Columbia’s brand new Snow Slab ski jacket is designed to retain a serious amount of heat. It's insulated but also has a gold laminated inner layer that reflects body heat back into you and little black dots on the outer designed to capture solar heat and prevent warmth from escaping. This is all very space age but it's technology that’s proven to work.
The fit is fairly trim and smart while allowing just enough room for layering underneath. The hem is dropped to the bottom of the bum, and there's a powder skirt to stop snow from getting in. Elasticated, adjustable cuffs do the same job at the ends of the arms.
It's definitely toasty inside the jacket but in a comfortable, rather than stifling way. The pit vents provide a slither of mesh-lined ventilation, but these could open further to help dump heat quicker.
The hood is optimised for going over a helmet rather than head, but the majority of people now wear them while skiing so it works well for the intended application, with three points of adjustment for size and volume.
Durability is excellent, the Snow Slab jacket feels thick and high wear but still soft and supple and the quality of the finish will lead to years of use.
Colombia's proprietary omni-tech fabric has middling breathability and waterproof ratings of 10K/10k. While this doesn't compete with high-end Gore-Tex fabrics, the reality is that it’s enough for most skiers and snowboarders.
Dedicated pockets for lift pass, hats, and other bits and pieces solidify the Snow Slab jacket as a highly practical option for skiing.
At £315 the snow slab ski jacket sits in the middle of the range in terms of ski jackets. We think it's worth the money for the comfort, performance, and durability on offer.
