Taking up skiing, help on equipment
Discussion
As above really, what to I need?! So far I've got a jacket, trousers, socks and gloves, I guess I need baselayers, boots, skis and maybe goggles (or can I just wear some of the many Oakley sunnies I've acquired over the years)?
Ideally I want to spend as little as possible but without ending up with total rubbish, and also I've got to buy the kit for my wife too so that doubles the price! We are moving to Switzerland so will be doing odd days and weekends in the mountains rather than week long holidays, and with a car to take stuff in buying seems to make more financial sense than renting.
Any help would be much appreciated!
Ideally I want to spend as little as possible but without ending up with total rubbish, and also I've got to buy the kit for my wife too so that doubles the price! We are moving to Switzerland so will be doing odd days and weekends in the mountains rather than week long holidays, and with a car to take stuff in buying seems to make more financial sense than renting.
Any help would be much appreciated!
Buy some boots....if you are anywhere near them go here.
http://www.profeet.co.uk/skiing
They are miles better than any of the big chains.
Only thing I would say is that it might make sense to buy the boots when you move to Switzerland. It will be more expensive but then if you need to get the boots adjusted that's very easy. Most shops will make adjustments for free afterwards. Flip side is I doubt you'll need adjustments if you buy from Profeet.
You NEED Goggles. Sunglasses are no good if the weather closes in. I actually have two pairs one for low visibility and another for general use. You can get great all purpose goggles.
Oh and you need a helmet too. People that ski without a helmet are just daft. You can be the best skier in the world but if someone hits you on a piste that doesn't matter.
http://www.profeet.co.uk/skiing
They are miles better than any of the big chains.
Only thing I would say is that it might make sense to buy the boots when you move to Switzerland. It will be more expensive but then if you need to get the boots adjusted that's very easy. Most shops will make adjustments for free afterwards. Flip side is I doubt you'll need adjustments if you buy from Profeet.
You NEED Goggles. Sunglasses are no good if the weather closes in. I actually have two pairs one for low visibility and another for general use. You can get great all purpose goggles.
Oh and you need a helmet too. People that ski without a helmet are just daft. You can be the best skier in the world but if someone hits you on a piste that doesn't matter.
Buy good, well-fitting boots. This is crucial to enjoyment. Hire skis. You'll start off on toothpicks that are easy to turn, but these won't be what you end up on for ever.
Helmets are great, I learned without one, but as a reasonably advanced intermediate I now won't ski without one, it gives me a lot more confidence that a fall won't hurt s much, and fall whilst learning you most certainly will!
Helmets are great, I learned without one, but as a reasonably advanced intermediate I now won't ski without one, it gives me a lot more confidence that a fall won't hurt s much, and fall whilst learning you most certainly will!
Get pally with your local hire shop or retail shop and buy some ski's at the end of the season sale. Same goes for other kit like baselayers etc.
Also, however fit you are (or not) consider any knee supports or the like you may need if skiing regularly as it tends to bring out aches and pains other sports don't. At least it did for me.
Also, however fit you are (or not) consider any knee supports or the like you may need if skiing regularly as it tends to bring out aches and pains other sports don't. At least it did for me.
KTF said:
jamiebae said:
Likewise how much to spend on boots? I guess there's a wide range available to choose from.
Buy boots on the fit, not the price. Given how expensive skiing is saving £50 or £100 on boots is daft. The good news is that as a beginner you don't need expensive boots. The more expensive the boots are generally the higher performance they are etc High Performance equals stiff and uncomfortable which is not what you want.
To begin with, you will need:
Ski socks
Ski trousers
Ski jacket
Baselayer (if you're going to be in Switzerland you could probably get away with just a top - I only bought thermal trousers when I was in Canada and it was -30c)
Helmet - choose on fit, not colour or price
Goggles
If you are likely to be skiing a lot then 2 pairs might be an idea - nothing worse than putting on damp (due to either falling over lots or sweaty hands)gloves and having to ski in them all day
TKMaxx do some good, cheap kit for beginners - don't be swayed into spending £400 on a jacket for something you may not enjoy / get on with.
