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Original poster

Ski stuff help please

38 replies

turquoise · 26/01/2007 11:36

I know nothing about skiing and am trying to buy stuff for ds's school trip on the web.

Should I buy jacket, trousers etc larger than him? Because of all the fleeces and thermals underneath?

Also are the fancy ski socks with padding etc vital?

I could phone the school and ask but they already think I'm a halfwit.

OP posts:
aDad · 26/01/2007 11:38

jacket larger is a good idea - depends a bit on the layers under. Modern fleeces are warm and not that thick so you dont need ot buy it too huge.

2 pairs of thick socks maybe.

thermals and fleeces v good kit. Always wear them.

Hat obviously essential. Waterproof gloves. Goggles.

I'm guessing you have a lot of this stuff already.

hatwoman · 26/01/2007 11:43

The only way to get it right imo is to take him to the shop. what he probably needs is a decent thermal vest, (a couple will do him for a week - unless he's a teen!). then he can wear an ordinary t-shirt and a sweatshirt/light fleece. so take him to the shop with that number of layers on. try to find a decent-sized specialist shop and they'll be able to advise you. jackets preferably need to cover his bum. trouser length is not that critical because you pull the trousers down over your boots - so they can be a bit short or a bit long.

The other option is to take a minor gamble on ebay - which is what I;ve done succesfully in the past - got dd some great trousers for about £12 which have lasted her 3 years.

Worth spending money on good gloves. comfy socks pretty important too.

A fleece hat is immeasurably more comfy than a woolly one. also a fleece muffler thing is much more practical than a scarf.

aDad · 26/01/2007 11:46

yeah if you're not careful things can add up to huge amounts of money so cut corners where you can.

As hatwoman says, no need for expensive ski pants when cheaper will do with some thermal underwear underneath.

MrsBadger · 26/01/2007 11:47

Shaped ski socks are 3 million times better than tube socks - try Tchibo or M&S . Wear a pair of regular socks underneath and you can get away with only changing the outside ones every other day.

I tend to wear a longsleeved thermal vest, a normal tshirt and a fleece under the jacket, and longjohns under the trousers, but that's all.

Make sure hat covers ears securely (although putting goggles over the top helps), and he has something (scarf, tubey fleece thing) for keeping neck warm. Def waterproof gloves, and if you happen to see them and they're cheap, those very thin microfleece glove liners are fantastic.

foxtrot · 26/01/2007 11:51

Proper ski socks are essential, IMO.A couple of pairs should do, he can put them on the radiator to air every night.
Goggles or decent sunglasses also essential. Goggles seem to be popular/trendy at the moment. You could give him the cash to buy some in the resort as they may well be cheaper there.
Gloves also essential.
this shop is pretty good and reasonable prices tchibo

foxtrot · 26/01/2007 11:53

Theres some stuff on the sale pages too.

hatwoman · 26/01/2007 11:57

word of warning re shaped socks - if you have small feet they can be a real pain - they need to fit and I've had limited joy on that one.

LunarSea · 26/01/2007 11:59

And look for twin lens (double glazed!) goggles - they'll mist up a lot less. If you've got one near you T K Maxx have a lot of reasonable priced ski gear in at the moment - a lot of it's last season's, but I wouldn't be put off by that.

MrsBadger · 26/01/2007 11:59

quite right, hatwoman

but properly fitting they are super.

aDad · 26/01/2007 11:59

if choosing between goggles and sunglasses - go for goggles, as they will mean he is ok in all conditions whereas sunglasses alone are useless if there is heavy snow or wind.

aDad · 26/01/2007 12:00

goggles also safer to fall in

Original poster
turquoise · 26/01/2007 12:04

Thanks for all this it's really helpful.

I think a bit of trying on is going to be essential - and then hopefully on to ebay and the sales. Have spent nearly £30 already just on a (really nice)fleecey balaclava type thing and some goggles , so am getting in touch with that "adding up to huge amounts" thing that ADad mentioned!

But the balaclava eliminates the need for a scarf, which saves money and also one less thing to lose for The Boy Who Loses Everything.

OP posts:
Original poster
turquoise · 26/01/2007 12:05

Damn - didn't see that about TKMaxx goggles before I got carried away and bought!

