Ski jackets and trousers - big bottomed girls!

[Stuckinstressville]

Going to go skiing for the first time at the end of season and need to get ski kit... only I am a bottom heavy 16( was 18 but keto means lost 8 lbs since January so have time to fit 16 with room as now wear 16 jeans )

What brands or shops are good? Happy to go second hand but no idea what brands are worth it etc?

Thinking bright jacket and black trousers?

What else do I need?

Ski gloves. Thick ski socks.

Mooch round the second hand shops, you may get a bargain. I did.

Nevica is a ski brand but very 70's/80's I got a Nevica ski jump suit i.e. ever heard of retro style ?

These days, separate jacket and ski trousers are the go. I wear a sports bra and the kind of t-shirt I would wear for exercise.

I got a pair of XXXL mens ski trousers from what was then C&A.

Have a look in ALDI, they can have some surprisingly good Ski gear - yes really.

Oh, and brace yourself, you will probably be weighed in the skis and boots rental place at the resort to make sure you get the right kit. I was.

Ever seen an elephant ski ? Yep, that was me.

Dont spend too much, the trousers and jacket you can get on the high street, I wouldnt fo for big brand names. Yes to a bright jacket, something you can wear again. You will see thick socks, waterproof gloves, scarf, bobbly hat or beanie, sunglasses. Will you hire the ski boots at the resort.

As it's your first time don't go crazy... If you prefer new then Decathlon are a good price and quality. Otherwise I would check out eBay. It's full of stuff thats been worn for one holiday and they don't carry on with it.
Don't pay the stupid snow and rock prices!!!

If it’s your first time you may spend quite a lot of time standing listening/watching in ski-school so bring lots of things you can layer up to keep warm. Thermal base layers, fleeces, ski socks, snoods, liner gloves and ski mitts are essentials. A small backpack it helpful too for carrying stuff up the mountain. It’s a good time of year to pick up things in the sales and e-bay can be good too. If you can I’d say borrow stuff rather than spend a load on kit and maybe never use it again because you don’t like skiing(hope not tho). Don’t worry too much about style, you’ll see all sorts and couriers being worn, comfort is the No 1 priority.
Enjoy.

I got a pair of ski boots second hand. I just took off my shoe and compared the sole of my shoe to the sole of the ski boot. Yeah, looked about right.

Ski boots are bastard uncomfortable anyway. However, that doesn't excuse getting the wrong size.

Ask around your friends, if they have any second hand ski gear they want to get rid off / sell.

I got a great ski jacket on Ebay for £16. I second the suggestion of Decathlon and Aldi, excellent value.

Mountain Warehouse have a clearance sale on. Cotton underwear, vests, leggings, socks, tights, get those from primark.

Try Sports Direct if you’ve got a decent sized one near you.
I was in ours the other day and they had loads of stuff. Lidl had some good base layers in too recently

Get some sun block lipsalve and put it on your lips before you start ski ing. Also, get a small tube of sport sun block for your face and apply it in the morning before you put your ski gloves on.

Remember the mantra regarding ski sun block, 'don't fry reapply' i.e. put some more on your lips and face as the day goes on.

Even on dull skiing days, the light reflects off the snow. Sometimes, it looks pretty, like diamonds on the snow (wistful). However, snow blindness is a very real problem. You won't actually go blind but you can be dazzled by the sun on the snow.

Sunglasses/goggles are a must.

Don't be put off by the, 'gear freaks' or ski bores. People who just have to show off about the brands of ski gear they have, where they skied, where they've learned to ski, who taught them etc.

I accept these are in any/every sport.

Oh and you WILL get hot because skiing is a sport. Don't worry about taking your jacket off and stuffing it in your 'day sack' small back pack with all your useful stuff in it.

Separates are easier to handle when you need to go to the toilet i.e. just pulling your trousers down rather than taking down jumpsuit down from your shoulders etc.

Take tissues because your nose will run. Take boiled sweets because your mouth will get dry but you might not be thirsty. You may get thirsty and want a sip of water so take a bottle of water with you on the slopes.

