We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Activity + Adventure Winter Sports The 13 Best Ski Jackets for Women of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Our favorite jackets are sleek and warm and have plenty of special features for safety and convenience. By Anna Popp Anna Popp Anna Popp is a New York-based commerce writer at Travel + Leisure covering all of the best travel products, from luggage to outdoor gear. She has been a travel writer and product tester for over five years. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 18, 2024 Comments In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Others We Liked Our Testing Process Tips for Buying FAQ You May Also Need Why Trust T + L Photo: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp Staying warm and dry are the two most important factors that can make or break your skiing experience (besides safety, of course). The best way to show up to the hill prepared is by bringing a waterproof ski jacket to ward off the elements. We sent our off-piste pros and resort skiers into the mountains to try out more than 25 ski jackets for women. From hood to hem, we paid close attention to the design, comfort, warmth, and, most importantly, the waterproofing of every jacket. This was one of our most competitive product tests to date, with plenty of other jackets earning perfect scores and snagging coveted spots for the best shell, the best range of motion, and the best sustainable picks. To decide which is best for your winter plans, consider all our rave ski jacket reviews that we used to ski in Canada, Utah, Oregon, and more. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Helly Hansen Alphelia Ski Jacket at Amazon $475 Jump to Review Best Overall, Runner-up: Stio Shot 7 Down Jacket at Stio.com $649 Jump to Review Best Lightweight: Outdoor Research Women’s Carbide Jacket at Amazon Jump to Review Best Value: Revolution Race Women's Atlas 3L Ski Jacket at Revolutionrace.com Jump to Review Best Pockets: Stio Figment Jacket at Stio.com Jump to Review Best Insulation: Helly Hansen Alphelia LifaLoft Ski Jacket at Amazon $550 Jump to Review Best Long-fit: Picture Organic Women's Haakon Jacket at Evo.com $385 Jump to Review Best Shell: Sync Headwall Stretch Shell Jacket at Syncperformance.com Jump to Review Best Pullover: Strafe Women's 3L Lynx Pullover at Strafeouterwear.com Jump to Review Best Splurge: Arc'Teryx Sentinel Jacket at Arcteryx.com Jump to Review Best Overall Helly Hansen Alphelia Ski Jacket PHOTO: Helly Hansen $475 at Amazon $475 at Zappos View on Hellyhansen.com Why We Love It It has a flattering and functional slim fit with thoughtful features for skiers. What to Consider The insulation might be too warm for spring skiing. Helly Hansen's Alphelia ski jacket ticked every box for traits we look for in a high-quality, warm, and reliable ski jacket. It offers tons of technical and practical features for any skier level, like a goggle shammy, Recco reflectors, wrist gaiters and thumbholes, a powder skirt, and various pockets like an insulated chest pocket to prolong your phone's battery life in the cold. One of our favorite features is the removable helmet-compatible hood that we found particularly helpful for saving space in a suitcase while packing for a trip to Vermont. Available in extra small to extra large, the jacket has a slimmer fit that is flattering without compromising mobility and range of motion on the slopes. We didn't find this jacket to be overly bulky on the body or in a suitcase. If you're looking for a toasty jacket, we love how warm and cozy this one is thanks to the PrimaLoft insulated throughout, tall neckline, and top-tier waterproofing. It might be a little too warm for late spring skiing, but there are arm ventilation zippers on both sides for when you need an instant cooldown. The Details: XS to XL | PrimaLoft insulated | Recco reflectors | Polyamide, recycled polyester insulation PHOTO: Travel + Leisure /Lydia Price PHOTO: Travel + Leisure/Lydia Price PHOTO: Travel + Leisure/Lydia Price PHOTO: Travel + Leisure/Lydia Price Best Overall, Runner-up Stio Shot 7 Down Jacket PHOTO: Stio $649 at Stio.com Why We Love It This exceptionally warm jacket kept us toasty during sub-zero temperatures. What to Consider It doesn’t have quite as many special features as our top pick. The Stio Shot 7 Down Jacket is a close contender to our top pick, as it boasts similar warmth, comfort, and waterproofness. Made with a tough Gore-tex shell and 800-fill goose down, this jacket has a seriously premium feel to it — which is to be expected since it's on the higher end of the price spectrum among the jackets we tried. We skied in