Hardcore outdoor clothier, equipment, and accessories manufacturer Mountain Hardwear is a subsidiary of the famed Columbia Sportswear. It’s one of the most loved brands by skiers especially, what with its range of top-to-bottom snow sports apparel. So, it’s no surprise that Mountain Hardwear women’s ski jackets are extremely popular and that too due to more than one reason. For instance, the premium brand features more accommodating shapes that balance everyday comfort with performance. So, women don’t need to look puffed up when jackets can actually accommodate their body shapes. What’s more, they use premium 800-fill down and above, making the jackets ultra-warm and lightweight at the same time. So, no matter whether you run hot or cold, or go skiing in wet or dry conditions, Mountain Hardwear jackets are sure to suit you.
Moreover, jackets from the brand are across a range of budgets, right from lower, value offerings to high-end ones for extreme conditions. So, no matter your level of skiing, you’re sure to find something that suits you. To that end, here are the 13 best Mountain Hardwear women’s ski jackets.
How To Choose The Best Mountain Hardwear Women’s Ski Jacket?
Whether you’re shopping online or offline, it can e tough to find the perfect ski jacket. When it comes to choosing Mountain Hardwear jackets, the brand does it a little differently. For instance, they’ve grouped their expansive line of jackets into three categories that focus on different needs – warm, dry, and cozy. Moreover, they’re further divided into specific categories that’ll help you narrow down your choices even further. So, you actually end up with a jacket that suits your specific needs, rather than simply checking out which jackets are best.
If you’re looking for waterproof skiing jackets for wet conditions, check out the Best Women’s Waterproof Ski Jackets.
Warm
Warmth focused Mountain Hardwear jackets are divided into three further categories – ultralight insulated, lightest of the light, and absolute extreme. Ultralight insulated jackets are highly specialized at delivering comfort and warmth with minimal weight. They’re divided into synthetic and down jackets, of which the former is perfect for wet weather and the latter is perfect for multiple weather conditions. The second category of jackets feature midweight synthetic and down puffer jackets that keep you warm all the time and anywhere. The absolute extreme ones are for when the mercury drops, and we mean really drops! They’re basically heavy-duty coats that are perfect for harsh environments and high altitudes.
Dry
If you have a problem getting even the tiniest bit of wet during skiing adventures, then this line of Mountain Hardwear jackets are for you. First up are waterproof-breathable jackets, which are perfect for places with sudden rain spells. Not only are they breathable and waterproof, but also they’re windproof and durable. Secondly, we have rain shells, which are emergency lightweight yet rugged jackets for morning commutes and backcountry skiing. Finally, there’s the beast of jackets, the snow and ice ones. They’re designed to take on the harshest of harsh elements while allowing you to ski to the best of your abilities.
Cozy
Finally, we come to the best of the lot, at least when it comes to keeping you toasty – the cozy range of jackets. The first type is cozy comfort, which are mid-layer jackets with varying degrees of plushness and styles. What’s more, they can be layered and even worn as standalone jackets. Secondly, there’s fleece jackets, which are trusted staples that offer unmatchable versatility. Finally, we have the equally versatile soft shells, which boast waterproof, abrasion-resistant exteriors and soft interior fabric that’s gentle on the skin.
Ghost Whisperer/2
13
We start off with the absolute best Mountain Hardwear women’s ski jacket, the Ghost Whisperer 2. The warm and cozy jacket is not just thin and super-light, but also provides superb versatility for all kinds of adventures. What’s more, it’s highly compressible – it can be stuffed right into your backpack. It includes an insulated hood with a hem drawcord that retains the body heat. Moreover, you’ll love its form-fitting, athletic design, which allows you to layer it as well as wear it as a standalone jacket during cool evening breezes.
What makes this jacket so robust is that it’s built of 100% recycled ripstop DWR-treated (durable water repellant) nylon. If that wasn’t enough, it’s full of ethically sourced 800-fill goose down that’ll keep you both warm and cozy. Finally, you can even stuff your hands into the two zippered hand pockets to keep them warm. For such a thin garment, the jacket shows surprising warmth and water resistance, making it an excellent buy.
