Didnt know where to post this but... FRIST TIME SKIER! Help Please!

I was just wondering what are/is the best brand/s for skiing gear? And exactly what is everything I need? I want to be well prepared. But don?t know where to start :S.


Thank you muchly in advance!

Hi Chris

The things that you need for a ski holiday are the following
salopettes
Jacket
Gloves
Goggles

Everything else you can hire and if it is your first time going I'd advise that you do.

Make sure that your jacket, salopettes and gloves are waterproof.

Brands are personal preference, there are a lot of good makes out there cheap as they are expensive. YOu can also hire ski wear for holidays from the UK. Not my bag personally but I know many people who have done so.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Max

:D

Thank you very much :D

and some comfy thick socks, I always wear a thin pair underneath too. Helps avoid sore feet

Rather than thick socks I would o and buy some Ski socks from a ski shop. They will cost you about £15 but are worth the money.

Cheers

Max

Hello Chris, Adding to want Max said.

For socks thin ski socks are definately my preference for a number or reasons

A) They allow the ski boots to fit more tightly which is want you want.

B) Make sure you buy the quick drying ones so you can wash and reuse them during a weeks skiing. 3 to 4 pairs in rotation is enough if you wash your socks after each day's skiing and hang them out to dry on radiator or chair. Don't waste your money and buy 6/7 pairs like I did for my first skiing trip. Besides you'll want to carry less rather than more to meet airline luggage allowances etc.



For the jacket I look for

a) Anything with a waterproof rating of at least 3000 ISOTEX to be on the safe side. Goretex is fine but is probably overkill for casual 1/2 week a year skiing. Besides GoreTex isn't as breathable as the less waterproof materials.

b) Urban style - Many of the jackets sold now have mostly solid colours and urban styling so they look great off piste and as casual winter jackets or for walking the dog. Re-use value.

c) 4 or more pockets so that I can take onto the mountain bits and bobs like goggles( when not in use), choccy bars,wallet, camera, phone, etc.
Safety Note : Hard objects like cameras and phones when stored in pockets can cause serious injuries should you fall onto them during a wipeout. Carry them at your own risk.


d) Zip off hood is preferable. Skiing when it's actually snowing is a great experience, the hood will stop snow going down your neck and provide a warm layer on colder days.

e) Light weight insulation or a shell (no insulation) jacket. Wear a mid layer fleece for warmth on days that need it.



salopettes

a) Mine are by Dare2Be, iostex 3000, have light weight insulation and cost under £35. Kept me warm even on a chair lift at below -10C in the middle of a hail/snow storm.


Googles

A) No need to buy the flash and expensive oakley stuff unless you want to.

B) Dual lenses and air vents for anti-fogging qualities.

C) I think the amber/yellow lenses are the most versatile as they are suitable for a greater range of different light conditions.


Sunglasses for days when it's too warm and sunny for goggles. Even goggles with venting features can steam up on hot sunny days. For safety reasons go for the plastic frames with smash resistent lenses. As a not very good skiier I have face planted(face down crash) at least once, and plastic frames are somewhat bendy. Bloc sports sunglasses sell through millets and are reasonably priced compared to oakley, Adidas, etc.

Gloves
A) My preference is for gloves with a removable inner insulation liner which I can store away in a jacket or salopette pocket until needed.



BASELAYER - I think this is important even for a first time skiier. The baselayer is the close fitting layer worn next to the skin under the optional warm fleece mid-layer and the waterproof outer-layer ski jacket.

The purpose of the baselayer is to wick away sweat and moisture to the outer layers. Avoid cotton baselayers because cotton soaks up sweat. Sitting on a chair lift with a chilling cold sweat soaked cotton t-shirt is not fun at all. Helly Hansen make LIFA baselayers for under 20 squid and they work brilliantly. The LIFA material is extremely quick drying and I make do with just two tops so long as I wash them after each day's skiing.

Hi Chris

My hubby and I went skiing for the first time a couple of seasons ago. We got our stuff mainly at Mountain Warehouse and TK Maxx the first time around. This year my hubby got decent salopettes in TK Maxx for about 50 quid and a really nice Animal jacket for about 100 quid in one of our local shops and he wears it everywhere. I'm quite small so I was able to get kids gear which saved me a fortune. You'll also need sunglasses and a neck warmer/scarf if it does snow. Most ski gear should have them but try a get salopettes and a jacket with air vents under the arms and down the legs. It was a blessing this year because it was so warm on the slopes. Get yourself a woolly hat as well, preferably one that covers your ears if it does get really cold. Someone recommended to me to wear thin silk socks under my ski socks because it would keep my feet warmer, but I didn't really notice much difference to be honest. Oh, and cut your toenails before you go!! :D