The 6 Greatest Ski Jackets for Ladies of 2024

The Arc’teryx Sentinel is our favorite shell jacket for ripping around the resort. The Sentinel has a sleek, high-quality construction with fully taped seams and DWR-treated and taped zippers to keep the moisture out. We love how the pit zips can quickly increase ventilation with their large open design. While working hard on the uphills and downhills, we found the shell material extremely breathable, allowing us to stay dry all day. To match all of the high-end construction, this shell has enough features to keep us happy at the resort. The 3L Gore-Tex shell screams bombproof weather resistance from the first feel, and it did not disappoint over our rigorous testing.

The flip side of the breathability and versatility of a hardshell design is that it does not provide any inherent insulation. The Sentinel has a soft flannel backer, but this doesn’t provide any significant insulation. Maintaining the proper temperature through layering and sweat-wicking is important to staying warm. If you are looking for a jacket that keeps you both warm and dry, you may want to consider one of the insulated models we tested, like the Helly Hansen Powderqueen 3.0. However, if you’re looking for one of the highest-end hardshells on the market, we believe the Sentinel is worth the investment.

Read more: Arc’teryx Sentinel review

The Patagonia Insulated Powder Town took us by surprise with how warm it is for how light and lofty the insulation is. The jacket itself comes in more at the weight range of some of the shells in this review than the insulated jackets. Not to mention, the actual material of the liner is supremely soft and slid easily over any base layer we paired with it. The insulation is not only warm — we found this jacket surprisingly breathable for an insulated jacket. The large, open pit zips are a great last-ditch ventilation feature when the going gets hot.

Though the Powder Town is super comfortable, we think the comfort comes at a slight cost. The jacket has a large and boxy cut compared to some of the more tailored models we tested. Check out the The North Face Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate 3-in-1 if you prefer a much slimmer fit. Fortunately, the Powder Town’s bigger cut isn’t a huge deal since this jacket still looks plenty stylish when paired with the right pants, and that extra room allows for lots of layering freedom. Overall, we have very few complaints about the Powder Town; we love this jacket and think it’s an incredible value.

Read more: Patagonia Insulated Powder Town review

The Outdoor Research Carbide shines thanks to its extremely breathable and comfortable shell material. The 3L (three-layer) Pertex Shield fabric is one of our most breathable and comfortable materials tested. The DWR coating is also convincing, providing excellent weather protection for its weight. Combine all of this with ski-specific features to take you from the resort to the backcountry, and you have a stellar value for an excellent price.

While this stretchy 3-layer jacket provides excellent breathability and water resistance, we felt the more biting winds permeate the thin material during testing. This more backcountry-oriented shell is so thin that we question how it will hold up to the test of time, but after months of use, we have no reason to believe it will perform poorly. Lastly, we wish the powder skirt was removable, like the one on the Black Diamond Recon Stretch Shell. Despite these critiques, we believe the Carbide performs similarly to many high-end shells on the market at a fraction of the price.

Read more: Outdoor Research Carbide review

If you don’t want to break the bank on your outerwear, look no further than the Wantdo Mountain Hooded. We were extremely impressed by the performance of this jacket at its price point. The hand warmer pockets, large internal drop pockets, and stash pockets on the chest are classic features we’ve come to expect from a ski jacket. We also love the soft fleece that lines this coat’s body, making it so comfortable to throw over even the thinnest of baselayers. We didn’t need much more than that with this jacket, as its synthetic insulation was extremely effective at locking in heat and keeping wind and snow out.

We found the Wantdo Mountain very warm and effective at keeping the elements at bay, but it also trapped moisture and all the excess heat we produced while skiing. Another affordable option with better breathability is the Outdoor Research Carbide. Given the price, though, we couldn’t be too disappointed, as the higher-end waterproof/breathable membranes also come with higher-end price points. We found this jacket kept us adequately warm and dry and comparatively far from breaking any gear budgets. This is a great pick for the skier who prefers mostly lift-accessed skiing and runs on the cold side.

Read more: Wantdo Mountain Hooded review

We are completely enamored with the technical, high-end Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro. It feels like they thought of everything when designing this jacket. Its performance begins with the most breathable of Gore-Tex membranes with a hefty 70D weave. The shell feels like it can handle any weather, and we know it wicks moisture, as well as any of the best options on the market. Every zipper is water-resistant and taped. The removable powder skirt and super lightweight wrist gaiters add a little more versatility than standard in a backcountry-specific shell.

