Today, there is a great variety of ski jackets for winter sports to choose from if you are planning on being in cold weather any time soon, for any length of time.

Whether it is to snowboard, slope ski, cross-country ski or mountaineering the variety and accessories will simply amaze you.

Snowboarding has been around for some time now and it is not for the young and daring any longer. People of all ages are practicing snowboarding and, the market has fit itself to accommodate them.

When it comes to your choice in ski jackets, take into consideration that “your last outer layer of snowboard clothing (jacket and pants) should have strong waterproof and windproof properties to keep you dry and your body temperature sealed in. The harsher the environment and climate, the more robust your weatherproof clothing needs to be including having features such as additional venting, extra waterproofing…”) (www.victoryjackets.com)

Snowboarding jackets also come in levels – 20K, 15K, 10K and 8K. These measurements indicate the levels of waterproofing and breathability the Jacket possesses. The waterproofing capability is measured in millimeters and breathability is measured in grams.

There are Jackets and then there are SKI JACKET$.

“For starters it needs to be lightly insulated, so that it can be used on hot and cold days. On really cold days the ski jacket can be worn with a thermal base layer, this makes the ski jacket more versatile. Over insulated jackets, like the pants, are fine sometimes but can be too warm when the sun gets out.

Breathability is important, but probably just as important is venting at the sweaty areas i.e. your pits. Waterproofing was essential to a degree. But because of the dry powder and the lack of …torrential rain, waterproofing again doesn't need to be expensive. If it keeps the snow off then you're happy.

Nice to have extras are detachable hood, ski pass pocket, goggle pocket, snow protector/snow skirt to keep the snow from whizzing up your back (not that you'll ever fall over) and a few extra pockets here and there for sweeties.” (www.winwood-ski.co.uk)

These jackets now also come with all kinds of gadgets and safety features such as electroluminescent panels that light up on low visibility and avalanche airbags. They are also being manufactured with what is referred to as “wearable technology” and are even coming out in eco-friendly materials. Techno-fabrics, below, are the latest in ski Jackets.

• Gore-Tex: A durable material that provides both a waterproof and breathable material.
• Wind Stopper: A specific material that’s sole purpose is to prevent wind from entering.
• 10,000mm/20,000mm: Ratings that are used to describe the different levels of water resistance. The most common rating you will find is 10,000mm. A rating of 20,000mm is better, but you may not need a rating this high unless you are an avid outdoor enthusiast.
• Thinsulate: An insulation that is used to keep you warm and is measured in grams. The higher the number, the warmer the jacket will be.

Note: Gore-Tex will be your most costly material, but it is also one of the best too. (www.skis.com)

Cross-country skiing varies from regular slope skiing in that you are in movement constantly and for much longer periods of time versus just when you are coming down the slope. “You'll want to wear a waterproof ski jacket that you can move in. If you already own a downhill jacket, most likely it will be fine for cross country skiing. However, jackets that are slimmer fitting and more contoured to the body are popular in cross country skiing.” (www.skiing.about.com)

High altitude jackets, also referred to as “mountaineering” and “expedition” Jackets must be extra tough due to the harshness of the weather conditions they are worn in.

“Expedition jackets, for high altitude mountaineering expeditions, are actually a combination of three jackets - a soft shell jacket like the everyday working jacket and insulation layer, a hard shell with underarm zips for wet weather and wind protection and a down jacket that is large enough to fit over both for extreme cold protection. Fleece is not generally recommended because of reduced breathability. Expedition jackets are designed to work in the most extreme conditions when preserving life and limb are paramount. They should be warm, light and ventilate well for hot sunny days at high altitude.

Expedition-weight down parkas will have 750 or 800 fill-power or more, an attached hood, full baffles, and go below the waist. Fill-power is the measure of the down`s warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility – i.e., the higher the fill-power, the lighter and more compressible the down. 900 fill-power is the highest available with the best warmth-to-weight ratio. For packing, pick a down jacket with low weight and maximum compression so it is easily stuffed into a pack.

Down expedition parkas have even more snow infiltration protection than down ski jackets to lock in internal heat with features like:

• A longer cut
• Laminated cuff adjustment system with internal storm sealing cuffs
• Internal fleece cuffs
• Adjustable storm sealing hem
• Down filled storm flap with fold-over chin guard
• Attached hood to eliminate drafts from zippers in high altitude jet streams
• Down-filled draft tube to eliminate cold leaks through the zipper
• Inside water bottle pockets to keep the bottles close to your body and prevent freezing
• Inside zip stuff sack pocket allows you to stuff the whole thing in its own pocket
• Zippered hand-warmer pockets with soft fabric inside…” (www.expeditionjacket.com)