 Poster: A snowHead
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Okay I've booked our first SKI holiday in Claviere Italy (30 March 2014). We all (me, wife and daughter) need kitted out and are strruggling to know what to do. SKI's and boots are included so it's just the clothes/goggles/hat/gloves we neeed . Will the Trespass/Dare2B gear be good enough (as I presume this is the budget end of things). Don't want to overspend but don't want to freeze my extremities off either!
I'd put us all at "advanced beginner" level if there's such a thing!!
Any advice.
Ta
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Basicaly yes, it'll be fairly warm at that time of year anyway so you might want to consider some lighter weight mid layers.
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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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Trespass /Dare2B are more than adequate, even at colder times of the year. Welcome to 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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magd36, TK Maxx can be a good source of cheap skiware. Lidl and Aldi also often do specials on things like goggles, gloves, skiwear, socks and base layers in the run up to the season, which are perfectly adequate.
Go for layers, then you can add or remove depending on how you find conditions.
Go for thermal base layers (tops and bottoms), long sleeve t-shirts, fleece tops, and Gloves with removable liners so you can dry them out properly.
Oh and Welcome to Snowheads! 
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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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Unless it rains you are very unlikely to freeze even the most distant extremity at the start of April. When I first went skiing it was jeans, anorak, motorcycle gloves, and borrowed goggles (I think). So yes the cheaper the better. I think the clothing in the like of Aldi may be even better value. Keep your eyes open, there are some incredible bargains.
Just recently my wife forgot her ski clobber for a weekend away (long story) and got fully equipped at the discount shop in Bourg st Maurice for 50 euro.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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You're never going to be far from a mountain bar/restaurant for the first few weeks, so don't overthink it. Just get a cheap jacket and salopettes (D2B/etc is fine), and wear normal tshirt and fleece under it. No point buying dedicated layers and expensive kit unless you know it's going to get used regularly. Can be worth spending a wee bit more on gloves and goggles, as freezing fingers/inability to see can put a bit of a damper on things, but no need to go crazy. Scott usually have decent, good value goggles.
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Thanks everyone. All of that is really useful. No doubt more questions to follow!!
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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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magd36,
Another possibility for gogles/ski-gloves/ski-socks etc is borrowing from fellow skiers. Many will lend out kit if you agree to replace if lost. Jackets/layers are best bought as recommeneded above
Skitrack
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we have some very nice ski that we have picked up in many a sale down thru they years. Bulk of Jackets and pants have been bought on Amazon. End of March last year we were down to skiing in our T Shirts. Lidl and Aldi also do some very good bits. My advice for your first holiday would be to borrow as much as your can. Some people need more layers than others. My Husband wears about 4, where as I only wear on under my jacket, usually a lidl base layer.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Forgot to say the one thing I would buy good are gloves. Dont bother with Lidl and Aldi for gloves.
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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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Depending on where you live, Decathlon is a good option. Better quality than I've seen at Aldi, Lidl etc. and a good range. Generally their stock arrives in October.
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don't forget to get yourselves some decent socks...for me these are as important as gloves.
oh, and claviere is lovely, you'll have a great time 
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You know it makes sense.
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Dont bother with Lidl and Aldi for gloves.
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I buy gloves exclusively at T K Maxx where I have found very good gloves - Goretex etc - at much reduced prices. Yes, Decathlon very good as well. If you steer clear of the more garish colours ski jackets, and the rest of the clobber, can be worn generally throughout the winter - and in the days I used to go and watch my boys playing football or rugby in the winter, I sometimes wore the trousers too! You don't need a separate wardrobe exclusively for skiing (well, just the goggles, maybe....  )
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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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All of my gear comes from Decathlon. It's lasting well and cost very little. They also have a decent range of sizes (which Tacky Maxx does not).
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Poster: A snowHead
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My Aldi gloves have lasted 23 days on the slopes in some very low temperatures and I haven't had a remotely cold finger at any time. I bought them as a spare pair but they've become my gloves of choice.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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We bought cheapy Decathlon the first time we went, for the simple reason that we didn't want to spend too much in case we didn't like this skiing malarkey (as if!!). Served us perfectly well and I use them a lot for base layers and socks still, also buy our running gear from there as it is very highly regarded.
Ditto the comments on good gloves though, worth spending that little bit extra, this from a Reynaud's sufferer!!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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The Aldi/Lidl offers will probably appear just before Christmas and are good deals. Their Merino thermals are fantastic, my Aldi softshell trousers are heading into their 5th winter now and still going strong and never any complaints from the kids (3 fashion consious girls) about their jackets and pants. That late in the season I'd suggest if you can you take a regular ski jacket and a softshell, if it is sunny you may end up overheating in a heavy jacket, on other days you will be glad of its extra warmth. Certainly this Easter we were happily skiing some days with softshells unzipped and just a tshirt under it and other days wrapped up as warm as we could!
Plus as you aren't going till the end of March pretty much everywhere will have their end of season sale on in time to get kitted out. Certainly the likes of Decathlon, Trespass and Mountain Warehouse put the ski kit on offer and switch to hiking gear mode as soon as Feb half term is out of the way and the specialst shops aren't far behind.
