Going Skiing

I'm planning on going skiing next season, however given that shops are now heavily discounting winter sports clothing I figure it would be a good idea to buy the stuff now whilst it's cheap.

Problem is that having not snow skiied before I don't know much about what I need to buy.

Any useful comments welcomed.

[Marge]

Defo some thermal undies, never in my life would I go skiing so good luck

[Charlie_Bubble]

Yeah, thermal long johns, a thermal vest. A couple pairs of good thermal socks. Ski pants, a jacket, a hat and some gloves. Pretty much what you would expect. Are you planning to hire skis/boots etc while you are over there?

I go snowboarding and usually get my stuff from these guys: http://www.snowandrock.com/

Their surrey superstore is about 15 minutes up the road from me. Might be worth a visit as the things in the store are normally cheaper than on the site, especially in the sale. Got a pair of boots that are full price on the site and they had 40% off in the store.

Originally Posted by Charlie_Bubble

Yeah, thermal long johns, a thermal vest. A couple pairs of good thermal socks. Ski pants, a jacket, a hat and some gloves. Pretty much what you would expect.

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry, I phrased the question a little badly, I know I need that stuff, but it's the details that I'm interested in.

Does a higher price necessarily mean a better product? I'm not going to pay money for a name, but I'll pay it for quality!

Is "water resistant" ok or should I get "water proof"?

Does "improved wicking" actually *mean* anything?!

What does "one hundredweight" mean on a fleece (that's damned heavy!)

Are zips under the arms of a jacket useful or just a gimmick?

Etc etc.

This is the sort of thing I really need to know!

Are you planning to hire skis/boots etc while you are over there?

Probably. The only pair of ski boots I have are almost 25 years old (I used to grass ski as a teenager, gods, I feel old now!!). Is that a good idea? Are boots for Skiing and Snowboarding completely interchangable?

I go snowboarding and usually get my stuff from these guys: http://www.snowandrock.com/

Their surrey superstore is about 15 minutes up the road from me. Might be worth a visit as the things in the store are normally cheaper than on the site, especially in the sale. Got a pair of boots that are full price on the site and they had 40% off in the store.

There's a JJB sports shop in the Cascades in Portsmouth that's doing all their wintersports wear at 50% off, but I don't know how good it is in comparison to that from a dedicated ski suppliers.

[Jerrek]

Originally Posted by Graham

Does a higher price necessarily mean a better product? I'm not going to pay money for a name, but I'll pay it for quality!

Usually, or it can be just a name.

Is "water resistant" ok or should I get "water proof"?

*shrug* Water proof is better as far as I know. Water resistant is probably fine.

Does "improved wicking" actually *mean* anything?!

Yes, it removes sweat faster from your skin. Kinda important if you sweat a lot.

What does "one hundredweight" mean on a fleece (that's damned heavy!)

Weight of the wool? I think.


Don't get wool socks. They itch. Polypro is good. Same for underwear.

Wear a headhand or toque... Frostbite hurts.

Are zips under the arms of a jacket useful or just a gimmick?

Perhaps easier to get the jacket on? Mine doesn't have any.

Probably. The only pair of ski boots I have are almost 25 years old (I used to grass ski as a teenager, gods, I feel old now!!). Is that a good idea? Are boots for Skiing and Snowboarding completely interchangable?

No. Skiing has special boots. You can use your regular winter boots for snowboarding.



I'd go with renting equipment unless you plan on using it every year.


When picking boots, rear-entry is easier to get on, but suffers in performance, and overlapping shell is harder to get on, but better in performance. Don't let that the deciding factor be though... try both.


When picking skis, stiffness refers to how hard it is to bend the ski, sidecut refers to the cut pictured from above, and the shovel is the pointy tip of the ski. GS refers to giant slalom, a course set for high speed smooth runs.

Recreational skis are usually soft and have a GS sidecut. They're gentle and forgiving and flexable. Not good for high speeds though, and not good for quick turns. Good for beginner or intermediate.

