Had a look at Patagonia, Acteryx, Burton
Sounds like you're going higher-end - in which case I think there is a lot more crossover between ski/board/hike brands.
Have you looked at [url= https://www.norrona.com/en-GB/ ]Norrona[/url] ?
With a few exceptions (like Eider & Schoffel) many winter sport/activity brands seem to be agnostic when it comes to Skier/Snowboarder bias and this is a good thing in my opinion.
The likes of Volcom et al have also positioned themselves at the 'park-rat/jib-kid' market - irrespective of whether the kids are ripping it up on skis or snowboards.
Again ... this is a 'good thing' I reckon. 8)
The downside with a number of these brands is that their clothing ranges are often well insulated and therefore they aren't suitable for middle-aged chaps who get 'hot flushes' when exercising. 😳
Not a problem if you're just riding the chairs and cruising the groomers but if you are hiking/touring & sweating then shell jackets and a layering system is preferable.
Patagonia, Arcteryx, Norrona & Sweet Protection all make high-end (and pricey) shell jackets that are hard wearing and often multi-functional (since they are often derived from 'Mountaineering' style clothing)
So it really depends on what you want to use it for and what your budget is. If you are only having 6 days a year and staying in resort (i.e not far from a hot chocolate or vin-chaud) then it probably doesn't make much sense to spend a small fortune. Just try one and and buy the one that's comfortable and you like the colour of!
If your needs are greater, and you need something that's light; packable; part of layering system; powder features; venting etc then have a look at some of the brands I mentioned earlier (including 'Trew' that nedrapier flagged up) that have heritage in 'backcountry' product lines.
hehe - GrahamS ... you said it in a sentence whilst I waffled on for ages! 🙂
Not sure "unisex" ski/snowboard wear is such a good thing. A lot of "ski" clothing is really badly cut for snowboarding. Jackets are too short, trousers too close cut. Most memorably, a certain large British ski school operating in the Aosta valley had a legendary instructor uniform which was impossible to snowboard in without splitting the trousers at the crotch.
A lot of "ski" clothing is really badly cut for snowboarding
Agreed - Established 'Ski' brands make clothing for just skiing (which is completely inappropriate for snowboarding)
However the point I was trying to make was that many 'premium' brands like Arcteryx, Norrona, Sweet Protection, Picture, Oakley and to a certain extent TNF, actively design products for both skiing & snowboarding without the traditional limitations of skiing.
I think much of this is because the latest generation of kids who ski, wear very much 'snowboard inspired' clothing and wouldn't be seen dead in tradition ski attire, and it probably makes sense for apparel companies to maximise this cross-over potential.
Every resort in BC that I've been to has big groups of park-rats all looking gangsta & bad-ass mo-fo; all shredding the hill dressed in the same fashions whether they are on skis or snowboards. 8)
Europe on the other hand still has a big demographic of what I'd refer to as your 'traditional ski market' for whom rocking the Spyder jacket is perhaps still seen as the height of sophistication!
Anyway ... enough of my sarcasm. Parenthetically the only pair of trousers I've split at the crotch [whilst snowboarding] were Westbeach! I sowed them up every weekend and they lasted the 8 or so weeks left of the season! 😀
Digby, some of the stuff Eider make is pretty agnostic, IMHO.
Mine is one of these;
[img] 
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But in plain black. A few years old, so probably not bang on the snowboarderist trend, but it's not cut like an old skool trad ski jacket, a la Spider as you rightly point out!
10 or more Goretex jackets/pants I've been through over the years
How and why do you go through so many jackets?? Wear and tear?... Vanity? 😮
Only 10, I've got 10 breathable membrane jackets now. The latest is a Sun Valley in bright blue.
I asked Madame what her best jacket is. It's a basic Dare 2 B ski jacket passed on from junior who skied about about 100 days in all conditions before she got it. Madame also has Hally Hansen goretex and North Face goretex but goes out in the Dare 2 B in wet conditions.
Junior currently has a Horse Feathers jacket which is definitely not waterproof so he uses a DC town jacket on wet days to stay dry.
Digby, some of the stuff Eider make is pretty agnostic, IMHO.
A jacket that believes it's impossible for us to know about gods existence?
I've never heard of that but I do have some Logical Positivist skis which are perfect for big Ayer.
It's a good job Hora doesn't ski. He'd be changing his jacket every fortnight 😉
My Jacket is a 11 year old West Beach. Not too thick, so I can layer up underneath. Only problem is it's starting to fade a wee bit.
Trousers are a cheapish pair, Decathlon's own brand. They are water proof and feel great.
Although I do reproof all our gear every year.
I need some new insulated pants. Any recommendations for the ladies?
I need some new insulated pants. Any recommendations for the ladies?
Mrs CFH wears TNF almost exclusively. Mainly because they made some in a lovely pink that really went well with her jackets! Seriously!
That aside, they do seem to be very good quality, cut and work well for her. She runs cold, and really feels it when the temperature drops. Never heard a peep of complaint from her since she started wearing them.
