There's been some talk about jackets on another thread, so I thought maybe we could address that here.
Seems to me that finding the proper ski jacket has become increasingly complicated. Instead of just a jacket, many companies offer a dizzying array of jacket "systems," where you have to buy a hard shell, then a liner that can be PolarTec or down or some such product. Or else they're so "fashion conscious" that they're completely ridiculous; not warm, not enough pockets, etc.
For me, it's all too complicated. And combine that with finding something in a small size (4 or 6), and it's especially daunting.
Luckily, a couple years ago I found something that's just right: a Columbia Titanium jacket that had the shell and zip-out liner already assembled. It's very, very warm, has a lot of pockets, and even looks good (my old jacket made me look like a refrigerator on skis. With this one, you can tell I'm a girl, I think). Plus if I want, I can take the liner out and just wear the shell with something lighter underneath. Or I can wear the liner alone, as a jacket (though not to ski in; it doesn't have the water repellency of the shell).
So how do you handle the jacket question? What've you found that works for you?
Seems to me that finding the proper ski jacket has become increasingly complicated. Instead of just a jacket, many companies offer a dizzying array of jacket "systems," where you have to buy a hard shell, then a liner that can be PolarTec or down or some such product. Or else they're so "fashion conscious" that they're completely ridiculous; not warm, not enough pockets, etc.
For me, it's all too complicated. And combine that with finding something in a small size (4 or 6), and it's especially daunting.
Luckily, a couple years ago I found something that's just right: a Columbia Titanium jacket that had the shell and zip-out liner already assembled. It's very, very warm, has a lot of pockets, and even looks good (my old jacket made me look like a refrigerator on skis. With this one, you can tell I'm a girl, I think). Plus if I want, I can take the liner out and just wear the shell with something lighter underneath. Or I can wear the liner alone, as a jacket (though not to ski in; it doesn't have the water repellency of the shell).
So how do you handle the jacket question? What've you found that works for you?