the jacket in Canada, where the temperatures were around 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and the Shot 7 Down kept them plenty warm. Underarm vents help prevent overheating during tough runs. We also wore the jacket during whiteout conditions in Vermont and noted that the Gore-tex shell perfectly prevented any water from soaking through. Roomy pockets proved to be useful for holding items like a pair of glove liners, a phone, and a ski pass. Other special features include a removable powder skirt, an adjustable hood, and water-resistant zippers. With the higher price, we wish the jacket had some of the other additional elements our top pick is equipped with, such as chest pockets with goggle wipes and a detachable hood. Still, we think this is an excellent jacket for skiing in extremely cold weather — one of us who worked in Antarctica felt confident it would have kept her plenty warm in the region’s extreme weather conditions. Plus, if you prefer a more spacious fit and added length, this could be the perfect choice for you. The Details: XS to XL | Insulated | Regular fit | Gore-tex 2L, 800-fill RDS-certified down PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jay Nel-McIntosh PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Frances Crouter Best Lightweight Outdoor Research Women’s Carbide Jacket PHOTO: Outdoor Research View on Amazon View on Backcountry View on Outdoorresearch.com Why We Love It It feels like a rain jacket but still offers tons of warmth, waterproofing, and other technical ski features. What to Consider You'll want to layer up underneath for warmth. For skiers in search of an ultra-lightweight shell with a lot of stretch, then Outdoor Research's Carbide jacket is the best bet. The shell has the thinness of a rain jacket or windbreaker but it's fully waterproof with seam-taped zipped fabric and AquaGuard zippers so we never once felt damp during a week-long ski trip in Utah. Even in a white-out snowstorm, the jacket was plenty warm with several layers underneath, and on a powder day, we were grateful for the thin and stretchy material for having a full range of motion in over a foot of new snowfall. We also love the various pockets for a ski pass, phone, snacks, and wallets, and its adjustable, helmet-compatible hood is always a good touch for extra chilly ski days. And when the weather gets better in the spring, we're looking forward to wearing less layers underneath the shell and using the armpit vents for cooling down seamlessly. The Details: XS to 4XL | Shell | Regular fit | Pertex Shield 3L, nylon PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp Best Value Revolution Race Women's Atlas 3L Ski Jacket PHOTO: Revolution Race View on Revolutionrace.com Why We Love It It's made with high-quality materials and boasts technical features for less than similar jackets on the market. What to Consider The jacket isn't as lightweight as other shells we've tried. Ski gear is expensive, so it can be a tough pill to swallow to invest in a jacket with a high price point. Luckily, we tested this jacket from Swedish outdoor gear brand Revolution Race, and it blew us away with technical features and a price point that feels like a steal. The shell features fully waterproof materials (which we were thankful for during a snowstorm), Recco reflectors, and a helmet-compatible hood. We were big fans of the various pockets for phones and ski passes, and the armpit ventilation is handy for warmer days on the ski hill. The materials feel extremely long-lasting and the shell was plenty warm in sub-freezing temperatures and wind chill on the mountain. The only slight downside we noticed is that this shell is quite a bit heavier than other shells we've tried. However, it's likely a testament to the quality of the materials and construction, so it's just something to consider if you're in search of a more lightweight shell. The Details: XS to 3XL | Shell | Regular fit | Recycled polyamide PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp Best Pockets Stio Figment Jacket PHOTO: Stio View on Stio.com Why We Love It It has more than enough pocket space to store everything you need for a day on the mountain. What to Consider It has a longer fit, which might appeal more to snowboarders. Leave your ski backpack in the car, as this Stio has more than enough pockets to store all the items and accessories you need on the mountain. We love that the jacket has two chest pockets, two ample side hand pockets, a sleeve pocket, and several interior pockets for even more storage. Besides the superior organizational features for a ski jacket, this shell also boasts other important features like a fleece-lined