Help me make a proper list of stuff I need for first time skiing?

[TiredOfEverythingNow]

I am going for 4 days skiing trip at the start of Feb. I have never been and none of my friends have been either.

I know I need skiing gear which is fine. But what do I wear when I'm not skiing? Do I need normal winter coat? Boots ? Trousers ? I am mighty confused what to take especially as I haven't been in the snow in many many years.

Budget is also limited...

Help 🙏

For skiing:

• jacket
• salopettes/trousers
• gloves
• ski socks (better to buy them when you hire your gear, you will need two pairs to alternate)
• thin thermal base layer long-sleeved top and footless tights
• Thin mid-layer
• neck buff
• thin cap for under helmet
• goggles
• sunglasses and hat in pocket to wear during coffee/lunch break on the mountain, nice to get the helmet and goggles off and put a dry hat on

For not skiing:

• warm coat or just wear your ski jacket if it’s dry
• second pair of gloves (your ski ones will be drying out so you need a second pair)
• jeans or similar - can always wear thermals underneath if very cold
• warm jumper
• hat
• scarf
• proper boots with excellent grip and insulation - this is the most important bit. You don’t have to go full 80s moon boots but you do likely need to get something winter/snow specific. Normal U.K. winter boots will be freezing and don’t have enough grip.

You will also need high SPF sun cream and sun protective lip balm. The thicker and greasier the better to protect from the wind and cold.

Some people, especially beginners, feel the need to carry everything but the kitchen sink with them - my mantra is if it can’t fit in your pockets you don’t need it for on piste skiing.

I agree with almost everything above except I'd think twice about wearing your ski jacket for anything. They're not cheap and if it gets a tear it's screwed.

I find a lining pair of gloves useful (fingerless is ideal) for managing zips and checking piste maps.

And a pack of fun size Mars bars or similar - stick a couple in your pocket for an extra boost in the afternoon

Swimming costume - for resort pool/sauna/hot tub.

Flip flops (or slippers) for the end of the day when your feet will want to breathe.

Yep thongs or Teva type sandals are great for traipsing to and from the boot room.

I invested in some actual moon boots a couple of years back (we go to the Pyrenees most weekends in the winter to ski and do general winter fun) and they’ve been marvellous but a decent pair of hiking boots work just as well really.

I usually don’t end up wearing half of the ‘non ski’ clothes I take mainly because in the afternoons and evenings we tend to just flop about indoors in our thermals. But for meals out etc I think you can be quite casual.

A pair of easy gloves if your ski gloves are bulky or a pain to shove in a pocket.

But yes, for the skiing my rule is that if it doesn’t fit in the pocket of my jacket it stays in the car. I usually have my ski pass, a bit of cash, a migraine tablet, my keys, and a pack of tissues. Never forget the tissues… 😂

And I know you didn’t ask this but going out with a reasonable degree of fitness is the best guarantor of having a great time and coming home injury-free. A lot of adult learners seem to underestimate just how physically demanding skiing is.

The list above is good but I’ve never heard of people having

A thin hat for under a helmet or
buying ski socks when you rent boots and skis

no idea what a thin hat would be for- it’s usually lovely weather if you are sitting out for lunch, and just buy ski socks before you go.

I would wear your ski jacket in the evening (it’s VERY casual in European ski villages) and get all the wear you can from it as it’s likely expensive. You’ll want another one if you go next year/ in a few years anyway

Make sure you wear a helmet to ski. It can be bought or hired. It used to be part of my job to take a year group of students to the Alps every January and yes, I saw accidents. Wear a helmet!

Unless you are loaded - get everything 2nd hand off Vinted/ eBay. I kitted myself out with decent quality ski gear for not much money. I can't see the point in buying new kit.

Only special thing over and above ski gear would be suitable footwear, swim suit and a pair of jeans.

If you think pockets won’t be suitable then a small rucsack, but I echo what others have said - you don’t want to be lugging a handbag worth of stuff around.

Im a prescription sunglasses person, and get the bus to the lifts so tend to take a teeny tiny rucksack for glasses and neck warmer.

Yeah, do the exercises to make sure you are as gif as possible. If nothing else, do the one where you stand back to a wall then sink town as if you were sitting on a seat, knees at 90deg as stay there as long as ever you can.

Makes all the difference to your enjoyment.

