First time skiing - what brand clothing to buy?

[chicaguapa]

We're not going until Christmas but I want to be prepared and look in the sales for clothes for us all. Also looking on ebay so I need to know what brands are good and what's not. DC will be 8 & 5 so I want to know they'll be warm and dry without spending a fortune on their clothing - they might even hate skiing so it'd all be a waste of money.

Also need stuff for me & DH that will last as I don't anticipate us growing out of it

Also the people we are going with are experienced skiers, are unbelievably stylish and make me feel like I've just climbed out of bed. So wouldn't mind feeling/looking a bit better than that.

Any advice will be gratefully received. Thanks.

[verylapsedrunner]

Try TK Maxx for good brands at cheap price. If you have a branch of this www.polarnopyret.se/Pages/Showroom/ShowroomCategory.aspx?id=2157&showroomSelected=Layer+3+-+Outer near you grab some stuff in the sale, it's great.

[verylapsedrunner]

Should have added the Polarn o Pyret is for children and their windproof fleece & breathable, waterproof jacket are great for everyday use.

[BrownSuga]

I'd avoid Columbia brand, I've been very disappointed with their stuff.

DH has just bought North Face which I think for adults is a good option if you are looking long term, but can be pricey. Also there is Berghaus, supposed to be very good, and I have a jacket from Peak Performance which I rate well and some surf company branded pants which I bought about 9yrs ago in Oz and they're still going strong.

Best bet is to get into a sports store with snow stuff, and try to buy some now in the sales, try many bits on to find what suits, what is comfortable. Look for windproof, water resistant and breathable. Also lots of pockets, they're handy for tissues, lip balm, phone, mp3 player etc.. Don't skimp on the layers. You could even go basic rain jacket for the top if you have good layers underneath.

Here are a couple of links, you can get an idea of prices

nevis sports

snow and rock - sales on!

Just type snow sports shops in google, and you'll get many more

[bigTillyMint]

Decathlon!

Their cheapest gear has always done us proud, but they do more expensive stuff if looking stylish is important.

When you are on your a**e!

[verylapsedrunner]

I have never bought "ski" stuff for my top half i.e. always wear layers plus a fleece and normal walking jacket (gortex style). That way you get full wear out of the kit back in the UK as well. I dress DS the same. I guess what I am saying is you can get by with ski kit on the bottom half and "walking" kit on the top half.

Have a look at Millets sale www.millets.co.uk/home.html

[piscesmoon]

I like Columbia. The end of season sales are the best place.

[bigTillyMint]

Hi VLR, I do that too!

Infact I wear girls age 14 Decathlon stuff - I am a size 12 and tall and it still fits, but is much cheaper!

O'm such a cheapskate

[bigTillyMint]

Oh, and I bet your DC will LOVE it. But they will grow out of their gear quickly.

Have any of your stylish friends got old stuff to pass on - it wouldn't be that embarrasing to ask as it's your first time and they probably update frequently.

[verylapsedrunner]

Actually I like Columbia as well.

[chicaguapa]

Thanks for all your replies. We have walking stuff as DH is from the Lakes so could investigate using that on the top with layers etc. That's a good tip.

Looked at the Swedish shop and there's one in Manchester which looks okay. There's an Ellis Brigham round the corner at Ski Rossendale that I might take a look at too. And there's a Whinfields which probably sells skiing gear. Will also look at Decathlon.

I guess now is the time to be looking in the sales.

[LIZS]

Also good budget buys are H and M, Dare2Be and Trespass (who have high st stores and outlets at some discount places like Street). In past we've bought a good quality jacket and cheaper salopettes and been fine in all weathers . I got dd a Trespass jacket and salopettes for under £20 a couple of summers ago at Street! Blacks is good for end of season too and it is worth chekcing out skiwear4less who have end of lines of big brands and do local warehouse sales.

[samsonara]

The TKMAXX in Manchester, usually has a good skiwear sale

[willali]

Don't laugh but Lidl do ski wear (down to the socks, neck warmers, helmets, under layers etc etc) at ridiculous prices. HAving ski-ed in one of the coldest places last year decked out in all this stuff I can guarantee that it is warm enough for anywhere. Total price per person for EVERYTHING is less than £50. Of course t is not "branded" but who cares??

The last 2 years they have had the ski wear in around NOvemnber. If you go to the Lidl website and sign up for their weekly bulletins you will get pre warning when the stuff is coming in (butget there on the day as it sells out v quickly)

[LunarSea]

Second all the above. And has anyone mentioned Tchibo yet? Again like the Lidl (and Aldi for that matter) stuff it's grab it when you see it or it'll be gone, but it's another good source of basics.

[sandyballs]

Look on ebay in the summer. We are going ski-ing at the end of this month with our two 8 year olds and i managed to buy 2 ski jackets, 2 pairs of salopettes and gloves for £36 delivered! We've just tested them out in the snow this week and they are fab. The make is Tog 24, which I've never heard of but when I googled it I was amazed at the price new.

[aintnomountainhighenough]

Would definitely say TK Maxx as I noticed some really nice stuff this year but you need to be early I think. The other place I have bought stuff is Aldi. For my DD I bought thermals, socks, ski jacket and salopettes. This week I bought thermasl for my DS for 2.49 (half price!) and they're really good. Finally would also say Tchibo, although havent got anything from there myself, but a girl in our chalet had a fab pair of ski trousers!

The other thing that is probably worth buying for your DCs are ski helmets. We bought one for our DD this year and although it cost 35quid it would have been 18 quid to hire for one week and will last at least 3 years.

Good luck with getting some bargains!

[chicaguapa]

Thanks for all the advice and have been having a good look round. I'm having difficulty finding a jacket I like though. They all make me look really big! I'm only a size 12 but apparently I need a large!

I wondered if anyone could recommend some flattering salopettes? Or is there no such thing? I can see my vision looking like VB on the slopes vanishing fast.

[LIZS]

As a beginner you need to put practicality - waterproof, breathable and padded with room to flex knees and bum - over style ! You may spend a lot of time in the snow and won't want to get soaked through early on.

[Kiwinyc]

Tchibo stuff is fantastically good and fantastic value. But you have to keep an eye on their website and wait for it to come up, they do kids stuff and then adults stuff seperately. Its excellent quality however and it performed well on our first-time ski holiday over Xmas.

[LIZS]

Tchibo still had plenty of adult stuff in store today - jackets and salopettes , gloves and goggles etc.

[constantlycooking]

hi,
Also Matalan do cheap ski stuff - good for children. Remember to get two pairs of gloves/mittens as they don't always dry overnight.
Also SportsWorld is good for cheap stuff esp socks.
Also love Tchibo!

[BoffinMum]

Tchibo's stuff is just great. Never seen any point in spending more.

[BoffinMum]

Also got some great kids' ski stuff very cheaply in TK Maxx once.