Compared to some resort-specific models, this jacket has relatively sparse features, which puts it more squarely in the backcountry shell category. Often, less is more for the backcountry, including this jacket. That said, the double chest pockets and single internal zip pockets are more than adequate for days at the resort. During testing, finding a flaw in the construction or performance of this high-end shell was a challenge. If your budget allows you to invest in a premium piece of gear, especially for the backcountry, the Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro is an excellent choice. If you’d like a shell that works for both resort and backcountry at a much more affordable cost, we think a jacket like the Flylow Lucy will keep you and your wallet happy.

Read more: Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro – Women’s review

We were pleasantly surprised by the versatility and performance of The North Face Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate 3-in-1. Despite its slim fit, the jacket has almost all of the features we look for in a ski jacket (like deep pockets and quick and reactive zippers), and it impressed us with its weather resistance. Best of all, its two separate pieces make a warm and high-functioning ski jacket when combined, but are highly satisfying as individual pieces, too. The inner synthetic jacket is warm and looks great on its own, and we often wear it around town. The outer shell stands perfectly well alone on warmer days or when we want to play with light layers underneath.

Despite being super comfortable, this jacket should probably be sized up to allow the best movement when skiing with all layers. We felt tightness primarily across the shoulders and chest, which hindered movement slightly. If the tightness of the slim fit is problematic, check out the Patagonia Insulated Powder Town, which has a looser fit. The Thermoball Triclimate is available in multiple colors, so you can personalize it with fun, patterned ski pants. This is a great pick if you’re looking for a great deal on an insulated jacket.

Read more: The North Face Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate 3-in-1 review

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	Score	Product	Price
	79	Arc’teryx Sentinel – Women’s Best Overall Women’s Ski Jacket Shell	$750
	78	Patagonia Insulated Powder Town – Women’s Best Overall Insulated Women’s Ski Jacket	$399
	76	Helly Hansen Powderqueen 3.0	$450
	73	Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro – Women’s Best for Backcountry Skiing	$799
	71	Outdoor Research Carbide – Women’s Best Bang for Your Buck	$329
	71	Black Diamond Recon Stretch Shell – Women’s	$450
	70		$430
	66	The North Face Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate 3-in-1 – Women’s Best Versatility for an Insulated Jacket	$400
	65		$400
	64	REI Co-op First Chair GTX – Women’s	$319
	62	Columbia Whirlibird IV Interchange – Women’s	$230
	62	Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell – Women’s	$429
	60	REI Co-op Powderbound Insulated – Women’s	$229
	56	Helly Hansen Alphelia LIFALOFT Insulated	$550
	53	Wantdo Mountain Hooded – Women’s Best Women’s Ski Jacket Under $100	$66
	48	Wantdo Snowboarding Hooded – Women’s	$68
	34	Obermeyer Tuscany II Insulated	$279

Since 2013, our team of experts has tested over 75 of the best and most popular women’s ski jackets. We buy them just like you would and then test them side-by-side on mountains from Canada to Vermont and California to Colorado, both inbounds and in the backcountry. These jackets underwent more than 100 individual tests paying special attention to critical performance areas to make this a rigorous assessment. When called for, we supplemented field use with controlled tests, like spraying the jackets with water to test water resistance. We know you’ll find this study a thorough and helpful starting point in selecting your next ski jacket.

Our examination of women’s ski jackets is based on six rating metrics:

• Warmth (20% of overall score weighting)

• Weather Resistance (20% weighting)

• Comfort and Fit (20% weighting)

• Ventilation (20% weighting)

This review is brought to you by Betsy Welch, Jessica Haist, and Jackie Kearney. Betsy hails from the Front Range of Colorado, although you’ll usually find her adventuring in the mountains or abroad. She likes to rip around local resorts, nordic ski, and dabble in skimo racing when the snow flies. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Jessica moved west into the States and now resides in Mammoth Lakes, California. Jessica has acquired the gear connoisseur’s eye for detail and function with Mammoth Mountain’s varied slopes available all season long. She’s also lived and worked all over the US as an outdoor educator and guide and holds a Master’s Degree in Outdoor Education from Arizona’s Prescott College. Jackie has skied and lived in several places in the American West. After ski patrolling for several years at Kirkwood Mountain in Lake Tahoe, California, she returned to the San Juan Mountains of Colorado to pursue the same work at Telluride.

