Helly Hansen has been making quality winter apparel for over 140 years, and in that time, they’ve created many wonderful items. They have some of the best ski clothing you can find anywhere, and most of their offerings are built to last for years under harsh conditions.
My name is Christine, and skiing is a huge part of my life. I’ve used all of the major clothing brands over the years and have first-hand experience with several great Helly Hansen ski jackets. I know what to look for in the best options.
The Alpha 3.0 is my pick for the best Helly Hansen ski jacket of the year. This model is more than capable in any skiing situation you can imagine and offers a ton of comfort and protection from the elements.
I’ll provide you with several other excellent options in this post. If you are looking for a Helly Hansen jacket, you’ve already made a good decision. I’ll help you narrow things down even further, so you can find the best model to meet your needs on the mountain.
Let’s get started.
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Who Should Get This
Helly Hansen makes incredible outdoor apparel. The brand’s longevity is proof enough that their jackets are worth every penny and have been a trusted and true option for skiers for many years.
They also make options for women, men, and kids, so there are plenty of choices to find a jacket that works best for you. If you are already familiar with Helly Hansen, you might be a fan for life. If you’ve never had one of their jackets before, the options here are worth looking at.
While their ski jackets are high-quality and reliable, they often come with a pretty steep price tag. If you’re looking for a budget ski jacket, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere. All of these jackets are amazing, but they are not cheap.
Best Helly Hansen Ski Jacket: Top Picks
Here are my picks for the best Helly Hansen ski jackets of the year. You really can’t go wrong with any of these options. Just make sure to find the model that best meets your needs.
1. Alpha 3.0
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: Warm, durable, comfortable, 4-way stretch fabric, excellent water and windproofing
- Waterproofing: Helly Tech Professional
- Insulation: Primaloft Gold
- Cost: $$$$
The best Helly Hansen ski jacket of the year is the Alpha 3.0. This model has been in the lineup for years, and the current version offers excellent performance for skiers of all kinds.
This jacket is built with a 4-stretch fabric that gives you tremendous flexibility so you can ski hard without being restricted.
Primaloft Gold insulation makes sure that you stay warm at all times, and a Helly Tech Professional membrane offers excellent waterproofing capabilities. The jacket stays really breathable as well.
It might not look that flashy, and it’s pretty expensive, but this is one of the best ski jackets you can find from any brand.
==> You can also get it on Helly Hansen or Backcountry or Sun & Ski Sports.
2. Fernie 2.0
- Best for: Warmth
- Key features: Very warm, lightweight, comfortable, powder skirt, excellent waterproofing
- Waterproofing: Helly Tech Professional
- Insulation: Lightweight Synthetic
- Cost: $$$
If you want a little extra warmth to stay cozy and comfortable when the temperature starts to drop, check out the Fernie 2.0. This is one of the warmest Helly Hansen ski jackets.
This jacket is another high-end model that’s built with the needs of serious skiers in mind. It features lightweight insulation that keeps down bulk without sacrificing insulation.
It also comes with a RECCO Rescue system perfect for backcountry safety, a powder skirt to keep out snow, and a goggle sham to make sure your lenses stay clear.
This model does seem to have somewhat of a smaller fit, so you might want to size up.
3. Powderqueen 3.0
- Best for: Women
- Key features: Women’s specific build, comfortable, relaxed fit, articulated sleeves, warm
- Waterproofing: Helly Tech Professional
- Insulation: PrimaLoft Black Eco
- Cost: $$$
The Powderqueen 3.0 is the best Helly Hansen ski jacket for women. This is another high-end option that will have you covered in all conditions and any terrain.
Primaloft insulation provides a lot of warmth, and a Helly Tech Professional membrane leads to excellent waterproofing and breathability.
The relaxed fit with articulated sleeves helps make this a very comfortable option that is built to move.
It’s not available in as many color options as I’d like, but that’s the only real downside to mention.
==> You can also get it on Helly Hansen or Backcountry or Evo.
4. Swift 4.0
- Best for: Lightweight
- Key features: Comfortable, lightweight, 4-way stretch fabric, detachable hood and powder skirt
- Waterproofing: Helly Tech Performance
- Insulation: PrimaLoft
- Cost: $$$
The Swift 4.0 will give you excellent performance in a lightweight package and is perfect for the backcountry or warmer days at the resort.
This model features the same Primaloft insulation and Helly Tech Professional membrane as most models in the lineup, so you can expect serious warmth and protection from the elements.
A detachable hood and powder skirt give you a little extra when the snow starts to fall hard.
This isn’t the warmest option on the list, so it is not recommended on really cold days.
