Jesper Tjäder is a four-time Olympian, an Olympic bronze medallist (Beijing 2022, slopestyle), an X Games Knuckle Huck gold medallist (Aspen 2023), and the 2014 slopestyle World Cup overall winner. He is 31 years old, Swedish, from Östersund, and has been skiing since he was three. He is also one of the most creative freestyle skiers of his generation, known for pushing the boundaries of what is possible on rails and in park terrain.
His signature collection with Dope Snow is not a celebrity branding exercise. It is the product of an iterative design process across multiple seasons, with Tjäder directly involved from first sketch to final fit. The result for 2025/26 is two pieces: the JT Spartan Ski Jacket (£183) and the JT Big Ski Pants (£157). Together, that is £340 for a complete outerwear setup designed by one of the best freestyle skiers alive. At DTC pricing.
The Design Philosophy
Tjäder has described the process in his own words: you talk, you test, you tweak. Then you talk again, test harder, and tweak a little bit more. He works directly with the Dope Snow design team at their headquarters, testing prototypes and shaping each piece around how he actually rides.
This collection draws from his previous signature pieces, pulling forward the designs connected to his biggest competitive moments and the seasons that pushed his progression. The approach is not about reinventing outerwear. It is about refining what works through real riding and real feedback, then rebuilding it with updated details for the current season.
The aesthetic is deliberately retro, referencing early 2000s boxy silhouettes that defined park skiing’s visual identity. Clean lines, bold colour blocking (red and black on the jacket, black on the pants), and a minimal branding approach that lets the design speak for itself.
JT Spartan Ski Jacket: £183
This is a lightly insulated shell built for active riding. The specs:
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Waterproofing | 15,000mm |
| Breathability | 15,000g |
| Membrane | DRY Tech bonded, PFAS-free DWR treatment |
| Insulation | 40gsm Fellex lightweight insulation |
| Shell fabric | 2-way stretch, recycled polyester |
| Seams | Fully taped (TSGS technology) |
| Certification | bluesign certified |
| Price | £183 |
15k/15k is a solid mid-range waterproofing and breathability rating. It will handle a full day of park laps, resort riding, and moderate precipitation without breaking down. It is not a 20k+ membrane that you would take into sustained storm conditions, but for the type of riding this jacket is designed for, freestyle, park, and all-mountain days, 15k/15k is more than adequate.
The 40gsm Fellex insulation is light enough that you will not overheat during active skiing but provides enough warmth that you are not relying entirely on your layering system on colder mornings. This is a smart middle ground. A pure shell requires you to get your mid-layer right every time. A heavily insulated jacket locks you into one temperature range. The Spartan sits between the two.
Features That Matter
The hood is helmet-compatible with adjustable drawstrings. This sounds basic but a surprising number of jackets at this price point still get hood fit wrong. If you ride with a helmet (you should), the hood needs to go over it cleanly without pulling the jacket up at the back. The Storm Guard design handles this.
Underarm vents are large and zipped. Essential for park riding where you are hiking features, riding the chair, and generating heat through active movement. Without vents, a lightly insulated jacket becomes uncomfortable fast.
Wrist gaiters keep snow out during falls and inverted tricks. The gaiters are stretchy and sit comfortably inside gloves.
Lift pass pocket on the left sleeve with velcro closure. Internal media pocket for your phone. Two zipped side pockets for hands. The pocket layout is functional without being cluttered.
Microfleece-lined chinguard prevents the zip from rubbing against your face when fully zipped. A small detail that makes a significant difference on cold, windy days.
The Fit
The silhouette is deliberately boxy, referencing the retro park skiing aesthetic that Tjäder’s riding style embodies. This is not a slim athletic cut. It is a relaxed, slightly oversized shape that allows full range of movement for grabs, rotations, and rail tricks without the jacket riding up or restricting shoulder extension.
If you prefer a trim, body-hugging fit, this is not your jacket. If you understand why park skiers have always preferred a looser cut, this is exactly right.
