[Closed] CRC of Skiing?? Help, advice

Well, as you mention, Snowheads is ace. A bit like STW on snow. 🙂

Boots - Whereabouts are you? I know a fair few good fitters, and would be happy to try and steer you! Spend some SERIOUS money on your boots if you're going to be in them every day. If you're repping (Crystal? Neilson?) you might spend less time on the slopes, but still get a decent set. (Salomon Impact 102CS myself. Heat moulded shell and custom footbed, natch!)

I'd begin scouting around TKMaxx if you have time. There are some real bargains sometimes, but you need to just get lucky.

Beyond that, Snow and Rock would be a good tip to start looking, as they have a mahoooosive range of stuff. Not all of it is silly expensive Kjus type stuff, so well worth a look. Columbia trews are pretty good value for money. Oh, and whatever you do, don't stint on gloves. Almost like boots, bad ones will plague your life! My other big tip on gloves, get some idiot strings on 'em! Nothing worse than dropping a glove off a lift and having to buy something silly expensive in the resort later!

Where are you off to, then? 🙂

I'm Cheltenham based, can get to Oxford/B'ham/Bristol/Gloucester fairly easily.

Got a choice between Crystal and flexiski, leaning towards flexiski (off to St. Anton! Only done a week in Val Thorens before (Easter just gone)).

I had accounted ~£200 for boots, there seem to be a fair few reduced on Snow & Rock at the minute and some bargains out there but obviously I want to get them fitted rather than posted out to me.

Haha will definitely ensure I have idiot strings, a friend lost one of his £70 gloves when we went in Easter and looked a little glum that afternoon after that! What gloves would you recommend personally? Budget wise I'll be getting kit together over the next few months so it's flexible, I've got a fair amount of cash to play with over that course of time thankfully!

Whats the budget for clothing?

Defo get boots fitted in a shop and let them know what skiing you will be doing and they will give you on the spot advice. There is a huge difference now between recreational, off piste touring, freestyle,racing etc. To future proof yourself, I would prob buy touring/back country boots as these work well on and off piste so no need for seperate kit. I telemark so dont have that issue.

As for skis, for the first month I would hire a variety and see what you like. I ride a pair of Rossignol B2's which are good allrounders. Basic rules to skis;

The more stiff, the faster you go. (only good for on piste)
The fatter they are, the easier the powder/off piste is. (harder handling on piste)

Just like any bike shop, the guys that work in ski shops are geeks who are more than happy to talk all day about the kit, and won't put a hard sell on you or give you kit you dont need.

used to be a good bootfitter in leamington - lockwoods was the shop I think

Clothing, I've got Burton kit at the moment from a friend; boarding trousers, jacket, thermals, 3x socks etc.

I would get another jacket from work so what I'm looking to buy:

4x socks,
Gloves,
1x Trousers,
Goggles,
Possibly a lighter jacket for February onwards,
Probably another set of thermals.

Budget for socks, gloves, trousers; £200 ish, give or take £50 maybe.
What I'm struggling with at the moment is whether with trousers a £150 set is £100 better than a £50 set or whether it's marketing hype.

I'm looking for the SLX level kit of the skiing world if that analogy makes sense!

Ski wise you've said exactly what I had intended to do, I was thinking I would buy ski's January time (Birthday/Christmas money should mean I have £400 to play with or so).

Thanks very much so far, this is all new and all very helpful

the reduced price boots are probably last season's, so may only be odd sizes left? new season boots must be arriving fairly soonish, I'd have thought, so probably best to make an appointment before the rush.

Boots - Given your location - Go here http://www.solutions4feet.co.uk/

I haven't used them (Have my own tame Northern Monkey to do my kit! 😉 ) but they come very, very much recommended.

I'm looking for the SLX level kit of the skiing world if that analogy makes sense!

Columbia, entry level TNF, or entry level Salomon would be my tip then.