Pros:
- Fantastic hydrophobic down.
- Warm for its weight and size.
- Compact and packable.
- Incredibly light.
Cons:
- No hood cinch.
Super/DS Stretchdown
12
Mountain Hardwear launched the now wildly famous Stretchdown line a few years ago with the objective of bettering heating efficiency, durability, and range of motion. Of them, the Mountain Hardwear Super/DS Stretchdown Hooded Jacket is very popular for its exceptional durability and comfort. The rugged stretchable fabric makes it easy for you to move freely around for all kinds of snow activities. Plus, it won’t tear or catch even when you’re doing everyday chores either. The 700-fill-power down is perfect for keeping you warm, while the one-of-a-kind baffle system does away with cold spots too.
Further, it boasts a slew of helpful heat-trapping features such as an adjustable hem, a thin draft tube behind the front zipper, and a large hood and collar. It’s moderately wind and water-resistant too. All-in-all, the Super/DS is a definite improvement on the previous Stretchdown jackets and a great buy.
Pros:
- Easy to layer.
- highly compressible.
- Durable.
- Stretchy, soft, and comfy.
- Great quality for the price.
Cons:
- Heavier and bulkier than its other Mountain Hardwear peers.
Firefall 2 Insulated Jacket
11
If you run cold and are looking for absolute warmth on the slopes, then look no further than Mountain Hardwear Firefall 2 Insulated Jacket. One of the warmest women’s ski jackets from the brand, the jacket boasts a smoldering look and a retro and rather rad color-blocked style. It features the body-mapped Thermal.Q insulation, which will keep you plenty warm on the slopes. What’s more, the breathable waterproof membrane and large underarm ventilation zips allow you to ride hard and keep a cool head too.
The jacket has a ton of extra features such as a drawcord on the hem and an internal powder skirt that keeps the snow from getting into the jacket. You’ll also find adjustable Velcro tabs on the cuffs and a helmet-compatible hood with three-way drawcord adjustment. So, it keeps the snow and water away from your face and arms too. Finally, you’ll find a bevy of pockets, both internal and external, including hand and chest pockets for easy access and keeping your hands warm.
Pros:
- Fabulous insulation.
- Lots of extra features.
- A ton of pockets.
- Available in many solid colors.
Cons:
- Practically none.
Downtown Coat
10
If you’re looking for a stylish yet casual parka for apres-ski, then the warm and thick Mountain Hardwear Downtown Coat is perfect. It’s the perfect outer layer for staying warm on the slopes in style. Despite ranking lower on the list of the best overall jackets from the brand, but it does boast a number of commendable features. These include a removable hood with a further removable fur lining and an internal pull-cord for adjusting the fit around the waist.
What keeps you warm actually is the 650-fill Q Shield hydrophobic down loft and the high-pile interior fleece backing. Plus, the fact that it’s cut to mid-thigh length keeps both your upper legs and your rear warm. Finally, the exterior is made from ripstop fabric that not only repels wind but water as well.
Pros:
- Hydrophobic down.
- Adjustable waistline.
- Inner fuzzy fleece lining.
- Warm, cozy, and stylish.
Cons:
- Heavy.
Rhea Ridge Parka
9
The do-it-all Mountain Hardwear Rhea Ridge Parka is one of the most versatile Mountain Hardwear women’s ski jackets out there. Whether it’s a coffee date in the snow or commuting to the gym in the winter, the Rhea Ridge has you covered. The jacket boasts not only a streamlined fit but also a packable, 600-fill-power down that keeps you want. The exterior is made from soft ripstop shell fabric with a DWR finish that is both stain and moisture resistant. Are you eco-conscious? You’ll be happy to know that the jacket has an RDS certification, which means the down hasn’t come from animals.
There’s more to the park than warmth and comfort. It has a drawcord-adjustable hem, allowing you to cinch the park snugly around your body. The zippered hand pockets can be stuffed with both necessary valuables and essentials or your own hands. Finally, the elastic cuffs and the hood help seal in the warmth, keeping you comfortable.
Pros:
- Stylish.
- Excellent fit.
- Versatile.
- Very warm.
Cons:
- Zippers aren’t exactly durable.