JT Big Ski Pants: £157
The pants are uninsulated, super baggy, and built for the same rider as the jacket.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Waterproofing | 15,000mm |
| Breathability | 15,000g |
| Membrane | DRY Tech bonded, PFAS-free DWR treatment |
| Insulation | None |
| Shell fabric | 2-way stretch, recycled polyester |
| Seams | Fully taped (TSGS), minimal seam construction |
| Closure | Zipped fly, elasticated removable belt |
| Certification | bluesign certified |
| Price | £157 |
No insulation is the right call here. Uninsulated pants give you complete control over your warmth through base layer selection. A merino base layer on cold days, a lightweight synthetic on warmer park sessions. The 2-way stretch shell moves with you without restriction.
Features That Matter
The fit is super baggy. This is the defining characteristic. The JT Big Pants are cut wide through the leg with a relaxed seat and thigh, giving the kind of silhouette that defines park and freestyle culture. They are not shapeless: the 2-way stretch fabric maintains structure while providing the volume.
Elasticated snow gaiters with non-slip cuffs and lace hooks seal the bottom of the pants over your boots. This keeps snow out during crashes, deep days, and inverted landings.
The belt is fully removable. Elasticated waistband underneath means you can ride with or without the belt depending on preference. The belt adds a visual element to the look. The waistband underneath means the pants stay up regardless.
Minimal seam construction is a durability detail. Fewer seams mean fewer potential failure points. For a pant that will take repeated impacts from rails, landings, and general park abuse, this matters over the life of the garment.
Adjustable drawstring hem with toggle adjuster lets you dial in the leg opening around your boot. Wide enough to go over a ski boot, adjustable enough to prevent flapping.
The Collection Together: £340
The JT Spartan Jacket (£183) and JT Big Pants (£157) together cost £340. For context:
- An Arc’teryx Rush Jacket alone costs £700+
- A Patagonia Snowdrifter Jacket sits at £400+
- A 686 GLCR Hydra Jacket is around £300, without pants
At £340 for a complete top and bottom setup, both featuring 15k/15k waterproofing, fully taped seams, recycled materials, bluesign certification, and a design refined through direct input from a four-time Olympian, the DTC value proposition is difficult to argue with.
This is what Dope Snow does well. By selling direct, they remove the retail margin that forces other brands to price equivalent products at £500 to £800 for the same technical specification. The Tjäder collection is the clearest expression of that model: pro-level design input at a price that does not require pro-level sponsorship to afford.
The Sustainability Angle
Both pieces use recycled polyester made from repurposed plastic bottles in the shell, insulation (jacket), and lining. Both carry bluesign certification, which verifies that the materials and manufacturing processes meet environmental and safety standards. The DWR treatment is PFAS-free, avoiding the persistent chemicals that have become a significant concern in outdoor apparel manufacturing.
This is not a brand making sustainability its entire identity (that is Patagonia’s territory). It is a brand building sustainability into the product without using it as a reason to charge more. At £183 and £157, the recycled materials and bluesign certification are included in the price, not added on top of it.
Who Is This For
The Jesper Tjäder collection is designed for a specific rider: someone who prioritises freedom of movement, a relaxed park-influenced aesthetic, and technical performance at a DTC price point. It works for:
- Park and freestyle riders who want a boxy, retro-influenced silhouette that does not restrict movement during tricks
- All-mountain riders who want a versatile setup for resort days without paying premium brand prices
- Riders who layer and want uninsulated pants with a lightly insulated jacket rather than a heavily insulated system
- Anyone who values sustainability without wanting to pay the premium that typically accompanies recycled materials
It is less suited to backcountry touring (the 15k breathability would limit it in high-output skinning), extreme storm conditions (a 20k+ shell would be more appropriate), or riders who prefer a slim athletic fit.
The Verdict
The Jesper Tjäder x Dope Snow collection delivers exactly what it promises: a signature line built through seasons of genuine design collaboration with a world-class athlete, sold at DTC pricing that makes the competition look expensive.
At £183, the JT Spartan is a lightly insulated jacket with 15k/15k specs, fully taped seams, helmet-compatible hood, underarm vents, and a recycled, bluesign-certified construction. At £157, the JT Big Pants offer uninsulated 15k/15k performance with a super baggy freestyle cut, snow gaiters, and minimal seam construction for durability.
£340 for the full setup. Designed by a four-time Olympian with an Olympic bronze and an X Games gold. Built from recycled materials. Sold direct.
That is the Dope Snow value equation. The Tjäder collection is its strongest statement yet.