5. Rider 2
- Best for: Kids
- Key features: Comfortable, warm, waterproof, ski pass pocket, elastic cuffs and hem, flexible
- Waterproofing: Helly Tech Performance
- Insulation: PrimaLoft
- Cost: $$
The Rider 2 is built to give little skiers everything they need to enjoy learning how to ski and is the best option for kids.
The jacket is built to the exact high-quality specifications as every Helly Hansen model and will give your children plenty of comfort and warmth on the mountain.
It comes with an attached powder skirt to help keep the flakes out of their pants and elastic cuffs and hem to ensure everything stays in place if they fall.
This one is probably best for smaller kids, as the sizes run small.
==> You can also get it on Helly Hansen or Backcountry.
6. Alpha Lifaloft
- Best for: Versatility
- Key features: Versatile, comfortable, warm, extremely waterproof, lightweight
- Waterproofing: Helly Tech Professional
- Insulation: LifaLoft
- Cost: $$$$
The Alpha Lifaloft is a lighter-weight option of the Alpha 3.0 that will give you versatile performance whenever and wherever you need it.
It is built with 80 grams of LifaLoft insulation, a lightweight material with excellent heat retaining properties.
This one also comes with a detachable powder skirt, RECCO Advanced Rescue System, and articulated sleeves to help you move.
It’s very expensive, but that’s the price you’ll pay for having a seriously amazing ski jacket.
==> You can also get it on Helly Hansen or Backcountry or Steep and Cheap.
How to Choose The Best Helly Hansen Jacket for Skiing
Here are some important things to keep in mind when choosing the best Helly Hansen jacket for skiing.
Insulation
Every ski jacket needs great insulation, and that goes for Helly Hansen models as well. More insulation usually translates to more warmth. As such, the thicker the jacket, the warmer it will be.
If you plan on skiing in severe winter conditions, you’ll want to choose a jacket with a lot of insulation. If you’re looking for a lighter jacket for skiing in warmer spring conditions or want an option to pair with layers underneath, you might want a jacket with less insulation.
Ventilation
Insulation serves to keep you warm, but ventilation provides you with the ability to cool down during a long day of skiing. Even in the winter, it’s possible to build up plenty of body heat due to the demands of skiing. That is why you need a ski jacket that allows for ventilation.
Most Helly Hansen ski jackets have at least a few zippered vents built into the garment design. If you ski hard and sweat a lot on the slopes, you want to look for a jacket with extra ventilation. If you tend to run cold, you might not need any at all.
Style
While all Helly Hansen jackets perform at a high level under demanding weather conditions, they are also pretty stylish. They aren’t flashy, but they have a timeless look that most skiers will appreciate.
The look and feel of your ski jacket are a personal choice, and the brand makes plenty of great-looking options that will keep you warm and stylish at the same time.
Useful Tips & Resources
The story behind the Helly Hansen brand is quite interesting. If you’re a fan of their ski clothing or just want to learn a bit more about how a Norwegian sailor started one of the most respected winter clothing companies in the 1800s, check out the story here.
Another great thing about Helly Hansen is that all of their ski jackets come with a lifetime warranty. If you rip or tear your jacket while skiing, you can send it back to the company, and they will fix it for free. Check out the details of this warranty here.
The video below will also provide you with other good tips for buying a ski jacket that applies to all brands, not just Helly Hansen.
Final Verdict
The Alpha 3.0 is my pick for the best overall Helly Hansen ski jacket of the season. This is an awesome model all-around and will give you outstanding protection from the wind and cold while also providing legendary durability.
Helly Hansen jackets are amazing, and you really can’t go wrong with any of their products. But the models you see here are the best of the best with skiing in mind. They all come highly recommended and will deliver exceptional performance on the mountain.
Bear
I’m both a sailor and a snowboarder. Since I live in my yacht and have minimal space for wardrobe, I prefer to have a sailing jacket that I can also use as a snowboarding jacket on those semi-rare occasions I am on the mountain.
Any recommendations on a Helly Hansen model that would best serve my purposes? I am mostly in warmer climes when sailing, it’s the wet weather application that is most relevant to me. I am also fine with wearing base layers which is my go to for insulation. I would also love to know about a crossover for snowboarding pant/foul weather sailing pant.
Christine
Hi Bear,
I like the sound of your lifestyle! Pretty cool that you can spend so much time on the water and the snow. I don’t have much experience with sailing, so I can only make the best guess as to what Helly Hansen option might be best for you. But any of the shells the company offers should keep you dry and comfortable on a boat and the slopes. You will need to pair it with layers when skiing in colder temps, but it sounds like you know how to do that already. There are a few jacket models that could work, just make sure you get one that is just a shell and not insulated.