Ski Clothing for first (trial) ski trip

I am going for my first ski trip with the family (me, my wife, my 8 year old and my 5 year old).

We are looking at this trip as kind of a trial. If we like it we will go regularly.

So I don't want to spend a huge amount on clothing (in case we never use it again). But at the same time I do want to ensure we are warm and comfortable (especially the kids).

Does anyone have advice on where to shop for good deals and what to buy (and perhaps what not to buy)

Welcome Vidhur.

Before geting into specifics may I ask when your ski trip is planned for?
Season can make quite a difference in what is a necessity and what is a nice to have. So much warmer later in the ski season than at Christmas for example.

There are loads of budget ranges of ski clothes that are perfectly good quality (Even Aldi and Lidl do some excellent stuff) and TKMax is a useful place to go and look as well.

May I suggest you start with a shopping list for each of you.
Socks (decent socks are vital - 3 pairs each in my view)
Ski pants/saloppettes
Jacket
Gloves (strongly recommend 2 pairs each for kids)
Hat - for warmth (beanie) and sun protection (baseball cap)
Sunglasses - do not penny pinch on these, must be high UV filter (actually safety specs often have brilliant lenses and won't break, I have used Bollee safety glasses with dark lenses @ £7/8 as my spare pair for some time)

Something warm and waterproof for footwear for all of you (depending on season).

That pretty much covers the essentials.

Extras would be underwear - long johns/thermals, T shirts, fleeces. Many of these you will already have probably. You don't need the latest, whizzy, ski exclusive stuff. Serviceable outdoor type clothing will do (my favourite thermal undershirt is actually branded for golf!).

Do beg, borrow or steal from friends, relatives, workmates, casual aquaintances, that guy at the bus stop anything you can for the kids. You may be able to pass on from the 8yo to the 5yo - if you go skiing again - but kids grow so fast and stuff only needs to last one or two weeks.

You profile mentions Peisey - if this is where you are going an excellent choice, a lovely and snow sure area.

Let us know a bit more about your plans.

Thanks for the prompt response Old Andy, thats really useful. You're right I should ask to borrow and will be doing so! Yes I am going to Peisey with Club Med from 16-23 Dec. Good to get feedback on the resort as I really wasn't sure. Not sure if its going to be too early in the season?

Do you think I should have 2 sets of ski pants and thermals etc?

Pre Christmas in Peisey is potentially a bit hit and miss snow wise - BUT as beginners I would haver absolutely no concerns.

Club Med will look after you, you will all have something to learn to ski on (after all you won't be needing hundreds of kilometres of piste and massive steep and deep to keep you busy).

The weather could be anywhere at that time. It is likely to be cold, could snow a lot, could even rain!!

Layers are your friends here; kids in particular can get cold very quickly. You will I reckon absolutely need thermals and underlayers, and they will get smelly so a change could keep you socially acceptable.


I wouldn't worry about 2 sets of ski pants.

Even pre-christmas don't forget sun protection with glasses AND goggles and sun cream for exposed noses, ears, lips etc. (suncream keeps down windburn and cold nip as well).

If you wish, you could splash out on merino wool base layers (we like the icebreaker brand). These do not get smelly. I take one set of leggings and two tops on each holiday. Not cheap though!

As OldAndy has said, kids do seem to get cold very quickly (and then take ages to warm up again!). Buffs for the neck area are very useful. We also take lots of disposable hand and foot warmers for very cold days (although I don't tend to need these). Mycoal warmers are sold through Amazon - much cheaper here than in the resort.

Thats great information Bedrock Barney and thanks again Old Andy. I am new to forums and this is really useful!

It's actually quite difficult not to spend money on ski gear (from our experience!)

One thing I quickly upgraded was gloves. I had a decent enough pair at the beginning (probably cost about £20) and they did keep out the cold. However, they were also quite damp at the end of each day from sweat and started to pong quite badly at the end of the holiday. Both myself and my wife bought goretex gloves for the last trip at circa £40 (in the sale, down from about £60). Really noticed an improvement in breathability and general comfort levels.

My children were older than yours when they first went skiing, but I managed to get my daughter a jacket and sallopettes (used for one week only on a school trip) via a card in a shop window and my son acquired a jacket and sallopettes by asking around at school. Nowadays, I would suggest trying school friends and also freecycle or gumtree or whatever you have in your area by way of charity shops.
Take more than one pair of gloves for the children as you will probably be sledging/bumboarding/snowball throwing etc. in the evenings and the gloves may not dry out overnight.
One thing I would recommend is Compeed plasters for blisters. They work really well in case you feel a blister starting after your first day in hired ski boots.
Les Arcs is an excellent choice for your first trip - enjoy