 Poster: A snowHead
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@under a new name, Indeed, it is worth getting right.
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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 can't believe I haven't waded into this thread already.
At the risk of repeating what I know has already been said by others:
1. Hire boots in resort are really very good these days. Nothing at all like the rubbish you get at dry ski slopes.
2. In an ideal world you would definitely wait at least 2-3 weeks of skiing before actually buying. Your needs will change pretty quickly.
3. Lugging your own ski boots around can be a bit of a pain in the bum. Either you use up a sizeable chunk of your baggage allowance or you pay for excess baggage.
4. Whether you buy your own boots now and hope them to bed in or buy some in resort there is still a high probability that you will endure significantly more discomfort during your first, formative week's skiing than if you hire. This is partly because properly fitted boots are usually much more closely fitting (which is great but yours really don't need to be that tight at this stage) and partly because you can't just swap them every five minutes until you find a comfortable pair. In your first week of skiing I'd suggest comfort is far more important than perfect fit.
So.. I'd strongly recommend hiring at first. If you change your mind on holiday then just buy a pair when you are there.
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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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| foxtrotzulu wrote: |
I can't believe I haven't waded into this thread already.
At the risk of repeating what I know has already been said by others:
1. Hire boots in resort are really very good these days. Nothing at all like the rubbish you get at dry ski slopes.
2. In an ideal world you would definitely wait at least 2-3 weeks of skiing before actually buying. Your needs will change pretty quickly.
3. Lugging your own ski boots around can be a bit of a pain in the bum. Either you use up a sizeable chunk of your baggage allowance or you pay for excess baggage.
4. Whether you buy your own boots now and hope them to bed in or buy some in resort there is still a high probability that you will endure significantly more discomfort during your first, formative week's skiing than if you hire. This is partly because properly fitted boots are usually much more closely fitting (which is great but yours really don't need to be that tight at this stage) and partly because you can't just swap them every five minutes until you find a comfortable pair. In your first week of skiing I'd suggest comfort is far more important than perfect fit.
So.. I'd strongly recommend hiring at first. If you change your mind on holiday then just buy a pair when you are there. |
The rest I agree with, but no.3 just isn't true. I'm not sure how much gear and clothing people typically take, but my boots + ski gear (Jackets, Salopettes, Mid Layer, Base Layer, Thermals, Gloves, Goggles, etc...), Weeks worth of resort clothes and wash bag normally comes in at 16KG-17KG for me, all packed in a NorthFace single duffel. Don't be put off by having to carry your boots. Whilst resort hire boots have improved significantly, nothing beats your own bedded in boots.
Rich
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| foxtrotzulu wrote: |
| 1. Hire boots in resort are really very good these days. Nothing at all like the rubbish you get at dry ski slopes. |
Is that true? I've not hired boots for decades but looking at what friends and family have rented in the Alps in recent years I don't see much of a difference (to boots used at Hemel) - they're all fairly low end boots which have had lots of other people's feet in them.
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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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@rob@rar,
I had to hire a pair for a day about 3 seasons ago and they weren't up to much. It was the end of the season and I do have big feet so I might have just been unlucky.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@RichClark, @RichClark,
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The rest I agree with, but no.3 just isn't true. I'm not sure how much gear and clothing people typically take, but my boots + ski gear (Jackets, Salopettes, Mid Layer, Base Layer, Thermals, Gloves, Goggles, etc...), Weeks worth of resort clothes and wash bag normally comes in at 16KG-17KG for me, all packed in a NorthFace single duffel. Don't be put off by having to carry your boots. Whilst resort hire boots have improved significantly, nothing beats your own bedded in boots.
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It may not be true for you, but it's certainly true for a lot of people. Of course, it all depends how light you travel and how heavy your suitcase is and what else you like to take with you. Most suitcases weigh around 5kg apparently. Ski boots are around 5-6KG. That leaves c.9kg for other contents. Mrs FZ likes to have different clothes for most evenings and a choice besides. I often need to pack a laptop and charger and other assorted rubbish. Yes, I'm sure we could get ski boots in the cases and stay within our allowance. It's possible, but I still maintain that it's 'a bit of a pain in the bum'.