Women’s Keele Softshell Hoody
8
Who says good Mountain Hardwear jackets have to be expensive? One of the best jackets from the brand is the Women’s Keele Softshell Hoody, which costs less than $100! The hybrid fleece softshell focuses on the durability and is cozy to boot. Not only is it decently warm and comfortable, but it also repels water excellently. Its moisture-wicking hardshell DWR exterior allows beads of water to simply roll off the surface, thus ending up drying quickly. In addition, the cozy inner fleece lining stays dry even when the exterior is damp
The jacket also has a number of other well-executed features, such as harness-compatible hand pockets that are accessible when you wear a harness. The thumb loops are a blessing for people with short arms and are a rarity for ski jackets. Finally, the helmet-compatible hood also sits nicely under a ski helmet.
Pros:
- Presence of thumb loops and harness-compatible pockets.
- Comfortable.
- Good water repellency.
- Fleece lining lends warmth.
Cons:
- Not very breathable.
Direct North GTX Windstopper Down Jacket
7
Ride the cold chairlift all-day long in the Direct North GTX Windstopper Down Jacket, one of the best Mountain Hardwear women’s ski jackets. This water-resistant, toasty jacket has a robust Gore-Tex exterior that makes it the perfect companion for those bone-chilling days on the slopes. On the outside, the shell fabric keeps things cool by dissipating moisture sans letting water or wind permeate in. Plus, it’s helped by the RDS-certified, 800-fill down that’s both breathable and lightweight.
Besides being a toughie during cold skiing days, the jacket has a lot going for it. For instance, the internal powder skirt keeps the snow and wind riding up into the jacket on deep powder days. Furthermore, the articulated and adjustable cuffs keep them from sliding into your arms too. During low visibility days, the integrated RECCO avalanche rescue reflector will make it easy for others to find you. Rounding up the features are the zippered front hand and stash pockets that help you stuff both quick access stuff as well as your hands.
Pros:
- RDS-certified 800-fill premium down.
- Lightweight, breathable, and waterproof.
- Very comfortable.
- Lots of extra features like pockets and RECCO rescue reflector.
Cons:
- Virtually none.
KOR Preshell Hoody Women’s Lightweight Hooded Jacket
6
The shockingly lightweight Mountain Hardwear Kor Preshell is designed by and for mountain athletes and snow climbers. In fact, it’s so breathable and lightweight that it’s easy to forget that you’re wearing it! Rather than be advertized as waterproof, the jacket boasts a Pertex Infinium fabric. So, it’s meant to be lightly water-resistant, extremely breathable, and protects you like anything against the wind. The Kor Preshell also has three pockets, including one for stuffing the jacket into. So, not only can you strap this to your harness but even use it as a pillow!
What makes this jacket a rad little number is its well-tailored fit, four-way stretchable fabric, ultra-packability, and ultra-light. So, if you need a jacket for both mountain running or fair-weather climbing, then the Kor Preshell is your best bet.
Pros:
- Ideal for fair weather and summer activities.
- Fairly breathable.
- Stowaway pocket.
- Fairly breathable.
- Comfy and ultralight.
Cons:
- Hem rides up when climbing.
- Sizing runs a bit large.
Monkey Woman/2
5
The Monkey Woman 2 remains one of Mountain Hardwear’s bestselling women’s ski jackets. The non-hooded, full-zip fleece jacket is the perfect technical mid-layer for high-intensity activities on the resort grounds. The jacket is stuffed with classic Polartec high-loft recycled monkey fleece, which is breathable while still being cozy and soft. The slim-fitting jacket even boasts the heat-trapping and breathable grid fleece fabric under the arms, making sure that they don’t run cold. Two zippered hand pockets mean that you can stash your hands in for warmth while looking stylish at the same time.
What’s more, the jacket is available in a range of fun colorways, so you don’t have to contend with just black or grey colored ones if you want to shine at the spres-ski later on. The best part? The jacket workds well even layered under a shell as well as a standalone piece. It might not be Mountain Hardwear’s most top-ranked jackets, but it certainly is a great buy.
Pros:
- Two zippered hand pockets.
