 Poster: A snowHead
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Hey guys..
I spent a week in Val T last january (first time on skis!) and massively enjoyed it, so i'm planning to get another week away this january - in Val D'Isere on the college ski trip. So i reckon it's about time to get myself some decent ski gear, hopefully before the sales finish - I'm a student so every pound saved is good news. I'm renting skis & boots, but need everything else pretty much (last time i borrowed gear). I guess a jacket and salopettes are the main thing..
So... does anyone have any recommendations as to what brands to go for? Are there any major no-nos or great deals at the minute? Also, do you think its worth getting gear that's a bit "above my standard" (after all, i'm only a beginner) so that i dont have to upgrade in the future?
There seems to be a pretty big range in the quality (warmth & breathability i suppose?) of ski clothing - i'm basically after something that will keep me warm and not look like it should have been left in the 80s, so I wasnt planning to spend a great amount of money - or is that just a waste of time, should i be prepared to shell out a bit more?
Thanks very much (and sorry if any of these questions seem a bit daft!)
Rob
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You will get cold whether you are a beginner or an expert. Buy the best that you can afford. Remember that a number of layers work better than just one, and you will perspire, so try to get something that is breatable if you can.
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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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RobH, Hi and Welcome.
We've just covered this here although perhaps not with a limited budget in mind.
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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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Can you get to one of the forthcoming ski shows? There are often some great bargains to be had, e.g. last year's gear being sold off at half price or less.
Southampton Oct 2-3
Birmingham Oct 8-10
Kensington Olympia Oct 13-17
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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 opted for an unlined single coloured "Goretex type" jacket, so that it needn't be just for ski use. I just add layers underneath to suit the temperature.
I bought mine in France on a booze-cruise and got a good deal in the sports shop at the shopping centre at the terminal for the Eurostar.
Had great use from it.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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RobH, Hi Rob. Now's a pretty good time to be looking as most shops are starting to get in next seasons stock, which means last years will be in the sales.
Generally you get what you pay for in relation to materials used, but on some occations you do pay for the name. Also clothing is the same for all skiiers, there's no such thing as above your standard - in fact as a beginner you'll spend more time standing around or falling over than a more accomplished skiier would and you'll be using more energy when you're on the move too.
I'd try to find a breathable waterproof jacket with a zip out fleece (you can use these off the slopes and at home too) with matching trousers. Get a long jacket, that covers your bum rather than a short one, and also look to get quality gloves 'n socks.
Have a look at Snow & Rock and Ellis Brigham websites for some ideas - most of the stuff they stock is good quality.
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as a student I kitted myself out with jacket and trousers in TKMAXX last years colours but normally good brands. Also try and get to one of the designer outlet parks as normally there is a helly hansen or similar which stocks reduced ski wear.
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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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I got my jacket out of Matalan for like £35 - bargain! Last years colours - pahh! I dont even know what they were and im a shopaholic!
Salopettes- I got mine off some random website and they were really good, as for layers- I dont buy anything special - just hoodies and t shirts or a fleece etc
My only rule - dont skimp on your gloves!
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bladeski, Dead right,
T K Maxx usually have a selection of last years clobber my local one has jackets and Salopettes in now.
Well worth a visit if you have a store nearby
As Nade says quality gloves a must (two pairs)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Aldi's worth a visit
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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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| Slowplough wrote: |
As Nade says quality gloves a must (two pairs) |
...... and socks. Don't scrimp on those. Get good quality and not the tube type. M & S did a good range last year - don't know if they're in yet.
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You know it makes sense.
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I got some waterproof, breatheable trousers from an army surplus store for about £25. They've got nicely flared bottoms (which velcroed up) so fit over my boots without any problems and velcro/zip pockets.
Available in black and jungle camo!
I was very tempted to get some surplus stock post office trousers which were being sold off as they'd changed their name to Consignia. They had a very natty Royal Mail logo on them. Unfortunatley the pockets were just holes in the trousers (they were designed to be worn over something else) and I didn't fancy a load of snow down my leg every time I arsed over.
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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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| snowy wrote: |
| I recommend you don't get Salomon gloves though |
As much as I love their boots and skis, I too found their gloves to be well below the quality I expected.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Agreed. Play safe and get a pair of "inner" gloves as well; dead cheap and make most gloves toasty.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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There is a superb Killy jacket available on ebay. alternatively contact Cathy Coins, no reasonable offer refused and the leather shoulder patches are included in the price.