Lockwoods looks like it may be worth a visit thanks Scaredypants! It seems like they are a little limited, I don't mind if they're older stock as, as I say I'm somewhat inexperienced. I just want something that will be comfortable, versatile and good for a seasons wear at least and will cater for a relative beginner, hopefully turning less novice throughout the season.

solutions4feet looks ideal! Thank you! I've had somewhat dodgy Achilles heals and inwardly rolling feet before so someone who understands feet would be ace.
Advice is much appreciated at the moment, will start to scour the web for those brands!

edit: oh and +1 for solutions4feet 🙂 (got mine done there, so not biased in any way 😉 )

half price oakley goggles (and maybe other brands) at freezepro store in Edinburgh and online. (no affiliation with them, other than having just acquired a new pair of Oakley's for sensible money)

http://www.freezeproshop.com/?tag=qs&tagHdrId6000056=6000089&tagHdrId3000002=0&tagHdrId3000003=0

Bargainous!

But.....buy goggles AFTER your helmet, or at the same time. They need to fit together. (Smith Holt and Oakley Crowbars here!)

Awesome just having a look at freezepro now.

CFH that's some very timely advice, sure I'd have got carried away and bought some goggles!

🙂 Don't mention it!

I know far too much about kitting people out to go skiing, and as mentioned above -

the guys that work in ski shops are geeks who are more than happy to talk all day about the kit, and won't put a hard sell on you or give you kit you dont need.

🙂 (Don't work in the industry any more though...but I did!)

Sounds like some of the local ski shops might be better customer service than LBS then 😉

+1 SFF . Got my custom footbeds made there . So good it meant not even noticing any footpain at all .
Not cheap , but way more worth it than a bottle of shampoo ( unless it somes with 'our' Cheryl)

Not sure what the SLX is?!

TK Max is a great shout for skiing gear. It may be last seasons kit but only snobby ****s will notice.

7 pairs of socks. (make sure they are at least up to the top of your shin and not hiking boot cut. Very uncomfortable in ski boots)

Peter storm thermals are cheap and good.

Goggles. Sinner do cheap mirrored goggles. They are good all rounders for bad/good light conditions.

Trousers. I've had the same pair of Westbeach trousers for 6 years and they were only 60 quid. Look them up.

http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/230765997780?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&adtype=pla

Dont scrimp on gloves or boots. They make such a difference on the hill. I find the more expensive the gloves, the better.

For a lighter jacket in the later part of the season get a soft shell. Still be good as an extra layer under your jacket.

Oh and on a personal note, if you buy a North Face sleavless puffa I will hunt you down. I've not met someone wearing one of those that hasnt been an erse!

Not sure what the SLX is?!

Related to the equivalent level of SLX kit from Shimano. Good, but not bottom end.

TK Max is a great shout for skiing gear. It may be last seasons kit but only snobby **** will notice.

And a lot of it is utter gash like "No Fear" (I remember when they were good!) and the like. It's "super cheap", because it's rubbish. If, however, you do luck upon some older stock from a [i]real[/i] ski brand, then bingo! A friend got three full sets of Patagucci merino thermals for about £50 for example. Bargain.

SLX is inexpensive, mid-range, good quality kit which is perfect for the normal bloke who doesn't have a bottomless wallet and is content with good functional stuff 😉

EDIT: CFH beat me to it!

Sounds like I need to start scouring TKMaxx in my lunch hour, although will have to go armed with a list of suitable brands etc. - I really just want to get out and ski in kit where I'm comfortable and it's not holding me back, whether it's this years or from a year or two ago is by-the-by to me at the minute.

Those Westbeach look spot on cost-wise and exactly what'll do me nicely.

Everyone's been massively helpful - thank you all, near enough all my questions answered in 20minutes!

Cobrakai - don't worry I have no intention of buying a NF Gilet 😉

Ah, get the SLX now.

Yeh a lot is not worth the hanger its on, but you can luck out. I was meaning more for the socks and the thermals. Thats where I get mine.

