 Poster: A snowHead
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Gosh I hope not. I'm afraid I haven't been for a few months - around mid-March it was still going strong.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Just checked the Bicester website and nothing there to suggest its gone. If it is closing maybe there will be even bigger bargains??
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Rachel, I went up there a few weeks ago and it was closed but I understood it was for a shop re-fit?
I need to get a lighter jacket for next years EOSB 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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It looks as if I'll just have to force myself to go this weekend to see for myself 
Linds, any exciting new shops opened recently?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| RachelQ wrote: |
| It looks as if I'll just have to force myself to go this weekend to see for myself |
That would be helpful - I'm passing Bicester next week and was going to pop into the HH shop to see if they have any base layers on sale.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Helly Hanson has a shop in the Outlet Centre (tent city!) in Ashford, Kent. There is also a TOG-24 shop and a more general outdoor clothing and gear shop. Had a brief look at all three shops last weekend. All have lots of summer gear at present plus some winter stuff. Like many clothing shops their ranges reflect the seasons.
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Just got back from Bicester Village for a quick bit of retail therapy (in the name of research re Helly Hansen, you understand). It's definitely open, a huge sale going on with skiwear, and rob@rar.org.uk, lots of base layers in the new merino wool range.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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moosepig, A Shell Jacket is very adaptable as mentioned already - base, mid and top layers will allow adjustment for any temperature or conditions. I have ued mine in the range -1 to -40 degrees (Wind chill)
I use an Arc'Teryx Sidewinder Shell jacket. I think they are probably one of the best and because I was a very, very good boy last year, I also bought an Arc'Teryx Theta Ski Pants (same principle as the jacket.) Have a look at them at www.arcteryx.com. I bought direct and very economically from www.moosejaw.com in the US. It is a really crazy company, or maybe its just all its workers are crazy. Absolutely top class service. I bought mail order and had to pay the VAT on delivery. If you are planning a US trip, it would be very worthwhile purchasing when you are there and save a mint.
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Linds, I stopped myself from going into Tog24 and Musto - I spent too much in Karen Millen! Tog24 had some great ski gear earlier in the year, kids stuff especially. But I don't need anything new. Or so MrQ tells me. 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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RachelQ, don't listen to MrQ. After all, what does a bloke know about girls needing new stuff
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I hate to be a total dickhead; but frankly this post deserves it due to its continuing length / interest.
Why is it that Brits are obsessed with what they wear on the slopes?
Noone can deny the need to stay warm and comfortable , I wouldn't. But this post has attracted more responses than any on boot choice, boot fitting , ski suitability and ski review yet it is still live 'Hors saison'.
Perhaps the French are right , most Brits are more concerned with what they look like and not in skiing per se .. is skiing just another Fashion experience?
( Ducking on a wet day in France)
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eEvans,  In defence of my original post, I only asked about practical aspects of jackets, and specifically about what showy designer wear to avoid. There must be a million zillion different jackets on the market these days and I simply do not have time to assess each one on its own merits, hence I sought the experience of people who have more experience than me, the snowHeads massive.
Also I am a recreational skier. I don't take it too seriously, I ski for fun; and I certainly don't give a hoot what I look like on the slopes. [You'd know that if you'd ever seen me ski! ] I have my own boots and skis, and they're not the best in the world but they do for me. The single thing that makes the most difference to my skiing experience is the jacket. Not how it looks, but how it performs in terms of its thermal properties, moisture removal (in particular) and other practical features such as pockets. It's important to be comfortable, and to have room to store all the gadgets I carry around. I use my skis/boots for a maximum of 3 weeks every year, the jacket gets used day in, day out, throughout the winter.
I see what you're saying about the Helly Hansen discussion that has been going on, BUT this thread was primarily about jacket practicalities and performance, and has probably attracted the interest it has because for most Brits it's the only bit of ski wear that they use when not skiing, which is most of the time.
U Brain, did you get my latest PM?
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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| eEvans wrote: |
Perhaps the French are right , most Brits are more concerned with what they look like and not in skiing per se .. is skiing just another Fashion experience?
( Ducking on a wet day in France) |
Actually I thought it was the other way round, surely anyone who wears a one-peice, sunglasses, and a dainty headband in a blizzard isn't really too into skiing performance!! 
I think as many people here are recommending performance shells that really aren't that interesting to look at (the only mildly interesting visual feature of my black Arcteryx jacket is the slightly scewy at the top zip - it is however an awesome jacket!), then actually this discussion isn't about looks at all, but rather performance. OK a £400 Arcteryx jacket isn't guaranteed to make you ski well, but being cold/clammy/wet doesn't help.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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moosepig, M80euf, stuarth, In fairness to moosepig, I think I should start a new thread on 'these' topics as he deserves answers to his question without my hijacking the thread .. suffice to say .. interesting ( and not attempting to troll the topic).
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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eEvans, I think this topic took off because it's not one we've covered recently (if at all ?), it's sales time in a lot of the retailers so a good time to buy if your old jacket is past it's best, and as others have said it's easy to give a valuation of how your own kit performs for a jacket. Not nearly so simple for boots, bindings and the other kit unless you're a very experienced skier.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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stuarth, I agree with you on the Arcteryx jacket - it may be fairly bland looking - choice of colours 2, max I think? But it sure saves ones ass from freezing! (Oh no! sorry it's the Arcteryx Theta pants that saves ones ass from freezing - the jacket saves all other bits)
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Big problem I have with a jacket and zipped-in fleece is the weight. I've got 2, a Tenson MPC, and a Berghaus Gortex jacket which takes a North Cape fleece. Both systems weigh a ton - and the fleeces seem to be the culprits. Mind you, both fleeces are many years old - perhaps modern flecces are lighter?
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| Nick Zotov wrote: |
| Mind you, both fleeces are many years old - perhaps modern flecces are lighter? |
Quite possibly Nick - the Mountain Equipment fleece gregh and I referred to above is fairly thin and lightweight (much more so that any of my other - mostly non-technical - fleeces, and most of my regular jumpers too), but the windstopperyness of it keeps you nice and snug. It did me through pretty much all the Haute Route, only using the outer shell for a maximum of 2 hours throughout the week, and 1 of those was clearly an error.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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moosepig, Hope it lives up to your expectations....I'm sure it will. I'll second the comment about Admin's customer service...it's second to none!
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aw guys... U will make me blush 
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FAQ
perspective on what followed and the relative volume ! 
when I say that I value much of the information that I read on this site, as somebody who has a unnaturally heathly obsession with Snowsports!
I'll report back on its skiing performance in July when I get back from NZ.