@rob@rar, It's a long time since I hired at a dry ski slope, but the boots there were truly awful. It wasn't so much that they were unusually low end models, just that they seem to have been used and abused far more than the hire boots I've had in recent years. My experience of in-resort rental boots has been very good in recent years. This year was the first time since my own boots died (about 15 years ago) that I needed to change them after initially renting. I have no doubt that the boots I rent are less tight than optimal, but they are quite snug enough for me and deliver perfectly adequate performance. It's all a question of what you want. If you are after the last x% of performance then buy your own boots, but for those of us who value comfort more highly, and I'd argue that shoud certainly apply to Dogfever at this stage, then hire boots are certainly good enough.
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| foxtrotzulu wrote: |
I can't believe I haven't waded into this thread already.
At the risk of repeating what I know has already been said by others:
1. Hire boots in resort are really very good these days. Nothing at all like the rubbish you get at dry ski slopes.
2. In an ideal world you would definitely wait at least 2-3 weeks of skiing before actually buying. Your needs will change pretty quickly.
3. Lugging your own ski boots around can be a bit of a pain in the bum. Either you use up a sizeable chunk of your baggage allowance or you pay for excess baggage.
4. Whether you buy your own boots now and hope them to bed in or buy some in resort there is still a high probability that you will endure significantly more discomfort during your first, formative week's skiing than if you hire. This is partly because properly fitted boots are usually much more closely fitting (which is great but yours really don't need to be that tight at this stage) and partly because you can't just swap them every five minutes until you find a comfortable pair. In your first week of skiing I'd suggest comfort is far more important than perfect fit.
So.. I'd strongly recommend hiring at first. If you change your mind on holiday then just buy a pair when you are there. |
I can see your point here, but as the OP is planning to regularly ski on dry slopes he may as well bite the bullet now. Regarding your second point, I don't think your needs (as far as boot fitting goes) really do change as you get more experience. You can buy an "advanced/expert" level boot as a complete beginner and it shouldn't cause any problems with your skiing progress. We're not talking here about full on WC race boots. As long as the boots fit well and the flex matches your weight and range of ankle movement it will be much better than any hire boot for learning. There's no need to buy some cheap "beginner" boot before you progress. A decent boot fitter will probably advise you to skip those anyway.
The biggest issue you face when buying boots for the first time is that you don't really know what to expect in terms of how it should feel on your foot, so your feedback to the fitter could be somewhat lacking. But unless you ski very often, 2 to 3 weeks more snow time isn't going to change that much. But once you've been through the whole boot fit process a few times, it gets a lot easier to know what does feel right.
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@foxtrotzulu, I think Comfort v. Performance is a false dichotomy. A comfortable boot is a boot that suits your foot well, and has been fitted correctly. If you want performance (be that high speed/high forces alpine, or ultralight touring, etc) then buy a specialist performance boot, and make sure it is well fitted.
Hire boots might well be the right option for the OP, but he might also end up in a pair which are wrong for him. Buying a pair should ensure he has boots which are right for him, provide consistency from trip to trip (and skiing at an artificial slope in the UK), and reduce the hassle of collecting hire boots in resort.
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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 wrote: |
@RichClark, @RichClark,
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The rest I agree with, but no.3 just isn't true. I'm not sure how much gear and clothing people typically take, but my boots + ski gear (Jackets, Salopettes, Mid Layer, Base Layer, Thermals, Gloves, Goggles, etc...), Weeks worth of resort clothes and wash bag normally comes in at 16KG-17KG for me, all packed in a NorthFace single duffel. Don't be put off by having to carry your boots. Whilst resort hire boots have improved significantly, nothing beats your own bedded in boots.
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It may not be true for you, but it's certainly true for a lot of people. Of course, it all depends how light you travel and how heavy your suitcase is and what else you like to take with you. Most suitcases weigh around 5kg apparently. Ski boots are around 5-6KG. That leaves c.9kg for other contents. Mrs FZ likes to have different clothes for most evenings and a choice besides. I often need to pack a laptop and charger and other assorted rubbish. Yes, I'm sure we could get ski boots in the cases and stay within our allowance. It's possible, but I still maintain that it's 'a bit of a pain in the bum'.
