Why travel all the way to Sweden to test ski gear? Besides the exciting and under-the-radar ski resorts in the Jämtland Härjedalen region, the winter climate provides a spectrum of varying weather ideal for putting technical wear to the test. So, I ask, why not test ski gear in Sweden?

I’m talking specifically about the new Titanium line from Columbia Sportswear. Columbia took the foundation it built when it designed the Olympic freestyle ski team uniforms for the United States, Canada and Russia, and implemented it into its new Titanium commercial line. The result is group of bombproof pieces that skiers coveting trustworthy, technical gear to combat the elements will be fawning over.

Perhaps the most burly piece in the line is the Vamoose 860 Turbodown Interchange Jacket. As Fred Dennis, Columbia’s general merchandising manager for outerwear informed me about this piece, “The guy wearing this jacket, I do not want to get into a bar fight with, because he’s going to kick my ass. He’s a tough guy and this is a tough jacket.”

And that’s the truth. To start, the Vamoose is constructed with an extra rugged canvas material—something you’d expect to find on a snowcat mechanic—that helps prevent wear and tear when shredding in unforgiving terrain. For the bitter cold days, the jacket is outfitted with an interchangeable midlayer that is built with Columbia’s 860 TurboDown insulation as well as Omni-Heat reflective—the company’s proprietary technology that utilizes silver dots to retain user generated heat. For more mild temperatures, the midlayer can be taken out and the jacket worn as a technical shell. The underarm vents provide additional venting, and the longer fit is something that will appeal to the freeskiing community.

I chose to pair the Vamoose jacket with the Jump Off Cargo Pant. The pants performed swimmingly in the backcountry settings (read: off-piste) surrounding the resorts of Åre and Ramundberget. Burly reinforced cuff guards protected against common abrasions caused from boots, bindings and other backcountry equipment, and the full length leg vent coupled with the breathability of Omni-Heat Reflective, ensured overheating was not an option.

While in Sweden, I encountered a variety of conditions, from colder temperatures in the early mornings, to springlike weather in the afternoon, to absolute whiteout conditions on top of Åre. The bevy of features built into both the Vamoose and Jump Off pants were well suited to keep me comfortable and at the top of my game regardless of Mother Nature’s mood.

Another piece included in the new Titanium line is the Heatzone 1000 Turbodown Hooded Jacket. While this particular editor wouldn’t necessarily tote this while shredding—it’s simply too warm (imagine that) for someone like me who runs a bit on the hot side—but certainly stands the test against the coldest mountain conditions possible. It’s warmth is derived from Columbia’s new TurboDown Wave construction—100 grams of Omni Heat thermal insulation that runs through the center of the jacket. The shell and lining fabric of the garment are then sewed together to create individual pockets filled with 900 fill goose down that’s also water resistant to add to the versatility of this piece. These pockets seek to eliminate any cold spots in the jacket. For those that have body temperature running on the cold side, think about this piece for skiing in colder climates. The Heatzone 1000 is also a stellar choice for cold nights on the town, perhaps on your way to The Bygget nightclub in downtown Åre?

Be on the lookout for these outerwear options and the rest of the Columbia Titanium line, set to hit shelves this fall.