The Helly Hansen Verglas jacket is a ski-specific hardshell with an excellent resume of features. It has all of the important details to make skiing in it easy and comfortable: a helmet compatible, adjustable hood; large, adjustable velcro cuffs that are easy to cinch around glove cuffs; and easy to access chest pockets. It comes with a Recco Rescue reflector for added protection in the event of an inbounds avalanche. It is made from the waterproof/breathable Helly Tech Professional fabric that we found to be extremely waterproof, holding up to even the wettest days skiing in the California's “Sierra cement.” In addition to the waterproof fabric, all of the zippers are waterproof to keep you warm and dry. This jacket also allows for excellent ventilation, with large pit-zips underneath the arms.
Our favorite feature is the removable powderskirt. Sometimes when skiing in deep powder, this skirt is useful for preventing snow from getting up the jacket or down the pants. However, on warmer, dryer days, or long backcountry tours, we would rather not use these feature, and the powderskirt just adds weight. Since it can be zipped out, it leaves the wearer with the option of using it or lightening the jacket.
Though targeted at skiers, this hardshell is versatile enough to be a general use hardshell. The location of the chest pockets makes it so they can be accessed while wearing a pack or a harness, and the removable powderskirt makes other uses even more of an option.
We recommend this jacket for any lady who skis a lot, particularly in the backcountry where a shell is preferred to an insulated ski jacket, and who needs a durable, waterproof shell for all-around winter use. For backcountry touring, this jacket pairs well with the Verglas Randonee Pant.