@rob@rar, It's a long time since I hired at a dry ski slope, but the boots there were truly awful. It wasn't so much that they were unusually low end models, just that they seem to have been used and abused far more than the hire boots I've had in recent years. My experience of in-resort rental boots has been very good in recent years. This year was the first time since my own boots died (about 15 years ago) that I needed to change them after initially renting. I have no doubt that the boots I rent are less tight than optimal, but they are quite snug enough for me and deliver perfectly adequate performance. It's all a question of what you want. If you are after the last x% of performance then buy your own boots, but for those of us who value comfort more highly, and I'd argue that shoud certainly apply to Dogfever at this stage, then hire boots are certainly good enough. |
If you haven't skied with your own boots for 15 years (correct me if I'm wrong) then how do you know how hire boots would compare to a custom fitted pair of your own? For me it's the other way around, it's maybe 30 years since I've been in a pair of hire boots and I have no doubt they have improved massively since then, but so have boots I've bought. Maybe I would be surprised how good hire boots actually are these days, but I'm very sceptical. If you're going to ski regularly and make it a serious hobby, then boots are one of the first things to invest in. No question in my mind. If you can't make room for them in your suitcase or be bothered to carry then in hand luggage then fair enough I guess. It's all about priorities.
Just to add, I value all day skiing comfort very highly (more so than outright performance) and as the previous poster mentioned, custom fitted boots can be tailored with that in mind. Hire boots are always going to be compromised in comparison.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Mon 25-04-16 13:04; edited 1 time in total
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| foxtrotzulu wrote: |
| ... but I still maintain that it's 'a bit of a pain in the bum'. |
Better a pain in the bum than pain in the feet!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| uktrailmonster wrote: |
| For me it's the other way around, it's maybe 30 years since I've been in a pair of hire boots and I have no doubt they have improved massively since then, but so have boots I've bought. |
I had to spend a morning in a pair of hire boots a couple of years ago. It was an utterly horrible experience, and did make me wonder how people learned to ski in them. I couldn't believe how much my ability to translate my movements to influencing the skis was compromised compared to my usual boots.
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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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| foxtrotzulu wrote: |
@RichClark,
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The rest I agree with, but no.3 just isn't true. I'm not sure how much gear and clothing people typically take, but my boots + ski gear (Jackets, Salopettes, Mid Layer, Base Layer, Thermals, Gloves, Goggles, etc...), Weeks worth of resort clothes and wash bag normally comes in at 16KG-17KG for me, all packed in a NorthFace single duffel. Don't be put off by having to carry your boots. Whilst resort hire boots have improved significantly, nothing beats your own bedded in boots.
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It may not be true for you, but it's certainly true for a lot of people. Of course, it all depends how light you travel and how heavy your suitcase is and what else you like to take with you. Most suitcases weigh around 5kg apparently. Ski boots are around 5-6KG. That leaves c.9kg for other contents. Mrs FZ likes to have different clothes for most evenings and a choice besides. I often need to pack a laptop and charger and other assorted rubbish. Yes, I'm sure we could get ski boots in the cases and stay within our allowance. It's possible, but I still maintain that it's 'a bit of a pain in the bum'.
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@foxtrotzulu
No worries mate, I guess our experiences differ - it would be dull if we were all the same. But for what it's worth, my luggage weighs c. 1kg-1.5kg I reckon. I've used this bag on every trip (diving, skiing, sailing, beach\city) I've made since around 2002. It's still going strong! and nor have any of its contents ever been damaged. I even have a smaller version for weekend\short stay. I don't particularly pack light and regularly bring home unworn clothes. My laptop, kindle, associated chargers and helmet go in my hand luggage.
The need to pack your boots really shouldn't be a barrier to buying them.
ATB
Rich
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@RichClark, I never meant it was a barrier, just a hurdle or a factor. As you say, there are ways around it. Change to a lighter bag, carry a helmet in hand luggage, etc. But those options are also a 'bit of a pain in the bum' IMO. As one becomes a better skier and more demanding of one's kit then they are prices well worth paying, but for a beginner on his first trip, I'm less convinced.
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You know it makes sense.
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It's a bit of a pain either way. Hiring boots would be a slight PITA too.
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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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@rob@rar, very much depends on where you go. In Chamonix for instance, Concept Pro only rents mid to high end kit whether skis or boots.
But I'm sure the cheaper shops are just as poor as in the fridge.