All good info !

Have two small kids both booked into Creche and ski school etc so plan to have lessons - my dh is a proper
Snow bunny ex saisonnaire but using his stuff from 10 years ago as in good nick. And a snow boarder to boot. Clueless as to offering me advice.

We did the kids yesterday in decathlon but they didn't have any women's sizes in xl :( or snowsuits 2-3 in non flouro pink for my just turned 2 yr old risk junkie( he will
Love it!) so about to raid ebay for one. My
Eldest is sorted with muddy puddles ebay ski jacket and decathlon pants. Think I need more base layers for them though...

For me- I worry about ebay sizing- my thighs and ass are so big so is a 16/18 going to rip!

Aldi is a fab shout!

Going to hire boots and possibly goggles... will my normal sunnies work?

And good shout on the spf as I use retinol.

Am unfit too so about start daily squats ... and hip stretches apparently.

Goggles will be more secure. Sunnies are fine when just walking about. Ski trousers have a lot of stretch in them. Take handcream. Plasters and footcream! Have fun. Where abouts are you going.

Take your normal sunnies but my husband says that ski goggles are better. I don't, I prefer sunglasses.

Yes to exercise. The best pre-ski exercise (in the weeks before you leave) apparently is to stand with your back against the wall and slide your back down until your knees are at a right angle. Hold that for sixty seconds, rest then repeat.

Everything in a ski resort will be astronomically expensive. Don't rely on getting something there. Unless you want to.

Have a look around the department stores, they might be having their end of ski season sales.

Happy val d'isere for my fil 70th with all the in law extended family... including my fabulous bil so my liver is also going to start training too! Chalet hotel set up so not £££££££ just ££££

I have actually skied a couple of days before but whilst at uni in France but I borrowed the lot as was a small 10 then! Only a few times and was mild and easy weather, kit seemed so simple to me then too - literally jacket and pants, gloves and socks. I totally sucked at skiing so never got the bug. Mates teaching me etc so going properly to school this time as think my kids may love it and don't want to be left behind!

Please don't be offended but you could look at these websites, for ski wear:

www.curvissa.co.uk

www.regatta.com

www.campingworld.co.uk/

Lots of discounts.

Not offended in the least tooearly - great idea - thanks!

I wore a men's one (jacket from eBay, mens trews from Decathlon, much more roomy )

Trespass is another worth looking at.
Nevica is now made by Sports Direct.

For kids make sure you take 2 pairs of gloves. Adults play ON the snow, kids play IN the snow, snowballs, snowmen, snow angels, digging holes, igloos and tunnels get gloves soaking!

Snowboard trousers and jackets seem to be more baggy, loose fitting. Where ski brands tend to be quite fitted esp for ladies.

Decathlon is great for ski stuff but the ladies ski sizing is small. My 12 year old ended up in a size M ladies last year. And I'm a tall size 14 and wear trousers out of the men's range.

Dare2be is good for ladies salopettes and they do up to size 18.

I am going skiing for the first time this year and I am the same size as you. I have bough most of my stuff from Sports Direct online. The biggest issue I have had is buying a ski jacket, particularly if you have bigger boobs. I would suggest a good few sizes bigger than normal for a good fit. Lidl also has ski gear in at the moment, I bought my jacket from there in the end

TK Maxx!

Sunglasses are useless if it’s foggy or snowing. You will need goggles with fog lenses, dangerous otherwise as you won’t be able to see.

Also, am skiing this week and have seen well meaning friends attempting to teach each other.. Don't, go and get lessons from professionals and be with other beginners. It will be so so much better.

Definitely get proper, wicking base layers. Don’t just wear cotton as it will get very damp as you sweat.

Goggles are a must incase weather is bad.

Personally I wouldn’t take my jacket off while skiing as it offers protection, not just warmth.

And decent gloves, get liners if it’s super cold as val d’isere is quite a high resort. Likewise SPF as the sun will be very strong if the weather is clear. Stop using your retinol a good 6 weeks at least before you go.