5 Best Ski Jackets for Big & Tall Men

Skiers come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and ability levels. And if you’re a big and tall guy, it can sometimes be challenging to find ski jackets that fit correctly or give you enough room to maneuver on the mountain. 

I’m an experienced skier who has been playing in the snow for decades. I know how to look for high-quality clothing and equipment and love sharing my knowledge of the sport with others. I’ve heavily researched all of the best jackets mentioned here. 

The Helly Hansen Alpha 3.0 is my pick for the best ski jacket for big and tall men. This one is available in several larger sizes and features excellent waterproofing to keep you warm and dry when you are skiing. 

I’ll provide you with several excellent options in this post, so you can get a jacket that fits correctly to let you enjoy every day you have on the slopes. If you’ve been searching for a more oversized jacket, you’re in the right place. 

Let’s get started. 

Who Should Get This

Every skier needs a good jacket, regardless of your ability level, size, or any other factor. But the options listed here are all available in larger sizes, making them ideal for big and tall men. If you are looking for a jacket that won’t run short, the options here will have you covered.

A good ski jacket also needs to be warm, comfortable, and completely waterproof. All of the jackets that made the list are built with high-quality materials that make them a lasting investment alongside other great features that will come in useful when skiing. 

If you are a smaller skier, the jackets here still are recommended. They are available in regular smaller sizes and the same traits that make them a recommended pick apply to any sized skier. 

Best Ski Jackets for Big & Tall Men: Top Picks

Here are my picks for the best ski jackets for big and tall men. You can find multiple larger sizes for each jacket on the list below. 

1. Helly Hansen Alpha 3.0

• Best for: Overall
• Key features: 4-way stretch face fabric, large sizes available, comfortable, excellent protection from the elements
• Sizes: Up to 4XL
• Waterproofing: Helly Tech Professional 
• Insulation: Primaloft Gold 
• Cost: $$$$ 

The Helly Hansen Alpha 3.0 (review) is the best jacket for larger skiers. This model comes in sizes up to 4XL, which should work for even the biggest guys out there. 

On top of a great fit, you also get excellent protection from the elements thanks to layers of Primaloft insulation and a Helly Tech Professional membrane that provides outstanding waterproofing capabilities. 

A 4-way stretch face fabric makes the Alpha 3.0 very flexible, which is good for larger skiers who don’t want to feel restricted. 

Other features include articulated arms and elbows, an H2Flow venting system, and a snap-away powder skirt for those deep snow days. 

The only real downside to this option is the price tag. It’s a very expensive jacket. 

==> You can also get it on Helly Hansen or Backcountry or Evo.

2. Flylow Malone

• Best for: Fit
• Key features: Relaxed fit, comfortable, large sizes available, fully seam taped, removable powder skirt, great waterproofing
• Sizes: Up to XXL
• Waterproofing: Omnibloq DWR
• Insulation: Shell
• Cost: $$$

If you are looking for a jacket that just fits and feels great, the Flylow Malone is a solid recommendation worth checking out. 

This is another jacket that is available in multiple larger sizes up to XXL. While that might not sound too big, the jacket has a naturally relaxed fit and 3-way stretch face fabric, which add to an already excellent fit. 

Waterproofing is provided by a strong and durable OmniBloq DWR layer that is also breathable, so you don’t overheat. Fully taped seams and a removable powder skirt are other stand-out features. 

If you are a very big and tall skier, this model might fit a little tight because it’s only available in sizes up to XXL. 

==> You can also get it on Evo or Backcountry or Jans.

3. Outdoor Research Skyward II

• Best for: Backcountry 
• Key features: Great water and soundproofing, breathable, lightweight, stretch fabric, good venting
• Sizes: Up to XXL
• Waterproofing: AscentShell
• Insulation: Shell
• Cost: $$$ 

The Outdoor Research Skyward II (review) is a solid option for any larger skier looking for a lightweight option built for the backcountry. 

This model comes in larger sizes and has a stretch fit that will move with you when you are ascending backcountry lines or bombing back downhill. 

It has a sweet venting system to keep you cool when you are working hard and plenty of pockets to stash any extra gear you want to bring along. 