EDIT: CFH beat me to it!

Do at least [i]try[/i] and keep up.

😉

I was meaning more for the socks and the thermals

I suppose so. But again, I would counsel caution. Bargainous gear from a "real" outdoor or ski brand is good. Cheap for the sake of it isn't, especially with the extremities, such as socks and gloves. When it drops below the -20 area, and as a rep you don't have the choice to stay in the bar and drink instead, cheapo ain't a good idea! 😉

TkMaxx get ski stuff in in late september - early october - there's a lot of tosh, but things like gloves, base layers, socks etc. quickly add up at a proper ski shop. A couple of sets of £25 gloves has got to be a better idea than 1 pair of £70 ones for obvious reasons. A set winter bike gloves is a good backup/fit in a pocket for the walk back to the chalet from the pub

2 pairs of merino socks last a week, but I usually think a fresh set of trousers would be nice after about day 4...

a light breathable jacket is better than a heavier one - you can always chuck on another fleece or jumper. So nice having a light jacket if it gets sunny.

TK maxx for Base layers too.

But about half a dozen of different styles. Try to get merino as it really does what it says on the tin.

Can be a life saver , or just make a very cold day more comfortable.

Buff headgear x 2 for same reasons

From what's been said think something like the Salomon M Tactile CS Glove looks like a winner ~£50 online down from £70 at the minute and maybe a cheaper 'backup pair' just in case. Don't think my riding gloves are up to it, far too many holes 🙄

Good shout about Buff's hadn't thought that far ahead, thermals are something again I don't want to skimp on really, as you say, seems like a does what it says on the tin type scenario

Cobrakai - don't worry I have no intention of buying a NF Gilet

Thank frick for that.

By the way, how do you quote someone else in your post? Am I being a muppet?

Each to their own on the thermal thing but I've not encountered any probs.

By the way, how do you quote someone else in your post? Am I being a muppet?

Copy the text, then use the "Quote" buttons above this 'ere box where you post your reply. Once to open the quotes, once to close at the end.

don't worry I have no intention of buying a NF Gilet

Good. Buy a Rab one instead!

Like that? 😀

Good. Buy a Rab one instead!

Hah have far too many TNF/Rab loving mates who would 'borrow' it for the entire season for me to consider buying one, never mind Cobrakai's personal vendetta 😉

I'm the furthest you will find from being a brand snob (apart from boots). Always found the mountain one of the most pretentious places going but its funny picking out all the Brits in the bar by the amount of TNF gear on display!

Two items I would not be without is yellow lenses and a lid
Can be advantageous if the weather closes in and the wind picks up. You will be able to see enough to get down the mountain , or into the nearest restaurant.
I dont have interchangable lenses so carry 2 pairs of goggles. My Yellow are Uvex double glazed and do the job.

Dont get on with sunnies and my lid, pressure on my temples gives me a headache, so goggles all the way for me.

Gloves are worth spending money on, much better to have one pair of really good ones than a couple of cheaper pairs. I have had the same pair of leather palmed Hestras for 12 years, with only a bit of duct tape covering a cut from carrying skis needed to keep them going. So much better than cheaper gloves - I am sure there are other brands of equivalent quality.

not read the thread, but NATIVES is the site/forum for seasonaires.

http://www.natives.co.uk/

Just been doing some research, reckon I'll up the boot budget to near enough £300 and make a trip to solutions4feet. If I'm going to be doing a season decent boots seem like a must and the perfect fit seems inevitable using S4F!
Been using natives for a couple of months - how I got on to respective ski companies for seasons - will have another read. Boots are the first step, then each week will be getting gloves/trousers etc. then will put away some beer money just in case I manage to blow the monthly cash I'll be getting paid.

Spend good money on socks.
Also on gloves.

Many moons ago I wore C&A (I know, I know) and it was fine. however you can get away with wearing a lot of your mtbing gear.

Mmm, St Anton - are you sure for a first trip, it's quite a serious skiers resort? Mind you if you're fit and get yourself some decent tuition, it should be o.k.