Generally, the stiffer the ski the more skill you need. They are generally used for higher speeds.

Slalom skis have a strong sidecut and are narrower. They're stiff at the back and are excellent for quick short turns.

GS skis are for speed. They have a softer shovel.



How long? Try 160 to 180 centimeters. Generally the heavier you are, the longer you want. Also, the better you are, the longer you go.



I myself don't own skis. I usually rent. I do own my own snowboard though, because I find it far more fun than skiing. I also own my own clothes, but then, I live in snow country and it is pretty much to be expected.

[altis]

S&R are good but also also try:
http://www.snowlines.co.uk/
http://www.europaskilodge.co.uk/
http://www.ellis-brigham.com/
http://www.nevisport.com/
http://www.tackandski.co.uk/
http://skateandski.co.uk/

and for info:
http://www.skiclub.co.uk/
http://www.gregh.co.uk/html/Bookmark.htm

A check list for skiing (* = hire to begin with and nr = not required if hiring):
skis*
poles*
ski bag(*nr)
boots*
bootbag(*nr)
3pr ski socks
3pr technical grundies
2x thermal top
thin fleece
ski suit (unusual to find a one-piece these days but they're v. warm and, if you want to ski in all weathers make sure it's waterproof - many aren't!)
ski gloves
fleece gloves (if it's warm)
balaclava (stretchy TurtleNeck - wonderful)
sunglasses (on a string!)
goggles (for when the light's bad)
tiny rucksack (with no loops or straps)
water bottle (eg old pop bottle)
baby first-aid kit
whistle
compass
headtorch (no, I've not needed it yet)

plus usual outdoor clobber for off the piste.

Don't forget to get proper insurance - these people are good:
http://www.snowcard.co.uk/

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by Graham

I'm planning on going skiing next season, however given that shops are now heavily discounting winter sports clothing I figure it would be a good idea to buy the stuff now whilst it's cheap.

Problem is that having not snow skiied before I don't know much about what I need to buy.

Any useful comments welcomed.

Don't even think about buying skis and boots - hire them when you get there. As you ski more and the more your style progresses, the type of skis and boots you require change.

PS - I used a weatherproof golfing suit when I last went skiing (I hate the PUFFA' look.... ) and it was perfect. The only thing I suggest you spend good money on is proper ski gloves and good sunglasses/goggles. Anything else is a waste of money unless you intend to ski regularly. As long as it's cotton, all your socks, polo neck jumpers, vests etc do NOT have to be all the specialist expensive 'ski wear' tat some shops will try and fob you off with as 'necessary'. HTH

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Graham

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry, I phrased the question a little badly, I know I need that stuff, but it's the details that I'm interested in.

Does a higher price necessarily mean a better product? I'm not going to pay money for a name, but I'll pay it for quality!

Branding is big in Skiing, you do pay for it but discounting end of season is also huge, the stylish set need to wear this seasons gear, so the shops want last seasons out. Buy something you like, if its £10-20 more you will find you use it multi season and the up front cost is a saving on replacing it 12 months later because you have gone off the colour or something.

Originally Posted by Graham

Is "water resistant" ok or should I get "water proof"?

Does "improved wicking" actually *mean* anything?!

What does "one hundredweight" mean on a fleece (that's damned heavy!)

Are zips under the arms of a jacket useful or just a gimmick?

Well an ex grasss skiier probably won't spend much time on their arse, snow is not wet (until it melts) and you probably won't be skiing in the rain or a snowstorm, as such resistant is ok. Waterproof is more useful for walkin in the peak district in April.

Wicking, removing the moisture away from your body. Sweat gets cold and uncomfortable against the skin, pull it away you stay warmer with less thickness of clothing. Make sure your socks and gloves wick well or you'll have very sweaty feet and hands.

It means the weight, probably in grams/Msq. Bit like paper is weighted. Higher number, thicker warmer. Depending on whether you feel the cold depends on how thick this needs to be.

