 Poster: A snowHead
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We will be heading down to La Rosiere for our first foray into skiing, and I'm wondering what kit we need to have before we set off, assuming we'll be hiring boots and skis.
We have fleeces and thermals from hiking, but I wonder what else we need - I'm guessing some sort of water-repellant and fall-over-resistant trousers and jackets, but what? Any features to look for? Anything worth avoiding?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Thanks - that looks like good advice.
A question - is there a big difference between "skiing jackets" and the waterproof (GoreTex) jackets we have for hiking? I'd guess skiing would demand more breathability, freedom of movement and a bit of insulation, but I know nothing!
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jezzah,
A main feature is a 'snow skirt' which is an elasticated inner band a few inches up/inside from the lower edge of the jacket. It fits snuggly around your hips & stops the snow getting in if (when) you wipe out.
Other features are:
Underarm zip vents
Loads of well placed pockets
A transparent lift pass holder
Adjustable cuffs
High, soft lined collar
Detachable & adjustable hood
Waterprrof outer fabric, preferably breathable
Insulation can vary from none (just a 'shell') to pretty heavy
Most people use a 3 layer system consisting of a thin wicking base layer, a light preferably breathable fleece & then the outer jacket.
Don't forget gloves & a good hat - plus plenty of high factor sun cream & lip salve.
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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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Oh yes, pink & turquoise are all the rage 
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jezzah, a skiing jacket will generally be shorter than a hiking waterproof which makes for easier and safer riding on drag lifts etc. It may also have more pockets, although I became fed up with stuffing everything into those some years ago and now use a small daysack - consider that you may want to carry goggles and sunglasses, an extra warmth layer, a hat, spare gloves (if you've ever lost a glove from a chair lift you'll appreciate that one) suncream and lipsalve at a minimum. Then there's camera, Swiss Army knife, Leatherman, first aid kit, emergency chocolate, water + other things for your "friends" who don't have sacks and you can see it mounts up... 
Jacket insulation is a matter of taste. I just have a shell jacket and use layering underneath for warmth as required. Relying on an insulated jacket for warmth means that you may be either too hot (with it on) or too cold (with it off) as you will lose your windproofing. However, a good hood which can seal just about everything in except eyeware is nice for blizzard conditions, alternatively a warm and waterproof hat which can be pulled over ears and neck in the same way - but this can still leave cheeks and nose / mouth exposed which can be dodgy.
Trousers - well I would always go for salopettes or at least pants with braces, so they don't fall down all the time. I wear insulated salopettes and have never used a base layer, but again that's a matter of taste and how cold your legs get - mine don't particularly. Water resistance is a good thing - chair lift seats can be a cold and wet experience as the moisture penetrates your nether regions. Gore-tex or equivalent is great, but sharp ski edges have a habit of slicing through the lower legs so it can be an expensive process - some trousers have extra tough inserts at the lower leg to prevent this but the skis always miss those bits 
Get good socks!!! I use the lightweight Thorlo ones but others have been suggested on the forum. Don't use the "tube" type or extra thick ones or ones with lumpy seams.
One thing's for sure - if you go equipped for arctic conditions you'll have a week of glorious sunshine and vice versa 
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jezzah, before you dash out and but a whole lot of unecessary stuff, here are some comments from Mr Cynic (extra grumpy tonight coz the Southern Comfort just ran out).
Apart from Cathy Coins I don't think anyone has really answered your question.
You have fleeces, thermals, and waterproof (GoreTex) jackets from hiking. You (sensibly) intend to hire boots and skis. Do you need to get anything else? I'm not sure that you do. (I'm a hill walker, rather than hiker)
The ski clothing industry has very cleverly convinced us all we need highly specialised clothing to go skiing. Now, it is exciting and great fun to take that fancy outfit out of the wardrobe every year: puting it on helps to make skiing feel different and adventurous. But is it really necessary?
In another thread ( here ) I comment that skiing outfits used to be more like ordinary every-day clothes, and I don't think winters have got any colder. If you are beginners you'll not be venturing off-piste (where fancy outfits may have a place). So I don't think you need get much more at all. Even your hiking socks might be OK. My ex-wife managed her first week skiing with waterproof sailing trousers over denim jeans. I don't recommend this combination, but mention it to show what can be got away with.
If you haven't got them already, you need warm hat, glasses, goggles, gloves. I suspect you already have good trousers from your hiking, but if you don't think they are OK then beg, borrow or - if you have to - buy some. You may need socks. And don't forget the factor 30 sunscreen.
spyderjon and Alan Craggs will probably never talk to me again.
