 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi Guys - well I have gone and done it - booked me and my other half up for our very first ski trip going to Nideraeu in 2 weeks time. Great, I kniow but I have a few questions, that I feel daft asking - but thought what the heck....hopefully someone will be able to help me...
1) I have been and purchased a ski jacket but have a new Berghaus and a newish Regatta waterproof coat sitting in the wardrobe. Is there any difference? I know they are all waterproof and windproof but is that it? Will I look daft if I choose to go with my Berghaus or Regatta?
2) How many layers of clothes will I need? I am thinking vest, long sleeve top and then coat - will that suffice?
3) What is the rule of thumb re Apres Ski - what do people wear?
4) We are going half board, what will we be expected to wear for dinner - do jeans see the light of day?
5) Will i need to buy goggles or are sunglasses ok? If I need goggles can I hire them?
Like I said, I know the questions may seem daft to the more seasoned skier - but as a newbie its all new stuff to me.
Thanks in advance
Kookie 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Kookie30, welcome to 
1) you won't look daft but you may be glad of the insulation offered by a ski jacket as well as little things like snowskirt, extra pockets etc
2) everyone's different - as a rough guide...... thermal layer to wick moisture away from skin......microfleece.......ski jacket .... as a minimum
3) very casual in most places I've been, smart casual in smart restaurants but otherwise jeans ok
5) buy goggles, essential - it may snow! Bring sunnies too
This is in a nutshell, lots more info if you do a search on different questions
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
hedley,  have you noticed how silly (and you don't see many) high heels look in ski resort?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Kookie30, Well firstly, good choice. The Wildschonau is beautiful and perfect for your first go at it.
(1) The Berghaus is probably more technical and better suited but without knowing more about them who can say. Main thing is windproof, waterproof and breatheable - you'll be working quite hard so breatheable is v important. You won't look daft either way.
(2) Avoid cotton... it soaks up 80% of its own weight in water (sweat). Man made fibres or merino wool best. Like I say, you'll be working quite hard initially so 3 layers almost certainly just fine.
(3) Anything. In Austria many are still in their ski gear at midnight, otherwise dead casual.
(4) Jeans absolutely fine. I don't pack anything else.
(5) Best buy some goggles as I've never heard of someone renting them.
Others will be along with more no doubt. You could not have picked a better winter to start.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kookie30, welcome to and I think your questions are perfectly reasonable for a first timer. Hooray, more skiiers 
1. I don't know what your existing jackets look like but the only consideration I would have is - is it water and wind proof? Which it seems they both are. Having said that, if you've gone and got a ski jacket, you might as well get your money's worth. ... caviet relates to 2 though.
2. Layers depend on which jacket you opt to take. If the Berghaus and Regatta are 'shells' (unpadded) then the layers you have suggested are probably one layer light but appropriate for the ski jacket. If you get hot, tie one or other layer around your waist unless you have a backpack (small, slimline is most practical for skiing IMO) to shove one or more in.
3. Apres is any way you like it. Depends on venue. If you start on your way home, ski boots and gear are fine. If you make it home for dinner and then head out no one will be checking out your shoes so sensible footwear for underfoot conditions are fine. I only take one pair of walking shoes with super grippy soles. No point high heels on a ski holiday 
4. You'll probably be in Jeans every night. Unless you're booked into a 5*, and even then in most cases, there is no convention for dressing for dinner.
5. YES! You need to protect your eyes. Wear them all day on the snow and as much as possible when you stop at mountain cafes. Snow is so reflective that the rays will bounce into your eyes from every angle. Keep 'em safe. Glasses or Goggles? For me it depends on the weather. In wind/wet I prefer goggles. On a sunny day, I like my sunnies
Now, a few tips for your first couple of days. The first time you put ski boots on they will feel like someone has cast your feet in cement. Take a few minutes to walk around and get used to the new balance required to manouvre in them. Next you get handed a couple of long planks that don't want to lock together too easily and then you're told to sling them on your shoulder and balance them while you walk around with cement blocks on your feet. The first couple of days will be quite tiring as you have to think about every action you do to balance everything. I liken it to learning how to drive. Brain has to think ... clutch in, gear stick into gear, clutch out while gently depressing excelerator ... do you think through that process now when you drive? No (well, I suspect no), now you have developed 'muscle memory' and don't have to think through the 'simple' process of changing gears. Likewise it will be walking in ski boots while balancing skis and poles. Bear with it. By the end of day two you will have enough muscle memory that you can get on with everything else for the rest of the week and put the mental energy solely into working out how to slide in control on the planks 
Have a great trip. I hope you both enjoy it equally.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Kookie30, Without wanting to be a wet blanket, make sure you have also considered winter sports insurance and if you are going to France (I haven't a clue where your resort is sorry), query Carre or Carte Neige on the search function - top left on screen 'forum search'
Oh, and I may as well follow the flock - don't forget those goggles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kookie30,
1. Those jackets should be OK, provided they are insulated, or you wear something insulated under them.
2. As a beginner, you will be working quite hard physically (probably harder than you ever will again while skiing, unless you go on to become a real expert), and you won't be travelling very fast, so you are more likely to need to take some layers off than not. Make sure you have several layers that can be removed, and something wicking next to the skin.