If you sweat a lot / get hot quickly - yes. This is also dependant on when and where you ski. Skiing on a North facing slope in January is a very different experience to a South slope in April. The former will want a under vest, polotop or similar, fleece and jacket, goggles hat, neck gator, thermal pants, ski pants. The latter you might be comfortable in a T shirt and sunglasses (and skipants). Think about when and where you might be planning to go. Higher = colder, north = colder, earlier in the season = colder.

Originally Posted by Graham

Probably. The only pair of ski boots I have are almost 25 years old (I used to grass ski as a teenager, gods, I feel old now!!). Is that a good idea? Are boots for Skiing and Snowboarding completely interchangable?

Boots are a good buy if you are planning to do this going forward. You can get conformable foot liners, make sure they fit well etc. Jerreck has detailed the pros and cons of front vs back openeing. MOst are front opening now. Boots are well worth buying from a specialist ski store. Snow and Rock have a comfort return guarantee that is highly valuable.

Skis, I'd rent. You normally have to pay a charter airline to get them there, if you play with new expensive rentals you get the pang of guilt that you should be using your own, they are a pain to get around. Again depends on how much skiing you plan, any over 12 days (probably 8 in the US) and you may well be financially better off buying in the sale this year. However you would not try a car without taking it for a test drive, the same can be said for skis.

Originally Posted by Graham

There's a JJB sports shop in the Cascades in Portsmouth that's doing all their wintersports wear at 50% off, but I don't know how good it is in comparison to that from a dedicated ski suppliers.

Clothing - probably no different - good price competition. For skis, bindings and boots, a specialist every time.

Thanks to everyone for the replies, there are answers in there (eg "Skiing on a North facing slope in January is a very different experience to a South slope in April")to questions I didn't even *know* to ask!!

I'm planning on going dry-slope skiing over the summer/ autumn to get practice and exercise, so I wouldn't be buying boots or skis straight off, although I may buy boots later on, but I'll probably still rent skis/ board for the first couple of holidays.

I wouldn't be looking at off-piste initially, so compasses etc probably won't be necessary

Thanks also for the links, hopefully now I can go into shops with a little more confidence that I'm not going to get fobbed off with whatever the salesperson wants to shift...!

[SMHarman]

If you can get hold of some comfortable boots that fit well, buy them. The foot>boot>binding>ski interface is a critical part of skiing.

Rental boots are generally a sloppier fit than owned and you can take your own boots to any dry slope. You are going to spend most of a week in them, for the £60 max you can probably get a pair that will last you 2-3 seasons and repay your investment hansomly.

Something else that's just occurred to me. I normally wear trainers for walking around town etc, but would I need something sturdier/ warmer?

[Jerrek]

For walking in the snow? Not really. Boots is nicer though. For skiing, you need the boot that comes with the ski, and for snowboarding you need your own boots. I don't recomment sneakers or that for snowboarding. You will get lots of snow in your shoe, and when it melts your foot gets very wet.

[SMHarman]

Not really pavements / roads are kept pretty snow free. If you are in a ski in/out chalet, then you might want something a little higher sided, packed snow is a very firm surface, only if inches of new snow fall will trainers be a little inadequate.

http://www.tecnicausa.com/winter/moonboot.shtml

are a great way to keep your feet toasty.

[altis]

I take my Altberg McKinley walking boots for trapsing round town. Sometimes it can be clean tarmac, often it's wet and covered in grit and sometimes it's covered in snow too. There's no need to have anything special for skiing; just find something with a stiff, chunky sole with plenty of grip. I also take a pair of slippers for inside the chalet.

Originally Posted by altis

I take my Altberg McKinley walking boots for trapsing round town. Sometimes it can be clean tarmac, often it's wet and covered in grit and sometimes it's covered in snow too.

That was sort of what I was thinking of, eg something with ankle support. It would be extremely embarassing to come back from skiing with a broken ankle caused by slipping on a patch of ice when taking a stroll!!

I know my trainers are pretty damn useless on ice after the last cold snap down here where I was hobbling along the pavements like an old man