Great Features for Ski Jackets

Searching for a new ski jacket? Then be sure it has all the technical features you need, before you part with your hard-earned cash. After all, you don’t want to find it lacking when you’re stuck on a chairlift in a blizzard!

Lots of experienced skiers and snowboarders have their favourite brands for ski wear that are right for them. But if you're new to the sport or want to ensure a big purchase is the right purchase then check out what needs to be on that 'must have' list.

The Essential Features

1.    Waterproof & Breathable Fabric

The right jacket should keep the elements out, let any sweat escape and keep you warm. Modern ski jackets offer all of this and more.

Being waterproof is a must and Gore-Tex is the most commonly known. Alternatives include HyVent and Event. These fabrics have very small spaces (or pores) that are larger than molecules of sweat, but smaller than molecules of water! Ratings of the jacket should be from 10,000-20,000mm. Allowing you to sweat is also vitally important and therefore you need Breathability ratings of 10,000-15,000grams. Finally, make sure the jacket has taped seams, which increases the coats ability to keep water out!

2.    Lift Pass Pockets

With modern ski lifts all starting to use the electronic swipe cards, no more having to get your lift passes out. As most of the sensors are on the left hand side, a jacket that comes with a small lift pass pocket means no more jumping up and down by the turnstile! Just make sure the pocket is down on the forearm, not upper arm.

To check the pocket is big enough, see if you can put your debit or credit card in. Remember it may be a snug fit, but for the whole week skiing, you shouldn't need to take it out again!

3.     Snow or Powder Skirt

If you like to go off piste, or spend quite a lot of time on your bottom (for whatever reason), a snow/powder skirt can help ensure you keep the snow out! A simple inner lining to your jacket that fastens over your hips, underneath the jacket, which stops snow getting up inside your tip and down your trousers!  The really good ones are actually detachable from the jacket, meaning you can take it off if you're out and about in the evening and it bothers you.

4.    A Waterproof Fully Sealed Pocket

Or a 100% waterproof mobile! Your mobile needs love and needs dryness. This is the most important thing you need on the slopes (apart from money) so you have to keep it safe and dry! Unfortunately without a fully sealed pocket (inside is an added bonus) with just one wipe out in light or deep snow and the snow will get forced into that pocket ruining your phone.

Very Nice To Have Features

1.    Long Sleeves and Snow Cuffs

No one wants to get a load of snow up your sleeve! If you buy a top that has slightly longer sleeves this will certainly help - as your gloves can cover the ends of the jacket, especially if you wear gauntlet type gloves. Increasingly, jackets come with what's called snow cuffs. There are usually stretchy lycra-like material that hook over your thumb and hug your hand and wrist area. They connect to the jacket meaning snow cannot disappear up your sleeves - great if you're a boarder who likes to catch a front edge in deep snow!

2.    Ventilation Zips

Superb invention as we are not all built the same. Underarm ventilation is just brilliant when you're on the slopes and heating up rapidly for whatever reason. Whether skiing or boarding hard and out of the wind, or the weather has simply changed half way through the day, unzip as much as you wish and you can let the air into your jacket to help you cool down.

3.    Big Hoods

Why do you need a large hood? If you're wearing a helmet, as we like to suggest, then on really windy or cold days, the hood can still protect you as it will fit over your helmet. This is especially important when you are on that long long ski lift that then breaks down or stops when you're about as far away from the end as is humanly possible.

In Summary

Everyone likes different things in a jacket, but there's some things you should not compromise on for safety, comfort and ease of use on the slopes. In general terms the more you spend the more you will get for your money, but as with anything there is a ceiling that once you reach, the more you spend will not actually get you anything else apart from a different brand.

We have seen some amazing jackets for as little as £200 brand new and also seen some for close to £700. We wouldn't pay any more than that unless you are either a. rich or b. mad.

There is also no harm in looking on ebay or gumtree and getting yourself a top of the range jacket for around £100.