The Fusalp Ski Suit Guide: Clarisse, Kira, Kivna, Jorket and Montanetta

A Fusalp ski suit is a one-piece built on the house’s competition history: Fusalp made its first competition ski suit for the 1966 World Championships in Portillo, Chile. Today the Clarisse and Kira are rated 4 out of 5 for warmth, the Jorket 3 out of 5. Coveti stocks five women’s styles across our Fusalp edit and women’s ski suits.

Why does Fusalp make such good ski suits?

Because it has been making them for racers since the 1960s. Fusalp worked with the French Ski Federation to dress the French teams, and the brand says its first competition suit, made for Portillo in 1966, was called “a sensation” by Marielle Goitschel. A 1968 film shot in Megeve shows Jean-Claude Killy, Leo Lacroix and Guy Perillat in new Fusalp suits. The house was founded in Annecy in 1952 by tailors Georges Ribola and Rene Veyrat, and that tailoring shows in a modern suit: the waist is cut, the knees are shaped, and the stripes do structural work rather than decorative work. Our Fusalp history has the full story.

The technical side is newer. Most suits use the Fusalp approved membrane, which the brand describes as waterproof, windproof and breathable, over a stretch softshell. Each suit is designed in France and tested in the Annecy laboratory, then made by a partner workshop; our Clarisse in Navy and Black and the Kira are both made in China. For what the 1 to 5 score on the label means, see Fusalp warmth levels explained.

The Fusalp ski suits at Coveti, compared

Clarisse: the Fusalp ski suit to know

The Clarisse is the most searched Fusalp suit by name, and it earns it. The Clarisse Ski Suit in Navy and Black is a stretch softshell bonded to fleece, with the Fusalp membrane and DuPont Sorona insulation. It carries the brand’s classic codes: a wide stand-up collar, a quilted upper body, graphic stripes and quilted knee pads for movement. The sleeves have a grommet for the thumb and the lower legs have snow gaiters. Fusalp rates it 4 out of 5.

The newer colourways are cut to read as a short jacket over ski pants, with a cinched waist, elbow and knee details and a colour block that looks straight out of a 1960s race photograph. The Clarisse Ski Suit in Mastic, Snow and Black is the one I’d pick: the pale top half photographs beautifully against snow, and the black legs forgive a wet chairlift. The Clarisse Ski Suit in Snow and Cloud is the all-pale option. All have zipped chest and hand pockets, an inside chest pocket, a ski pass pocket and a zipped hem. Clarisse is fitted at the hips, so if you are between sizes take the larger one.

Kira: colour block with a cut-out

The Kira Ski Suit in Navy and Racing Red pairs a quilted water-repellent polyester top with a fleece-lined stretch softshell bottom. Its signature is a contrasting cut-out on the front and an adjustable waist, which Fusalp says makes the suit modular. Insulation is Sorona synthetic fill, and the rating is 4 out of 5. The fit is true to size and close to the body, so a fine thermal is the right layer underneath.

Kivna and Montanetta: the faux fur collars

Both suits come with a removable faux fur collar, which turns a ski suit into something you can wear to a long terrace lunch. The Kivna Ski Suit in Falcon adds muffs with a thumbhole, an adjustable belted waist, zipped chest and hand pockets, and snow gaiters with reinforced, zipped hems. Fusalp rates it 4 out of 5.

The Montanetta Ski Suit in Black is the dressiest suit in our edit. Fusalp describes it as embodying the house’s couture spirit, with vertical bands and a diamond smock, a separate belt and knitted storm cuffs. The brand calls it very warm, though no number appears in our listing, so check the live product page for its rating.

Jorket: the softshell for active days

The Jorket Ski Suit in Moss Green, Black and Snow is the lightest of the five at 3 out of 5. It is a bonded fleece softshell, fully stretch, with a smocked bib in a satin-effect micro twill. The knees are preshaped and reinforced with foam, the collar is rib knit, and the belt is separate. It suits skiers who run warm, spring snow and anyone who wants freedom of movement over maximum padding. Add a mid layer when the temperature drops.

How do Fusalp ski suits fit?

Every suit in our edit runs Fusalp 34 to 44, which equals UK 6 to 16, US 2 to 12 and Italian 38 to 48. A Fusalp 38 is a UK 10. Fusalp’s standard advice applies: take your usual size, and the larger of two if you are in between. The model in the product photography is 176 cm tall and wears a Fusalp 38.

• Torso length matters more in a one-piece than in separates. If you are tall for your size, check the garment measurements on the product page first.
• Clarisse is fitted at the hips; Kira sits close to the body.
• Belted styles (Kivna, Montanetta, Jorket) give more room to adjust at the waist.

The full chart is in our Fusalp size guide.

Ski suit, jacket and pants: which is right for you?

A one-piece seals out snow at the waist and has a single clean line from collar to boot. Separates give you more outfits from fewer pieces. If you prefer separates, our Fusalp ski jacket guide and Fusalp fuseau and ski pants guide cover the matching pieces. For a broader look at one-pieces from other labels, read our women’s ski suits guide. Finish with a Fusalp beanie and a pair of PrimaLoft-insulated gloves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Fusalp ski suit is the warmest?

The Clarisse, Kira and Kivna share the warmest rating in our edit, 4 out of 5 on Fusalp’s own scale. The Jorket is rated 3 out of 5. Fusalp only attaches a temperature to level 5, so levels 1 to 4 carry no degree figure.

Is the Fusalp Clarisse ski suit waterproof?

The Clarisse uses the Fusalp approved membrane, which the brand describes as waterproof, windproof and breathable, over a stretch softshell bonded to fleece. Fusalp does not publish millimetre waterproof ratings.

How do Fusalp ski suits fit?

Fusalp ski suits run from Fusalp 34 to 44, equal to UK 6 to 16. A Fusalp 38 is a UK 10. Take your usual size, and the larger size if you are between two. Tall women should check the garment measurements for torso length.

Where are Fusalp ski suits made?

Fusalp ski suits are designed in France and tested in the brand’s Annecy laboratory, then made by partner workshops. The Clarisse in Navy and Black and the Kira are made in China.

When did Fusalp make its first ski suit?

Fusalp made its first competition ski suit for the 1966 World Championships in Portillo, Chile, while it was working with the French Ski Federation to dress the French teams.