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Jezzah, there's a useful shop in Bourg St Maurice, Ski Technique I think, it's on the main road through town just before the railway stn. They sell just about everything you need at reasonable prices, their silk thermals are terrific value as are their snow boots.
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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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Jonpim, I'd tend to agree with you there. For trousers, you're looking at the winter walking type rather than summer walking ones though (obvious point, but to clear up the amiguities; the the point about chairlifts is a valid one - they can have snow on the when you sit down, and you can be suspended in a cold wind).
I use a walking jacket (or fleece), walking base & midlayers, walking socks and my winter hat. The only stuff I've bought specifically for skiing were gloves and ski trousers. Cheap ski stuff can be found at TK maxx (and it can be good stuff, too) - it's just a bit of hassle.
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Jonpim, on the contrary, I'm looking forward to really talking to you one day - the old fashioned way as they might have said in Barbarella.
Your comments re fleeces, thermals etc are OK by me - but I maintain that a beginner (especially a beginner) may have severe problems negotiating a drag (or darg even) lift when wearing a waterproof jacket that extends down the thigh, as many walking waterproof jackets do. And trousers without braces do fall down!
As for the old days, those madmen climbed high mountains in tweeds - but did they have a choice?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Ah yes, the good old days of cold showers in the morning , national service, pounds-shilling-and-pence, tweeds, and compulsory climbing of mountains in the afternoon.
Happy days..... 
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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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Thanks for everyone's advice. Lots to think about - all part of the fun! One thing I will definitely be taking is my Merino wool baselayer stuff - warm and soft, smells nice even after several days of wear!
For the outer layers, I suspect "last years colours" will be on sale shortly, and then a trip to Decathlon may be on the cards!
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One thing not mentioned is about salopettes/ trousers. Having a waterproof bum for wet chair lifts is important. But women dont like salopettes or any trousers with shoulder straps; makes yellow snow formation a bit tricky or so I understand.
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You know it makes sense.
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We also don't have the problem that men seem to have, with trousers falling down unless they're held up by straps 
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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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| Quote: |
We also don't have the problem that men seem to have, with trousers falling down unless they're held up by straps
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True, I am probably too well endowed around the umbilcus 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Jonpim, I totally agree with you. It's an English disease on the slopes (not the Welsh, Scots or Irish) loads and loads of new kit, ski's, helmets, jackets, radios, rucksacks, hydration systems, air support and the list goes on and on for ever.
Round Europe ski sales are really common, people selling 2nd hand clothes etc, not sure if there are any in the UK though. You all lost badly when C&A shut I think.
This year, I'll mostly be wearing the same jacket as 5 years ago 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Reasons not to replace your stuff too often:
http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/magazine/buyers/pdfs/outdoorwear.pdf
(Requires Acrobat)
Incidentally, they don't mention Paramo who's manufacturing facility is a shelter for vulnerable women in Columbia and helps them to get themselves back on their feet, etc. There are also UK based companies (such as Keela) who they don't mention and who will score well in at least *some* of their criteria.
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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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I went on my first skiing trip in 92 as a schoolkid wearing a £15 pair of salopettes, bought from C&A. They served me well that year and the next as well, they even went for another week without me (in my cousin's care). I used them a lot after then on various sledding days up and down the big hill in the woods (I'm a fenlander remember, any hill is a big hill) but never managed to make it back onto the real slopes.
Back in 02 someone suggested a ski holiday, out came the trusty old sloppys again (although I did honestly mean to buy a new pair but never quite made it) and they enjoyed a 10th birthday on the slopes, 03 they had yet another run out but the crotch seam decided it didn't want to play any more and failed in a rather draughty manner  , I think I've had my money's worth out of them.
The jacket I bought soon found a home in the bottom of the wardrobe though, it wasn't so much a case of being last year's colours, it was more the fact it had too many of them.
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jezzah, I'd just like to take this opportunity to point u at the snowShops. I sorted out a deal just last week to supply Keela kit to snowHeads at a discount. There's just the Munro jacket (the model that I've used myself for the last 3 seasons) featured at the moment but over the next week or two we should be getting examples of Salopettes/ski trousers, other jackets and base layer stuff(though u say u don't need that). If they are up to the quality of the Munro (and I've no reason to doubt that they will be) then they'll all be appearing in the snowShops soon.
