Opinions on a down jacket.

Down (or synthetic) jackets with a shell over, seem to be very common in the US with people who ski a lot. It's a versatile combo. If I'm away from home, I take a light softshell jacket as well. Most down jackets don't have pit zips. If it looks like it will be warm later in the day, I wear the shell over the softshell, which does have pit zips.