This jacket does come with a somewhat slim fit, so even the larger sizes won’t be baggy. That’s ideal for the backcountry, but good to know if you want something bigger. 

4. Columbia Snow Shifter 

• Best for: Budget Pick 
• Key features: Affordable, good waterproofing, Omni-Tech heating, insulated, comfortable
• Sizes: Up to XXL 
• Waterproofing: Omni-Tech 
• Insulation: 80 grams MicroTemp XF II
• Cost: $$

The Columbia Snow Shifter is a good option for any big or tall guy on a budget. This is a quality budget ski jacket that will keep you warm, dry, and comfortable. 

Omni-Tech construction works to reflect your body heat to keep you warm naturally while also letting excess body heat escape when needed. 

Eighty grams of synthetic insulation allows you to stay warm and comfortable even when the temperatures start to plummet. 

This isn’t the most durable ski jacket around, but it should still last for several seasons of regular use. 

==> You can also get it on Columbia Sportswear or Bass Pro Shops.

5. Marmot Minimalist Component

• Best for: Warmth
• Key features: 3-in-1 design, comfortable, large sizes available, versatile, lightweight, very waterproof
• Sizes: Up to XXL
• Waterproofing: Gore-Tex DWR
• Insulation: Removable Thermal R Liner
• Cost: $$$

The Marmot Minimalist Component is an excellent option for big guys looking for a little added warmth. A 3-in-1 design gives you a lot of insulation while also letting you adapt to changing conditions for all-season use. 

A Gore-Tex outer layer with DWR treatment makes the Minimalist extremely waterproof so you can stay dry and comfortable no matter how much snow is falling. 

The removable thermal R liner gives you ample insulation when you want it but can be taken out on warmer days. 

This jacket is expensive, but you get a lot of features and quality performance for the cost. 

==> You can also get it on Marmot or TRADEINN or Buckman’s.

How to Choose Ski Jackets for Big & Tall Guys

Here are some important factors to consider when looking around for ski jackets that will work well for big and tall guys. 

Size/Fit

Since this post is made for bigger guys, the size and fit of a ski jacket is the most critical factor to keep in mind. All of the options above come in sizes up to XXL or higher, which should fit nearly every sized skier. 

You want your ski jacket to fit comfortably in a way that is not too tight or too loose. While the fit comes down to personal preference, a well-fitting jacket will provide you with plenty of movement and flexibility without letting in any wind or snow. 

Too tight, and it will be hard to move, too loose, and it might blow up and expose your skin to the wind. Even in larger sizes, different jackets will have slightly different fits. 

Insulation

Insulation is an important factor to consider when choosing a ski jacket because it’s crucial to generating warmth. As a general rule, the more insulation a jacket has, the warmer it will be. 

A thinly insulated or shell-style jacket might be enough to keep you warm with a solid base and mid-layer, but a great ski jacket has a lot of built-in insulation. There are many excellent insulation materials out there, but most high-end options use synthetic fabric.

Waterproof and Windproof

You need your ski jacket to be both water and wind-proof. Though it might not seem like a big deal to get a little wet, moisture can quickly lower your body temperature and ruin your day. In some cases, it can even lead to more serious problems like hypothermia. 

Wind and water suck the body heat right out of you, especially when it’s cold outside. Your jacket must be able to stand up to such elements with ease.

Useful Tips & Resources

Even though all of the winter jackets on this list are well-insulated and built to last, you might want to wear extra layers underneath just in case things get nasty while you’re out skiing. Here are a few tips for staying warm on the slopes by utilizing good layering.

The jackets on this list are all very strong and durable, but that doesn’t make them immune from potential damage. If you want to protect your investment, it’s good to know how to fix a torn jacket. Check out the video below for some advice on how to do just that. 

Final Verdict

The Helly Hansen Alpha 3.0 is my pick for the best ski jacket for big and tall men. This is a great jacket made by a legendary company, and it comes in many larger sizes that will fit perfectly on larger skiers. 

Every option on this list is highly recommended for bigger skiers. If you have ever struggled to get a jacket that fits properly, you know how annoying that can be. Do yourself a favor and check out the models here to simplify the process.