Beginner ski advise (clothing etc)

Hi,

I am off to Val D'isere for my first ever ski holiday on Saturday with my boyfriend & his friends (none of which are beginners!)

I have had lessons, level 1 - 4 here in a snowdome and I feel confident I think! And I have lessons booked for when I arrive.

I also have lots of clothing & after reading alot of the messages on here there are some things that I will now take that I hadn't thought about E.G blister plasters, energy sweets & tissues!

I have seen recent pictures in Val and it looks to be thick snow, what do you wear on your feet in the evenings going to bars/pubs? I am planning on taking Timberland boots & jeans but should I take my beloved UGG boots? Do people dress down/more casual in the evenings on a ski holiday? The temperatures are varying from -3 to -12. I cannot see how I am going to keep within my baggage allowance!

I think I am all set with my ski clothing (plenty of layers as I feel the cold, socks & hats etc) but is there anything that I should take that I may not have thought of?

Thanks!

amandat21 wrote:Hi,

I am off to Val D'isere for my first ever ski holiday on Saturday with my boyfriend & his friends (none of which are beginners!)

I have had lessons, level 1 - 4 here in a snowdome and I feel confident I think! And I have lessons booked for when I arrive.

I also have lots of clothing & after reading alot of the messages on here there are some things that I will now take that I hadn't thought about E.G blister plasters, energy sweets & tissues!

I have seen recent pictures in Val and it looks to be thick snow, what do you wear on your feet in the evenings going to bars/pubs? I am planning on taking Timberland boots & jeans but should I take my beloved UGG boots? Do people dress down/more casual in the evenings on a ski holiday? The temperatures are varying from -3 to -12. I cannot see how I am going to keep within my baggage allowance!

I think I am all set with my ski clothing (plenty of layers as I feel the cold, socks & hats etc) but is there anything that I should take that I may not have thought of?

Thanks!

I have never skied with plasters/energy sweets or tissues.

I wear trainers, just back from a week in Sainte Foy ( ok ok I will shut up) which is just around the road from Val D and I wore nothing but trainers or ski boots on my feet! Jeans and a tshirt/shirt is what I go for in the evenings but everything tends to be quite casual!

Silk thermals are the sh*t.. you will be fine! Just remember to golden rule to wear too much rather than too little (must not be applied off the slopes at any time) as you can always take a layer off.

Ross I did'nt know you went to Sainte Foy, when was that? :lol: Ross is so right about the silk thermals, they are brilliant, planning on more silks for next years.

I am all about the silk.

I think it has been covered in at least two different threads, Rose, do keep up! :roll:

amandat21 wrote:Hi,

I am off to Val D'isere for my first ever ski holiday on Saturday with my boyfriend & his friends (none of which are beginners!)

I have had lessons, level 1 - 4 here in a snowdome and I feel confident I think! And I have lessons booked for when I arrive.

I also have lots of clothing & after reading alot of the messages on here there are some things that I will now take that I hadn't thought about E.G blister plasters, energy sweets & tissues!

I have seen recent pictures in Val and it looks to be thick snow, what do you wear on your feet in the evenings going to bars/pubs? I am planning on taking Timberland boots & jeans but should I take my beloved UGG boots? Do people dress down/more casual in the evenings on a ski holiday? The temperatures are varying from -3 to -12. I cannot see how I am going to keep within my baggage allowance!

I think I am all set with my ski clothing (plenty of layers as I feel the cold, socks & hats etc) but is there anything that I should take that I may not have thought of?

Thanks!

Hello! And welcome!
I also had my first ever ski trip last year to Valmorel after having lessons 1 - 4 covered in the local Xscape! It's enough practice to better yourself! :)
Clothing? Here is a small list of which I can recommend:
Suitable Ski Jacket - Breathable type (Unless renting)
Salopettes (Unless renting)
Thermal layers - You can pick these up from places like Primark, Trespass etc. They're not too expensive!
Try and get your hands on some proper ski socks - Might have some luck in places like Aldi, Lidl or Tesco.
Sun glasses and/or goggles - personal preference really, I take both!
Possibly a hat, like a wooly hat/thinsulate type.
Sun cream! Do not go without this :) Due to being closer to the sun than at home, you're more exposed to the rays :) Stay protected.
Tissues, as been covered.
For casual wear off the slopes? You'd be surprised how many people don't care about how they look ;) You'll see plenty people just hanging out in bars still in their salopettes and jackets etc.
However, if you don't like the idea of this, i'd recommend boots - timberlands like you've mentioned, or your beloved UGG boots - either work equally as well - probably better off with the UGG though, my sister took them last week to Alpe D'Huez, had no problems!
Things like denims, t-shirts etc are more than fine for wearing around :)
And if you're a sock wearer off the slopes, just take an average pair - Even though the forecast can be -10C etc.. You won't feel as cold as you think!
Deoderant/anti-persperant, toothbrush, toothpaste, any other toiletries you feel necessary.

Also, first check with who you're staying with if they supply towels - if not, take 1 or 2 with you, obviously :) Just hang em' over the heater during the day!
Hmm, having a though about what else I can recommend..
€'s!! Obviously :)
Your camera (to share your experience with us here on J2Ski and others, of course :)), your phone, purse, camera charger and your phone charger - A lot of people forget those ;)

And I believe that's all I can think of just yet.
Don't worry about the baggage weight, it can easily be done. The above sounds a lot, but don't go taking 3 - 4 pairs of denims, t shirts etc, because you won't wear them all :)
Be strict with yourself!

Anyone think i've missed something, throw it in!
Last of all, Have a great time!
Report back to us with your experience!
Take care

Dont forget your mug,unless you like taking your coffee out of an inkwell!

baillie353 wrote:
Possibly a hat, like a wooly hat/thinsulate type.

definitely a hat or two, keeping warm and keeping the sun off.

great list though, we ought to save these somehow, there's been some great ones posted in different threads and they must be about definitive.

micric wrote:Dont forget your mug,unless you like taking your coffee out of an inkwell!

or out of thin air :D I stayed in a place last week that thoughtfully provided a kettle and no cups at all :roll: