With the snowy weather making its grand appearance, students are eagerly waiting for the opportunity to take trips to various ski resorts and tear up the slopes. While some are ready to show off their new gear, others are still in a desperate search for the sickest slope styles. Ski and snowboarding jackets with crazy colors, patterns and designs are of top priority for many students.

Volcom, Ride, Burton and the North Face are all brands that carry the most popular jackets whose styles show creativity and express individuality. Styles rocked on the slopes tend to have bright eye catching colors that accentuate the personality of the wearer. While the North Face tends to be a more expesive brand, it is easy to find Burton, Ride, and Volcom jackets at a more resonable price.
“My jacket is bright purple,” senior Samantha Lugar said. “I really like the plain jackets that are really bright and fun looking.”

The crazy styles not only are great looking but they also serve a practical purpose. The bright and unique colors help groups stay together and find one another.
“I like seeing all the different jackets on the slopes,” junior Nathan Seeto said, “My friends all have crazy looking jackets which make it easy to spot them on the mountain.”
Plaid, striped, splatter paint, and earthy designs are currently at the top of the must buy list of every snowboarder and skier. Some of the most popular men’s jackets use earth tones and simple designs like army prints and dark colored plaid.

“Some of my friends like Dan [Oviatt] and Andrew Pack wear the crazy snowboarding clothes and they are pretty good,” junior Andy Craig said, “If you wear that stuff you better have the skills or else you are a total tool.”

Although there is definitely a drastic difference in the amount and variety of men and woman’s jackets, there are some quality choices in woman’s jackets.
“It is hard to find good looking woman’s jackets that have the features the mean’s jackets do,” junior Megan Loman said, “but I think Burton and the North Face always have high quality jackets that look really good.”

While looking good is an important factor when choosing a jacket, it is also important to make sure the jacket has certain features needed. The number and size of the pockets needed depends on what the wearer carries. Larger item such as radios, cell phones, and iPods should each have their own pockets to prevent damages. One aspect that many would not think to check for would be the level of water proof a jacket is. Water resistant jackets made of microfibers are not meant to withstand heavy exposure to moisture. These jackets are more meant for rain rather than lying out in the snow. You really need to make sure the jacket is described as waterproof. Waterproof jackets are coated with a Gortex laminate that repels rain and allows steam to pass through.

Places like Ski Chalet, REI and Pro Board Shop are all places that sell the most popular ski and snowboard jackets. With their reasonable prices and top jackets these are the best places to visit when purchasing gear for the slopes. Ski Chalet guarantees if a lower price is found at another store, bring in the ad and they will give you the product for the lower price. Do not waste anymore time, it is now that time to find the perfect ski and snowboarding jackets of the season!