 Poster: A snowHead
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Backpack is a personal preference, but they can be a bit if a faff on chair lifts particularly if you're not used to them (chairlifts not backpacks). If you get your layering right (per the clothing guide) you shouldn't need to add/shed layers during the day. You can get a lightweight camelback pack and wear it under your jacket if you're concerned about dehydration, or I've seen some ski instructors with a fanny-pack that holds a water bottle (like the ones you get for bikes) in a comfy and easy to reach position.
Helmets are less comfortable and less cool (aesthetically) than a flashy bobble hat, on the other hand it might save your life. Not really much of a debate there.
Goggles are preferable if you're wearing a helmet, and if not then as long as the lenses are ski specific you will be fine in either. However add falling snow or severe cold to a speedy descent and you'll wish you had goggles. It might seem expensive but investing (or borrowing) good ski goggles is a must - I know there are several good brands but I always trust Oakley. They don't fog up, offer excellent field of vision and have some helpful tints for low/flat light conditions.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Goggles are preferable if you're wearing a helmet, and if not then as long as the lenses are ski specific you will be fine in either.
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Is that really essential? They obviously need to be plastic, not glass, and have good UV protection, but beyond that?
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However add falling snow or severe cold to a speedy descent and you'll wish you had goggles
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+1
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It might seem expensive but investing (or borrowing) good ski goggles is a must - I know there are several good brands but I always trust Oakley. They don't fog up, offer excellent field of vision and have some helpful tints for low/flat light conditions.
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I'm sure Oakley etc. are great, but there are some excellent goggles out there for £20-£40.
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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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PJMaybe, I find that you can ski in glasses on a bright blue sky day, but the moment there is any form of precipitation, i.e. fog, snow, drizzle etc. you will find that the glasses are a PITA and you will need goggles, not because of any speed or lack of it, but just because they are the only practical solution to misting up regularly. This is practical experience of wearing both. FWIW Plenty of people wear helmets when they are learning. It was my own preference to do so.
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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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there are some excellent goggles out there for £20-£40
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I've never paid more than £40. Never had interchangeable lenses, either. And I ski around 10 weeks a year.
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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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I paid £60ish for my Smith I/O goggles on ebay but got 2 lenses with them, an all round and a low light one, so in effect got two pairs for that, have a Smith helmet as well which gets round the misting up as the ventilation channels of goggles and helmet fit together so give a good airflow. The I/O is easily the best set of goggles for peripheral vision I've come across.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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At the risk of repeating what most others have said... There are several different considerations here!
1) Helmet or just hat. Definitely helmet. It'll be warmer, less faff, as well as give you confidence as you're learning. But I always bring a hat with me too to disguise the highly attractive helmet hair that helmets inevitably produce!
2) Goggles or sunnies. Bring both. If it's snowing you will definitely need goggles, as your sunnies will mist up. For this reason I'd get goggles with light (yellow/orange/pink) lenses which help you see better when it's overcast. They might be a bit too bright if it's sunny though, so either get a pair of goggles with interchangeable lenses, and get a dark lens too, or less expensively use your sunglasses when it's sunny. It's worth bringing both with you each day though, as you never know what will happen to the weather. And also you might find that you don't like the lower level of wind protection that sunglasses give you.
3) Rucksack or not. I'd say that it's a matter of personal preference really. The pros and cons outlined above aren't that major really. Bring it with you to the resort (as long as it's a small one that you can keep on whilst on a chair lift) and try it both ways. I personally prefer to ski with a slim rucksack which holds my wallet, phone, hat, camera, sunnies and an extra layer, than put all that in my pockets, but as I say, that's personal preference.
Have an awesome time.
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BlueSky, That summing up was no fun at all. Nothing to argue about now 
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PJMaybe, Both. You'll not be able to see much if it's snowing and windy without goggles and the snow will hurt your face on a lift without them. Some people say no to sunnies unless off the snow (no idea why), but I prefer to wear sunglasses if it's a nice day.
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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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foxtrotzulu, sorry! 
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