Consumer Reports

The North Face ThermoBall ECO Snow Triclimate is the best 3-in-1 ski jacket on the market. The insulated mid-layer and mesh-lined shell layer provide plenty of warmth for cold days on the slopes. Thanks to a full-coverage hood, a waterproof/breathable membrane, waterproof zippers, and sealed seams, it also has excellent weather resistance. Despite its bulk, we found it comfortable to wear and relatively stylish as well. The North Face packs this jacket with useful features like plenty of pockets, a goggle wipe, and a powder skirt. Best of all, its overall performance hangs just below some of our favorite jackets with much higher price tags.
Despite its heavyweight, the Thermoball ECO Snow Triclimate is our recommendation for a frequent skier looking to balance price and performance. The added weight results from the additional features of the 3-in-1 design, like an extra zipper and redundant pockets, a common flaw in this subset of jackets. Otherwise, we love its long and "freeride" cut, clean lines, and easy-going style. We also appreciate its reasonable price tag.

Switchback Travel

For those looking to save, turning to a 3-in-1 ski jacket can be a good option. With a single purchase, you get both a waterproof shell and an insulating midlayer that can be either zipped in on cold days or left at home in spring conditions (you can even wear the insulated jacket on its own around town). Many 3-in-1s are of the budget variety, but we think upgrading to the $360 The North Face ThermoBall Eco Snow is worth the investment. The jacket has a nice fit, offers decent exterior storage, and includes upgrades like pit zips and exposed, water-resistant zippers. Its standout feature, however, is the ThermoBall zip-out jacket, which we've found does a pretty good impression of a lofty down piece—all while continuing to insulate when wet.

If you’re set on the 3-in-1 design, the ThermoBall Snow Triclimate is our favorite option on the market, but we typically prefer the versatility of separating our jackets and midlayers. The extra zippers and heft that come with this kind of outer layer make them not as comfortable and they provide less freedom of movement. Further, 3-in-1s are more prone to feeling drafty, plus the connected midlayer limits access to your interior pockets. That said, the ThermoBall Snow Triclimate provides two well-built jackets with relatively few compromises, making it a solid value for resort skiers.See the Men's TNF ThermoBall Triclimate  See the Women's TNF ThermoBall Triclimate

If you’re putting together your kit from scratch or looking to save some money, a 3-in-1 jacket can be a really nice option. In one fell swoop, you get a standalone waterproof shell, insulating midlayer, and—put together—an insulated ski jacket. The versatility and value here is second to none. And while many jackets in this category are of the budget variety (like the Columbia Bugaboo below), The North Face’s ThermoBall Eco Snow Triclimate is a nice upgrade at a good price. The 2-layer DryVent shell offers great coverage and modern resort styling, including features like a contoured waist, drop-tail hem, and sleek water-resistant front zip. But the main event here is the ThermoBall synthetic midlayer, which we've found does a pretty good impression of a lofty down piece—all while continuing to insulate when wet.

We understand the appeal of a 3-in-1 design, especially if you’re shopping for both a ski jacket and a midlayer at once. However, it’s important to note that the zip-in system doesn’t add much value in terms of warmth or comfort. In fact, 3-in-1s are more prone to drafts than standard insulated designs, and the connected midlayer limits access to your interior pockets (note: the ThermoBall jacket features open handwarmer pockets with no zips). Further, the shell’s extra zippers can be unsightly when worn alone, and the additional materials add weight and bulk. In the end, we prefer the versatility of separating our shell and midlayer, with the main downside being the need to make a decision on two jackets rather than one. But for those who want the convenience of a 3-in-1 purchase, the ThermoBall Snow Triclimate is a solid option.See the TNF ThermoBall Eco Snow Triclimate