collar and chin guard, AquaGuard zippers, a goggle wipe, vents, and a storm-sealing adjustable hem for warding off the elements in inclement weather conditions. Best of all, the fit is both flattering and performance-based so there's room to layer underneath without feeling constricted, but the design isn't boxy or stiff. The Details: XS to XL | Shell | Longer fit | Recycled PeakProof™ 3L, recycled polyester PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Lydia Price PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Lydia Price PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Lydia Price PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Lydia Price Best Insulation Helly Hansen Alphelia LifaLoft Ski Jacket PHOTO: Helly Hansen $550 $500 at Amazon $237 at REI $550 at Backcountry Why We Love It This slim-fit jacket's insulated lining is discreet yet extra cozy and warm. What to Consider Some skiers will prefer a longer jacket. There’s nothing worse than being cold while skiing, and we’re confident that the innovative, feature-packed Helly Hansen Alphelia LifaLoft Ski Jacket will keep you plenty warm while shredding. Arguably, the best part of this jacket is that it features the brand’s LifaLoft puffer-insulated lining, which keeps the fit of the coat notably slim and sleek despite it being so toasty. When it starts snowing or raining, the jacket will keep you perfectly dry thanks to the waterproof polyester shell and water-resistant zippers. If you find you do need a cooldown, underarm vents are at the ready. We love that the hood is helmet-compatible, and it’s also detachable, so you can take it off during spring skiing with ease. The jacket even has Recco reflectors to increase rescuers' radio signal connection in the event of an avalanche and a special pocket to preserve your phone’s battery in the cold. Additional features include wrist gaiters, a detachable powder skirt, a goggle shammy, two hand-warming pockets, and a ski pass pocket on the sleeve. The Details: XS to XXL | Insulated | Regular fit | Polyamide PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Damla Ercan Heard PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Lydia Price PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Kaitlin Clark Best Long-fit Picture Organic Women's Haakon Jacket PHOTO: Evo $385 at Evo.com Why We Love It The coat has a long back with a freeride-snowboarding design. What to Consider It might feel bulky. For those who like the longer fit of a snowboarding jacket, the Picture Organic Haakon Jacket provides just that. This coat is designed with freeriders in mind, as it has a lower back and a looser fit compared to most shells. Even after three months of use, we felt comfortable while wearing this jacket and never felt like it limited mobility. The coat boasts superb versatility with a hem, wrists, and hood that can be adjusted for a more fitted style. The outer material is a 20K/20K water- and windproof recycled polyester, and the interior is lined with a soft knit for extra coziness. We found the Haakon to be lightweight yet warm, and although the jacket has a looser fit, it isn't bulky. When the temperatures drop, we think the jacket is easy to layer underneath, and you won’t overheat during spring skiing thanks to the breathable membrane lining. We especially like the breathable padding in the back of the jacket, it's comfortable and also absorbs sweat easily. We also love the wrist gaiters, pockets, powder skirt, and goggle wipes as special features. The Details: XS to L | Shell | Regular fit, long back | Circular polyester, DryPlay 20k/20k membrane, recycled nylon Travel + Leisure / Madeleine Armstrong Best Shell Sync Headwall Stretch Shell Jacket PHOTO: Sync View on Syncperformance.com Why We Love It The material is thicker than most shells but still has plenty of stretch and breathability. What to Consider The pockets aren’t watertight. Thoughtfully designed for snow athletes, the Sync Women’s Headwall Stretch Shell Jacket was a favorite for a multitude of reasons. Although the jacket is a shell, we love that the material is on the thicker side, so it provides ample warmth in below-freezing temperatures on the mountain. The fit is slim, but we had excellent mobility in the coat with plenty of stretch for layering underneath when the temperature dropped. While the jacket features a watertight zipper in the center that held up over our three months of tests, we found that the side pockets aren’t as waterproof as we hoped, with some moisture leaking through. However, the rest of the material is thoroughly waterproof and breathable thanks to the 20K/20K DWR three-layer recycled nylon and taped