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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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admin, that looks good, unfortunately it doesn't come in Giant Panda size, or I'd be very tempted by the red and black one, especially with the discount
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Jezzah-mentioned once,but so u dont miss it,TK Max(if u have one nearby)You may have to check it out for a week or two(stock comes and goes all the time)but always a good source of cheap kit.Regulary throws up a surprise or two.I have got various "branded" items e.g.Killy,Quicksilver and Columbia at ridiculous prices.My preferance is a shell jacket and layers(buy padded and yer stuck)Hard to go wrong with trousers/salo's.Most are OK,some are thinner(or more padded)but all keep you warm enough IMHO.However,dont skimp on gloves.Get gortex or similer.Dont forget sunglasses and goggles(cost a fortune in resort)If you've got kids,check out Boots.Last year they were stocking a kids range of kit at excellent prices(larger branches)
Quick word on hire skis/boots.Dont settle for crap!!!If you've not skied before,get down to your nearest slope,pref snowdome.Learn a little about skis,bindings,boots.
There is a massive range.Get fitted to the wrong boot or ski and you have a problem.If,after your first forey on the white stuff,something is wrong GO BACK.
Know what your binding should be set at and CHECK IT.Most hire shops are OK, but if its busy etc mistakes are made.You are the customer,dont be intimidated by some tanned,French ski god Above all of this enjoy,enjoy,enjoy
You will soon be enjoying the greatest sport on earthIMHO;but I'm biased
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| snowskisnow wrote: |
| If you've not skied before, get down to your nearest slope, pref snowdome. Learn a little about skis,bindings,boots. |
What a billiant idea. I wish I had thought of that. I thought the reason for a visit to a Brit-slope was to get the basics if skiing technique, but just as important is to understand the kit. I had no idea about boots at all when I first went skiing. It would have been useful to know of how to adjust the buckles, and what a boot should feel like when fitting properly.
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| Jonpim wrote: |
| snowskisnow wrote: |
| If you've not skied before, get down to your nearest slope, pref snowdome. Learn a little about skis,bindings,boots. |
What a billiant idea. I wish I had thought of that. I thought the reason for a visit to a Brit-slope was to get the basics if skiing technique, but just as important is to understand the kit. I had no idea about boots at all when I first went skiing. It would have been useful to know of how to adjust the buckles, and what a boot should feel like when fitting properly. |
A great idea indeed, but do it soon. We've suggested similar to beginner friends in the past, but the snowdome was fully booked until the end of the season 
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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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The one thing that left the first timers I went with a couple of years back really chuffed at the end of the day was knowing that the 6 hours they'd spent on november/december nights on a dryslope had really paid off when they got to the real thing. Talking to other first weekers in the bar at the end of the week they reckoned they'd gained a good 3 or 4 days (out of 6 remember) in terms of where they were skiing over those that were learning out there.
Sometimes it's the little things like how to put a ski or boot on, being comfortable using a draglift etc that make the difference but even knowing the lingo when you're new to a sport is a big advantage. The actual lessons themselves no doubt worked out dearer doing it at home but it does mean you're skiing the first week rather than just learning.
That said though it won't work for all people, a ski-in-a-day course might be better than a piecemeal 1 hour a week like we did but if you're knackered after an hour then you could be worse off.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I think thats the biggest thing is learning how to use a drag lift makes life so much easier when you get to resort
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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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David@traxvax, I'm surprised you don't have a shop there, for all those unsuspecting ones!
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SteveG we have a very good shop in the village, in fact there a few, but our favourite is Twinner, good selection of top brands but not cheap. I do believe you get what you pay for, there is no way I want to have my ski timwe impacted by non-performing equipment. So go for the best you can afford, if you check out what ski-instructors use, invariably their gear is from one of the top suppliers, Vaurnet, SOS, etc. However, there is a good value ski shop in Bourg St Maurice called Ski Technique, I believe they are also in Chamonix, which we use for things like thermals , snow boots etc.
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You know it makes sense.
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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, you don't seem to understand salopettes.
They are trousers with a corset tagged on the top: essential wear for those of us with a tummy that threatens our success in chatting up the ladies.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Snowy wrote: |
Yes I do have a thing against salopettes - I hired some once at the Milton Keynes Snowdome and spent the next hour repeatedly pulling the straps back onto my shoulders. It was like wearing an ill-fitting bra (with trousers attached).
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try crossing the front straps (if they clip out), my billabong boarding salopettes need that.
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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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or, put an elastic band on them at the back to hold them together nearer your neck
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Snowy, my (Killy) trousers do have an adjustable waist, and detachable braces. (I like the braces, so I always wear them.)
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my Debenhams trousers have detachable braces too and every time I sit down they detach  Superglue time...
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Snowy, Same as Jonpin but hate the braces and have never needed any. Don't trousers come with a belt? Mine did.
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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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Chris B, foolish I know, but I think braces give me the John Wayne look.
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Jonpim, Always thought braces look girly to me. Do you have the John Wayne stance while skiing
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FAQ
