It’s still ski season in Colorado with some resorts open well into April and even May thanks to so much snow this season, including more on the way this week.

My favorite ski gear find of the season has been a jacket. I’m a fan of color on the slopes and was immediately drawn to Obermeyer Joule Down Jacket in red (comes in 3 others colors too). I’ve been an Obermeyer fan for years, partly because the company is based in Colorado, but mainly because they make ski clothes that last. After 8 ski season, I was due a new jacket. At Outdoor Retailer/Snow Show in January, I got a sneak peek at what Obermeyer has coming for the 2019-2020 season ski. It’s fabulous, including pieces that can easily take you from the slopes to apres to other winter activities like snowshoeing. They’re really going after making pieces that are multi-functional, multi-sport with number one priority of comfort with a sleek or sporty style on the slopes.

I had two weeks of skiing planned in early March – Beaver Creek, Colorado then 3 resorts in Banff, Canada with Ski Big 3 and a week in Breckenridge, Colorado with my bestie’s family. I got the Joule Down Jacket in Red Bravado right before heading to Canada. First thing I noticed, besides the awesome red color, was how lightweight it is. As I was packing for Banff, I was thrilled it wasn’t bulky and easily packed into my duffle roller. Couple of details I love in the jacket: the cozy fleece collar; the almost invisible check pocket that is perfect to stash your ski pass; the inside zip pocket that’s great for money, ID and credit card; and the stitching detail to give the sporty jacket a more sleek look.

First day I wore the jacket was for an interview on climate change with CLIF bar and Protect Our Winters at the Burton US Open in Vail. Next day I gave it a test run on a cold and snowy day at Beaver Creek. I was thrilled it kept me toasty in adverse weather conditions. It was a cold but beautiful day on my first ski day in Canada at Lake Louise Ski Resort. By cold I mean temperatures below zero to start the ski day. I put on a tank, Obermeyer’s Ballet 1/4 Zip Baselayer, and the jacket and I was perfect. Two days later it was warmer at Mt. Norquay Ski Resort so I put on a lighter base layer. Again, I was perfect. I’d feel the same when I skied in cold and cloudy conditions at Sunshine Ski Resort and skiing a day at Breckenridge when the high only hit in the low teens. It’s my go-to ski jacket now so I’m sure you’ll see lots of pictures of me in it next ski season too.

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I also wanted a long black parka jacket. I had been looking for something not too bulky, but very warm, that would easily pack into my suitcase. I scored big again with the Obermeyer’s Devi Down Parka. I love it’s slimming silhouette, warmth without the bulk, and the sparkly inner cuffs! It’s even perfect for a snowshoe outing at Lake Louise Chateau with a puffy vest underneath on a very cold day in Canada.