While cat or heli skiing you need the right jacket to stay warm and dry
What do you need to know when choosing the right winter jacket?
The proper winter jacket can literally make the difference between staying dry or getting damp and cold. There are several important qualities you need to think about when buying a new winter jacket.
Shopping for winter jacketscan be daunting since there are so many different styles to choose from. They key to selecting a jacket for cat or heli skiing is to choose one that is designed to keep the elements (snow, rain and wind) out. Providing warmth is not the purpose of this garment, an insulating layer worn under your jacket will provide that.
Select a jacket that extends below the waist. Most will have a elastic or draw cord at the waist level plus another along the bottom. This is important for keeping powder snow out.
Having a winter jacket that breaths is critical to staying dry while exerting yourself. Gortex is your friend in this case. Gortex is a semi-permeable membrane that will allow water vapor to escape while preventing water drops from entering. Without this membrane your sweat will accumulate in the jacket and you will get damp and cold.
Winter jacket technology keeps improving and clothing designers look for better ways for their products to perform their jobs. Arcteryx is one manufacturer that has developed and patented a sealed zipper that, when closed, will repel water and wind preventing them from entering the zipper. This small feature doesn't seem like much but on a cold, windy day it will have a dramatic effect.
Your winter jacket is truly the most important article of ski clothing you will wear. Having cold feet or legs, although not comfortable, are not as critical as the core of your body. In a survival situation a proper winter jacket will be a life saving article of clothing.