Also, the single-most important thing to do when you get back to base in the afternoons is stretching exercises, particularly calves and thighs. The agony of muscles that feel like slats of wood in your legs the next morning is hard, otherwise.

Thank you for creating this thread.

Oh wow so many helpful tips, thank you all !!!

This is my first time going skiing and I'm scared 🤣 I'm also currently trying to loose weight so definitely don't want to spend fortune on new stuff but finding it hard to find secondhand in my size.

I will definitely rump up the exercise, particularly the 90° seat one. I can only imagine it will be a painful experience 🤣

for gear - try mens snowboard style jackets.

Far more flexibility in the fit than ladies fitted ski style jackets.

Probably cheaper to buy ski socks in Decathlon before you go and put them on to try on your ski boots. Do take 2 pairs.

Try to buy gloves with the elastics that go around your wrists, this is so you don’t drop them from ski lifts.

Uniqlo heatech polonecks and leggings are great.
Ski kit from Decathlon
Ski mittens are warmer than gloves and can be worn with liner gloves if really cold.
Don’t wear anything cotton.

@Superstar22 I meant a thin wicking beanie under the helmet which I find really helps to wick away sweat/condensation. Regarding socks I buy all my gear in France so didn’t occur to me that you could get proper ski socks in the U.K. but of course you are right Decathlon would stock them.

I found a site last year where you could rent ski clothing, have a google yourself and I will also see if I can find it. If you buy a cheap jacket from Decathlon and enjoy skiing you will want to get better gear anyway, so renting avoids re buying.

Rent your ski clothes, your unlikely to need them in the future and then just whatever you would wear at home on a cold day. I wouldn't be buying anything new for such a short time. I rented in resort when I went, same when I went to Lapland too.

I've just come back from a week in the alps.

Ski stuff I largely agree with the list up-thread (except the hat-under-helmet). I have never taken a second coat - ski jackets are nice and warm, so why take another one?! Ski socks - get some with merino wool in if you can. And ones with a bit of padding on the shins (it's not quite padding, but they're a bit thicker there). Cheap 'tube' ski socks are terrible.

I get cold feet, so I use disposable foot warmers too.

In terms of normal clothes, for 4 days I would only be taking the jeans I was travelling in, but you might want a spare pair. And then a couple of tops. Nothing that smart - ski towns are very casual places. I had 5 tops with me for a week, and one was a 'nice' one for NYE. I wouldn't have taken that any other week. You really do need very few clothes for a ski trip!

Have a great time- hope you enjoy it!

A couple of sets of comfy casual clothes, sweater, jeans or leggings, to wear indoors and evening. Swimsuit if there is a pool or spa. Slippers or sliders and boots with good grip. Accommodation tends to be kept pretty warm. Second pair of gloves for apres ski while ski gloves dry out.

I’m an 18 and I’d say Decathlon is your friend for ski clothes then, including thermals. They have 100% polyester and then a slightly pricier merino range. We’ve tried them both and the merino wins hands down for me.

I’m still trying to find a good excuse to part with my salmon pink decathlon ski jacket after 4 seasons but it’s indestructible so no chance - ie the quality is really decent.

You can use their app to check sizes in stock before you go to the shop, or can order online to deliver to the shop, try them there and return if the sizes aren’t right.

With ski socks I’ve tried thick and thin ones and tbh the thinner merino ones are much comfier for me as they leave more space in my boots for my legs. Smartwool is a great brand and they will come in handy in the UK as generic ‘winter walk’ and ‘cold day’ socks.

Enjoy!

The only thing we've ever worn under a helmet is a thin balaclava when it's been absolutely freezing.

Aldi and Lidl do cheap ski stuff, they've got it now. It's fine otherwise Decathlon, Mountain Warehouse or second hand.

Also always just take ski jacket and second the comment re boots for walking around in after ski-ing. These will be expensive though.

It's a full on holiday OP and brilliant fun, start those wall squats today!

BTW when you buy your ski pass make sure you buy the Carre Neige extra insurance.

Hmm, well I'm clearly an outlier wearing something under my helmet, this is what I have: https://www.wheelbase.co.uk/product/castelli/castelli-pro-thermal-women-s-skully/

I also wear it under my cycling helmet when it's cold.

I second or third Decathlon. They also do good cheap snow boots, which are great for evenings in the resort. And handy to have for the occasional snow day at home for the next 10 years.