@foxtrotzulu, boots really aren't a packing issue. Anyway, these days, if I was flying with them, they'd be in my hand luggage.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| uktrailmonster wrote: |
| It's a bit of a pain either way. Hiring boots would be a slight PITA too. |
Agree, although the incremental pain in the bum is limited as the OP still needs to hire skis.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| foxtrotzulu wrote: |
| uktrailmonster wrote: |
| It's a bit of a pain either way. Hiring boots would be a slight PITA too. |
Agree, although the incremental pain in the bum is limited as the OP still needs to hire skis. |
Fair point. I think it's down to the OP now having heard all the pros and cons of boot ownership.
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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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| coops1967 wrote: |
And i'd not bother at all with Ellis Brigham or Snow and Rock etc etc...
MAYBE you're lucky enough to have an entirely 'average' shape of foot and so on... but i'd recommend savng wasted time, money and heartache and seeing a properly trained professional bootfitter - so the usual suspects mentioned on here like CEM.
Essentially, you can check out the web sites and see the difference.
EB and others will sell you all sorts of stuff includng boots, by people they choose to describe as 'bootfitters' - do you see any mention of experience, trained podiatrists or genuine knowledge of feet and sk boots on those web sites? |
My feet are far from average (very wide) and I had a good fitting at Exeter S&R, so I think you're being slightly unfair on the chains. I suspect it's true that there are a lot of poor fittings in those type of places, but advising that people travel half the length of the country to avoid them is slightly unfair. For example for me to go to to CEM would be a 6 hour round trip, whereas it's 15 minutes each way to my local S&R. That immediately adds a whole new element of time, hassle and money...all of which would have been needless as I got decent boots anyway
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Dogfever, ...hi...I've bought boots from LD before and skied in them happily for 9 years. The older bloke with curly hair and specs did a pretty good job of fitting. It is a very important purchase though and must admit I bought my next pair in Chamonix after a personal recommendation. Boots tend to be cheaper in UK.
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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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Hi. Just to say thanks for all the info today. Longer, more considered response when the boy goes to bed and I can fire up the laptop.
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Buy a pair of boots in resort so they can be tweeked at the end of the day... Usally boots are a bit cheaper than in the uk, unless ypur in france, but italy and austria are pretty good... And your own boots are soooo much better
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Buy a pair of boots in resort so they can be tweeked at the end of the day... Usally boots are a bit cheaper than in the uk, unless ypur in france, but italy and austria are pretty good... And your own boots are soooo much better
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So, child in bed, laptop out.
Thanks again to everyone for their input. My main criterion is minimising the risk of wasting an expensive (to me) week in the alps either in pain or in ski shops or both.
It seems like the biggest advantage to buying in resort/hiring is that you can give them a good run out then nip back and get them tweaked. In short, I don't anticipate getting much time on snow next year and I'm not sure I like the idea of spending any more than the minimum in ski shops. It might not be ideal but if I can get an average of 2 hours a week in on the dry slope (£5 for three hours) and maybe a cheeky run or two in Scotland I reckon that's a fair amount of low cost discomfort/tweaking and testing and minimal risk of spoiling my alpine adventure fishing toenails out of my socks.
In terms of packing them, it did cross my mind. I travel a lot and am reasonably adept at packing, my current suitcase weighs 4kg. However, I haven't really packed for skiing before so I have basically sod all idea what I'll need to pack in terms of numbers of items (but I do know what type of stuff I need thanks to the excellent sticky up top of this forum). But this seems like a fairly marginal argument. I'm not overly concerned about dropping another £35 for an extra bag. The baby will probably make this necessary anyway. Equally, the argument about saving hassle with hire doesn't really swing it either because, as someone said, I'll be hiring skis (although I guess I am more likely to have to return to tweak boots than skis - but, again, a marginal thing). Mrs DF gets her own case which she can fill with the usual array of essential nonsense (I swear half of it comes out clean when we get back home).
With respect to bedding in and initial discomfort. I reckon a week's skiing is around, say 50 hours (4 in the morning, 4 in the afternoon, 6 days)? If I can do 2 hours a week on the dry and I've nigh on a year until I go so around 100 hours. As foxtrotzulu said, I'll probably improve a lot initially and my needs will change so I would expect to complete my beginners course, do a few weeks of supervised practice then complete an intermediate (I assume in the loosest sense of the word) course. I doubt I will have reached a plateau at that point but I might be in a more stable position vis-a-vis boot requirements. As it is, it seems that the major change is the tradeoff people have mentioned between tightness and (at least initial) comfort. Even if I do all of that I'll probably still have a good few hours (50+) on the dry plus any bonus Scottish snow-time to tweak.
Regarding who/where: I'll give Keith a go first but with @andrewchalmers recommendation I'd be more comfortable going to LD as well. S+R etc just don't seem worth the risk given the mixed feedback. And in any case, it is nice to support someone local/independent.
Thanks to all.
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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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@Dogfever, tightness and comfort aren't mutually exclusive...i.e you should be able to get a boot that holds your foot/leg firmly but which doesn't make your feet sore. Sure it'll still feel great when you take them off at the end of the day, but just because a boot is tight around the shin/calf doesn't mean that you should be uncomfortable.
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@Dogfever, Sounds like you have a sensible plan and now know all the pros and cons. Just to pick up on two small details in your post:
I'd plan on six hours skiing per day, when you eventually get there, rather than eight. You can get close to eight, but that means first lift to last lift and no breaks for lunch, beers, hot chococolate with rum etc.
Masque has done a great job with his suggested kit list but IMO it's probably far more than you really need. It depends when you are going . You will need more clothes in early February than in late March. You definitely do not need a spare pare of gloves, let alone to carry them with you at all times. You do not need need a rucksack. You may decide, in due course that you want both these items but you definitely do not need them for your first week. You will have quite enough hassle with the chairlifts without the added fun of taking a rucksack in and off! All you really need for the first week are jacket, gloves, salopettes, goggles. If necessary you can wear pretty much whatever you want underneath. Until Snowheads pointed out the error of my ways I skied very happily in an ordinary shirt, an ordinary jumper and on cold days a T-shirt underneath the shirt. Now I've been informed that cotton and wool will surely kill me so I have switched (mostly) to rubbish made from crude oil that just kills the planet and not me.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@foxtrotzulu, I wouldn't say that you "definitely" don't need a rucksack for the first week, it's a choice. I found my first week quite tough and needed loads of water each day so needed a bag to carry that. Like I say, all depends on the person.
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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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@uktrailmonster, as I said, it's different for different people. Last week I drank 3 litres of water most days and was still dehydrated. I could buy a camelbak, but I could also just use a bag I already have and save myself some beer tokens.
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You know it makes sense.
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| SnoodyMcFlude wrote: |
| @foxtrotzulu, I wouldn't say that you "definitely" don't need a rucksack for the first week, it's a choice. I found my first week quite tough and needed loads of water each day so needed a bag to carry that. Like I say, all depends on the person. |
I think that was my point. It's a choice. Around 90% of skiers survive very happily without them so I was simply suggesting that the OP shouldn't regard it as an essential piece of kit until he finds he does want one.
Incidentally, I did a quick straw poll around our chalet of 12 skiers this year to ask how many people carried a spare pare of gloves. They all looked at me as if I was barking mad! Sometimes we need to remember that Snowheads can be a rather obsessive little bubble with many of us, me included, agonising over the smallest details and taking it all a bit too seriously at times.
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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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| SnoodyMcFlude wrote: |
| @uktrailmonster, as I said, it's different for different people. Last week I drank 3 litres of water most days and was still dehydrated. I could buy a camelbak, but I could also just use a bag I already have and save myself some beer tokens. |
Sorry, my comment was aimed at the OP as an alternative to a rucksack if it's ONLY to carry water. Blimey 3 litres of water per day! I go through that on a summer mountain bike enduro, but I don't seem to need any for skiing? I'll maybe stop for a drink at lunchtime, but that's about it.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| foxtrotzulu wrote: |
Incidentally, I did a quick straw poll around our chalet of 12 skiers this year to ask how many people carried a spare pare of gloves. They all looked at me as if I was barking mad! Sometimes we need to remember that Snowheads can be a rather obsessive little bubble with many of us, me included, agonising over the smallest details and taking it all a bit too seriously at times. |
I don't care what anyone says, you most definitely do NOT need a spare pair of gloves for resort skiing. These are the only gloves you need:-
https://hestragloves.com/sport/intl/gloves/alpine-pro/army-leather-gore-tex/100/
They last for many years (I have a 10 year old pair still going strong) and they have wrist straps to prevent any chance of dropping from chairs etc. If I carried a spare pair they would have been totally redundant for the last 10 years.