OP posts:
hatwoman · 26/01/2007 12:08

hate to say it - but if it's a school trip you might want to think about getting the name tags and the needle and thread out...Also another essential I've just thought of is suncream and lip salve - he'll need one small enough to be able to take out with him - and drum into him that even if he's not even seen the sun he needs to put it on. and, a good old-fashioned cloth hankie's really not a bad idea - he'll get a runny nose and tissues are a pita - no bins to throw them in, and they just go yucky.

Gameboy · 26/01/2007 12:17

Any chance you can borrow stuff from friends?

Otherwise deffo try TKmaxx/ Tchibo/ H&M

eBay OK is you ask for dimensions

How old is he?

Gameboy · 26/01/2007 12:18

I've found Dare2Be stuff really good for the kids (and well made) It also sells on eBay quite well again afterwards.

Try www.wildday.com ?

LizP · 26/01/2007 12:23

Will the school have them in helmets ? In which case the balacalva might not work out and he might need a face tube thing - better than scaves I reckon.

The number of layers / thickness also depends on where you are going - we are taking ours to Quebec for half term and are expecting it to be really cold so have got glove liners and extra layers this year.

Original poster
turquoise · 26/01/2007 12:24

He's 12. Dare2Be stuff looks really nice on the websites, so I think I'll go on Ebay when we've tried a few things on, now I know that TKMaxx do ski stuff (I had no idea!).

Definitely anticipating several night's sewing , yawn.

OP posts:
prettybird · 26/01/2007 12:27

TK Maxx is good.

His jacket deosn't need to be that much bigger on him - although larger does mean you might get more than one season from it. A couple of thin layers undrenath are usually sufficient.

I got ds' salopettes from TK Max and they'll do him for a few years (nice thing about adjustable straps!). They weren't expensive - at most £12.

The other thing to think about his proper thermals - long johns and a long sleeved thermal top. M&S does good ones.

Ds has never had the fancy ski socks - just his ordinary socks (although this year he is "out" of the Gap baby socks, so I may get him some ski tubes). TBH, dh and I don't ski in ski socks - we used thin silk socks. MOdern boots are pretty well insulated. The bruises you might get as a result of the correct forward pressure are seen as badges of honour that we are getting it right!

LIZS · 26/01/2007 12:46

when is he going ? For spring conditions I'd recommend a 3 in 1 style jacket with detachable fleece which he also might use more afterwards. Bulk doesn't indicate warmth necessarily. You don't need to allow extra room for layers . Do buy long tube socks as they are more comfortable, dry quickly and spread the pressure of the boot -they aren't expensive. Millets/ Blacks are good for accessory bits like that and thermals. Endorse all those already mentioned plus lots of reduced stuff here and here and this site has some reduced Columbia brand stuff

aDad · 26/01/2007 12:49

as suggested earlier if something like a jacket can be borrowed that is fab, as it is probably going to be the most expensive item.

Original poster
turquoise · 26/01/2007 13:22

He's going to Italy in half term - along with all his mates so borrowing's not an option, but I will get marginally bigger so hopefully it will last a while. Bummer about the balaclava, as he will be in a helmet. Never mind, he can wear it as a neckwarmer.
This has been such a help, I actually feel like I know what I'm doing now (tremendous novelty). Many thanks.

OP posts:
aDad · 26/01/2007 13:32

has he been before? Snow looking good going to europe then i reckon.

I'm sure he's going to love it. The first time i went was a school trip at a similar age. I fell in love with mountains and snow.

Ahem. Better not let on what we all got up to on the trip of course.

scatterbrain · 26/01/2007 13:39

Has anyone mentioned H&M yet ? They have some very reaonably priced jackets and salopettes in now - quite trendy - think the boys trousers might have been camouflage pattern ?

Can vouch for their warmth - dd has had them for past two years and they are fab ! (Hers were £14.99 - she's 6)

LunarSea · 26/01/2007 13:45

scatterbrain - I guess that means you're back from L2A now. How did you get on with Charlotte?

turquoise - if it's Italy he'll definately have to wear a helmet - it's a legal requirement for kids there.