As for boots - these are without a doubt the most important bit of kit you can have - as others have said, go for fit and not price / colour etc. From experience, you can go for a cheap pair and be in agony so end up spending more on a pair that fit correctly. My current boots cost me £500 from ProFeet in London, but they are like slippers, whereas pairs I've had in the past (ranging from £50 sale bootts to about £280) have all crippled me. However, it's a bit of a double edged sword - I would make sure you actually enjoy skiing BEFORE buying boots as if you don't enjoy the sport you could be left with a very expensive purchase that you can't sell because they've been moulded to your feet (if, like me you have Frodo feet) but then again, if you get a crap pair of rental boots they may put you off skiing.
You won't need to buy skis - you could do a long term hire while in Switzerland and see how you get on, then maybe either buy some ex-rentals at the end of the season or wait and see what comes up in the sales. Again, go for skis that will help you develop your skiing - the softer the flex of the ski, the more suitable for beginners / intermediates, as they don't fire you out of turns and are a bit more forgiving. If you do buy your own, I'd initially go for piste / carving skis (tend to be slightly narrower at the waist under the bindings as opposed to all mountain or back country skis which are a more uniformed width - i.e. quite wide).
Finally - don't be afraid to fall over (unless you have brittle bone disease) - it's part of learning to ski.
Oh, and I'm jealous!
Ski socks
Ski trousers
Ski jacket
Baselayer (if you're going to be in Switzerland you could probably get away with just a top - I only bought thermal trousers when I was in Canada and it was -30c)
Helmet - choose on fit, not colour or price
Goggles
If you are likely to be skiing a lot then 2 pairs might be an idea - nothing worse than putting on damp (due to either falling over lots or sweaty hands)gloves and having to ski in them all day
TKMaxx do some good, cheap kit for beginners - don't be swayed into spending £400 on a jacket for something you may not enjoy / get on with.
As for boots - these are without a doubt the most important bit of kit you can have - as others have said, go for fit and not price / colour etc. From experience, you can go for a cheap pair and be in agony so end up spending more on a pair that fit correctly. My current boots cost me £500 from ProFeet in London, but they are like slippers, whereas pairs I've had in the past (ranging from £50 sale bootts to about £280) have all crippled me. However, it's a bit of a double edged sword - I would make sure you actually enjoy skiing BEFORE buying boots as if you don't enjoy the sport you could be left with a very expensive purchase that you can't sell because they've been moulded to your feet (if, like me you have Frodo feet) but then again, if you get a crap pair of rental boots they may put you off skiing.
You won't need to buy skis - you could do a long term hire while in Switzerland and see how you get on, then maybe either buy some ex-rentals at the end of the season or wait and see what comes up in the sales. Again, go for skis that will help you develop your skiing - the softer the flex of the ski, the more suitable for beginners / intermediates, as they don't fire you out of turns and are a bit more forgiving. If you do buy your own, I'd initially go for piste / carving skis (tend to be slightly narrower at the waist under the bindings as opposed to all mountain or back country skis which are a more uniformed width - i.e. quite wide).
Finally - don't be afraid to fall over (unless you have brittle bone disease) - it's part of learning to ski.
Oh, and I'm jealous!
As a boot fitter, I'd probably advise against buying boots if you have never skied before.
Hire boots are pretty good these days especially if you are prepared to pay a little bit more for them, or early in the season, I was just in Whistler and was given brand new Salomon Quest boots. I'd say hire boots and skis for your first ever week, if you like it then look into getting boots. Its pointless shelling out on a custom fit pair of boots to end up hating skiing.
Hire boots are pretty good these days especially if you are prepared to pay a little bit more for them, or early in the season, I was just in Whistler and was given brand new Salomon Quest boots. I'd say hire boots and skis for your first ever week, if you like it then look into getting boots. Its pointless shelling out on a custom fit pair of boots to end up hating skiing.
Fantastic advice, thanks!
So far we have jackets (both North Face from their outlet store) and gloves (Rossignol from TK Maxx for me, more NF for her) and I've got some Trespass trousers too.
Is a cheap helmet ok if the fit is right (cheap helmets are fine for cycling but not motorbikes...) I'm pretty sure we will enjoy skiing as we are both keen cyclists/walkers etc so happy to take a chance and buy boots before we go, especially given Swiss prices for everything!
So far we have jackets (both North Face from their outlet store) and gloves (Rossignol from TK Maxx for me, more NF for her) and I've got some Trespass trousers too.
Is a cheap helmet ok if the fit is right (cheap helmets are fine for cycling but not motorbikes...) I'm pretty sure we will enjoy skiing as we are both keen cyclists/walkers etc so happy to take a chance and buy boots before we go, especially given Swiss prices for everything!
