Coats for fashion vs skiing is an important question. We ski every year at a wide range of places. You don’t need an expensive “ski coat.” You need a warm coat, at least somewhat water resistant that you can layer underneath.

You also don’t need expensive ski pants either.

I spend my money on helmets, balaclavas, and mittens/gloves.

We spend time in Colorado every year for winter break the last 8 years. Younger people mostly wear brands like 686 or Dope. 686 seems better quality and Dope seems more trendy. A skier would probably get a side-eye from the more jerky snowboarders for wearing Dope. Tipsy Elves I see occasionally and full on snowsuits are making a comeback. I also see Northface, Burton, Columbia, Arc’teryx and Patagonia. But 686 and Dope (more for boarding) are in. My kids have Columbia but still in kids sizes but I like the whirlybird 3-1 jackets and my daughter 13 doesn’t care about brands though the sleeves are getting short.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To actually ski in? Or for fashion?

This is important to answer. DD and her friends would never wear the ones suggested and have costs from Hollister. I don’t think they are warm at all but they all insisted. But they rarely wear coats. They don’t ski and wanted for fashion and this was the compromise in price.

Pathetic.

I have bought some of my boys' good-quality ski coats online from Peter Glenn. They have lots of choices. Their returns are easy. Uniqlo would probably be the second most common choice in our household.

Shopping locally has never worked...we have an REI, Dicks, and a more local sporting goods chain. REI is expensive and the styles and colors not to our taste.

We used to buy Lands' End kid parkas until the kids started wearing mens' sizes. That's also where my coat is from.

My younger one now just wears a cheap Forever 21 puffer and says it is fine. My favorite parka as a kid was a cheapie from Burlington Coat Factory. So keep an open mind. It only matters that it fits well and has the right level of insulation for the job.

REI

Seconding HH. You could also look at obermeyer, Rossignol. Then there are the more expensive fashion brands like Goldbergh, Fusalp, Bogner

Anonymous wrote:To actually ski in? Or for fashion?

OP here. Definitely to ski. In Colorado if it matters.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To actually ski in? Or for fashion?

This is important to answer. DD and her friends would never wear the ones suggested and have costs from Hollister. I don’t think they are warm at all but they all insisted. But they rarely wear coats. They don’t ski and wanted for fashion and this was the compromise in price.

What do you think? What teen wears a heavy ski jacket for fashion in the DMV? 🙄 obviously she is asking for skiing, per her OP, not some cheap Hollister coat.

Anonymous wrote:To actually ski in? Or for fashion?

This is important to answer. DD and her friends would never wear the ones suggested and have costs from Hollister. I don’t think they are warm at all but they all insisted. But they rarely wear coats. They don’t ski and wanted for fashion and this was the compromise in price.

Sun and Ski
REI

To actually ski in? Or for fashion?

Agree with Sun and Ski. They have a huge variation of jackets.

https://www.sunandski.com/p/25150022600001930/helly-hansen-women-s-alphelia-lifaloft-ski-jacket?variant=9

HH

Can anyone recommend one? Wiling to spend a little more for something that will last and is good quality. I don’t really know where to look apart from LL Bean and my girls want something different this time. What are good brands to check and even places where we can see in person?