She also has a pair of the yellow ones on here,
[img] 
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Lovely, but really show the dirt. (FWIW, I think Faiise may have thrown in the towel, sadly. )
That's nice to hear - all of my upper body stuff is TNF, but I've always purchased on the basis of cut and looks. I'm a fun skier rather than hardcore snow muncher so I will stick to what I know.
I'd like a big fat dump of snow in the Italian Alps please.
Departure day is getting closer.
33 cm in Fernie overnight! 🙂
Not helpful 👿
The 102cm forecast for my resort of choice by Monday. Now that's helpful. 8)
I'm assuming it's normal to spend an unhealthy amount of time webcam and forecast watching when you've booked an early(ish) season trip?
😀
I think I'm checking at least 5 times a day at the moment 😳
It's not looking good! 😆
While this bears as much relation to my skiing as New World Disorder does to my MTbing, enjoy a short little edit to get us back on the inspiration material 🙂
Well that's the first round of forecasts checked.
And all the webcams checked...... twice
And a couple of forums.
I'll give it half an hour and check again..... 😀
Ha 😆
Do you have of those targeted at folk who like to pretend they are middle class?
Is that triple XL?
😀
[i]Well that's the first round of forecasts checked.
And all the webcams checked...... twice
And a couple of forums.
I'll give it half an hour and check again..... [/i]
Glad its not just me then! 🙂
I'm relieved to see the temps dropping in Austria from the weekend and (Say it quietly) some snow on the way! 😀
25 days to go! 8)
Do you have of those targeted at folk who like to pretend they are middle class?
Step 2 - Choose 'Euro'!
🙂
Great video Graham....made me laugh! 😀
Note they also have How To Be A Mountain Biker and How To Be A Road Biker videos... (links at the end)
We call it the Euro Gap (between helmet and top of goggles). Very funny Graham S.
Can't understand why they are wearing a dress that I had in the 1980s. Wish I'd kept it now.
I'm relieved to see the temps dropping in Austria from the weekend and (Say it quietly) some snow on the way!25 days to go!
Me too! Although only 18 days to go here.... 😯
As a large foreheaded gentleman I suffer from goggle gap.
Giro are the best and even their helmets don't come down to the goggle line.
Hence my well documented preference for helmet and sunnies maybe.
Nice video.
bought a £165 oakley jacket from an outlet store for £33 !!!!!!! now i feel i have to go boarding
I've checked snowheads already, but does anyone have any personal preference of Ski school in Val Thorens? I'm presently thinking Prosneige for some private lessons, both for my wife 1-2-1 and for me and a friend 2-1.
Also, as an intermediate (read capable after 2 years but looking to learn loads this year and not willing to stand around waiting for large classes to fall over while I wait at the back) will 3 mornings of 3 hours be the right amount? It'll give me time for a leisurely lunch then practice in the afternoon till I'm ready to fall over. Or would 4 be a better option?
Note they also have How To Be A Mountain Biker and How To Be A Road Biker videos
And the 'seminal classic' ... "I Only Ride Park"! 😉
Their videos pop up on NSMB site as I think 'IFHT' that are somehow linked/connected to NSMB.
Very funny - and pleasantly self-deprecating!
Anyhow ... back to the snow!
IGM, Smith lid and Oakley goggles on my sizable bonce. Zero gapeage.
Smith don't fit sadly. I tried.
I have a Giro shaped bonce. And only their expensive helmets too.
Story of my life - the expensive stuff is nicer...
Smith lid with Smith goggles here. Made for each other = zero gapeage too.
Edit: Gah. oh well
Surely:
[img] 
[/img]
Must work?
Yep they're pretty cool! By the way in reference to intermediate skiers....at what point does an Intermediate skier become an Advanced skier?
I like to think of myself as quite advanced but then someone goes past me like I'm a beginner and I come to my senses!
Is the term 'Intermediate' too extensive? Should there be a better grading system?
Plenty of charts out there to score yourself against.
[i]Plenty of charts out there to score yourself against.[/i]
[url= http://skiing.about.com/od/downhillskiing/a/abilitylevels.htm ]what are you?[/url]
Reckon I'm 7-7.5.....but Ive seen 11's out there! 😯
at what point does an Intermediate skier become an Advanced skier
I think it's a 'State of Mind' 8)
I wouldn't worry about it. Everyone has strengths & weaknesses; good days & bad days; crappy conditions & awesome conditions.
As long as you are progressing & enjoying it then what's the worry?
If you feel like an 'Advanced Skier' you *might* be an Advanced Skier, but it's purely subjective*
*Unless of course you are a seasonaire/instructor/guide/pro etc ... in which case you can bask in the glow of your own Advanced Awesomeness! 🙂
I reckon I was level 8 , able to ski everywhere but havent been in 16 years .
hoping for snow in Les Gets at Xmas .
Plenty of charts out there to score yourself against.what are you?
Reckon I'm 7-7.5.....but Ive seen 11's out there!
Is that Canadian? What's the European equivalent of a blue?
