For her
C&A Rodeo jacket
£39 from Argos Additions
(0845 304 0008; www.argosadditions.co.uk)
Was C&A this fashionable in its previous incarnation? This year it has reinvented itself as chic as well as cheap. It's hard to believe this sleek, black jacket with grey insets costs only £39. It's pretty warm and snug, too. Though it's aimed at first-time skiers who don't want to fork out a fortune, even the most fashion-conscious skier wouldn't have a problem wearing it. My only wish would be for more pockets.
Verdict: You don't expect it to look this good when it costs so little
Chiemsee Snowbird
£317.25 (01423 874808; www.chiemsee.com)
The hot thing on the slopes this season is stretch technology in Gore-Tex. I couldn't find the stretch in this jacket though, perhaps because it only had Gore-Tex stretch inserts. That said, its flattering long length means you don't get cold round the middle, especially as there's an extra inner skirt part. And the Snowbird is lined with Thinsulate, so you don't need a bulky fleece underneath. It also comes with some nice finishing touches, from a zip to allow more space over the wrist area to pull-down inner sleeve liners to cover the hands.
Verdict: Swish and stylish, though it doesn't do some things it's supposed to
Billabong Denim Jacket
£150 (0800 085 1857; www.billabong.com)
Denim might be the latest trend in ski gear but it does have a look of Michelin man about it. While that makes it snug and gives you a lot of padding should you fall over, you wouldn't want to take too many tumbles because it's only water resistant rather than waterproof. The cropped look might be in, but it means part of your body is going to get cold, and if you're slightly bulky on top, this is going to make you look bulkier. There is high attention to detail, with a clip for your ski pass and a perfect pouch for a mobile phone on the arm.
Verdict: Too fashionable for its own good and only water-resistant, though warm
Dianese Valdez Jacket
£330 from Snow+Rock (0845 100 1000; www.snowandrock.com)
This hip cropped jacket wins hands down in terms of looks. You can also tell Dianese has been trying to address the problems skiers face - it comes with protective pads in the elbows and a revolutionary hood attached to the jacket by a rail, so as you turn your head, the hood goes with you. The hood certainly wasn't for me; thank goodness you can detach it. And I found the elbow pads too thin and too small to make any difference. You will undoubtedly look good, but you will freeze underneath.
Verdict: Looks fab but it's freezing and far too expensive
Salomon Desktop XCR Shell jacket
£300 from Snow+Rock (0845 100 1000; www.snowandrock.com)
This one looks stylishly simple on the outside but open the zip and it's a whole new ballgame; inside is what Salomon calls the 'cargo management system' of its 'desktop jacket'. Put simply, it means the pockets are inside, arranged in a detachable waistcoat which does up separately to hug your body and give extra warmth. When the waterproof, Gore-Tex jacket is closed, the bulges of your mobile, goggles, personal organiser and sun cream don't show on the baggier outer shell, and you get a much more streamlined look. This is a very practical, warm jacket, with some well-thought out extras, and it looks fantastic.
Verdict: Looks good, feels warm and has details that are more than just gimmicks
For him
Dianese Valdez Jacket
£350 from Snow+Rock (0845 100 1000; www.snowandrock.com)
More widely known for its protective motorcycle wear, Dianese has now translated some of this expertise to its new skiwear range - and it shows. This fits snugly like a motorcycle jacket, complete with elasticated sides and padded sleeves. It looks great too and while being close fitting gives unrestricted movement in the arms and shoulders. My only criticism of the jacket is also its biggest selling point: its close-fitting nature. While it is brilliantly windproof, it is thin and in very cold conditions might feel a little constricting with a fleece underneath. That said, it is cleverly designed. And it won't shame you under extreme apres-ski conditions
Verdict: Looks great, feels great but might prove chilly
Billabong Camouflage Jacket
£175 (0800 085 1857; www.billabong.com)
The only thing missing from this jacket is the Sten Gun. I think I could have been confused for an escaped extra from a James Bond film. There really is no nice way to say it: this jacket is ugly. Yes, it is fantastically warm and comfortable, there are plenty of pockets. And yes, the hood fits snugly. There are even nice touches such as the double collar and the Fagan-esque long cuffs which double as fingerless gloves. But I just can't shake off the feeling that the anti-Mountain Rescue camouflage would be better suited to an Eastern bloc Bond Baddie than your average snowboarder.
Verdict: Warm and comfortable, but ugly
Chiemsee Air Vantage Verbier Jacket
£349.95 (01423 874808; www.chiemsee.com)
There's a fine line between a good idea and a gimmick, and I'm not sure on which side this jacket falls. It looks great, is extremely light and fits snugly without restricting. But the most important element is its 'air' feature. A small hose on the left lapel can be used to inflate the jacket, which swells as a network of tubes around the body of the jacket fills with your warm breath. I couldn't get away from the feeling that I was wearing a combination of a strap-on Lilo and a hot-water bottle.
Verdict: Warm, lightweight and comfortable... but unusual
Alpine Aspen Ski Jacket
£79.99 from Millets (0800 214890; www.millets.co.uk)
It's cheap, but if details like zip covers to protect your chin and soft cuffs are important, this might be a bit too basic. It is the perfect beginner's jacket: there are no complicated pockets, zips, hoods or inner linings to distract. It simply keeps you warm and comfortable, and doesn't restrict.
Verdict: Warm, comfortable and cheap, but basic
Columbia Vertical Ascent Shell Jacket
£175, 0191 537 5810; service_uk@columbia.com
This high-tech jacket for experienced skiers is made from Columbia's breathable waterproof Omni Tech material and designed to be layered with a zip-in fleece for colder conditions. It can deal with everything from lower level skiing to extreme heliskiing. But for all of the zips, ventilation pockets and flaps, it's really just a very good cagoule.
Verdict: Well designed, waterproof and breathable
