little extra on technical features.
Our answer is always first, set yourself a budget. Check out all the jackets on this list and find the one or two best for you, and then check to see if it’s on sale. Lots of times, seasonal apparel like ski jackets go on sale after the season ends, so the spring/summer is a great time to shop.
If you are able, we strongly encourage trying jackets on, whether buying from a store with a return policy or shopping in the store. (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 layer that isn’t fully waterproof).
If you have something waterproof (like a rain jacket), that may work, but not as well. Often, rain jackets don’t fit correctly over other 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.
If you are thinking about investing in a ski jacket, we’d definitely recommend getting one. 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, winter hiking, sledding, and so on.
Ski jackets are a technical piece of clothing. They’re built for 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 or beacon pockets.
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. (Things like zipper vents and insulation are really important here.)
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.
Especially if you are buying a shell (an uninsulated jacket), you may want to size up to leave room for a base layer and midlayer underneath. Always try on a ski shell with a sweater or fleece (a thicker layer) underneath — essentially, what you’d wear out in the cold.
You can usually tell if a jacket is too big by looking at the shoulder lines (as in, if the shoulders are too loose) and by zipping it up. If a jacket feels too tight, it probably is, and it won’t be comfortable to ski in.
Also, 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.
However, there are lots of other similar apparel membranes out there. Many major brands have their own version of waterproof-breathable fabrics.
Whichever jacket you buy, make sure it’s waterproof. (Jackets have degrees of waterproofing, from 5,000 mm to 10,000 mm to 25,000 mm water column ratings.) Our Colorado-based gear testers, for instance, like to shoot for at least a 10,000-15,000 mm water column rating based on where they live and what kind of snow they experience.
However, the highest level of waterproofing will sacrifice a little on breathability. In mild to medium — not extreme — winter climates, you’ll want a balance.
Also, see what its intended activity and usage are. If a jacket isn’t designed for skiing, and doesn’t have many of the features we listed in this guide, it won’t be the best choice.
