High-Reaching, Stretchy Waistband and Drawstring Cuffs: Picture Organic Exa Women’s Insulated Ski Pants Review

There’s no shortage of insulated women’s ski pants on the market, but let’s be real: a lot of them are bulkier than a diaper. Finding a pair that balances sustainability, performance, and style is a golden trifecta that’s harder than it should be. Enter the Picture Organic Exa ski pants, a women’s-specific insulated snow pant from the French brand known for its eco-conscious ethos. From the moment I pulled them on, these pants felt like they could potentially change my perspective on insulated snow pants.

I tested the Exa Pants over the course of a week at Aspen Snowmass. That included 3 days at Snowmass Resort, several laps at Aspen Highlands, and one (very warm) uphill ski day at Buttermilk with our 7-year-old. (Talk about my all-time poor life choices: insulation and uphilling?!)

Conditions ranged from stormy and cold (about 20 degrees F) to sunny and slushy (35 degrees F). And I wore the Exa Pants through it all — skinning, carving, and chasing after my kid with poles in one hand and snacks in the other.

In short: The Picture Organic Exa Pants ($230) deliver eco-friendly materials, creative design, and insulated comfort without the bulk that often plagues this category. The waist gaiter and drawstring lift system for the cuffs stand out as unique-yet-useful features. And the pants kept me warm across a range of temperatures without ever feeling bulky or overly hot.

See how these ski pants for women line up next to our favorites in the Best Women’s Ski Pants buyer’s guide.

Picture Exa Women’s Ski Pants Review

Founded by three childhood friends in France, Picture Organic has built its reputation on doing things differently, with a focus on technical performance and a deep commitment to sustainability. The brand has become a leader in eco-conscious outerwear, using recycled materials, circular manufacturing, and PFC-free waterproofing long before it was a matter of legality.

After a week of testing these pants in the Colorado mountains, I can confidently say they live up to the brand’s ethos.

Eco-Friendly Materials That Go Above and Beyond

When it comes to outerwear, “sustainable” often feels like a buzzword. But Picture Organic walks the talk, and the Exa ski pants for women are a prime example. These pants are made with 100% circular polyester derived from textile waste, which basically means the brand created a closed-loop manufacturing process where the same fabric is reused, recycled, and remade — on repeat.

The good part: This process eliminates reliance on virgin petroleum-based polyester and cuts down on excess that goes straight into the landfill. That alone makes them worth a look if you’re trying to reduce your impact on the environment vis-à-vis your ski gear.

The waterproofing comes via Picture’s proprietary Dryplay 20K/20K membrane and is finished with a PFC-free DWR treatment. During my testing in mixed Colorado conditions — heavy snow at Highlands, sun and slush at Snowmass, and everything in between — I never once felt wet, sticky, or clammy. The pants repelled moisture from chairlifts, snowbanks, and the occasional tumble while playing follow-the-leader with a first grader. 

Even the insulation is sustainably sourced. The Exa uses 40g/m² of Thermal STD, which is 100% recycled synthetic insulation. That’s enough to add noticeable warmth without turning the pants into a puffy snowman suit. 

Unique Features & Thoughtful Design

Realistically, snow pants aren’t a category where you see a lot of unique design components — brands usually save their flair for the jackets or the hard goods. But, may we have a moment for this waist gaiter?

This Lycra gaiter is essentially an integrated stretchy waistband that sits higher than a typical pant rise and seals off the space between your base layers and your outer shell. It functions like a soft hug around your midsection — keeping snow out without the pinch of a traditional waistbelt.

I’m usually a bib wearer, but this comfy gaiter made it much easier for me to convert to a pair of traditional women’s ski pants. I noticed it most when I wiped out after catching an edge on a fast-moving groomer: no snow up my jacket! 

Another standout is what Picture calls the I-Fit system, which allows you to draw the pant legs up using pull cords hidden inside the hand pockets. Usually, I roll my snow pants at the end of the day to avoid walking on them and ruining the cuffs, but this was a nice-to-have solution once I adjusted to it. During our uphill day at Buttermilk, I used the system to pull up the hems for the skin up, and then let them drop again for the downhill. 

The Exa ski pants for women also includes inner thigh vents with waterproof zippers, snow gaiters with lace hooks, and reinforced cuffs that can take a beating. The zipper pulls are easy to grab even with gloves. And the fit through the hips and thighs was streamlined without being tight — something I appreciate as a quad-dominant woman.

Warmth Without Bulk

Let’s be honest: insulated ski pants for women don’t have the best reputation when it comes to flattering fits. They’re often bulky, boxy, and low-key make you feel like you’re wearing a diaper. Good news: The Exa Pants don’t do that.

With 40g/m² of insulation, they sit comfortably in the “warm but not Michelin Man” zone. Throughout 7 days of skiing in temps ranging from 20 to 35 degrees F, I never felt cold, which is saying something, as I’m a chilly gal. 

The fit also deserves some praise. Picture calls it a straight fit, but it has just enough articulation through the knees and room in the seat to allow for athletic movement without feeling baggy or saggy, so I’d call it “relaxed.” I skied moguls, hiked steeps, and crouched to help with tiny frozen ski boots, and not once did I feel restricted. The waistband (with the integrated gaiter) didn’t dig into my belly, which feels like a luxury.

Room for Improvement

The only drawback? I wanted more pockets. While the two hand pockets are well-placed and zippered for security, there’s no cargo pocket or thigh stash to hold a phone, lip balm, or snack.

Many competitors now have at least one cargo pocket on the thigh, and I’ve come to rely on this as a safe place to store my cellphone, but I couldn’t do the same with the Exa women’s ski pants. Given the pants’ otherwise thoughtful design, an extra pocket or two would have elevated the utility for long resort days.

Final Thoughts

The Picture Organic Exa ski pants for women combine sustainable materials, innovative design, and a performance-driven fit to deliver one of my new favorite snow pants — and that’s coming from someone who usually eschews insulated pants.

From the thoughtful waist gaiter to the clever hem-drawstring system, these women’s ski pants prove that sustainability and smart functionality don’t have to be mutually exclusive. They’re warm without being bulky, flattering without being tight, and durable enough for your best days of lift-served skiing.