The 7 Best Ski Jackets for Women: Staff Picks

One jacket to rule them all. That's the idea behind the Arc'teryx Sentinel Jacket, our favorite thanks to its all-around versatility, durability and timeless design. Instead of using proprietary fabrics, Arc'teryx opted to partner with GORE-TEX for its three-layer, tightly woven nylon shell. This most recent version of the Sentinel uses a lightweight durable fabric (GORE-TEX ePe) that is PFAS-free. End result: decent breathability and stellar weather protection. "This is my go-to shell for backcountry days when it's blitzing, and I've never had it wet out," says a member of our testing crew who lives in Colorado and logs more than 50 snow days per season.

Arc'teryx recently redesigned the fit of their women's line, ditching the old form models that relied on antiquated body structures with narrow waists and wider hips. Now, the Sentinel's revised styling has less of an hourglass shape, although it's still trimmer than many freeride-style jackets. And it packs plenty of features to make resort and backcountry powderhounds happy: pit zips to dump heat in a hurry, a hood that fits over a helmet and accessible pockets (even when you're wearing a backpack). Important to note that it's not insulated, so you'll definitely need a midlayer to stay cozy. (For built-in warmth, consider the Sentinel Insulated Jacket). And buy once, cry once: The Sentinel is the most expensive jacket in our lineup, but the brand's noted durability means it'll last you through plenty of seasons—and many years to come. Buy here.

Skiing and snowboarding can feel like a magical experience. There’s the crunch of fresh snow under your skis or board and the way the sky turns a periwinkle shade of blue when the clouds clear. It can also be downright frigid, with chilly chairlift rides and whipping winds at the summit. That’s why we’re reaching for the Helly Hansen Alphelia LIFALOFT Insulated Jacket when riding in cold climates this winter.

The jacket’s 4-way stretch fabric and articulated fit moves with you, even as it’s lined with a proprietary synthetic insulation that’s lightweight yet super warm. It clocks in at less than 2 pounds, which is notable for a jacket this toasty. That combined with a waterproof, breathable and fully seam sealed exterior that’s been treated with a PFC-free durable water repellent means you’ll rejoice rather than retreat when the snow starts flying.

One happy customer reported having recently traveled to Canada where temperatures were below zero. “This jacket was perfect for layering,” they wrote. “I ordered a medium (I’m 5’6” and 125 lbs.) and I had plenty of room for several thin layers under the jacket and was perfectly comfortable." Another reviewer appreciated the warmth, saying "I’m always cold, and I think this jacket does a good job for what I need it for." We love the Alphelia for riding at the resort or teaching kids to ski thanks to convenient features like a detachable, helmet-compatible hood; a powder skirt for keeping snow out of your kit; a well–placed ski pass pocket; and an interior goggle pocket and shammy for clearing your specs. Buy here.

Skiing and snowboarding costs a lot, so why not save some dolla dolla bills on your jacket? The Powderbound is the most affordable jacket on this list, but that doesn't mean REI scrimped on the details. Co-op designers packed more than 80 grams of insulation in the trunk of the jacket and 60 grams in the arms and used bluesign^®-approved nylon that's waterproof and windproof to keep you warm and dry. A powder skirt and drawcord hem ensure the snow stays out. Final math: You can save even more money on your other layers because you won't need many. "Used this for a week in Iceland in February and I'm blown away by how warm it kept me," reports one customer reviewer.

Ample pockets make it easy to stash and nosh on pocket burritos on the chairlift and our crew really loved the drop-in goggle pouch inside the right zippered pocket. Just like the First Chair, the Powderbound makes it easier for more bodies to shred the gnar; it's offered in sizes ranging from XS-3X. Tradeoff: The Powderbound doesn't have waterproof zippers, so super wet conditions could cause leakage. Still, for most ski conditions, this value-bound jacket is a no-brainer. Buy here.

Lift tickets aren't cheap, so it's nice when we find a technical and affordable piece that will keep us toasty on resort days. The First Chair GTX Jacket from REI Co-op hits the mark with a two-layer GORE-TEX fabric that repels the worst of Mother Nature. And it's easier to find one that fits as the First Chair is offered in sizes from XS to 3X.

