I remember vividly as a child, Dad going up to the loft and throwing ‘the big ski bag’ down, me and my brother getting far too excited over the smell of musky thermals and dusty goggles. We would then try our kit on, make sure the thermals fit, see if the gloves have been ravaged by moths and to shake the cobwebs off my jacket. Needless to say, every year, we would need new kit, be it a new pair of salopettes, the latest craze in beanies or gloves.
Now those of you who have never been before and this is the first time, don’t worry, that excitement will come, but for the mean time, I am here to guide you through getting your kit choice right, and to make sure you never get that ‘£40 bargain jacket from Matalan’.
We will start basics....for the peak season and mostly cold months, thermals are essential. From past experience, a t-shirt and a fleece is not enough, nowadays, a good thermal layer is very important. Chairlifts can be cold, thermals will be a god send to you. Don’t be afraid to spend a little here, you can get thermals form the likes of TK Maxx and Millets for under £10 if you look carefully. Helly Hansen are still my choice, they are light, easy to pack and very warm in the cold, but also quite cool in the sun. A few thin layers is better than a big fleece, layers can be taken off to adjust to temperature.
A good pair of gloves could make or break your skiing experience. Hands that get wet and cold can make you the most miserable person on the mountain, and the lack of hand dryers in mountain toilets mean that you will not get much chance to dry them. I know the £10 pair of gloves with fur trim might suit your outfit, but if you are learning, you will be touching the snow more than you will probably like. Do invest in a decent pair of gloves! Try to avoid removable inner gloves, as theses are a bugger to put back in when gloves are wet, and if you are going to buy mitts (my weapon of choice), please make sure they are not attached by string....I did warn you.
The age old argument between glasses and goggles rages on. So your Ray Bans might look the shit on the slopes, but if you a snowboarding beginner, Sunglasses WILL.NOT.WORK. They will fall off, you will break them, and you will cry. A decent pair of goggles will be quite expensive, but providing you take care of them, will last you a long time. Try and get a pair with a spare lens, these will be great for days of low light, when bumps and patches of ice are harder to see. If you’re skiing, you can get away with sunglasses, but again, make sure they have UV protection. Primark sunglasses are not designed for skiing. They make look ‘retro’ and cost 7 pence, but your eyes can burn. Yes I have burnt my eyes, the incessant banter from friends that I got ‘pink eye’ one night will ensure I wear goggles for the rest of my life.
I can go on and on, but the most important fashion accessory/necessity of a winter sports enthusiasts arsenal is a good jacket. Trends have come and gone, fur trim around the hood, acid trip inducing coloured all in ones, tracksuit jackets and day glow jackets. These all sucked. The likes of the fur hood are still to be seen around the boutiques in Val d’Isere, the branch of Prada in Courchevel and the Starbucks in Aspen, while the multi coloured all in ones can still be seen, rocked by students and groups of lads on tour doing a Valley Rally or fancy dress day. But in all seriousness, a good jacket is key. The ‘£40 Matalan’ does sadly still exist in these dark days, but now, a good snowboard jacket needs a decent wad of dollars thrown at it. End of season sales are the place to pick up bargains, online shops and independent retailers like SS20 in Oxford will have great deals at the end of the season. Make sure it is waterproof, at least 10'000 mm Waterproof and at least 10'000g of breathability to keep you warm and dry.
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| Don't do it. Seriously, people hate you. |
So there we go, a brief if not little helpful look at buying the right ski gear. Having been away 3 times this year, all in different conditions, I understand the importance of having the right stuff with you, and believe me, a good set of kit as opposed to some shite you pick up from Matalan, will literally make your holiday.