From bluebird days at the resort to powder days in the backcountry to parking lot apres parties, we’ve tested these jackets in all kinds of skiing and ski-related situations.

If you’re into riding the lifts from the first chair until the last call, you’ll want a ski jacket that will keep you warm, dry, and functioning well all day. Style is also a huge factor when choosing your outfit for riding, as it often becomes one’s on-hill identity that your ski partners recognize (“There she is, in the teal coat!”). Where you live and how often you ski will affect which jacket will work best for you. Are you a fair-weather skier who likes cruising the groomers and then having happy hour on the deck? Or do you want to slay the pow on a storm day and work hard all day doing it? We’ve outlined the best choices for each scenario.

Going for an insulated jacket could potentially save you money on insulating mid-layers, which alone are often as expensive as any of these jackets. Many insulated jackets today tend to cost less than the pricey shell jackets. The Patagonia Powder Town is our favorite insulated model and is extremely reasonably priced. For further savings, the versatility and price-point of The North Face Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate 3-in-1 is a very appealing bargain to cover your bases adequately, adding and removing layers as you like.

The Columbia Whirlibird IV uses a foil-like lining called Omni-Heat that is designed to reflect heat toward your body. This design, in combination with synthetic insulation, effectively retains warmth. We were skeptical about this flashy material but found that the Whirlibird is one of the warmer jackets in this review. The North Face Triclimate 3-in-1 is also super toasty, albeit a bit slim fitting.

Consider the winter climate where you typically ski and your average level of exertion on the ski hill. Intermediate to advanced skiers in warmer, maritime climates might not want to opt for the warmest model, as the outside temps and generation of body heat are already warm enough.

Another of our favorite top-performing products is the Patagonia Powder Town. With 80 grams of proprietary Thermogreen recycled polyester insulation in the body and 40 grams in the sleeves, this jacket has plenty of insulation for most cold days skiing. We were initially a little skeptical of this insulation due to the overall extremely light weight of the jacket, but we found that this lofty insulation kept us warm enough.

The uninsulated shell jackets we tested all provide a similar, but not equal, level of warmth. The weight of the face fabric and the backer material contribute to their overall warmth. Notably, the Arc’teryx Sentinel has a flannel backer and a 70-denier face fabric. This design made it the warmest of the shells we tested and the warmest option for a shell jacket. With these jackets, layering appropriately underneath is the best way to manage warmth. While not incredibly warm on their own, these jackets provide the added benefit of helping you manage your temperature based on exertion, which is a key element to staying dry inside your jacket and consistently warm all day.

Other design factors that contribute to warmth are wrist gaiters to keep the drafts out of your sleeves like in the Helly Hansen Alphelia Lifaloft Insulated and Wantdo Mountain Hooded, chin guards that can zip up over a neck gaiter, and baffles around your neck to keep drafts from creeping down your spine like on the The North Face Triclimate.

Weather Resistance

We evaluated all jackets on how well they protect you from the elements. Hardshell jackets like the Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro, Flylow Billie Coat, and Arc’teryx Sentinel score high in this metric because of their super durable and water-resistant shell materials and large storm hoods.

Depending on the time of year and the climate you’re skiing in, weather resistance can be the most essential feature of a ski jacket. For example, the wetter, heavier snow of a maritime climate can quickly soak through a jacket without decent water resistance. The wetter you get, the colder you become, which can result in an abrupt end to your ski day.

Many jackets we tested are made with a waterproof/breathable shell material such as Gore-Tex. The Arc’teryx Sentinel, Norrona Lofoten, and REI First Chair GTX feature Gore-Tex. Like the Black Diamond Recon Stretch, some models we tested also have a highly rated, proprietary waterproof/breathable material like BD.dry. Nearly everything we tested has a DWR (durable water repellent) coating, but our test proved some repelled water better than others.

Waterproofness is rated on an industry-standard test in which labs determine how many millimeters of water in a square-inch tube it takes for a material to start leaking. As a general rule, something with a 15K waterproof rating will work for most resort use, but if you live in a maritime climate or go on a lot of all-day tours in stormy weather, look for something closer to the 20K+ range.

Breathability, on the other hand, is not so simple. Water vapor behaves differently in different climates, and there is no standard test for breathability. Manufacturers will want to report the highest number here, so taking this information with a grain of salt is important.