St. Anton's the resort which I have been told I can have out of 2 offers at the minute, waiting to hear what the other offer is.

I'm physically fit, 21 years old, so young, and would hope I'd keep picking it up as quickly as I did in my week in Val Thorens (3rd day was hitting up reds, by the end of the week I'd done one black just about and was comfortable on reds).

Any input/thoughts on St. Anton would be appreciated though, by no means am I a good skiier, I'm very up for spending as much time as I can scrape together skiing and would intend to get some lessons to help me advance more.

I find the more expensive the gloves, the better.

So do you buy all your gloves in resort then?

£20 gloves are probably 10 times better than a £5 gloves but after about £30 you very quickly into the law of diminisihing returns. They're easy to lose, hard to wash and you'd want backups. My Gortex phoenix glove were £25 and they're super tough. If you really feel the cold add a £5 pair of liner gloves - easy.

I didn't find any of the runs in St. Anton too hairy - the reds and blues pretty much had the right sort of grades (which isn't always the case) the runs back into town were busy and slushy at the end of the day, the runs into St Chistoph and in Stuben were easy to access and nice and quiet. The off piste looked phenomenal, but maybe that's for 2014... Fantastic lift system. I'd definatelly go back.

(Snowboarders opinion)

Edit - Ski Lessons looked expensive - there's only 1 school.

It's. Too. Early.
To talk about snow!
Haven't been on my summer hols yet 🙁

+1 for solutions for feet, Colin is a really nice guy, super helpful and knows his stuff.

I had my boots fitted there and he he measured my OH but didn't have the stock so we ordered them on his recommendation and she had them fitted at Rivington Alpine who were also fantastic. Couldn't recommend either of them highly enough.

You can often get some good bargains at the outlet villages too if you look around and keep popping back.

As has been said above don't skimp on the boots, you can pick up skis pretty cheaply secondhand if you know what you're after or last years ski over the summer.

I find that I can get away with two full sets of thermals and 3/4 pairs of socks as long as they are merino so they don't go stinky.

Also as mentioned above most of the generic outdoor gear that you already have (cycling/hiking/sailing...) will work just fine in the mountains so you might not need to go too crazy with new kit.

Good luck, have a great season. I'm starting to get excited about snow again too!

As has been said above don't skimp on the boots, you can pick up skis pretty cheaply secondhand if you know what you're after or last years ski over the summer.

Get friendly with the chaps in the ski shop where your guests are hiring their skis. They should be willing to help out a little, I'd have thought! One nice idea is to look at buying a set of last year's rental skis from them. But, if you do this, don't go for the entry level beginner skis, they'll have been trashed! Try something a little pimpy that wouldn't have been hired as often, and even then not by anyone likely to have mullered them!

I find the more expensive the gloves, the better.
So do you buy all your gloves in resort then?

No I don't buy them in resort. Instead of going through every type, make, material etc of glove I thought I would give straight forward, no waffle advice. In my opinion and experience out of the 4 or 5 pairs I've owned, the more expensive they have been, the warmer and more durable there are. I'm sure there is good cheap pairs out therelike you have, I've just not found any that I like.

Sorry if this sounds like a rant. Just woken up.

all this talk of getting the best boots, or not scrimping on boots is worrying me a bit. Get the best fitting boots with the appropriate levels of flex. Often, the higher priced boots are aimed at the top level skier and are stiffer than intermediate models. I've seen too many "all the clobber, what a nobber" types actually hinder their progression by skiing in boots or planks that are too stiff.
I would actually buy in resort if you're staying there all season. I did; I went back twice to get them adjusted when my feet developed issues and he sorted me out for free. Plus sorting any warranty issues in the UK from St A would be harder.

all this talk of getting the best boots, or not scrimping on boots is worrying me a bit. Get the best fitting boots with the appropriate levels of flex

Why worry? All we've done is point him towards bootfitter(s) who will deliver just that. The right boot for the job.