TK Maxx, if you don't mind going in often to catch something by good luck you can get some cracking deals and it is also worth checking their website.
M and M direct have some good offers every now and again as well http://www.mandmdirect.com
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Mon 30-09-13 15:23; edited 1 time in total
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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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Oh and personally I wouldn't trust a helmet I hadn't bought new myself. You may get one as part of the hire package but you've no idea how much abuse it has taken already!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Come on guys.... at least give your local specialist ski retailer a shout!!!
New season stock is arriving with the independent retailers in my area now so they will have plenty of last seasons items at sale prices - and it will save them dragging the items to the ski shows to flog it off!
I've seen some good deals in Ventura Ski and at Rivington Alpine in the North West so wherever you are there should be deals to be had too.
You'll get better info about what your getting for your money with a specialist too.
Don't get me wrong I've got plenty of bits from the tk maxx's and decathlons of this world but I do like to support my local stores when I can.
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Come on guys.... at least give your local specialist ski retailer a shout!!!
New season stock is arriving with the independent retailers in my area now so they will have plenty of last seasons items at sale prices - and it will save them dragging the items to the ski shows to flog it off!
I've seen some good deals in Ventura Ski and at Rivington Alpine in the North West so wherever you are there should be deals to be had too.
You'll get better info about what your getting for your money with a specialist too.
Don't get me wrong I've got plenty of bits from the tk maxx's and decathlons of this world but I do like to support my local stores when I can.
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Come on guys.... at least give your local specialist ski retailer a shout!!!
New season stock is arriving with the independent retailers in my area now so they will have plenty of last seasons items at sale prices - and it will save them dragging the items to the ski shows to flog it off!
I've seen some good deals in Ventura Ski and at Rivington Alpine in the North West so wherever you are there should be deals to be had too.
You'll get better info about what your getting for your money with a specialist too.
Don't get me wrong I've got plenty of bits from the tk maxx's and decathlons of this world but I do like to support my local stores when I can.
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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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Just don't shout too loud, rather a bad echo in here... 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Probably not necessary In April, but if you think your daughter may get cold, pick up a pair of the fleecy Primark £5 pyjamas. If she doesn't need the extra under layers they haven't cost too much and she could always just use them as PJ's!
This was suggested to us when we were going to Lapland and worked well when layered over light 'proper' layers. As i say, maybe overkill in April, but a cheap and handy reserve.
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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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Local specialist ski retailer... Hmm, what is one of those?
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Was wondering the same now Sports Direct have got their hands on Skiwear4less!
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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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Was going to start a new thread, but figured best piggyback on this related one. Just picked up a new jacket myself in the Amazon pre-season sale.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008EHJCVY/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=amz07b-21
The jacket looks great and fits great too (I am a very tall skier (6ft8in) and it's rare to find jackets that are long enough in the arms and body. so don't want to send it back without a very good reason. )
I Ski in French Alps so it's rarely proper "Canadian cold", and I have never been cold on the slopes. it's obviously not a high end jacket and I appreciate that, I know you can spend hundreds on jackets but looking at it (and I have it here, delivered), it seems really good, except one thing: a fixed hood. Not had a jacket with a fixed hood, it seems odd when so many people wear helmets. Seems like it will be forever dangling behind me catching snow. Anyone cautious about them and then found them not to be a problem?
Also the waterproof and windproof rating is a little on the low side 5000 for both. My previous jacket was 8000.
Like I said I really love the jacket in every other respect, Should I be concerned about either of these aspects to a jacket that seems fine in all other respects?
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Mon 30-09-13 21:03; edited 1 time in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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clashcityrocker,
The spec. of that jacket isn't that great, but at 6'8" ... if it fits buy it!!! I have enough trouble at 6'3" (with a 49" chest).
The coldest I have ever seen is Christmas in Canada, but Europe hasn't been far behind. About the coldest I have ever felt is after a heavy rain storm in Soll in March, so perhaps that waterproof rating is important
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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It goes without saying don't spend too much on the kid's stuff. The pesky things grow out of clothing!
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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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I still buy trespass bottoms after 7-8years on the slopes as I find i always blow the crotch out or something, £50 for a good pair as they are always in 'the sale''
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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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The first ski holiday we ever went on me and the hubby hired our salopettes and jacket. We wanted to make sure we were going to go on another holiday before buying the stuff. It cost us £35 each. The shop we hire from only keep it for 2 seasons before renewing so its always good stuff. I actually bought my own gear the next year but then after that I put so much weight on I had to hire again lol. Out of the 3 times I have hired, twice they have come with the new labels still attached! for the kids stuff I bought new and sold on ebay when we returned except last year when we hired for my son who is 15. The gear they use is always white rock and always very good. I know that they do a "package" including socks, goggles, gloves (which of course you get to keep these).
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Tue 1-10-13 12:35; edited 1 time in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Take a look at Surfanic - I've bought a fair amount of stuff there. Good quality and prices. Adults and kids stuff.
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TX MAXX dont have anything yet in store, been in there this morning.
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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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Much appreciate all the replies. Loads of good info for me as a beginner.
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+1 Sport Pursuit
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FAQ