Along with field testing, we spray each jacket with water to carefully evaluate how well water beads off the surface and how long it takes the water to soak into the material, if at all. The spray test largely assesses the DWR coatings on these jackets, not the overall waterproofness of the materials. Every jacket we tested did well at repelling moisture during our spray tests. We were curious about the protective qualities in the shells of the Columbia Whirlibird IV Interchange and The North Face Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate 3-in-1, so we took them out in wet snowfall. Moisture beaded right off of both.

It is important to note that DWR coatings will wear off over time from washing and use, but garments can be re-treated. The Arc’teryx Sentinel and Norrona Lofoten have Gore-Tex shells with DWR coatings that held up the best and beaded water quickly, whereas the Helly Hansen Alphelia Lifaloft and Obermeyer Tuscany II Insulated absorbed some water into their exterior shells over time. The Billie Coat has an OmniBloq Durable Water Repellent coating that is said to be even more protective than the standard DWR used in the industry — we can’t say if that’s for sure true, but we can say that it’s very effective.

We also considered other factors in this metric: how wind-resistant is the jacket’s construction? Do we feel drafts through zippers or seams? The Sentinel, Lofoten, and Billie Coat performed highly in this regard, effectively keeping out stiff winds. Additionally, we evaluate if hoods are adjustable, insulated, and will fit over a ski helmet to protect you from whipping winds and incessant precipitation while sitting still on the chairlift or skiing down in stormy weather. We love the technical performance of the oversized hoods on these three jackets and how well they protected our chins and faces with or without a helmet underneath. All of the shells have non-insulated hoods, while the fully insulated jackets all have some degree of insulation in the hood. For example, the Powder Town and the HH Alphelia Lifaloft each have a tall baffled hood for extra buffer on storm days.

Comfort and Fit

Comfort and fit are paramount because you want to move around and feel good all day while wearing your jacket. There are various ways manufacturers address comfort and fit in their jackets. In our experience, two main things make the biggest differences: the tailoring and the mobility of the actual material. For example, burlier shells like the Arc’teryx Sentinel and Norrona Lofoten feel crinkly out of the box as they do not have any stretch. What sets them apart from each other are their varying levels of tailoring.

We especially like how the Arc’teryx Sentinel has articulated elbows, a fold of fabric at the elbow that allows you to bend without pinching or shortening the arm. The Sentinel and the Norrona Lofoten are tailored with ample room in the shoulders, which we love, and a taper at the waist to allow easy movement and limit the jacket from shifting around and rubbing or pulling uncomfortably.

Some jackets have stretchy shell materials that flex with movement, like the Flylow Lucy, Outdoor Research Carbide, and Black Diamond Recon Stretch. Some insulated models also incorporate stretch to counteract the bulk of insulation.

The fit of your jacket can also affect its warmth. You won’t be as comfortable if it is too small and you cannot put on extra layers for those biting cold days. Conversely, if it is too roomy and lets in drafts, it will also be less warm and comfortable. We like the extra room all the hard shells in this review left for layering. For insulated models, the Patagonia Powder Town and Helly Hansen Powderqueen 3.0 are notable for their “just right” fits.

Ventilation

It’s easy to break a sweat when working hard, making turns in deep powder, or hiking in-bounds. If you get sweaty, you can become clammy and cold, quickly causing a premature end to your ski day. You want a jacket that breathes well or can let air pass through using pit zips and other features. A jacket’s materials and the incorporated ventilation features effectively release heat and moisture, keeping your temperature regulated.

With an easy-to-open pit-zip, you can immediately get airflow to your body, allowing you to dump heat and quickly regulate your temperature. Some jackets, like the Norrona Lofoten, feature central and chest zips for ventilation. The OR Carbide also has mesh backing on the chest and hand pockets, and the Arc’teryx Sentinel has notably long pit zips. Since many of the contenders in this review are thick and insulated (meaning not very breathable), ventilation features are essential for staying comfortable in varying conditions on the ski hill. The uninsulated shells we tested had the best ventilation of the bunch.

Almost all of the jackets in this test have some pit-zip features for venting, allowing air to circulate inside the jacket on warmer days, with some allowing more air than others. Some of the jacket’s pit zips are mesh-backed to keep snow out, but the pit zips can open up wider for maximum ventilation without mesh. That said, they can allow snow inside the jacket if you tumble. Unless you’re new to skiing, we recommend open pit zips without mesh liner. All 3-in-1 styles have pit zips on the exterior shell but not on the interior insulating layer, making them useful when worn as a single layer.