seams. Plus, the jacket includes helpful features like a removable powder skirt, helmet-compatible hood, goggle wipes on the sleeve cuff, and discreet chest vents, meaning this jacket is bursting with a technical design any skier will appreciate. The Details: XS to XL | Shell | Slim | Recycled nylon, 4-way stretch, 20k/20k waterproof breathable, DWR 3 layer Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp Best Pullover Strafe Women's 3L Lynx Pullover PHOTO: Strafe View on Strafeouterwear.com Why We Love It The fit of the pullover is adjustable for style versatility. What to Consider It can be an inconvenience to take pullovers on and off with a helmet on. While snowboarders and skiers often have different styles, the Strafe Lynx Pullover gives snow sports enthusiasts the best of both worlds. The longer anorak pullover or hoodie design is typically a boarder-loved choice, but we love the longer fit and cinched waist that creates more of a traditional ski jacket fit. The kangaroo pouch pocket proved to be exceptionally handy throughout our three month tests and the jacket itself still looks brand new. The Strafe Lynx also has a ski pass pocket on the sleeve, thumbhole cuffs, and a helmet-compatible hood. We used the pullover in wet snow conditions in Oregon and the 20K waterproofness and taped seams kept them perfectly dry despite the damp weather. The Details: XS to XL | Shell | Active fit | Recon Elite 3L 4-way stretch, nylon, polyester jersey, DWR treatment PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp Best Splurge Arc'Teryx Sentinel Jacket View on Arcteryx.com $750 at Evo.com Why We Love It Featherlight yet formidable, this Gore-tex shell proved to be thoroughly waterproof and agile throughout three months of testing. What to Consider The interior chest pocket is a tad small for a phone. If you’re looking for a ski jacket to ward off the elements, the Arc’teryx Sentinel Jacket is your best option. The sleek jacket is a shield when it comes to rain, snow, wind, and ice, thanks to the lightweight Gore-tex material and watertight zippers on the pockets and armpit vents, and it’s plenty warm with a few base layers. The jacket is outfitted with a variety of pockets, but we found the interior chest pocket to be a tad small for a phone. Besides the impressive weatherproofing of the Sentinel, we love that the jacket is form-fitting but stretchy enough for us to have a full range of motion while carving down runs on the mountain. While this coat is on the higher end of ski jacket prices, we think it’s worth it for skiers looking to invest in weatherproof outerwear in a polished, flexible package. The Details: XXS to XXL | Shell | Regular fit | 80D 3L ePE Gore-tex PHOTO: Travel & Leisure / Lydia Price PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Lydia Price The Best Ski Gear of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best Relaxed-fit Black Diamond Women's Recon Stretch Ski Shell Jacket $368 at Amazon $315 at Evo.com View on Blackdiamondequipment.com Why We Love It The looser fit makes it easy to layer clothes underneath. What to Consider It’s not insulated, so you’ll want to layer up. Park City-based Black Diamond makes a variety of mountain sports gear, and we love that the Recon Stretch ski jacket is as lightweight as Utah snow. From the helmet-compatible hood to the adjustable waistline, this sleek jacket has a variety of premium features that earned it a nearly perfect testing score. We found that the jacket is exceptionally roomy, making it the ideal outer layer for a variety of weather conditions. If the weather is chilly, you can easily wear several base layers, and if you’re backcountry skiing, you can stick to just a single layer underneath. And no matter what the conditions are, the waterproof woven nylon material will prevent any wetness from seeping through. The Details: XS to XL | Insulated | Regular fit | 3L nylon stretch, 20k/20k PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Duangkaew Randall PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Ellie Storck Best Range of Motion Outdoor Research Women's Skytour AscentShell Jacket PHOTO: Outdoor Research $228 at Amazon $429 at Backcountry View on Dicks Sporting Goods Why We Love It The material is stretchy, making it easy to move around and layer clothing underneath the feature-loaded jacket. What to Consider The watertight zippers are a little tough to zip and snagged a few times. The Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell impressed us with stretchy material to give our skiers a full range of motion while on the slopes. The lightweight shell is made with a waterproof nylon and spandex blend that gives the fit a