Our Guide to Buying a Ski Jacket

As well as the practicalities of being cold and wet and miserable, it's also dangerous in extreme weather to not be kitted out properly. This goes for boots, jacket and trousers too.

Your ski jacket needs to perform some very basic tasks including keep you warm and keeping you dry! It's also a big help if it's hard wearing too. After that it's more about the latest fashion or colour scheme rather than its functionality. Unfortunately, buying a jacket on the cheap is not a great idea for skiing and boarding.

So why not check out our quick guide to buying the best ski jacket and ensure you're well prepared for the slopes.

When is the Best Time to Buy?

If you're prepared and can forward plan, then buy any ski gear towards the end of a ski season providing you don't mind owning last season's technology and fashion. With GoreTex and taped seams a part of all the premium brands, you won't be missing out on the latest advances. So look at April or May and into the Summer when retailers need to clear old stock to make way for the new.

The worst time you can buy any equipment is on your holiday in resort! Exchange rates are not the best for Europe or the US and with the premium that the ski resort shops add to the price, expect to pay way over the odds for a jacket, boots, skis at al. In addition, don't look to buy any ski or snowboard gear early to mid-season. This is when retailers will not discount and you will be paying full price for the current seasons gear.

How Much Should I Spend?

As much as you can afford is the simplest answer here. In essence the more you spend, the more you will get in the way of breathability, waterproofing, seam technology and, with established brands, longevity. It's true in the case of ski jackets that you really do get what you pay for. Consider it an investment as buying the right one will ensure for the next few years you need not worry about being cold or wet on the piste (or in the powder).

Bear in mind also your requirements for the jacket. If you only ever ski or board in April (in Europe) then you will not need a multi-layered jacket with warmth ratings that will take you to minus 30. April in Europe tends to mean a lightweight waterproof jacket. Likewise, at altitude in late January, you will almost certainly need a "shell jacket" that allows you to add or remove layers based on the conditions on each day.

Typical brands to look out for include The North Face, Eider, Killy, Columbia, Kjus, Roxy, Spyder, Salomon, Schoffel and Arc'teryx. There are lots more, especially country specific brands like Bogner in the US or Black Diamond in Switzerland.

What Type of Ski Jacket is Best?

If you know when you are likely to ski (for personal or family reasons) this may help you decide on exactly what you need from a ski jacket. As stated above, if you're likely to be going each Easter to a high altitude resort, then a lightweight jacket will most likely do you. Any skiing in January, February or March and you are best off choosing a good quality 'shell jacket' and sticking with a layering system to keep you adequately warm.

A 'shell jacket' is a 'lightweight', waterproof and windproof, breathable outer layer. This will protect you from the wind, rain and snow. Beneath this "shell' you are then able to manage your heat/temperature by using various layers. Shell jackets also tend to have lots of great features like armpit zips, double taped seams and even use material that doesn't rip.

Beneath the 'shell jacket' you need to look at your layering system to keep yourself warm and dry. From allowing the sweat to get away from your body to adding insulation, thermal base layers to t-shirts or light fleeces, you can then add or remove clothing to suit the exact conditions you are in.

Are there Ski Jackets for Men and Women?

In a word, yes! This doesn't mean if you're a woman you have to head to the women's section to buy your jacket though as there's lots of 'mens' jackets that will suit you just fine!  The advantage with women's ski jackets is that you can get a fitted jacket that has a defined waist which makes the look very flattering. From insulated jackets to shell jackets, you still have a very wide choice.

For men, forget the fitted waist! Your choice of baggy, long, 'tailored' or short, is down to your personal preference. Ski jackets can in fact be more fitted even for men, but you won't have the defined waist as with the women's jackets. We also suggest you don't go too baggy as otherwise it just looks like you've borrowed the jacket from a mate! If you board, then you may want a slightly longer jacket at the back to cover your bum for sitting taking a breather! It is best to try a few styles as subtle differences will make a huge difference to the feel when it's on you.

What Technical Information Should I Look For?

Ok a typical problem for many when you look at the labels. The sheer number of technological must have's that are printed on labels confuses most people until you know what you're looking for. What do you need to have and what's a nice to have? Ok starting with the ones you will have most heard of :

Waterproof Fabric : This is a must have and Gore-Tex is the most commonly known. There are alternatives like HyVent and Event. These fabrics have minute spaces (or pores) that are larger than molecules of sweat, but smaller than molecules of water!

Waterproof Rating : This rating will let you know how quickly your jacket lets water penetrate through its layers. Ratings are measured and indicated in millimetres - mm. The higher the number, the more waterproof the jacket is. Ratings for good jackets are 20,000mm, but we suggest that anything with a rating of 10,000mm upwards will be perfect unless you fancy skiing or boarding in heavy rain!

Breathability Rating : This measures how good the jacket is as ensuring water stays outside and transferring moisture away from you and outside your jacket through the pores of the jacket. Ratings are measured and shown in grams - g. The higher the value the better, as it measures the amount of grams of sweat per square metre that can escape. It's a complicated calculation involving moisture vapour transmission rates, or MVTR! The range goes from 2,000g up to 25,000g

Popular Additional Jacket Features

There are too numerous features and additions to ski jackets to mention them all but some of the more important, and more practical include :

Storm Flap - Front Zip Cover : Covers the zip of your jacket ensuring no rain or wind penetrate.

Lift Pass pocket : Look to see if you have a small credit card sized pocket on each sleeve. Very, very useful for electronic turnstiles!

Vent zips : In your arm pits and also potentially the inside of your legs just above your quads. They allow warm air out and cooler air to get in - great for those hot days!

Snow skirt : Also called a 'powder skirt'. This is simple and effective in keeping out the snow if you are in powder or spend a lot of time falling over. With some snow skirts, there is additional attachments to trousers of the same make usually via a zip fastening.

Hood : As it sounds. Can be very useful if you like to go out on a windy day - look out for jackets that now have hoods that will go over your helmet!

Snow Cuffs : These are long sleeves that are part of your jacket, that sometimes have a thumb hole in so you can stop the sleeves riding up. Great for stopping the snow disappearing up your arm when you crash! 

Choose Colour and Style Wisely!

This new and very expensive ski jacket of yours may look great this season, but what about in 2 or 3 seasons time? Secondly, if you buy a colour like red or white, how is everyone going to find you? You will either blend into the background or look like every other ski instructor on the piste - especially in France, Austria or Switzerland!

Ok the style! Like skinny jeans or bell bottoms, the style of your jacket may well go out of fashion if you're not careful. So unless you can afford a new jacket every year, look for classic designs with a little twist - rather than all out twist that you will learn to hate as you return to the airport!

By Will Smith