In answer to the helmet question - what price would you put on your health? As long as a helmet complies with the relevant BS / CE standards then you should be ok. My helmet saved my life last year so would never ski without one - personally I would always go for the best I could afford, but it's down to you really.
If you are living there (which I do) Don't buy boots or skis until you know you like skiing. I would only buy boots if I found them comfortable - the best way of trying different boots is renting, if you find a good pair that you like then just buy them. No offence but you won't (and the majority of people who will tell you what you need to buy won't) be able to tell the slightest bit of difference between kit for the first few weeks, perhaps even years of skiing. Buying boots in the UK having never skiid before is a ridiculous idea.
Don't buy an insulated jacket - shell and taped seams gortex or equivalent if what you need
Don't buy insulated sallopettes and try to get ones that aren't just trousers. I have ones like dungarees.
Good gloves - not necessary to spend more than £50-60 as difference above is minimal unless you use them everyday as an instructor
Pair of Craft ski thermal long johns
Set of Craft baselayer, mid layer
Helmet - I don't wear one and never have but I would recommend wearing one if you are new to it because you are more likely to get hit. I don't for one second doubt that it is safer to wear one, I just don't like it and it is personal choice. Sweet protection helmets are awesome if you are going to wear one.
Goggles if you buy a helmet - Oakleys are not strictly necessary but are cool. There are other cool brands as well which are technically as good.
Sunglasses if you are not wearing a helmet
Ski socks
Neck buff if you need one
Hat with fleece lining for when its freezing if you are not wearing a helmet
Don't buy an insulated jacket - shell and taped seams gortex or equivalent if what you need
Don't buy insulated sallopettes and try to get ones that aren't just trousers. I have ones like dungarees.
Good gloves - not necessary to spend more than £50-60 as difference above is minimal unless you use them everyday as an instructor
Pair of Craft ski thermal long johns
Set of Craft baselayer, mid layer
Helmet - I don't wear one and never have but I would recommend wearing one if you are new to it because you are more likely to get hit. I don't for one second doubt that it is safer to wear one, I just don't like it and it is personal choice. Sweet protection helmets are awesome if you are going to wear one.
Goggles if you buy a helmet - Oakleys are not strictly necessary but are cool. There are other cool brands as well which are technically as good.
Sunglasses if you are not wearing a helmet
Ski socks
Neck buff if you need one
Hat with fleece lining for when its freezing if you are not wearing a helmet
I've skied for 30+years, ski 6-7 weeks year.
If I was to start skiing again, I'd buy everything, the best you can afford - renting gear is Very expensive, and you never own it
Eventually you'll want buy your own gear anyway!! So why waste any money renting?
Plenty will dis-agree on this point though.
Skiing has plenty of annual Fads, just ignore 'em and do your own thing, be it on 1or2 skis or even a SB
Good luck and enjoy
If I was to start skiing again, I'd buy everything, the best you can afford - renting gear is Very expensive, and you never own it
Eventually you'll want buy your own gear anyway!! So why waste any money renting?
Plenty will dis-agree on this point though.
Skiing has plenty of annual Fads, just ignore 'em and do your own thing, be it on 1or2 skis or even a SB
Good luck and enjoy
I had this when I moved to Norway, and started skiing 3 or 4 days a week, buy a set of ski's boots from intersport, to get you going, learn to wax and edge them yourself, (most shops will teach you) it is a big expense if you ski a lot, you will need more than one set of everything so don't worry if you get the first one wrong, you will use it.
I wound up with 5 sets of ski's and kept the crap one for early and late in the season when there were rocks.
I wound up with 5 sets of ski's and kept the crap one for early and late in the season when there were rocks.
Berw said:
I had this when I moved to Norway, and started skiing 3 or 4 days a week, buy a set of ski's boots from intersport, to get you going, learn to wax and edge them yourself, (most shops will teach you) it is a big expense if you ski a lot, you will need more than one set of everything so don't worry if you get the first one wrong, you will use it.
I wound up with 5 sets of ski's and kept the crap one for early and late in the season when there were rocks.
Have to agree with this, plus the most important thing being get ski boots that fit you properly. Otherwise it makes the day short/ rubbish since they hurt too much. The other thing you can do with your first skis is potentially let friends borrow them if they are visiting you. I wound up with 5 sets of ski's and kept the crap one for early and late in the season when there were rocks.
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