little bit of give for extra comfort. While the fabric is stretchy, the jacket still has a flattering standard fit with a length that isn’t too long or too short. The only downside to the jacket is that the sturdy YKK zippers snagged a bit when we zipped it fully, but since YKK zippers are self-lubricating, we’re hopeful that it won’t be an ongoing issue. Besides the comfortable fit, the jacket boasts a superior balance of warmth and breathability, so you can wear the shell during various weather conditions on the mountain. Best of all, the jacket is outfitted with upgraded features for skiers, like a helmet-compatible hood, plenty of pockets, adjustable wrist straps, and a tricot chin guard to avoid skin abrasion when the jacket is zipped up. The Details: XS to XL | Shell | Regular fit | Nylon, 50D polyester knit Travel + Leisure / Duangkaew Randall The 11 Best Ski and Snowboard Pants of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best Sustainable Patagonia Powder Town Jacket PHOTO: REI $199 at REI $399 at Backcountry $399 at Dicks Sporting Goods Why We Love It Packed with convenient features, the two-layer shell is made with 100 percent recycled materials that were created without environmentally harmful chemicals. What to Consider The jacket runs slightly big. It’s no secret that Patagonia is an industry leader in sustainability, so we weren’t surprised that the brand’s Powder Town Jacket is the best eco-friendly option for skiers. The two-layer jacket is made with a 100 percent recycled polyester shell that is water- and windproof, and the lining has 80 grams of insulation that keeps wearers perfectly warm. Plus, the jacket is manufactured PFC-free, meaning there are no harsh chemicals used in the production process. They also buy back their own products for Patagonia Worn Wear, and we love that sustainability. Additionally, we love the ample pockets (one even allows you to charge your phone), armpit vents, powder skirt, and adjustable hood. Throughout our three months of tests, we found this jacket to be warm, lightweight, and breathable although the jacket has a looser fit, so if you prefer a slimmer cut, consider sizing down. The Details: XXS to XXL | Insulated | Regular fit | Recycled polyester, H2No® Performance Standard 2-layer shell Travel + Leisure / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm Other Ski Jackets We Liked We think some jackets that earned rave reviews without cracking the top favorites still deserve consideration for some standout features so see our honorable mentions below. Ortovox 3L Deep Shell Jacket at Ortovox: The jacket is warm and waterproof, but there aren’t any regular hand pockets on the sides, and the fit was a bit awkward around the hips. Stio Women's Environ XT Anorak Jacket: This pullover got a glowing review for its lightweight yet warm material, but we preferred the overall design and versatility of the Strafe pullover. Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers Our Testing Process We tested more than 25 ski jackets from notable outdoor gear brands like Patagonia, Outdoor Research, Helly Hansen, and more to find the very best women’s ski jackets. Over three months, we went out into the wild to provide insights into the jacket’s warmth, comfort, waterproofness, value, and design. Whether we were snowboarding or skiing, we evaluated the waterproofness of the jacket by spending time in the snow or by sticking a sleeve or pocket under a running faucet to find out how the material held up against the water. The best jackets for waterproofing shielded any and all water from getting through the material and kept us perfectly dry. For warmth, many of the outer layers were worn in below-freezing temperatures, with the best options being thermal regulating and having the perfect balance of warmth and breathability. Travel + Leisure / Erin Johnson Our favorite jackets for design were outfitted with a variety of technical features for any skier. The top-scoring jackets had features like goggle shammies, watertight pockets, helmet-compatible hoods, adjustable sleeves and hems, Recco reflectors, and powder skirts. On top of that, the best jackets we tried were exceptionally comfortable to wear during full-day ski trips and had a functional fit for range of motion. The 8 Best Rain Jackets for Women of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Tips for Buying a Ski Jacket Consider the fit There are several different types of ski jacket fits, including regular or standard, loose, active, and slim. Skiers may like the regular or slim fit best, as those are ideal for aerodynamics while speeding down the slopes. Snowboarders typically enjoy loose or active