 Poster: A snowHead
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You were all so helpful when deciding where to go that I've come back for more!
Does anyone have any advice as to where to buy ski gear?
Also, does anyone have any advice as to what to buy - Jackets, pants, fleeces and base wear.
Please bear in mind that this is the first time my wife and I have been skiing, so we have nothing and we don't want to spend the earth on all the kit - no £200 jackets - just something that is reasonable and good value for money.
Any thoughts?
Look forward to hearing your advice
Simon and Jo
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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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kosciosco, For clarity!
The actual text of a skiers post was;
"Hello all! May i reccomend you pop down to your local TK max if you have one? I have just come back from one in sheffield and they got their ski stuff in this week. it's normally last seasons stuff, but has brands such as Nike ACG, Trespass, Columbia etc. and massively discounted prices. Just got my brother the Nike ACG communication gortex jacket from last season with built in handsfree radio transmitter thing, that was being sold everywhere for £400 ish for £95 (even in S & R sale was only down to £200) . Worth at least having a look if there is one near by. May not be top name brands, but there occasionally is some decent stuff".
(Reproduced hopefully with the kind permission of the author  )
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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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kosciosco, When I started skiing, C & A was the place to buy cheap (but good value) skiwear for first timers. Sadly they no longer exist in the UK, but I believe that the Lidl store group (being German owned) sometimes keeps good value jackets,gloves etc.
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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 really want to keep costs down, explore local charity shops, especially in posh areas! Got a Goretex suit for £12 last week (yes, it was pink, but you can't have everything). You'll look like old hands. Also our local ski shop, Filarinski, often has ex hire ski clothes very cheaply, and others might do the same.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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kosciosco, Hi. Lidl, Tchibo and I think Aldi, all do really basic kit. Last year they were doing jackets for about £25 to £40and gloves for £10. The only problem is they only do the stuff for one week per year and it sells out very quickly. Tk Maxx is very good but you just have to get lucky and you should try every few days because their stock changes every day. Last year I got a £400 jacket for £60.
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£350 my god ! I dont call that cheap Mrs Snowbird. I bet your hubby wasnt pleased !!!!! 
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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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Paul Mason, I like a bargain, but I have stopped buying "cheap" ski gear, since it does not keep me warm when I need to be, fails to deal with moisture retention, when I'm too warm, and lets the weather in, when I need it kept out  I have had frostbite from wearing "cheap" ski gloves, it is an unpleasant experience, so I never skimp on gloves!!
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Yes, good quality kit is important. But it's not essential to have the latest "new season" gear. Hence the bargains. Also some "own brand" items are good - especially good value in the big French sports chains, but also Marks and Spencer are worth a try. Nobody actually NEEDS a Spyder jacket! Tony Blair probably has heaps of flash gear given to him by that well known crook Berlusconi (judging by today's newspapers). Maybe he could spare a few jackets?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Beware ebay - I've seen a lot of TK Maxx stuff selling there for above retail price. And for those who really don't care about their image, TKM have romper suits this year!
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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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Bernard Condon, Implying, of course, that your style and technique are such that you don't need to worry about the ephemera of superficial presentation...
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You know it makes sense.
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Paul Mason, Well for the amount of kit he got i thought it was good, nowt to do with my other half i'm afraid as he paid for it himself 
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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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scream, All that have witnessed my style & technique & I am sure, those who are yet to witness it, will attest to it's artistic content & creativity. Ephemera may indeed be the operative word..............
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Poster: A snowHead
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Big thank you for all the tips for TK Max.
Have just got back and got some absolute bargains.
Two good quality ski jackets, a pair of ski pants and a pair of gloves, all for only £129 - what a bargain.
Now all I have to do is get some ski pants for myself and some base wear.
Any tips on what base wear to get?
Once again you have all done me proud. what would I do without you all?
Thanks
Simon
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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My recommendation to you would be to beg, borrow and steal ... well maybe not steal.
Buy the basics like socks and base layers that people don't really like to loan out.
For jackets, ski-pants and gloves, there is surely somebody you know that is keen on skiing that is not going skiing the same week as you and will give you a loan of stuff. Most skiers that I know are delighted when somebody new starts and the keener the skier, the more jackets, etc that they have.
You will never fall as much in your whole ski career as you do in your first week on the snow. If you are cold and miserable on your first week due to inferior gear, there is less of a chance of going back. People that are into the sport will probably have 3 sets of gear that are better than the cheap stuff that's out there.
Ask around and tell people that it's your first time going and I'm sure you'll be surprised how people will help you out.
Then next year, buy your own good stuff 
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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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Thanks for that tip.
We are going end of January, so imagine it will be quite cold
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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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kosciosco, where are you headed?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Not necessarily. There's no telling how cold it will be. Despite low temperatures - say -10 - if there is no wind, and the sun is shining, it seems quie warm. It can feel cold at any time, or warm at any time. Temperatures last March varied between -15 and +15, within about a week. It is the wind that makes it cold, that and being wet. If it gets cold and wet find a nice warm cosy restaurant and go and have a hot chocolate or a vin chaud, or gluhwein, or whatever. It's not about being miserable.
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| Ian Hopkinson wrote: |
| kosciosco, where are you headed? |
We are going to Courcheval 1850. Buying all the kit has made me look forward to it even more!
Have our first lesson at the MK snow dome in 3 weeks (trying not to let the criticism in other messages worry me too much)
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kosciosco, we went to MK before our first trip - sort of handy because you get to try on ski boots / skis and you get to slide around a little bit. Things like the state of the snow and the busy-ness of the lift aren't much of an issue on your first visit to MK and if you don't like it then the French Alpes are a completely different experience.
I've not been to Courchevel, but I have been to the other end of the 3 Valleys - at Val Thorens.
You should try webcams and www.snow-forecast.com, does tend to put you into an unbearable state of anticipation for months at a time though 
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FAQ
- M&S just as good and cheaper. 
