The best women’s ski jackets: style, protection and warmth

Getting yourself one of the best women's ski jackets will enhance your snow sports adventures this year and they can also double up as quality hiking jackets for the trails. Whether you're looking to make the most of what's left of the winter season or you've got your eyes on a trip away later in the year, these excellent jackets won't let you down.

Designed to keep you warm and protect you from the elements, the best women's ski jackets tend to be either waterproof hard shells, insulated jackets or, in some cases, both. Of course, they're also stylish enough to wear in the bar once you've spent the day hitting the slopes.

It's this protection against the weather that makes a ski jacket a suitable alternative for the best waterproof jackets for hiking. This means you can get use out of these classy jackets all year round, which takes the sting out of some of the price tags somewhat.

In this guide, we feature the best insulated options, the finest waterproof ski jackets, the most versatile options, as well as an all-in-one snow suit. For more on what to look for when you're choosing a the best women's ski jackets, see our guide at the bottom of the page.

The best insulated snow sports jackets for women

Go straight to the top of the ski class – we reckon Helly Hansen’s Verbier Infinity is the best female snow sports jacket we’ve tested (and has a price tag to match). 

If there’s a box for ski performance, the Verbier Infinity ticks it. It’s so water- and snow-proof it’ll take on a day out in a blizzard without a fuss and it fits beautifully, with space for mid layers underneath and room for you to move, but with enough insulation to keep you cosy when you’re standing still (or sat on a windswept chairlift). 

A “Life Pocket” is designed to preserve your phone battery for longer on chilly days, and the jacket is fitted with a RECCO reflector, which makes you searchable to rescue teams in case of an accident. We tested out the white version of the Verbier Infinity, but reckon you’d be a bit too camouflaged in a white-out, so would suggest investing in the navy colorway instead. 

Now let’s talk that price tag: a beginner heading on their first ski holiday doesn’t need such a sophisticated jacket, but off-piste lovers and anyone who skis or works in the mountains all winter long will be pleased they splashed the cash on such a reliable and beautifully made jacket.

Read our full Helly Hansen Verbier Infinity Jacket review

If you spend all day, every day out in the elements working as guide, a seasonnaire or a snow sports athlete, or if you’re just a seasoned skier who wants to invest in a great bit of kit, you’ll need something more heavyweight than your average ski jacket before you head to the mountains. Enter Helly Hansen’s Aphelia, which is ready for whatever winter weather you chuck at it. This design is impressively waterproof and warm but still highly breathable, and lightweight enough that you can wear it all day. On test we found the Aphelia pleasingly comfortable thanks to a great cut and articulated sleeves that we reckon you’ll barely notice you’re wearing it. All the usual features we look for are present and correct in this smart jacket – there’s even a clever pocket that keeps your phone warm to preserve its battery. Read our tester’s full reviews here.

Pop TOG24’s Anvil jacket on and you may not want to take it off again until spring – it’s that comfortable. The fit and comfort of this jacket really stood out on test, and this boxy, padded design is as pleasingly puffy as a down jacket to wear. 

Lots of recycled synthetic insulation traps in warmth and is ideal for withstanding cold and windy weather, but makes the Anvil too warm for spring skiing. Keep in mind that this is a bulky jacket, too – definitely not a slim shell you could stash in your backpack or work up a big sweat in. 

When it comes to ski-specific features, there’s a good adjustable snow skirt and hood, and great comfy thumb loops. 

Our only real criticism of this jacket? The arms don’t give quite as much room to move freely as some more sporty (and expensive) jackets we tested out, but we don’t think that would put us off the Anvil – this is a good affordable all-rounder that would suit beginner to intermediate skiers. We like the bomber jacket-style looks, which would double up well as a casual coat, and despite its name the Dark Pink colorway is more of smart neutral red in reality.

Read our full TOG24 Anvil Jacket review

You’re guaranteed to stay cosy in the cold in Columbia’s Mount Bindo II. We love the longer length of this rather smart jacket, which gives more wind and snow protection to your lower torso than most ski jackets, and makes this design double up nicely as a winter coat, so you get more bang for your buck when you’re back home from the slopes. 

On the snow, Columbia’s innovative gold reflective lining does a great job of trapping in body heat, which is very welcome when you’re out in bad conditions (or just sitting on a chilly chair lift), but does also make this coat too warm for balmy spring skiing. 