fits better, as those are more closely in line with the “freerider” style. Think carefully about shells versus insulation This debate is a hot one amongst snow sports enthusiasts, as some athletes prefer the warmth of an insulated jacket, whereas others like the versatility of a shell. Backcountry skiers will lean towards a shell since they make it easy to take off layers for the uphill hike and add them back for the downhill portion. Skiers in extremely cold weather sometimes prefer the insulation of a non-shell jacket, but keep in mind you may overheat, so consider a jacket with armpit ventilation just in case. Waterproofing is key Regardless of your stance on shells and insulated jackets, the most important trait to look out for, similar to winter gloves, is waterproofness. Being wet while skiing will guarantee you a miserable experience, so it’s important to look at the waterproof scale in the jacket specs section on the website. It will usually include the amount of waterproofing and breathability, and you’ll want to look out for 20K/20K, which means the fabric can withstand 20,000 millimeters of water before you feel any type of dampness. Travel + Leisure / Lydia Price Frequently Asked Questions What kind of jacket is best for skiing? The best ski jackets will have superior waterproofing and breathability. Whether you prefer a shell or insulated outer layer, you’ll want to keep your eye out for technical features like powder skirts, adjustable hems and hoods, wrist gaiters, goggle shammies, RFID pockets, Recco reflectors, and watertight zippers. All of these key aspects will make the investment into a quality ski jacket worth its price tag. When you’re on the hunt for a ski jacket, be sure to look at the specs listed on the brand’s website. The best ski jackets will be water- and windproof, with waterproof and breathability scores of 20,000. When it comes to fit, that’s a personal preference, but generally, a looser fit is better for snowboarding, and a slim fit is the favored route for skiers. What should I wear under a ski jacket? If you have a shell ski jacket, you’ll want to layer up. Consider wearing or bringing several layers of synthetic sweaters, tops, or fleeces and a neck gaiter that are moisture-resistant, so you don’t sweat through the layers. Those with insulated jackets will likely need just one or two layers but be sure to bring more just in case the temperature drops drastically. How do I clean a ski jacket? You can wash your ski jacket in a washing machine, just make sure to turn it inside out and close all of its zippers to prevent fraying. While you should always check your jacket’s washing instructions ahead of time, it’s usually best practice to use cold water on a delicate or low-spin cycle with mild detergent. You May Also Need Take your skiing adventures to the next level with these comfortable essentials so you can stay warm and dry while tearing up the slopes. Helly Hansen Women's Switch Cargo Insulated Pants: These cargo pants regulate temperature nicely, and they have inner-thigh ventilation. Stio Figment Bib: These bibs, crafted from waterproof recycled polyester, feature a free-ride design with adjustable suspenders and a waist belt. Swany X-cell Men's Gloves: Also available for women, these incredibly comfortable, warm, and waterproof gloves feature a Dynatherm lining, LeatherShield, and Nubuck leather. Why Trust Travel + Leisure T+L commerce writer Anna Popp grew up ski racing in Bend, Oregon, spending every winter skiing with her dad as her coach. Anna has also lived in Grenoble, France, where she got to ski in the heart of the French Alps. To put together the best women’s ski jackets, Anna participated in this test along with other skiers, expert travelers, and editors. The Ultimate Ski Trip Packing List and Expert Tips for the Mountain Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter, and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Updated by Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Taylor Fox is the Commerce Outdoor Gear Editor at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over nine years. learn more and Asia London Palomba Asia London Palomba Asia London Palomba is a trilingual Italian writer from Rome, currently based in Boston. As a writer, Asia focuses on food, travel, and history, and has covered everything from the best travel products to bring on a trip India to medieval judicial duels. learn more Edited by Lydia Price Lydia Price Lydia Price is a senior commerce editor at Travel + Leisure, where she writes and edits product reviews. She also shares her top product recommendations in short-form videos across T+L's social platforms. learn more