 Poster: A snowHead
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Going Skiing for my second ever time in January and for christmas I am hoping to get some much needed ski gear! When I went last year I simply made do with some waterproofs and other clothes I had and as it was early April it was pretty warm anyway so I didnt need much stuff. I've heard from several people the quechua range from decathlon is pretty good but the brand lover in me is tempted to spend more on some stuff from snow + rock. Not really sure what to do at the moment so any help would be very much appreceated! Essentially I am wondering whether the decathlon stuff, although is cheaper, is fine for a begginer skier (blue/red runs) and will last me at least another season (I am 16) and if that is the case which of the decathlon range is better than the others or is it worth spending more on (better quality?) ski gear from snow + rock from one of the bigger brands and again if so which brands are more value for money than others! Once again thanks very very much for any help as I am completely at a loss at what to do!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Welcome! Anything at http://www.tchibo.co.uk/ that would suit? You could get kitted out pretty good gear for less than £70.
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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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jon1298, welcome to snowHeads! 
Decathlon is good and the quality is fine. They also do some name brands such as Helly Hansen quite cheap if you didn't want to stick with their own brand. I would say Decathlon or Tchibo is much better value for money than gear in S & R, especially as you are starting out.
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jon1298, I am not sure why stuff that is fine for a beginner would not also suit more advanced skiers. Beginners fall over, so the clothes should get a good testing.
I would also expect gear to last more than one season. Do not get hung up on brands. Any money spent on expensive brands could also be used for other purposes.
Snow & Rock is not noted for value for money. TK Maxx is supposed to be good, but I would lose the will to live if I had to venture inside their stores too often. Oggie is very cheap too and it is a ski specific store - www.oggie.com . Useful if you are near Soton, Brum, Sheffield or try mailorder.
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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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If you're getting hooked on skiing, think seriously about buying a decent pair of boots and make do with the cheaper clothing for another year. Boots are the #1 thing and make more difference than everything else (including skis). If you're really hooked get the boots and some cool clothing from S&R 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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TK Maxx is supposed to be good, but I would lose the will to live if I had to venture inside their stores too often
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I have to agree, though after an indecent amount of time sorting through heaps of rubbish I did get some excellent Gore-tex gloves with fleece inners for £9.99 today! I still wear the Trespass jacket I bought there for £50 three years ago but that took me a good 2 hours to find. jon1298, have a look at the thread about North Face. You don't necessarily get what you pay for, and you definitely don't need to spend a lot. Decathlon is fine. But uktrailmonster is right. Spend money on good boots, well fitted (masses of expertise available on Snowheads to point you in the right direction there). Though I suppose, if your feet are still growing, that might not actually be the best idea!
Where are you going in January?
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I suggest to go to your reputable retailer such as snow and rock and get some expert advice from one of their highly trained staff.
I have shopped all around on numerous occasions and have always returned to snow and rock as they have the range of brands to cater for any budget. Columbia for example represents fine value for money. I have always gone in looking for a certain brand and even have been recommended something cheaper than I initially looked for as the sales people listened to my demands and realised that certain brands were perfectly appropriate for my use.
On one occasion they also offered me a price match as I'd seen the garment cheaper elsewhere, no hassles. So in effect, if you want this years colour I feel that I can buy in confidence for my family and I knowing that the brand price and service will always be spot on. Pay them a visit - you will be pleasantly surprised!
When buying a ski garment find out exactly what the waterproofness and breathability of the garment is. I suggest at least 5000ml waterproofness and 3000mm breathability - below this you will either get soaked to the bone in an extreme snowfall or sweating buckets in the warmer conditions!!! Good luck and have faith!
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alpinequeen, welcome to snowHeads.
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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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www.mandmdirect.co.uk ofter have some decent ski jackets at very good prices.
Check out the Berghaus jackets at the moment
I got a great 3 in 1 Columbia jacket from mandm for £48 and it superb.
I wouldnt worry to much about going to the likes of Snow and Rock and Ellis Brigham and alike. There are plenty places out there were you can get quality gear without paying the prices these specialist shops charge.
Ebay isnt a bad place to look.
As said above, go to the specialists for boots.
And if you find that you are going to spend several weeks per year in the mountains then maybe consider pushing the boat out.
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i've been a silent snowhead for a year but felt i had something to contribute tonight.
I've been a beginner and have lived in the alps for years. All the pit falls i've been there!!!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Rather than buying online i suggest trying garments before buying.
Not only should you look good but also feel good , something a picture on a website cannot teel you!
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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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| Quote: |
Rather than buying online i suggest trying garments before buying.
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I thoroughly agree. Some jackets, including some extremely expensive ones, just feel stiff and uncomfortable and "wrong". Trousers are even harder to guess at. I would not buy clothing on line, or on Ebay, without having tried the exact model. But you still don't need to go to S & R - though unlike many Snowheads I do use S & R and have valued their advice (e.g. on buying a helmet). Within a short drive of my own home there are several mountain style "outlet shops" and a T K Maxx which provide decent quality gear (e.g. Colombia, Helly Hansen, Trespass) at knock down prices. I'm sure the same thing will apply in most areas of the country.
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You know it makes sense.
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Hoppo, Feels like it if you shop at Tesco and don't have a car.
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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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though places like EB and S&R give prominent displays to expensive brands such as Spyder and KJUS, they do have a wide variety of clothing at cheaper prices including Trespass, Bonfire etc.. You can spend a while trying on the jackets, working out if the pockets and zips are good and seeing the fit for as long as you like. I've always found their sales to be very good if you manage to get something in your size. The bloke in EB who helped me was extremely knowledgeable and even recommended a jacket £100 cheaper than what I bought eventually. If you're hooked on skiing I'd recommned buying a jacket that will handle a few weeks intense skiing and improving rather than what level you are at today.
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Poster: A snowHead
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jon1298, Not sure where about in North Wales you are but if you can get to Chester/Ellesmere Port then go to Cheshire Oaks. There are several stores selling good quality gear at reasonable prices. Probably names you've not heard of but jackets and trousers seem to have all of the features of the hellishly expensive stuff at SnR. Try Mountain Highland, there is also a TOG24 and a North Face store.
I've also just bought a pair of bright red ski trousers from TK Maxx for £30 - going for the full ESF look this season
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Latchigo wrote: |
| TK Maxx is supposed to be good, but I would lose the will to live if I had to venture inside their stores too often. |
For once, I agree with you entirely. 
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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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Just been to TK Max Rugby they have some terrific women’s kit e.g. Salomon Jacket reduced from £399 to £75 other stuff such as Cross v cheap. The men’s more chaotic and less choice but worth an hour of mayhem. The other one to try if you dare is Aldi ! Plenty of ski gear at ridiculous prices.
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