It's never too early to talk about snow!

I see you're in Cheltenham - pop in to Horace Bartons (road behind Cav House, formal wear but the ski bit is downstairs) for a chat and try some gear on. I've not been in for years but Giles Barton used to race on the British team and the family are strong skiers and should offer good advice. Handy and local for a first look...
http://www.horacebarton.co.uk/winter-sports/

Save where you can but good boots, gloves and goggles are essential for comfort and performance.

As above, if you're going to be in resort - and there from November - I'd consider buying in resort. My best experiences have been boots fitted by a good fitter in resort. Any decent shop will offer a fit guarantee and help fine tune the fit to ensure comfort in with the price - and the fitter is directly on hand throughout the season to work on any problems. If you buy in the UK, you would have to pay for this service in resort.

If you've only done 3 days skiing, perhaps hire boots for a couple of weeks while you progress into a solid intermediate boot rather than buy a beginner boot and need to upgrade, or get something too stiff now that will cramp your development.

Most tour operators include kit hire in the deal so you can try all sorts of brands out (all have different fits) and get in with the local shops (take lots of clients in!), weed out good from bad and when you are ready they'll sort you out at seasonaire rates.

mmmm snow!!!

I think all the advice so far has been excellent. I certainly echo the advice of others, to use a good recommended bootfitters. I used Lockwoods, but would probably look elsewhere next time. They did a good job, don't get me wrong ... but I think it could have been better.

Again, TKMaxx have some excellent bargains around the start of the season, selling off last years stock. I got some fantastic bargains.

Remember the ski world is the same as the bike world ... all designs change annually, and there are snobs who only want the newest latest kit.

I had four pairs of twin-tip ski's ranging in price and function. None of them were latest model, and I had just as much fun on the mountain as some dude in his brand new ski's and top of the range spyder gear!

I spent Xmas one year in Courchevel 1850 ... which ordinarily is not cheap, but when you see the Russian millionaires wandering around in their Dior ski suits that never get anywhere near a piste, then you realise that it's just to be seen, and not to enjoy the fun that the mountain can offer.

Enjoy your time away!

The TKmax near me quite regularly has westbeach jackets for about £50. They also stock the Nike "acg" ski gear, which (contrary to what you might assume) is actually very good.

As others have said - boots and gloves are the things to spend some cash on. Although with boots I would advocate doing a blind test. ie: don't look at the prices, choose the 1st 2nd and 3rd most comfortable, THEN factor in cost. I did that, and ended up with the second cheapest boots in the store 😀

Interesting fact - while most purpose built French ski towns are names after their elevation (Les Arcs 1800, Les Arc 2000 etc), Courcheval 1850 is named after the Russian women.

They look 18 from behind, 50 from the front.

Badoom tisshhh!

I've seen too many "all the clobber, what a nobber" types

If you're going out for a season, then you can afford to stay indoors on really bad weather days (or what we recreational skiers call really good days = heavy blizzard/high winds etc), so amybe all this high end gear isn't needed.

If you can afford it, get into ski school and get some good tuition for a few days, It's the same as any sport really, iron out any bad habits before they set in.

Have fun. that's what it's all about at your age 🙂

All the advice so far has been superb - thank you all.
I know everyone has a prejudice against all the gear no idea types.

As I've said I've been skiing for one week and obviously still a beginner but as I am out there for 5 months I would rather spend £200 or so on some decent boots, then buy gloves/goggles to suit as well. I'm working full time at the minute so can afford these comforts and would much rather spend my money on something which will get a lot of use.

I'll talk to solutionsforfeet and go on their advice re:boots, if the best solution is to use hire boots for a couple of weeks then use bought boots which are stiffer then I'll go with that, I'm just looking to add some comfort and something that's going to help rather than hinder ability.

Thanks all very much, this is a steep learning curve at the minute! Popped into horracebartons today - they don't stock ski boots until October.