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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'm sure they are fantastic. I tend to carry spare gloves but for the kids. They actually use huestras but not as good as those ones. In my experience kids with cold hands will ruin your ski plans pretty quickly! Equally when the weather is bad the ability to produce a dry buff or an extra layer gets considerable brownie points But for me I agree - I don't change gloves and zips are enough to balance the heat out.
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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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@uktrailmonster,
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wrist straps to prevent any chance of dropping from chairs
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That's the important bit. My gloves don't have them, which is why I carry a spare pair. I have a tiny rucksack, which I don't need to take off for chairlifts but which nevertheless holds a lot, gloves, water bottle, spare layer and stuff. Means I don't have to have unsightly bulging pockets.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@uktrailmonster, yeah it's a bit of a pain really. I'm going out on the bike tonight and will take 2.5l with me that will mostly get drunk. One of the many downsides of weighing 17st is that I tend to be quite hot.
Drifting a but OT but I always have spare gloves in my suitcase in case I lose a pair (which has happened when I took them off at the end of the day and forgot them), wouldn't bother taking them on the mountain though.
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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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| jedster wrote: |
I'm sure they are fantastic. I tend to carry spare gloves but for the kids. They actually use huestras but not as good as those ones. In my experience kids with cold hands will ruin your ski plans pretty quickly! Equally when the weather is bad the ability to produce a dry buff or an extra layer gets considerable brownie points But for me I agree - I don't change gloves and zips are enough to balance the heat out. |
Now I agree kids are a whole different ball game! I do admit to carrying spare gloves for the kids (3 and 6 year olds). But amazingly neither of them have managed to lose their gloves yet and they've done a lot of skiing for their age. Had to change the little one's gloves one time because she took them off and filled them up with snow! But as I don't tend to do stuff like that myself, one pair is adequate and I've never been in a situation on the hill where a spare pair would have been any use. I do actually have a spare old pair in the suitcase just in case, but they never get used. If someone is making their first ski packing list, one pair of decent ski gloves is enough, but not something to skimp on. Cold, wet hands are potentially a show stopper.
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| foxtrotzulu wrote: |
@Dogfever,
I'd plan on six hours skiing per day, when you eventually get there, rather than eight. You can get close to eight, but that means first lift to last lift and no breaks for lunch, beers, hot chococolate with rum etc.
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Yep, my plan there is just to turn up and see what I manage. Hopefully, comfortable boots and a degree of habituation on the dry slopes should make it possible to go for longer but I've no intention to hammer myself, more about the quality than the quantity. In estimating 8 hours I was just really looking at the worst case equivalence between a "week skiing" and my projected time on the dry slope.
| Quote: |
| All you really need for the first week are jacket, gloves, salopettes, goggles. If necessary you can wear pretty much whatever you want underneath. Until Snowheads pointed out the error of my ways I skied very happily in an ordinary shirt, an ordinary jumper and on cold days a T-shirt underneath the shirt. |
I think I have my plan for this just about. I have a few base layers of both the planet killing and sheep chilling varieties so I was going to pair them up with some sort of jumper (might treat myself) and a jacket - I already have a decent goretex waterproof but might upgrade depending on what comes up on sportpursuit. I think my main issue is that I don't really know how hot I will get or what to really expect from the weather. So it seems that layers are probably the answer. The real thing I need to figure out is the delicate balance between luggage weight and Mrs DF not coming near me from day three onward. For reference my holiday is early March.
On the gloves front, I suspect I am a one pair person, the boy will be too young so no worries there. Worst case, I have a cold ski back down and pick up some more in the town. Likewise backpack/water. I do have a camelbak but other sporting experience suggests that I'm going to be more of the "stop at every cafe" than the "lunch on the chairlift" variety of skiier.
I have a decent pair of insulated waterproof trousers. Back when I used to board I used something similar. Are salopettes the thing to have?
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Depends what your insulated waterproof trousers are like. I presume they are breathable waterproof? One thing certain to happen if they are not ski specific is that your ski boots will cut them up at the bottom. Ski pants have a reinforced patch at the bottom to prevent this damage.
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Its also worth buying good socks .. The ones without seams are good, labelled L and R ... Not cheap but really adds to the comfort..
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I forgot socks. Also on the list.
The trousers are North Face and appear to have reinforced panels at the bottom. I'll try to get a model name and check online though.
Cheers!
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@uktrailmonster, not all pairs. I had some decent ski trousers that weren't reinforced and didn't cut up...apart from where I fell on my back bottom trying to slide on a box
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