Totally New to Skiing

:PHello - I'm new here and new to skiing, so at the moment I don't understand most of the tech stuff!!! But I am looking for some advice, after going into a shop and asking what I would need to get us (me and the missus) started - experience consists of lots of skiing as kids, and a few refreshes at the dry slope recently, now TOTALLY got the bug and want to get back out there. Only unlike when we were kids, we can actually go and get some decent gear (that fits and we don't have to grow into) So any of you guys recommend A: what we shoudl go for in terms of kit and B: The best place to get them from. I'm not just concerned about the price, it's the service of the store that matters the most.

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

Briangreen welcome to J2ski :D There are quite a few reputable retailers around the country. Where is your nearest big town, and how far are you prepared to travel?

As for what to buy 1st? Boots, fitted properly :D

Most retailers will be waiting for their winter stock to arrive, most will be fully stocked by the end of September.

I would suggest renting skis for a couple of winters, until you get a feel for how modern kit performs on snow.

Hiya, thanks for the prompt reply, I work all over so any where is good, Probably Yorkshire/Manchester area would be best .... and I have got to buy! I like my gadgets and shiney new things, I may not buy it all at once, but certanly skis, boots and poles

BG

Briangreen, for your location, I would suggest Rivington Alpine, who have been in the biz for a long time and are near Bolton.

http://www.rivingtonalpine.co.uk/index.php

Buy boots 1st and be prepared to spend 2-3 hours with a fitter. Be honest when they ask you about your skiing and fitness, and tell them if you have any health problems that could affect your feet (Diabetes for example). Make sure they do a shell size check with your foot in the boot shell. A good fitter will offer you 1 or 2 boots only to try, these will be the ones that suit the shape of your feet and ankles.

You will be able to Demo new skis at the Snowdomes around the country. Try before you buy!

Hi Briangreen, My advise will be to take lessons at the chill factore in Manchester, and buy your self boots there from Snow & rock so you will be able to ski and refit until its perfect, the boots are the most important and it makes all the different's,and for clothing start with the cheapest i boght my stuff from trespass outlet in the Lowry, in salford quays.

broom is right about the boots,but i would not buy the cheap outfits ,i did and as soon as returned home from my first trip i bought a brand new set of clobber ,buy the best you can afford

I would trust Rivington Alpine, for a 1st time customer for boots, a multiple chain can be very variable in fitting standards. Briangreen, might get a good fitter on the day, but he's in a vulnerable position, as he won't know what's being done right or wrong. My household has been sold and fitted with oversized boots by both the big ski retail chains in this country. These days I've become very picky about who I trust.

I was very surprised to discover, when I got my first ski boots fitted recently, that you do actually need a different type of boot according to whether you're a beginner, intermediate or advanced - something to do with the stiffness of the boot I believe.

So, as one progresses I guess one would also need to buy different boots. I went to a specialist boot fitter, and it took several hours, and it was very expensive. I have yet to try them out on the ski slope. I went to Profeet in London, where they also study the biomechanics of your lower leg in order to fit you correctly. I wrote a whole thread on the subject, if you can find it.

Best of luck with buying your new kit :D

Edit
Found my thread, here:

http://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/posts/list/8320.page

Ally