OutdoorGearLab

The North Face ThermoBall ECO Snow Triclimate is the best 3-in-1 ski jacket on the market. The insulated mid-layer and mesh-lined shell layer provide plenty of warmth for cold days on the slopes. Thanks to a full-coverage hood, a waterproof/breathable membrane, waterproof zippers, and sealed seams, it also has excellent weather resistance. Despite its bulk, we found it comfortable to wear and relatively stylish as well. The North Face packs this jacket with useful features like plenty of pockets, a goggle wipe, and a powder skirt. Best of all, its overall performance hangs just below some of our favorite jackets with much higher price tags.
Despite its heavyweight, the Thermoball ECO Snow Triclimate is our recommendation for a frequent skier looking to balance price and performance. The added weight results from the additional features of the 3-in-1 design, like an extra zipper and redundant pockets, a common flaw in this subset of jackets. Otherwise, we love its long and "freeride" cut, clean lines, and easy-going style. We also appreciate its reasonable price tag.
Read more: The North Face ThermoBall ECO Snow Triclimate review

Best for Most

powerreviews

bazaarvoice

The Columbia Whirlibird IV Interchange remains the best bargain in a fully-featured ski jacket. As usual, Columbia brings exceptional affordability to the table in this versatile 3-in-1 ski jacket. The modular design has immediate value because you get two jackets &#40;and three ways to wear them&#41; for the price of one. This jacket provides decent weather protection and warmth at a fraction of the price of other models in the review. Otherwise, there is nothing special about this jacket, but it gets the job done with a waterproof membrane, adjustable hood, powder skirt, and plenty of pockets. 
Our biggest gripes with the Whirlibird IV are more noticeable to the experienced snow sports crowd. Its lack of heavy-duty weather resistance relegates this model to use nicer weather. It has a loose, boxy, and bulky fit, and its style leaves a bit to be desired. It's also not the best of its class, which goes to the 3-in-1 The North Face Thermoball ECO Snow Triclimate. This jacket is best suited to occasional skiers; hardcore skiers will be better off looking at higher quality and higher performance options. That said, we were pleasantly surprised by this versatile 3-in-1 jacket system's overall performance, especially considering the price.

The Columbia Whirlibird IV Interchange remains the best bargain in a fully-featured ski jacket. As usual, Columbia brings exceptional affordability to the table in this versatile 3-in-1 ski jacket. The modular design has immediate value because you get two jackets &#40;and three ways to wear them&#41; for the price of one. This jacket provides decent weather protection and warmth at a fraction of the price of other models in the review. Otherwise, there is nothing special about this jacket, but it gets the job done with a waterproof membrane, adjustable hood, powder skirt, and plenty of pockets. 
Our biggest gripes with the Whirlibird IV are more noticeable to the experienced snow sports crowd. Its lack of heavy-duty weather resistance relegates this model to use nicer weather. It has a loose, boxy, and bulky fit, and its style leaves a bit to be desired. It's also not the best of its class, which goes to the 3-in-1 The North Face Thermoball ECO Snow Triclimate. This jacket is best suited to occasional skiers; hardcore skiers will be better off looking at higher quality and higher performance options. That said, we were pleasantly surprised by this versatile 3-in-1 jacket system's overall performance, especially considering the price.
Read more: Columbia Whirlibird IV Interchange review

Budget Pick

walmart

amazon.com

expert-review

Columbia Interchange Jacket Review: Worth it?

The Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft is the top-performing all-around resort jacket on the market and has been a favorite of our testers for the last three years. It is warm enough for the coldest days and keeps all kinds of winter weather at bay while remaining extremely comfortable and easy to wear. The cut and fit are exceptional and unmatched in the ski jacket market. It also has a thoughtful array of useful features and a classy style. Plus, it uses synthetic insulation and a proprietary waterproof/breathable membrane to help keep the cost of this jacket relatively approachable.
The Alpha LifaLoft doesn't provide as much warmth as the down-insulated Arc'teryx Macai, nor does it protect from the elements and other jackets that use a Gore-Tex membrane. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. While a super warm jacket is at home only in sub-zero temps, the Helly Hansen performed well in various temperatures and exertion levels and is absolutely winter storm-worthy. The result is a more versatile jacket at nearly half the price. For this applicability to a wide range of conditions and skiers, the Alpha LifaLoft takes the crown.

The Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft is the top-performing all-around resort jacket on the market and has been a favorite of our testers for the last three years. It is warm enough for the coldest days and keeps all kinds of winter weather at bay while remaining extremely comfortable and easy to wear. The cut and fit are exceptional and unmatched in the ski jacket market. It also has a thoughtful array of useful features and a classy style. Plus, it uses synthetic insulation and a proprietary waterproof/breathable membrane to help keep the cost of this jacket relatively approachable.
The Alpha LifaLoft doesn't provide as much warmth as the down-insulated Arc'teryx Macai, nor does it protect from the elements and other jackets that use a Gore-Tex membrane. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. While a super warm jacket is at home only in sub-zero temps, the Helly Hansen performed well in various temperatures and exertion levels and is absolutely winter storm-worthy. The result is a more versatile jacket at nearly half the price. For this applicability to a wide range of conditions and skiers, the Alpha LifaLoft takes the crown.
Read more: Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft review

Helly Hansen Alpha LIFALOFT - Gear Review | Busted Wallet

The women's Arc'teryx Sentinel AR is our favorite shell jacket for ripping around resort slopes. It scores highly in nearly every metric, saves warmth, and looks stylish doing so. The 3L Gore-Tex shell screams bombproof weather resistance from the first feel, and it did not disappoint. This jacket kept us dry and out of the wind in the pouring rain and gusting sub-zero storms in Vermont. The Sentinel AR also has a sleek, high-quality construction with fully taped seams, and DWR-treated and taped zippers keep the moisture out. We also really liked how quickly the pit zips could increase ventilation with their large, open design. The shell material was also extremely breathable, allowing us to stay dry while working hard. This shell also has enough features to keep us happy at the resort.
The flipside of the breathability and versatility of a hardshell design is that it does not provide any inherent insulation. The Sentinel AR has a soft flannel backer, but we did not find this to provide any significant insulation. We should note that maintaining the proper temperature through layering and sweat-wicking is certainly an important part of staying warm. That said, if you are looking for a jacket that keeps you both warm and dry, you may want to consider one of the insulated models we tested instead. However, if you are looking for one of the highest-end hardshells for downhill snow-sliding on the market, we believe the Sentinel AR is worth the investment. This jacket is a burly and stylish hardshell with a flattering cut and can last you several seasons. 

The women's Arc'teryx Sentinel AR is our favorite shell jacket for ripping around resort slopes. It scores highly in nearly every metric, saves warmth, and looks stylish doing so. The 3L Gore-Tex shell screams bombproof weather resistance from the first feel, and it did not disappoint. This jacket kept us dry and out of the wind in the pouring rain and gusting sub-zero storms in Vermont. The Sentinel AR also has a sleek, high-quality construction with fully taped seams, and DWR-treated and taped zippers keep the moisture out. We also really liked how quickly the pit zips could increase ventilation with their large, open design. The shell material was also extremely breathable, allowing us to stay dry while working hard. This shell also has enough features to keep us happy at the resort.
The flipside of the breathability and versatility of a hardshell design is that it does not provide any inherent insulation. The Sentinel AR has a soft flannel backer, but we did not find this to provide any significant insulation. We should note that maintaining the proper temperature through layering and sweat-wicking is certainly an important part of staying warm. That said, if you are looking for a jacket that keeps you both warm and dry, you may want to consider one of the insulated models we tested instead. However, if you are looking for one of the highest-end hardshells for downhill snow-sliding on the market, we believe the Sentinel AR is worth the investment. This jacket is a burly and stylish hardshell with a flattering cut and can last you several seasons. 
Read more: Arc'teryx Sentinel AR - Women's review

Ski Jacket Comparison