The features are boast worthy, too. Our favorite: a soft and fuzzy lining on the chin and inside the pockets for a cozy respite. Ski hoarders will love the pockets too, including the pass pocket, a drop-in goggle pocket and a media port. The First Chair has a loose fit to accommodate an insulating layer underneath, but don't size up too much—it's pretty relaxed on its own. "I have broad shoulders and I thought the fit was roomy enough for plenty of layers underneath (which is needed since this is just a shell)," says one customer-reviewer. For this season, REI also updated the First Chair with new GORE-TEX Expanded Polyethylene (ePE) technology, a waterproof-breathable membrane with nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR) treatment. According to GORE-TEX, it also requires less energy to manufacture, consumes fewer resources and produces less carbon than traditional forms of GORE-TEX used in the past. Buy here.

The perfect day combines a little bit of sweating and a little bit of schussing, in our humble opinion. But windproof, waterproof performance fabrics designed for the backcountry skiing or snowboarding can feel rigid. Not so with the Outdoor Research SkyTour AscentShell Jacket, which features a highly waterproof, windproof, breathable exterior that’s simultaneously lightweight and flexible. The secret sauce is in the brand’s manufacturing process, which uses electrospinning to weave a web of tiny fibers that let sweat escape while blocking liquid water droplets from entering.

Other perks for ski tourers and split-boarders include fully sealed seams, generous pit zips to release heat and a three-layer construction that glides easily over mid layers, which you'll need because this shell isn't built for warmth.

More than one member of the REI editorial team has their eye on this jacket, noting, in particular, the jacket’s movement-mirroring stretch, thanks to fabric that includes 7% spandex. We also like the slight drop-tail hem (it’s 31.5 inches in the rear), ample pocketing (including an interior zippered chest pocket with media port and a dedicated ski pass pocket for use in resorts), and the fact that it’s the lightest jacket in our roundup, weighing roughly the same as a block of butter. Buy here.

If you want to do a lot with a single jacket, reach for the versatility found in the ThermoBall Eco Snow Triclimate 3-in-1 Jacket. With an insulated inner jacket that zips into the outer shell, this shapeshifter gives you three options: Wear the inner puffy alone, the outer shell alone or zip them together for a warm-and-weatherproof ski jacket that deflects the worst of Mother Nature. "I love this layering system," says one staffer. When the entire jacket is paired together, it's arguably too warm for some skiers—keep this in mind if you're a portable sauna. "The thermoball down filling is warmer than down, yet lightweight. There is amazing quality of materials, construction and attention to detail that makes this jacket a cut above," adds another customer-reviewer.

The Thermoball isn't a one-trick pony, though. It still has plenty of other features that make skiers happy. Tons of pockets—many with zippers—give you ample room to stash snacks for the chairlift and under-arm zippers help with ventilation. Tradeoff: 3-in-1 jackets aren't known for their breathability, so you'll probably still sweat. Buy here.

See you later, fossil fuels. The team of designers with Picture Organic Clothing wanted to lessen the brand's reliance on polyester derived from petroleum. The latest iteration of the Seen jacket uses circular polyester, which involves collecting and recycling used clothing made of 100% polyester and then adding to it fabric scraps from the manufacturing process. The result: Circular polyester made from about 60% fabric scraps and 40% used clothing. 

The Seen performs, too. The jacket is packed with 60 grams of insulation in the body and sleeves and another 40 grams in the hood, giving you an all-around feeling of warmth. Picture Organic uses a PFC-free waterproofing treatment, so there are no 'forever chemicals' (known as PFAS) to worry about. And it still holds up in the nastiest of weather, as one Alaskan co-op member discovered during a brutal ski day at Alyeska Resort when the snow just wouldn't stop coming. Fit note: The Seen has a trim fit that may feel snug for some skiers. Definitely look at the sizing chart to match your measurements; if you're in between sizes, go up. Buy here.