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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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Scout for bargains in TK Maxx. You can pick up top quality gear for a fraction of the original price. I bought a pair of Quiksilver breathable fabric gloves with inners for £15 there last Saturday. You have to search, but it's worth it.
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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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Wow, thanks for the replies everyone.
kuwait_ian, oops, didnt see that other thread - thanks. Is cotton a definite bad idea for a base layer then? what kind of thing would you recommend (all my t shirts etc are cotton)
moosepig, theres a chance I could get to the Kensington one (the one at the NEC would be ideal but ill be back at uni by that time). Sounds like a good excuse to go to London! cheers.
Dan, argh, did you have to mention ebay! I've just found these, which i seem to be strangely drawn to... Even if theyre no good for skiing, im not sure i can say no to Hot Pink.. 
But seriously, good advice re gloves. Last year i wore two pairs (the inner pair were slightly too thick, in hindsight) which seemed to work quite well. I'll look for a pair with a decent removable liners - as a rough guide, how much should I be spending to get something worthwhile?
Snowy, hadn't thought about renting, seems like it could be a good idea. I'm a bit weary of spending ~30 quid renting a pair of salopettes when i could pick some up from ebay for around the same price, though.. I think i'll pop into Ski exchange when i'm back in cambridge - do you know of any other decent ski shops in the area?
bladeski, Nadenoodlee, Slowplough - I actually had a look in TKMax for ski stuff before i went last time, but my local one seems to be pretty pants for that kind of thing - plenty of XXL sailing jackets, though.. I'm going into birmingham on saturday so i'll have a good browse in both Snow&Rock and TKMax then. Matalan could be worth a look by the sounds of things, too
I've got a much better idea of what i'm looking for now - a two-layered jacket seems like a good idea (thanks Ray & Marc), although i'm quite tempted to leave it for another year and rent one for this trip.
Rob
ps, ben, those Royal Mail trousers sound ace! Would definitely be the coolest on the piste, in a retro/ironic way.
And David, i think people might get the wrong idea if i turn up in a ladies jacket... Have to admit though, it does look rather spesh. Shoulder patches, eh? i wonder.... 
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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'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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If you can get to an outlet village they normally have a northface shop too i got my glove's there for about £30 almost £70 cheaper and they are the best i've had.
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RobH,
Yes cotton's a problem as it holds the moisture (sweat) and you'll feel wet and also get cold when you stop skiing and cool down. I discovered this on my first skiing trip in January.
'Wicking' base layers are the way to go as they allow the moisture to move out and evaporate away. Even if your next layer gets a bit damp, the moisture can't travel back in. The technology is really amazing as the material feels really cheap and tacky when compared to a decent cotton shirt.
You can get them in long or short sleeves with various collar and zip options. The problem is that they're pretty expensive - between £25 - £40 for the leading brands from EB's and S&R etc, depending upon the style and spec.
I bought my wicking T shirts (made by Peter Storm) from Millets in their sale at two for £25. I used them in when summer skiing in Saas Fee in July and they were great. They're not quite as stylish as the top makes and don't have a fancy logo (says the guy with the Syder jacket!), but as they're covered up most of the time it doesn't matter.
The other benefit of the wicking material is that it dries really quickly if you need to wash them during your holiday.
I find that unless it's really cold (colder than -15) that I'm fine with a wicking T shirt, a light fleece (even better if that's breathable as well) and my shell jacket - on which I usually have the vent zips open.
If its been colder than that, or I'm going on a chair lift, I simply zip up the jacket vents and put my hat on. I was told that a good hat and gloves make a considerable difference to your body temperature and I've certainly found that to be the case.
As Snowy and U Brain, I bought a pair of Salomon gloves and they're a POS.
It's certainly worth a search through the racks at TK Maxx. I bought a pair of BGR Gear trousers (no I'd never heard of them either) for £19.99 and they've been superb after four weeks use.
Happy shopping
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RobH,
I forgot to mention it, I've a jacket for sale. I was going to put it in the Buy, Sell & Exchange section and on ebay in a few weeks time, nearer the start of the season.
PM me you're email address if you're interested in a 42/44" Helly Hanson jacket and I'll send you the details and a jpeg.
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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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FAQ
Did you also mention the high quality part-leather outer collar? 