The Mount Bindo II has all the features we look for in a good jacket, such as a snow skirt, goggle and lift-pass pockets and an adjustable hood. It is also very comfortable to move in, although we’d go a size up if you aren’t keen on a slim fit (and even then, curvy figures may find it doesn’t fit too well). The faux fur hood liner may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s removable.

Read our full Columbia Mount Bindo Insulated women’s ski jacket review

The best waterproof snow sports jackets for women

“We make clothes from sugar,” Picture Organic Clothing proudly told the world this winter season – the brand, which has always focused on using sustainable materials in their street and snow clothing designs, has swapped fossil fuels for sugar cane waste in 60% of their 2021-2022 ski and snowboarding collection (they’re among a growing number of eco-friendly outdoor brands). 

Our pick of their designs this winter is the longer-length U18 jacket for women. Highly waterproof to 20,000mm and with taped seams, the U18 also incorporates a stretchy snow skirt, wrist gaiters and an adjustable hood. Well-placed pockets hold essentials. 

While there’s limited insulation, this does make the jacket light and freeing to wear, and it works well when worn with an insulating mid layer such as a down jacket. The U18 was also the best-looking jacket we reviewed – its smart looks and neutral shades would make it suitable even for wear to work in the winter months, so it doubles up as a go-anywhere rain jacket. 

We reckon this is well worth the investment for great functionality, great looks and a better carbon footprint, and it also comes with a lifetime repair warranty, making it a long-term investment.

Read our full Picture Organic Clothing U18 JKT women’s ski jacket review

Look smart in the snow in DC’s fashion-forward Liberate jacket. This classy longer-length snowboarding jacket was built for days of resort cruising and is a delight to wear, with a comfortable soft lining, a relaxed, roomy fit and a brushed outer material that’s a far cry from some of the more plastic-y ski coats we tested out. 

The insulated Liberate is instantly warm once on, trapping in body heat well without being too bulky, and is waterproofed to 15,000mm, repelling even steadily falling snow. Armpit zips cool things down if you’re working hard. 

We like that there are plenty of external pockets, including a lift pass pocket and great, lined hand pockets, but the large chest and bottom pockets of the Liberate are oddly placed on the centre of the coat, and are hard to get to when the jacket’s on – they may be more of a nod to style than to function. 

Another “stealth” ski jacket that looks just as good with jeans as with salopettes, so you can wear it all winter.

Read our full DC Liberate snowboard jacket for women review

Indie brand OOSC are best known for their bright and beautiful ski onesies in a range of retro patterns – ideal if you like to turn heads après ski. They’ve also turned their hand to ski separates, and we love the pastel colorways of the 1080 jacket. 

This design isn’t just about looks, though; it features a removable snow skirt, wrist gaiters, a lift pass pocket and a hefty 10,000mm of waterproofing, so it’s ready to tackle a blizzard, and wide arm vents will cool you down if the sun does come out. 

The 1080 was also one of the best women's ski jackets we tested out. It is roomy without being boxy, with a nice longer-length hem for added warmth and space to pop a mid layer underneath. There’s a good compromise between insulation and freedom of movement here, and the 1080 feels comfy to wear all day long – OOSC reckon you could wear this from “dropping cliffs to dropping jagerbombs at après ski”, and we would have to agree. 

The 1080 is made from recycled polyester, for eco brownie points.

Read our full OOSC 1080 Ski & Snowboard Jacket review

We do like plumping for an anorak for snow sports. Pullover coats can be warmer overall than a jacket in winter conditions, even if they’re more of a faff to get on and off, and Roxy’s Shelter was our favorite zipless design on test. 

Once snugly on, the Shelter is super-comfortable to wear, and although we found the arms on the slim side (you won’t want to wear more than a tight base layer underneath this coat), the adjustable cuffs and thumb loops help get a cosy close-fitting fit, and the longer length of the adjustable hem keeps heat trapped in and snow and wind at bay. 

The hood is great: it’s adjustable and stays put in stiff winds, and the removable faux fur trim is well-placed to add warmth and protection around your face. Wide side pockets are great for warming hands, and there’s a lift pass pocket on one arm. We like the reflective strips on this otherwise subtle jacket, which make you more visible on the pistes. 

The Shelter is lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for spring and fall weather, but has limited insulation, so it’s best saved for skiing on sunny days or in the shoulder seasons. Our only critique is that it can be fiddly to do up the side zip of the Shelter on your own. 

