 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
I am going on my first ever skiing/ snowboarding trip next week to High Tatras in Slovakia and I could do with some advice about clothing.....
The weather is forecast to be -17 to -22 on the day we get there
I live in Tenerife so am used to hot weather all year round, when it goes below 15C it starts to feel cold to me, so these below 0 temperatures are gonna be feel very very very cold to me
The only shop I can buy anything from is Decathlon where I live and they tend to only sell their own brand stuff
So far I have bought the following all from Decathlon
Xwarm thermal legs, the best they had breathable and warmth
padded waterproof trousers
waterproof boots
thermal socks and some long thick socks
Simple warm long sleeve thermal tshirt
I have two pairs of gloves but should I get some waterproof ones?
I've read its best to layer up with fleeces and jackets so I can easily take them off or add more depending on the temperature so what do you recommend?
Do I definitely need a waterpoof jacket?
I have an old cheapo waterproof Cagoule, would that be ok over a good jacket or am I better off getting something that fits closer so no snow or wind can get in?
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Snood, dude (maybe a neoprene mask at those temps)
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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 should definitely buy a jacket and trousers specifically designed for snowsports in my opinion. As for the boots, again you need proper snowboarding boots for snowboarding but if you are renting your gear you could rent those. Protest do some very good value stuff for snowboarding and may be able to ship to you quickly or try some Spanish retailers? As for gloves you definitely need waterproof gloves especially boarding, you will be on the floor a lot. This goes for snowboarding pants too as you will spend a lot of time on your back bottom! Good luck you will have a great time I am sure.
http://www.protest.eu/en/
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Tue 12-01-16 18:05; edited 1 time in total
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@fredbob, Welcome to snowHeads!
DEFINITELY get waterproof gloves. as a beginner, you will spend an awful lot of time pushing yourself up off the slopes. Would also recommend a waterproof jacket and trousers.
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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 might be able to get some bargains locally in Slovakia, I've never been there so not sure but could be cheap?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Decathlon stuff is pretty good IMHO. But yes, layers, not just one of each - I've been known to wear three fleeces on really cold days. But it works, I've been happy to continue a lesson in Canada in -25C when the instructor was complaining he wanted to go back indoors.
No harm in getting a pair of fleece trousers too, for between the thermals and the ski trousers.
If you have a proper snow jacket, use all the drawstrings (waist, hips, neck) and cuff closures too, they're there for a reason.
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if you think you feel the cold, as well as insulated jacket/pants I would suggest you get some merino wool base layers. I have Ice Breakers but there seems to be lots of places doing there own take on those (cheaper), its must be merino wool though.
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Get a decent pair of gloves and if it's that cold a pair of silk inner / liner gloves and or consider mitts as they keep your hands warmer than gloves. It's miserable if your hands are cold. On your body with a good base layer (ideally a merino one) and waterproof windproof jacket, in between its just a question of enough layers of fleece / jumper / teeshirts or whatever. What the middle layers are isn't that important.
Definitely a snood too.
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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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Recommend snowboard gloves with wrist protectors. (advice from more experienced boarders may differ)
I would think you will be as well buying your extras in resort. It's surely not going to be more expensive for snow gear than Tenerife.
I'll echo the above re. proper snow-sports jacket and trousers - look for a jacket with a good elastic snow skirt. Especially for a novice where you'll be a bit more intimate with the snow 
In my experience it's not all about top money and top brands either. Example: my current gloves were about £15 from Millets and have been going strong for 20 years including in Lapland and Canada at -40.
If it is -20C during the day you might want a face guard although a decent scarf can be wrapped around and tucked under your goggles.
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Cool, thanks for everyones suggestions and advice.
I've been told Slovakia is cheap, but not sure exactly so we're all going on another shopping trip tomorrow just to be safe
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Might be worth getting a second pair of gloves, nothing worse than having to put your hands back in to wet/damp gloves after a lunch break, or for going out around town in the evening.
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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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With it being that cold mittens are much better than gloves and they do need to be waterproof.
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+ 1 for waterproof outer layers - especially your gloves (I think my first pair were from millets too, though they didn't last very long).
Also worth saying (given you are used to hotter climes) make sure your base layers - especially the one next to your skin - are not cotton!
Being a beginner can be really quite tiring and usually involves quite a lot of physical effort at various points (this means sweating, even at -20) followed by standing about for a bit whilst you try and learn how to do things properly. To match this you need something able to keep you warm when you are stationary, even if it is a bit damp. Cotton certainly won't do that very well.
Some out there intentionally include a cotton mix (uniqlo heattech have this mix I think), they are probably fine but at - 20 I would personally be using my wool base layer.
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You know it makes sense.
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Zip front jacket and a base layer is a good idea as a beginner you will be working hard at times but then stood around too , it's much easier to unzip/zip up a layer than to take it off as you get hot then cool down.
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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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My thermal legs which are supposed to be breathable and warm are 80% polyester and 20% wool, does that soudn right?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Sounds good to me. Majorly agree with @tangowaggon; lots of zips to allow you to adjust if necessary. I also avoid cotton when skiing (takes ages to dry too!).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I got some waterproof gloves and under gloves and a waterproof coat.
I've been told its not going to be as cold as I first thought so thats good!!
Thanks for everyone's help and advice, much appreciated!!!
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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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At those temperatures I'd pick up some of the disposable foot and hand warmers- you will probably be able to get them in resort. They have made cold days much more enjoyable for me 
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I don't know, I never used anything like that and never suffered that bad. Wrist guards on the other hand? I use level fly gloves which contain unobtrusive wrist protection, I strongly recommend some sort of wrist protection.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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+1 to wrist protection. I remember getting slammed onto my front and back whenever I caught an edge. I wore some rollerblade wrist protectors under my mittens, as I'd heard that a broken wrist is a common injury amongst novice boarders, and I think they helped a lot!
You will definitely benefit from waterproof trousers, as you'll spend a lot of time sitting on the snow as you strap on your board.
Have fun!
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Yeah I broke a wrist and it's not a fun little bone to break the scaphoid which is why to this day I still need protection.
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| Quote: |
My thermal legs which are supposed to be breathable and warm are 80% polyester and 20% wool, does that soudn right?
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Sounds great: Have fun!
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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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Wrist protection < learning to fall properly. I gotwrist guards when I learnt to snowboard, never used them, but then I was used to falling without sticking my hands/arms out due to years of playing football as a goalkeeper and rugby.
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