A backcountry or touring jacket is built for the uphill grind. These jackets are typically lightweight, shell-only designs with minimal insulation and maximum breathability. When you're skinning or hiking for your turns, your body generates a ton of heat and moisture, so a touring jacket prioritizes letting that sweat escape rather than trapping warmth.
The trade-off is that you'll need a layering system underneath—like a lightweight midlayer you can shed or add as conditions change—since the jacket itself won't keep you warm when you stop moving. Touring jackets also skip resort-specific features like lift pass pockets and insulated seats, which you won't need in the backcountry.
If you're mostly riding lifts at the resort, a backcountry shell will leave you cold and under-insulated during long chairlift rides. But if you're spending significant time earning your turns under your own power, a touring-specific jacket is the right tool—it'll keep you from overheating on the climb and pack down small in your bag for the descent.