Read our full Roxy Shelter women’s ski jacket review

The best versatile snow sports jackets for women

Keela’s Munro is the workhorse of our ski jacket roundup; this multi-use jacket means business, and it’s no surprise it’s used by Mountain Rescue teams. 

It works as a hiking jacket in spring and fall but is also ready to tackle cold conditions, so it’s ideal if you ski a few times a year but also regularly get out in the mountains on walking and mountaineering adventures. 

When you do meet snow, the jacket has an effective snow skirt, fleece-lined pockets and a packable hood. This design is also breathable enough to allow you to move fast, thanks to technology designed to reduce internal condensation and well-placed pit zips that keep you cool on sunny mountain days, or if work up a sweat. 

This jacket is on the bulky and heavy side at 1kg, but aside from a lack of packability that doesn’t matter much – it isn’t insulated, but we found it worked well worn over a warm down jacket for winter sports. A great choice for ski guides, seasonnaires and anyone who wants a winter-appropriate jacket they can rely on. Available for men too. 

Read our full Keela Munro women’s ski jacket review

The best all-in-one snow suits for women

Why faff with buying a ski jacket and separate salopettes when you could just whip out a onesie and go? If you fancy an all-in-one ski suit, you get cold on the snow or you just have a tendency to fall over a lot, Oneskee’s range of ski outfits could be your perfect ski partner. 

Oneskee’s female-specific Acclimate design comes in a range of colorways ranging from camouflage and leopard print to plain neutral suits, and they all feature a great hood, wide, comfortable salopette legs, plentiful well-placed pockets and are waterproofed to a hefty 20,000mm.

Want to swap to separates or wear your Oneskee with jeans for après ski? A zip around the waist means you can lose the legs when you need to. 

The Oneskee fits on the wide and baggy side, so you may need to try a few versions for size, and petite skiers could feel a bit swamped (although tall women will find the “long” sizing on offer ideal for them).

Read our full Oneskee Acclimate Jacket/Skisuit review

What to look for in the best women’s ski jackets and winter jackets

The best ski jackets are very technical pieces of clothing – not to mention a sizeable investment – and there are lots of features to think about before deciding on a purchase. Following are some factors we recommend you consider.

Waterproofing

Decent waterproofing is essential for staying dry in snowstorms (or just if you take a tumble on a piste) and ski wear uses similar waterproofing techniques to the best waterproof jackets. Look for technology such as Gore-Tex waterproofing or a rating of how impermeable the jacket is – anything above 1,500mm is acceptable, but 10,000mm and above is your best bet for staying snowproof. A well-fitting, adjustable hood, adjustable cuffs and a snow skirt built in to the interior of the jacket will further help to keep the elements out. 

Insulation

To insulate or not to insulate? Whether or not you pick a padded snow sports jacket depends on how you plan to use it, but we’d say that for most skiers and snowboarders an insulated jacket is the best bet, keeping you warm in the cold when you’re “stop-start’” skiing – getting on and off lifts, having a snow sports lesson and generally warming up and cooling down all day. 

We recommend choosing synthetic insulation, which still offers warmth when wet, and looking for a jacket with pit zips to help cool you down when you do build up a sweat. Non-insulated “shell” jackets are best for athletes, ski tourers, mountaineers and experienced skiers who are pushing hard in the mountains, and who can layer up underneath but who need protection with more breathability. 

Fit

Some snow sports brands do a better job at getting a female-specific fit than others, so it’s a good idea to try on a few jackets in person. Make sure your new jacket feels slim-fitting but not restrictive, and that it can be adjusted at the hem and cuffs to trap in heat. Your jacket should be roomy enough to fit a base layer and a light middle layer underneath on cold days, so you may want to choose a size up from your usual. We favor a longer length of jacket (often chosen by snowboarders) as they offer better warmth around the lower torso, and these will also suit taller women best. 

Style and features

A good snow sports jacket should feature plentiful pockets with waterproof zips, including a lift pass pocket on the sleeve and inner pockets for valuables and for your phone. We like inner sleeves with wrist gaiters (thumb holes that keep snow from getting between sleeves and gloves), a high neck you can zip up against the elements, a snow skirt (an inner layer you can do up with poppers to stay warm and dry, sometimes called a powder skirt) and a well-fitting, adjustable hood. Last but not least, we always look for jackets made at least partly with recycled materials.