'Freeride inspiration with resort level warmth' is what Salomon say about their Icefrost jacket and they've hit the nail on the head. In many ways this jacket looks and feels like a freeride jacket without any of the chintzy euro styling of very piste orientated ski clothing. Fit is loose for layering and comfort and the Icefrost is long at the hem, so this should appeal to discerning young skiers, aesthetically at least. The grey colourway on test with contrasting zippers in bright colours and black panelling adds to the freeride look.
Far from being mutton dressed as lamb though the Icefrost backs up its looks with at least mid-level performance. There's perhaps a little too much insulation at 100g/m2 but it does at least breathe well for what it is, helping the jacket along the way to an overall breathability rating of 10k, not ground-breaking but perfectly reasonable for most recreational skiers with a penchant for the sidecountry.
The outer material has 4-way stretch and is soft and absolutely crinkle free, the high, padded collar and insulated (detachable) hood combine with this to give the wearer a cosy and comfortable feeling both during and after skiing.
Waterproofing again is mid-level but all seams are taped and pockets have waterproof zippers or storm flaps so there are no real weak points in terms of moisture ingress, and the 10k hydrostatic head of the fabric itself will keep you dry in most resort based snow conditions.
The Icefrost has a good array of pockets inside and out for storage of phone, hats and gloves, lift pass and any other bits and pieces you need to carry along with you. It's also got pit zip openings with mesh lining, these are pretty much vital on an insulated ski jacket and the mesh lining helps to stop snow getting into your jacket when the zips are open dumping excess heat.
At £350 we can't really argue with the style and performance of the Icefrost jacket, it hits a target audience and does it well, so it should sell like the proverbial hotcakes.
