A resort ski jacket is built specifically for lift-served skiing, so it includes features you won't find on backcountry or park-focused jackets. The biggest difference is insulation—since you're sitting still on cold chairlifts between runs, resort jackets add warmth that touring shells deliberately skip. You'll also find a dedicated lift pass pocket, usually on the lower left sleeve, so you can scan onto lifts without fumbling around.
Resort jackets balance weather protection, warmth, and style in a way that works for a full day at the ski area, including après-ski. They tend to have a more tailored fit compared to the oversized look of park or snowboard-specific jackets.
The main downside? If you try to use a resort jacket for backcountry touring, you'll likely overheat quickly on the uphill. But if you spend most of your time on groomed runs and lift-accessed terrain, a resort-specific jacket is hard to beat.