3. What most people here tend to refer to as "Apres ski" is what happens after coming off the slopes before returning to your acommodation. For that, you will still be in ski clothes. For later in the evening, whatever you would wear to the pub at home - although Neiderau doesn't have a particularly hectic nightlife anyhow. make sure you wear "sensible" shoes, as you will be returning to your hotel on potentially very icy surface.
Also on the subject of "dress", be aware that most of the hotels in Neiderau have saunas, and except in the Crystal club hotel (Vicky), nudity will be expected in those saunas.
4. Pretty well anything goes IME. It might be different in the top 5* hotels, but most ski hotels are 2-4* and pretty informal for dinner.
5. It depends on the conditions. If the whole week is sunny, then sunglasses will be fine. But in flat light conditions, goggles help a lot with contrast, and when it is snowing, they are just about essential. You can buy goggles from TKMaxx for about £12 before you go, you won't get them cheaper in resort than that, and I have never seen them for hire, although it may be possible.
Out of interest, which hotel are you staying at?
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Nideraeu great place for a first trip a lot of folk on  started there.
(2) If the temperature is siting around the zero mark that will be fine clothing wise starting to learn to ski is hot work
If the weathers colder / windy you will need extra
Rest of the time you can wear what ever you like
One tip dont have all your gear on when you go to the hire shop to get your boots etc. they are always very warm and unless you are very lucky you will have a few pairs of boots to try before you get a good fitting pair
Enjoy
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Kookie30, take something for your head too - hat, helmet, buff etc. whatever you feel you need. It can get v. cold partic. on lifts and its useful to cover your ears and often most of your face - buff/balaclava or even a basic scarf are worth considering
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you all so much - I blinked and had all of your responses waiting for me. You have all been a great help.... Any other words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated though. Still recovering from the nudity in Sauna's response though;-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
Damn - will leave my Jimmy Choos at home lol. Thanks again guys
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Kookie30, this is a really silly question from me, I'm sure, but... you do have salopettes, don't you? And a decent pair of ski/snowboard gloves? And ski socks (avoid the tube things - proper shaped socks will be more comfortable)?
Remember, TK Maxx is your friend for these! Although they may be getting a bit short on stock by now... but always worth a look
I find that lycra tights under salopettes are snuggly-warm, btw (don't know if you're male or female - that may have a bearing on how you feel about this!), but long johns are worth considering as well. Although, as others have said, you'll be working very hard to start with, so keeping warm shouldn't be too much of a problem.
Have a wonderful time
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Megamum wrote: |
| make sure you have also considered winter sports insurance |
This is a good point. You need insurance in Austria too, at least for recovery from the slopes (and possible transport back to the UK). Actual treatment should be covered by reciprocal agreements with the NHS. You should have the appropriate form with you, I believe that is the EHIC card (used to be E111); takes about a week to get one, I think. You should have cover for third party liability too.
Don't let this worry you, though. You're unlikely to need any of it and maybe the package you have booked even has the insurance already in it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Hiya Jo - I am female, so quite comfortable with the tight suggestion - may suggest it to my other half though!!! lol. Yes I do have salopettes, but jees...how blummin restrictive are they. I look and feel like the michelin man!!! I have been into TK Maxx and Decathlon and bought gloves, but no socks as yet...thats work for tomorrow. Must admit just hoping I can prepare in just under a week and a half!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
I have an EHIC card and have checked and we have travel insurance (which also covers for activity holidays, skiing included) with HSBC as a benefit with our account - think that should be ok - well I hope so
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Jo225 wrote: |
| And a decent pair of ski/snowboard gloves? |
This is another good point. It's worth having more than one pair of gloves, if possible (not necessarily all pukka ski gloves but anything that is somewhat water-resistant). Then you can change if one pair gets too wet. As a beginner, you may find your hands in the snow more often than you expect  .
Also jeans may be fine for aprés ski but not for the actual skiing, they soak through too easily.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Oh I wasn't going to ski in jeans - was thinking about jeans for the evenings. Thanks for the point about x gloves. Another job for tomorrow!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kookie30,
| Quote: |
I find that lycra tights under salopettes are snuggly-warm
|
Will get called a lightweight for this but: In Norway a few years ago it was so cold even with my sallopettes and thermal leggings on that I needed another layer, but I'd not taken another layer - never needed to before - so I ended up wearing my pajama bottoms between my sloppettes and thermals. Very fetching...It was so bloo*y cold I couldn't even wear my high heels! .
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Everybody has to start somewhere, nobody starts off as an expert
1) I'd take the ski jacket myself, it's designed for skiing, plus they have sneaky little pockets for lift passes etc
2) Base layer, fleece mid layer and jacket serves me well, avoid cotton and take an extra layer if not sure, can always remove layers if too warm.
If you are too cold and havent got another layer you will not be happy.
3) Whatever they want to!!!! Ski gear, jeans, anything really.
4) If you in a hotel, best to check with them first but unless you in a 5* luxury place can't see jeans being a problem.
5) I'd take goggles and sunglasses, your eyes are precious, I personally wouldn't skimp here. Sunglasses when it's blue sky suny days, goggles if
it's snowing or windy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
