The Fusalp Ski Jacket Guide: Every Women’s Style, Rated

The right Fusalp ski jacket comes down to how cold you run and how you like a jacket to sit. The Annecy house, founded in 1952, makes fitted quilted shells such as the Delphine, technical softshells like the Katarina and the Barsy down, rated 5 out of 5 for warmth. Coveti stocks the women’s edit on our Fusalp brand page and in women’s ski jackets.

What makes a Fusalp ski jacket different?

Fusalp was started by two Annecy tailors, Georges Ribola and Rene Veyrat, and the jackets still read as tailoring first. Waists are shaped. Quilting is placed to flatter rather than to bulk out. The practical parts (snow guard, ski pass pocket, thumbhole cuffs) are built into the pattern, so the jacket looks as clean in the lift queue as it does at lunch.

Most insulated styles use what the brand calls its Fusalp approved membrane, described as waterproof, windproof and breathable, and checked in the Quality and R&D laboratory that has run in Annecy since 2018. Fusalp does not publish millimetre waterproof ratings, so you will not find any here. Each jacket is designed in France and made by partner workshops, with the country named per product: our Delphine and Katarina are made in China, the Barsy in Black in Vietnam. The full breakdown is in where Fusalp is made, and the label score is decoded in Fusalp warmth levels explained.

The Fusalp ski jackets at Coveti, side by side

Which Fusalp ski jacket is the warmest?

The Barsy. Fusalp gives the Barsy Ski Down Jacket in Mastic its top score, 5 out of 5, with protection for cold down to -30 degrees Celsius. The fill is 80% duck down certified to the Responsible Down Standard, the shell is an ultra-matte stretch fabric with the Fusalp membrane, and the hood is integral. A fixed snow breaker and large injected zips finish it. The cut is boxy and oversized, which is the point: it goes over a fitted fuseau on the mountain and over a skirt in town. It also comes in a deeper Falcon beige.

I’d take the Mastic for a January week in Val d’Isere. The pale, matte shell looks expensive without shouting, and it hides the odd chairlift scuff better than white.

Every other insulated jacket in our edit sits at 4 out of 5, the level Fusalp gives most of its padded ski jackets and suits. The brand attaches no temperature to levels 1 to 4, so read 4 as properly warm and 5 as the deep cold specialist.

The fitted classic: Delphine

If you want the jacket people picture when they hear the name, it is the Delphine Ski Jacket in Black. Fusalp calls its V-shaped quilting iconic, and here it structures an iridescent waterproof, water-repellent fabric over Sorona synthetic fill. The hood is attached and adjustable, the sleeves have a grommet for the thumb, the zips are injection-moulded with a mirror finish, and a snow guard with non-slip elastic sits inside. It fits true to size and close to the body, and our listing runs from FR 34 to FR 46 (UK 6 to UK 18). The Delphine Ski Jacket in Navy is the same jacket, softer on pale skin than black.

The technical softshell: Katarina

The Katarina Ski Jacket in Black is the one for skiers who spend all day on the hill. It is a stretch softshell with the Fusalp membrane and PrimaLoft wadding, long enough to cover the seat, with tabs to pull in the waist. The hood is removable. Padded reinforcements on the arms and shoulders take the knocks of carrying skis, and the zips are waterproof. Fusalp describes the fit as close, so it layers best over a thin thermal rather than a chunky knit.

The pure shell: Roppi

The Roppi Ski Jacket in Black carries no warmth rating because it has no insulation at all. It is a 3-layer matte stretch shell, unlined and fully seam taped, with underarm vents, a removable hood with a cord lock, hook-and-loop cuffs and four zipped outer pockets. Treat it as a weather layer and build the warmth underneath, for example with the Lirvane Mid Layer Jacket in Black over a thermal top. It suits spring skiing and skiers who run hot.

Couture details: Gitu, Beqya, Auphea and Charloy

• Gitu Ski Jacket in Snow: smocked satin twill with softshell side panels, a large removable synthetic fur collar, a baguette smock across the bib and a removable belt. Rated 4 out of 5.
• Beqya Down Jacket in Cloud: diamond quilting, 90% duck down, a removable faux fur collar and a light integrated snow skirt. Fusalp notes that it runs large.
• Auphea Down Jacket in Navy: quilted down with stripes down the sleeves, which the brand describes as a tribute to its ski pant. An adjustable hem and an attached snow breaker keep powder out.
• Charloy Down Jacket in Navy, Black and Snow: short, iridescent and filled with Sorona synthetic down. Fusalp says it is inspired by the Barsy, with colour blocking on the sleeves and elbows taken from the Clarisse ski suit.

How should a Fusalp ski jacket fit?

Fusalp numbers its women’s sizes 34 to 44, which line up with UK 6 to 16. A Fusalp 38 is a UK 10 and a US 6. The brand’s standing advice is to take your usual size and, if you fall between two, the larger one. Within that rule the cuts differ:

• Close to the body: Delphine and Katarina. Plan for a thin base layer underneath.
• True to size: Gitu, Auphea and Roppi.
• Designed oversized: Barsy and Charloy. Do not size down to make them fitted.
• Runs large: Beqya.

The full conversion, with US and Italian sizes, is in our Fusalp size guide.

What to wear with a Fusalp ski jacket

A fitted jacket wants a fitted leg, and Fusalp’s own answer is the fuseau, the stretch ski trouser that gave the brand its name. Our Fusalp fuseau and ski pants guide pairs each jacket with a pant. Underneath, a brushed thermal such as the Gemini does more than a thick sweater. If you would rather wear one piece, the Fusalp ski suit guide covers the Clarisse and Kira. For a wider comparison beyond one house, our best women’s ski jackets edit sets Fusalp beside labels such as Mackage and Perfect Moment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Fusalp jackets good?

Fusalp jackets are well made for both skiing and town. Insulated styles use the Fusalp approved membrane, described as waterproof, windproof and breathable, the Annecy laboratory runs over 8,000 tests a year, and Fusalp gives a warranty of at least 2 years on all products.

Is Fusalp waterproof?

Most Fusalp ski jackets use the Fusalp approved membrane, which the brand describes as waterproof, windproof and breathable, and the Roppi adds fully taped seams. Fusalp does not publish millimetre waterproof ratings, so check the fabric details on each product page.

Is Fusalp a luxury brand?

Yes. Fusalp is a French luxury skiwear house founded in 1952 in Annecy. Since 2014 it has been majority owned by the Lacoste family (Philippe Lacoste and Sophie Lacoste-Dournel), and its Paris tailoring workshop is led by artistic director Mathilde Lacoste.

Which Fusalp ski jacket is the warmest?

The Barsy Ski Down Jacket. Fusalp rates it 5 out of 5, its highest level, for cold down to -30 degrees Celsius, and fills it with 80% duck down certified to the Responsible Down Standard.

Do Fusalp ski jackets run small?

Most Fusalp ski jackets are true to size. Fusalp sizes 34 to 44 match UK 6 to 16, so a Fusalp 38 is a UK 10. The Barsy and Charloy are cut oversized and the Beqya runs large.