What is a stylish yet practical coat to where when skiing?

[jenthehen]

DH has offered to buy me a descent quality coat for our week in Finland. I haven't been skiing since having the children so am a bit out of touch. I'd like something that I could wear afterwards for general outdoor use, however I am being drawn to some white and cream coloured ones. DH suggested something like North Face. I'd spend upto £180 (although would happily spend less if anyone knows to a bargain!!).Please could you help me to narrow the search down as we go in less than 2 weeks and I don't want to rush and buy something that I regret. Any advice greatly received.
In the meantime I will continue my hunt for snow boots
kids tube socks
balaclavas
kid's thermal mits
etc etc

thanks

TNF Nupste or Greenland ?

Sweaty Betty usually have a pretty good sale of their snow gear. Not sure if you're near any of their shops but here's the online shop:

www.sweatybetty.com/Scripts/Prodlist.asp?idCategory=153&ncx1=54&ncx2=153&title=sale:_snow

Ooh those are both names he's mentioned (he's much more into than I am) I'll take a look. I did see some Nupste boots that looked cool, a bit like Uggs with a good warmth rating but they weren't waterproof, am I missing something or would these be very impractical for playing in the snow with the kids. I haven't signed the kids up to kindergarten as dd (3)was mortified at the thought of being left on her own so I'll grab some skiing when DH has the kids but other than that I'll probably be sledging etc. and want to have warm feet too!

these

Saw Catalyst jacket today - lovely!!

Do you have a Decathlon near you? Their ski wear looks great and they do the full range - plus you get to ask some hunky French/Spanish bloke for info as most of their employees are foreign students!

Thanks for those, all lovely jackets, I went on a hunt yesterday to the Ellis Brighams shop at Tamworth. Unfortunately they didn't have any of the above jackets in and I'd rather try them on before risking buying online and discovering that they didn't fit or weren't as I expected. So, I've come away with a Helly Hansen Sunflake Angorra/cream, it's probably not ultra stylish but it's lovely and warm, lightweight, waterproof and incredibly comfortable. (I attempted a link but failed). I did try loads on and found that the NF jackets weren't a particularly good fit on me.

For kids' stuff, try Muddy Puddles - they have some ski wear. I was also going to put a link to cheapo adult (and some kids') stuff at Tchibo.

thanks jackieNo, I've just placed an order with Muddy Puddles!