Style

Style may be subjective, but it’s still important to many skiers. Feeling good in your jacket can affect how you ski and feel on the hill. Then, there’s the fact that people begin to recognize you by your pants and jacket, and your outfit essentially becomes your identity when your head and face are otherwise cloaked in a helmet and goggles. It’s how people find you out on the mountain. Selecting a jacket that represents your style and personality is important, just as finding one with properly placed vents and warm enough insulation is essential, too.

Color-blocked designs with different colored hoods, bodies, and sleeves continue to be the latest style on the slopes, as is found on the Norrona Lofoten and the Arc’teryx Sentinel. We also love contrasting zippers like on the Sentinel and the super-stylish Flylow Billie Coat.

We dig the look of long hemlines like on the Arc’teryx Sentinel, Norrona Lofoten, and Black Diamond Recon Stretch. These jackets, along with the Outdoor Research Carbide, taper at the waist and extend back out, creating a look that flatters natural contours. We also think that the more traditional, straighter cut of The North Face Triclimate 3-in-1 looks nice and clean for those who prefer a more understated style.

Features

Almost all the jackets have the same essential ski features: pass pockets, goggle pockets, YKK zippers, and adjustable hoods. The manufacturers seem to have caught on to what makes a great day on the hill and incorporated these essential features into the jackets. Most ski-specific jackets also have powder skirts designed to keep snow from going up your back on a powder day or down your pants when falling.

We particularly love the powder skirts on the Black Diamond Recon Stretch and Norrona Lofoten because they’re removable when not needed, like for around-town use or when there isn’t pow to slay on the mountain. Many brands’ powder skirts are compatible with the same brand’s ski pants, and you can attach them together so they become impenetrable to snow. This compatibility is the most efficient way to wear a powder skirt, but it’s not very helpful if you have different brands of jackets/pants.

There are many convenient and unique features on all the different models in our test. Features we look for in our favorites are:

Pockets

We need lots of places to stash our stuff. We particularly like it when jackets have media pockets with headphone ports, like in the Arc’teryx Sentinel and Patagonia Powder Town so we can listen to our tunes while we ski. More jackets have been incorporating this feature, although, with the popularity of wireless earbuds, we wouldn’t be surprised to see this feature vanish as quickly as it appeared. We also appreciate big mesh goggle pockets and fleece-lined handwarmer pockets like the Powder Town has. A zippered interior or chest pocket is essential for keeping important things like credit cards and car keys safe and sound. The Flylow Billie Coat has a great variety of pockets we love.

Wrist Gaiters

These help keep drafts out of your sleeves and warm your hands when you don’t have your gloves on. Wrist gaiters made of thin, sleek materials are better for wearing underneath gloves. These can cut off circulation or be just downright uncomfortable if poorly designed. The Norrona Lofoten, Wantdo Mountain, and Helly Hansen Alphelia Lifaloft have notably effective and comfortable wrist gaiters.

RECCO Reflector

This feature is a growing trend and is becoming an industry standard for all ski jackets. If caught in an in-bounds avalanche, the RECCO system could potentially aid ski patrol in finding you faster. The Arc’teryx Sentinel, the Patagonia Powder Town, the Helly Hansen Powderqueen 3.0, and Alphelia Lifaloft all have a RECCO reflector.

The Norrona Lofoten is the only jacket in this review with a “Rescue Pocket.” This pocket is not actually a pocket, but more a vent in the chest with a mesh backer velcroed to the body of the jacket. The intention is to reach a transceiver on a body harness beneath your shell without having to undo a chest strap on a backpack or fully unzip your jacket. When practiced extensively, this innovative feature could improve efficiency in a search. Our only warning would be not to use it as a real pocket.

Conclusion

Aside from your skis, boots, and helmet, your ski jacket is probably the most important piece of gear for a day on the hill. It has to keep you warm, dry, and able to rip all day long. All the jackets in this review have features that seek to do just that. For many people, weather resistance and warmth are the most important factors to consider, while for others, features like pockets and their placement matter most. Ventilation is key for skiers who like to shred hard or get out in the backcountry. And, of course, you want a jacket that looks good, makes you feel great, and reflects your style. We hope our tests, observations, and recommendations have helped you select the right jacket for your unique needs on the slopes. For other ski equipment we love, check out our favorite ski gear to see our top-rated products across all ski categories.