Ski jacket - mainly not used for Skiing

[Dracoro]

Will be doing a 3 day learn to ski trip in NZ later this year, so need a practical jacket for this as my current winter jacket is too big for this (long Didrikson thing) and other jackets I have are more rain jackets than warm ones.

Note I’ve little intention of skiing after this trip, just something to experience. I “could” hire one there (but that will probably cost the same a new jacket anyway) but as I have to take a jacket for rest of holiday (i.e. when not skiiing) it makes sense I take one jacket that will do both.

So need to get a (budget/cheap) ski jacket for this but as crucially can be used in the winter as a normal winter coat. So not something that is “too obviously” a ski jacket maybe, i.e. not compromised for normal day to day use.

Any recommendations/suggestions welcome…

[King David]

Would I be right to assume NZ is closer to the Alps in terms of temps compared to Canada?

If so you’d be better off with a thin soft shell semi- of full water proof and then some layers than a thick ski jacket.

For reference, in anything warmer than -10 I’d probably wear a thermal long sleeve, t-shirt, mid layer and then my thin coat.

If it’s closer to 0 then I’d probably be in a long sleeve thermal, t-shirt and the coat. The closer to 0 or above the more I’d want a full water proof as the snow is wetter.

[gregs656]

If you have a shell jacket of some kind I'd just layer underneath that for a few days.

[Chicken_Satay]

Maybe get yourself a Campri ski jacket? It wasn't so long ago that they were considered 'de rigueur' and peple could be seen shuffling up and down the local high street in them.

[bearman68]

I've always been very fond of a Buffalo jacket. They are warm, and practical, and lovely to wear.

I wore mine for skiing in Norway at -17 with wind chill, and it was fine, but I also wear it hiking in the UK, or hanging around the airfield in S Wales.

It's a bit of a pain to get on and off is my biggest criticism.

[Dracoro]

Thanks so far.

This is something that looks like would suit the job and can use it for walks etc. as well and general “keep warm/dry” no matter what clothes are underneath etc…

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/orion-mens-ski-j...

20% off that 50% off too so about £72 which seems good value…

[paolow]

As its the end of season in Europe there will be a fair few on Vinted / depop - some will be new with tags etc. if you don't want to spend big you have time to browse and pick one that suits?

[wong]

If you already have a rain/shell/goretex jacket, then just layer a fleece or down jacket underneath. When the sun comes out, it can be quite hot on the slopes despite snow everywhere. Then take the insulating fleece/down layers off and keep the shell on.

[King David]

Dracoro said:

Thanks so far.

This is something that looks like would suit the job and can use it for walks etc. as well and general “keep warm/dry” no matter what clothes are underneath etc…

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/orion-mens-ski-j...

20% off that 50% off too so about £72 which seems good value…

Looks spot on to me. Unless it’s really cold expect to only need a thermal and t-shirt with it.

[Bill]

wong said:

If you already have a rain/shell/goretex jacket, then just layer a fleece or down jacket underneath. When the sun comes out, it can be quite hot on the slopes despite snow everywhere. Then take the insulating fleece/down layers off and keep the shell on.

[Dracoro]

wong said:

If you already have a rain/shell/goretex jacket, then just layer a fleece or down jacket underneath. When the sun comes out, it can be quite hot on the slopes despite snow everywhere. Then take the insulating fleece/down layers off and keep the shell on.

I don’t really have an existing hard shell (well, apart from a slim fitting small coat but wouldn’t be able to layer up much under that, and needs to be used as a general winter jacket for rest of holiday (few weeks) that I am there.

Thanks for all tips all, the MW seems good value and would suit all I need it to do…

[gregs656]

I would buy a suitable winter jacket for the rest of your trip and make it work for skiing than do it the other way round.

It's a pretty specific use case.

[defblade]

Dracoro said:

Thanks so far.

This is something that looks like would suit the job and can use it for walks etc. as well and general “keep warm/dry” no matter what clothes are underneath etc…

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/orion-mens-ski-j...

20% off that 50% off too so about £72 which seems good value…

Mountain Warehouse are the Sports Direct of the outdoor world (along with Trespass), all those discounts will bring it down to somewhere around where it should have been in the first place.

For sensibly priced ski jackets that make good day-to-day coats in all but the worst weather, I'm fond of the Helly Hanson outlet store in Bridgend; but any of theirs you can find discounted to £100 or so will be good.