- Classic Polartec high-loft recycled monkey fleece fabric keeps you warm.
- Very breathable.
Cons:
- No hood.
Women’s Stretch Ozonic Jacket
4
The highly functioning Women’s Stretch Ozonic Jacket will suit your active lifestyle, come rain or shine – or snow, for that matter. It’s breathable, lightweight, and moves in whatever direction that you want it to go sans restricting movements and still keeping you comfy and dry. The jacket is made from four-way stretch 100 percent 40D stretch % nylon treated with Dry.Q technology. So, it offers excellent waterproof protection and durability sans sacrificing breathability.
There’s a lot more to this jacket than just its waterproofness and comfort. For instance, the expanded pit vents with dual direction zippers and three total pockets are a real godsend. The inner storm flap blocks not only the wind but also the rain. If you like a little extra bit of coverage, then you’ll like that the torso and arms are a bit longer than most jackets. Above all, what we liked is the wide-toothed zipper that’s waterproof and easy and fast to operate, especially when you’re out on the slopes.
Pros:
- Fabric is not crinkly, but smooth.
- Breathable.
- Comfortable.
- Incredibly stretchy.
Cons:
- Hood is a bit small.
Women’s Phantom Jacket
3
If a Mountain Hardwear women’s ski jacket for warmth is what you’re looking for, then look no further than the Women’s Phantom Down Jacket. The jacket is filled with an ultra-light, water-repellent 850-fill goose down that keeps you warm and toasty in bitter-cold temperatures. Plus, it’s also a nice jacket to wear around town after the end of a long skiing day. The jacket uses the Q Shield for preventing the down from getting wet, soggy, and subsequently cold.
Since down jackets are lifesavers during winter, the seams, zippers, and pockets must be on point – and that’s what the Phantom Jacket has. Its zippers have smaller teeth and small pulls on the outside that make it easy to operate even with gloved hands. The two front zippered pockets hold all your necessities like energy bars, cameras, phones, etc. Meanwhile, the two mesh inner pockets hold gloves, beanies, goggles, et.
Pros:
- Helmet-compatible hood.
- Water-resistant down.
- Packable.
- Very warm.
Cons:
- Thumb hole cuffs are small.
Finder Jacket
2
One of the surprisingly lesser-known and superior jackets is the Mountain Hardwear Finder Jacket. The 2-layered rain jacket can hold up relatively well in a downpour or even a rainstorm. The jacket uses the brand’s proprietary waterproof-breathable Dry.Q Core technology, which wicks moisture and yet stops water from seeping in at the same time. The 70D ripstop nylon fabric also makes it both abrasion and stain-resistant, making for a perfect jacket for tumbles in the snow. The close-fitting athletic fit means that you can layer with this jacket easily, provided you go a size up.
The jacket comes with a whole slew of features. The adjustable, helmet-compatible hood keeps your neck and head from getting cold. Plus, the awning at the front stops the rain from getting into your eyes. Taped seams and the presence of lots of pockets makes this well-priced jacket an excellent snow gear investment.
Pros:
- Durable.
- Packable.
- Atheltic fit.
- Superior rain protection.
- Great Breathability.
Cons:
- A bit heavy.
Women’s Boundary Line Insulated Jacket
1
Just because women want to look good doesn’t mean that they want ski gear that doesn’t function well. And the Mountain Hardwear Women’s Boundary Line Insulated Jacket does both with aplomb. One of the best women’s ski jackets from Mountain Hardwear, the jacket features a robust 2-layered Gore-Tex breathable and waterproof shell fabric that keeps you warm and dry both. On the inside too, it’s insulated just enough and even features breathable fabric near the armpits.
What we like about the jacket is that it has a hood that’s large enough to cover your ski helmet. Plus, it keeps the snow and water off your face. The soft liner around the face cups it nicely and protects it well too. What’s more, neither of them restrict your movement in any way. Finally, the kangaroo pocket in the front and the smooth zippers make it really easy to stash stuff and cool down too.
Pros:
- Great large hood.
- Zips in the right places help you cool off quickly.
- Stylish.
- Available in a wide range of colors.
Cons:
- The number of pockets are a little less.
