First Time Skiers - Required Clothing?

DaisyKnight

Hi All,

Long time lurker but first post, so apologies if I have posted this is the wrong place. I have booked a skiing holiday for one week next year for my partner and I. We have never been before, so I have also pre booked tuition. Could anyone let me know what clothing/equipment we will need (skis and helmets are included in the package), and point me in the direction of a good, reasonably priced supplier?

Thank you :-)

Alistair69

It's a while since I went, but when I did, I bought...

Salupetes (sp?)
A skiing jacket
Thermal long-johns and top
Skiing gloves
Thick skiing socks
Skiing goggles
A silly hat (warm)
Sunblock!

I should have had a helmet since on the penultimate day, I went over backwards and knocked myself out! Woke up in the infirmary and was not allowed to ski on the last day. Sadly, helmets were not available for adults back then.

It's surprising how warm I actually got. I didn't need the thermals in the end, just wore a tee-shirt and boxers under the jacket and salupets. I'd still advise you take them though.

--- Alistair.

hartcjhart

It may be better for you to hire the gear as opposed to buying as it is your first time,
places like these,although I have never used them

http://ski-stuff.co.uk/

http://www.ski-west.co.uk/

Enterprise_1701C

You could also do with moon boots or siimilar for walking around outside when you don't have ski boots on!

TopQuark

Hi OP,

At the bare minimum you would need;
- Decent sunglasses, although goggles are far better as they also block out wind
- A warm hat
- A scarf
- Some kind of warm outdoorsy jacket; obviously best if it's designed for skiing
- Salopettes (thick skiing trousers), although you could manage with warm trousers and a pair of waterproof over-trousers if you had to
- Gloves (not wooly)
And underneath that you would ideally have thermals (not absolutely essential), a fleece and thick wooly/skiing socks.

If you miss any of the the basic items, you will not enjoy yourself so it isn't worth 'making do without'. As someone else said, take suncream but also take lip balm as lips get horribly sore when exposed, especially if it's windy.

As for where to buy this; you will find that Aldi and Lidl have well-priced gear in season, although be sure to check their websites frequently and get down there quick, as the stuff goes fast. Decathlon also sell reasonably-priced own-label gear in season, as I believe, does George at Asda.

Hope you have a great time - where are you booked to go?
TQ

scottishperson2

All depends where you're going and at what time of year. -50 windchill in Colorado requires different clothing to spring skiing in Val D'Isere.

DaisyKnight

Ooh thank you for the replies! I hadnt thought of hiring, that seems a good idea to look into.

I had just been mooching online and the only ski clothing places I really know of are Tog 24 and the North Face which seem horribly pricey and have so many accessories that I came away a bit bamboozled as to what is actually needed and what are fancy (albiet nice!) extras.

We are going in early March, to Arinsal, Andorra. I understand that this is a good place for beginners?

Bob_the_Saver

Not a snow ski person so not sure but I guess you also need skis.

DaisyKnight

Thank you for that Bob, a most useful post. :rotfl:The ski hire is included in our package. I may be a beginner but I did think of that, along with tuition!

runninglea

hi are you having lessons before you go?

DaisyKnight

Hi runninglea. No we are not having lessons before we go. I have booked the holiday as a surprise for my partner, so I can't book lessons before we go or he'll figure it out.

I have paid for tuition on the snow each day so we should be safe and properly taught. I also heard that lessons on a dry slope are not good preparation for the snow because they are very different?

We are both fairly fit (him more so than me!) I will need to up the exercise in the weeks before we go but I should think we will be ok on that side. Im trying to lose a bit of weight anyway as I've recently given up smoking so I have been increasing my workouts anyway. I have been advised to do repetitive squat exercises to prepare the pins too. Havent started those yet though!