Kids' Ski Clothes

[ghengis]

My DS (11) is going skiing to France with his school in January. What special kit will he need and where's the best place to get it all?

Thanks!

Well it used to be C&A but I don't know if they exist any more. I should try and borrow some if you can as it is v expensive and he will obv grow out of it.

He will need

• Ski Jacket
• Ski Pants/salopettes/all in one ski suit (personally I prefer ski pants but just make sure they are not too shiny whatever you get as you can slide a long way and it may scare him if he goes flying and it's his first time)
• Thin roll neck fleeces (Capagnolo are good, only about £20)
• may be worth getting some kind of thermals as Jan can be v v cold for skiing.
• Goggles or Shades (if shades get a thick band to hold them on and make sure they are froggy ones that cover the eyes)-
• Thick ski socks (buy special ones or they may not be long enough)
• Ski gloves or mittens - mittens are warmer gloves are easier. Again get ones that are warm as it's Jan, some have Thinsulate in them.
• Good suntan lotion high spf
• Little spf 30+ lipsalve
• Bumbag to keep suntan lotion etc in.

It is best to get Gore-tex ski wear as it breathes but if you have to buy new then it's v expensive.

Don't know where you are but Oxfam on Ken High St used to have lots of 2nd hand stuff.

Otherwise Snow & Rock, Blacks, YHA shop etc are the places to go. They are all on Ken High St but if you aren't in London just go to their websites.

Someone may know who has replaced C&A as the cheapie skiwear outlet, I don't.

Hope he enjoys it!

Thanks CD. That's very helpful

Think cd has pretty much covered it. Inexpensive places to look for the kit are H and M, Regatta (Millets ?), JLP (Trespass) and Argos Additions are doing C and A gear. For the under layers you don't have to buy specialist stuff - cotton long sleeved/high neck tops or sweatshirts, fleece (sleeveless can be useful and less bulky). Also recommend some sort of waterproof boots, leather or goretex type - not wellies though. Some specialist places will hire clothing, useful if this is a one-off trip.

hth

Have a look at wildday , ghengis - they come highly recommended for their camping gear.

(Only £275 for a "global positioning system" - eek!)

Ah yes, speaking of gps, you may want to invest in a gadget that is sewn into the lining of your ski gear and is detectable if the worst happens and your ds gets buried in an avalanche. (pls don't worry this is v v rare)

I don't know what they are called (not gps), or how much they cost. Sorry. You can buy jackets with them already in.

I think you are thinking of a Recco detector which some jackets have built in - the C and A ones, for example £39 jacket/£19 salopettes, and Nevica brand. I think Snow and Rock may sell them separately. I doubt a first timer would be anywhere where you would need one though !

That's the one!

Yes you are right, forgot was first time

next directory is worth a look!

Thanks all. Wildday and Argos Additions looked really promising but the age range seems to stop at age 8 - duh? Will investigate the rest in a mo.

Just realised that WildDay have a 'youths' section. Must not surf and cook at the same time!

ghengis try ebay too. They seem to have quite a bit of ski gear and it's a shame to waste money if he's not going to fit it next year.

ghengis,
I think the Argos C and A go up to age 14, may be not everything is on the net ?

ghengis, sorry about the wildday thing, I didn't follow it through, they obviously do youth kit (as they have the links to it) but presumably don't have the stuff in yet - Argos said September for some stuff so Wildday will probably have it later (there is no ski-ing yet is there?)

Bought dd (2) some salopettes in H and M in Zurich last Saturday !! Winter boots are already in the shops here in anticipation.

ghengis I would defineatly look on ebay, there is some kids ski all in ones at at the moment (no bids and £9.99 I think).

Also the jacket can be used as a good winter jacket for school or whatever. I use my ski-ing jacket all the time when we go out in the winter.

Another thought - you can sometimes get really trendy basics suitable for skiing in Gap,and which he'd be happy to wear again. ds had a sleeveless fleece from there which he wears under his jacket or suit when its really cold and fleece lined salopettes which have lasted 2 seasons so far. Also good for fleece hats, gloves and cotton long sleeved tops which they offer offer at a reduced price for 2 or more. M and S and Next sometimes do a ski range as well but probably not til nearer Xmas.

Just to add to the thread I received an annual brochure from Ski Warehouse today - available on internet at www.skiwear4less.com and outlets in Castleford,Preston and Carlisle. Range of brands -Brugi, Head, Campri etc - skiwear, equipment and accessories.

BTW bought my dd (2) a snowsuit last week (it was 25o c here) but will wait a while for her snowboots in case her feet grow !! She thinks she is going boarding, bless her . Now just need to find one for ds.

Next directory!

There are some child size ski jackets on ebay

DH and I are taking our DS skiing with us when he will be 18 months and our friends baby will be nine months. Does anyone know where you can get good (warm enough) baby ski clothes?

H and M is probably best value around, or Tchibo catalogue but less sure about quality. Make sure they have good quality mittens and boots, otherwise everyone's life will be miserable. There is also a thread in Travel on which buggy to take to Gstaad which has other tips too.