We're right in the midst of the first proper ski season since “all this” happened, and it looks like international travel could be clawing its way back before all the white stuff has dried up. In that spirit, whether you're considering jetting off to Courchevel, Zermatt or Kitzbühel, we've mapped out a range of ski jackets from a veritable blizzard of choices. 

We've got you covered from below your hat to the tip of your ski boots, with picks for insulated jackets, freedom-enabling vests, all-important base layers and, last but not least, some good old bib pants. Among the selection are a few we've had time to review. Take a look, take your pick and get set for the slopes.

So strong is the current Norrona collection we could have randomly chosen any item and found a good reason to recommend it, but, with the Thermo80, it was the double hit of two-layer Gore-Tex (20,000mm waterproofing) outer shell and PrimaLoft Bio insulation. Bio, as the name implies, is the first-ever biodegradable, 100 per cent recycled synthetic insulation, which, when combined with a PFC free DWR layer, makes it one of the warmest and sustainably focused freeride jackets available.

Price: £466 | AlpineTrek | Norrona

REVIEW: Merino wool is breathable, moisture absorbent, relatively stink-resistant, very warm and skin friendly, but it’s also prone to shrinking and tearing. Nuyarn is an innovative new twist-free spinning method from New Zealand that drafts wool fibres along a nylon filament. The result is a two-ply yarn with double the toughness, 35 per cent more elasticity and thermal retention, 53 per cent less air permeability and five times faster drying than plain old sheep.

Artilect are keen to exploit this new wonder fabric and have implemented it to great effect. We found this 185GSM weight (equivalent to 260GSM pure merino) top to be comfortable, forgiving (to our lumpy bits), well proportioned, excellent at keeping us warm, and, most importantly, never gave us the chills after we worked up a sweat. Time will tell if the new fabric is significantly more robust, but we can tell you that after three washes there has been no noticeable shrinkage.

Score: 8/10

Price: £110 | Artilect | Cotswold Outdoor | Snow and Rock

The ideal jacket for those of us who hate carrying a backpack all day but still love to be prepared. With a dedicated phones pocket (with retro headphones loop); internal mesh goggle stash; RFID protected pocket; zipped lift-pass pocket with key clip; fluffy hand-warmer pockets; dedicated slot for lip balm (yes, really); oh, and the small matter of a complete hydration system cleverly fitted into the bottom hem of the coat. The 700ml capacity bladder distributes the weight evenly so it doesn’t feel bulky, while the hose stays hidden inside—and therefore unfrozen—until you need a drink.

Price: €439 | 686 | The House | Tactics

REVIEW: Like Artilect, Megmeister has taken a technological approach to base layers, with their Merino blend that is 3D knitted to produce one of the most substantial layers we’ve ever worn. This seamless design is 68 percent Merino wool, 28 percent Amni-soul (apparently the world's first biodegradable yarn) and 4 percent regenerated Lycra. 

The thickness of the fabric varies across key areas to help with heat regulation and, given the thickness of the material, we were surprised by how comfortable and consistent our temperature remained, even when working hard. But, be warned, this top comes with something they call ‘second skin fit,’ but we think ‘sausage fit’ is more accurate because we defy anyone, even those with zero body fat, not to feel trussed up in it.

Score: 7/10

Price: £99 | Megmeister

A jacket developed to help you enjoy even the most unforgiving of conditions. Made using ultra-durable 70D Gore-Tex Pro, it’s the toughest material available, offering up waterproofing of 28,000mm HH, while still being breathable enough to allow you to keep moving without overheating. At 620g, it’s relatively light, given the thickness of the fabric, and, while you’ll not find any stretch fabrics for added manoeuvrability here, the generous cut, helmet-compatible hood, and multiple ski-tour specific pockets mean it simply won’t fail you when the weather turns.

Price: £270 | Cotswold Outdoor | Surfdome | rab.equipment

REVIEW: Perfect for people who can’t be bothered to layer up, this versatile jacket from Arc’teryx is designed to deal with unpredictable conditions, particularly days that have the potential to flip from “bluebird to squall in an instant”, so the company says. Thanks to Gore-Tex for breathable wind, rain, and snow shielding, as well as “responsibly sourced” European goose down for thermal comfort, this 855g ski and snowboard jacket really does make itself suitable for all-comers.

We tried it on the slopes and found that despite the slightly chunky construction allowing for that down, the Macai really did keep you at an even temperature both on cold and warmer days, and also allowed for free movement on sharp turns. Our main concerns were aesthetic: the down added a slightly unflattering bulk in places (where a shell and mid-layer wouldn’t), and the tested blue version, sorry “Timelapse”, looked washed-out rather than what we assume to be intentionally midway between navy and sky blue. Go for the black option… sorry, “Storm Seeker.”

Score: 8/10

Price: £625 | Arcteryx

It’s easiest to think of this mid-layer gilet, made using 100 per cent recycled and recyclable synthetic fabrics and insulation, as the stripper’s trousers of the alpine world. No, we’ve not been on the glühwein again, but, thanks to a series of magnetic clasps along each side seam, the wearer can whip this layer off when things start to heat up. Here’s the clever part: you can do so without having to remove that outer technical layer first. It’s a genius idea that will almost certainly trickle down to more mainstream brands and offers the perfect way to regulate body temperature when ski touring, with the absolute minimum of faff.

Price: £260 | SnowLeader | Ayaq

REVIEW: If you love deep powder—or just spend a disproportionate amount of time falling over in it—bib pants are a godsend. These oversized technical dungarees are comfortable, insulated and great at preventing snow getting up your back. The latest launch from Adidas’s TERREX range features a health injection of recycled ocean plastic insulation courtesy of the PrimaLoft, Parley Ocean Plastic collaboration. Waterproofing comes from their proprietary RAIN.RDY tech—essentially a DWR—which is softer and less crinkly than the Gore-tex equivalent.

On the slopes, these casual fit pants insulate without feeling bulky and, while this reviewer tends to overheat in too many layers, he appreciated having a warm bum on a chilly chair lift. The pockets are very deep and nicely lined—our phones stayed put even when we forgot to zip up—the snow gaiter clipped easily to both ski and snowboard boots and the bib straps had enough grip on our base layers to prevent any slippage.

Score: 7/10

Price: £198 | Surfdome | Adidas

This article was originally published by WIRED UK