I'm off skiing on Saturday

[fatblokish]

and have never been before.

Will I get away with My Ronhill tracksters and a pair of long-legged thermals underneath?

Approaching 50 years old, this feels like summat that I should have done yonks ago. Also taking the not so small nippers with us.

Any tips? Will sunglasses do instead of masks? Do I need a lift pass as a beginner? (We are having 3*1 hour lessons).

Staying at a mates house in the Auvergne; we've been there plenty but never in the winter and will be skiing at Le Mont Dore (Puy de Sancy). Have been down it on a bike but not with planks.

Help? Do skis have brakes? And are the button lifts equipped with B17s or nasty narrow saddles?

Help (again)

Ta reet muchly.

 

[Crackle]

You might get a bit cold in the Ronhills and thermals, Probably be OK skiing but it's the amount of time sitting on your arse that'll do it

Plus, everything you sit on is wet. I'd get some ski pants or hire them there. You'll get away with sunglasses if the weather is calm, if it's blowing powder about you'll have difficulty seeing, possibly.

 

[Doseone]

The Ron Hills and thermals won't do it, but have you got a pair of waterproof leggings? If so put them over the top and you should be ok.

Sunglasses are ok in good weather, but anything else you might struggle. Decent googles (I prefer a yellow or pink tint) are quite important.

You will need a lift pass for anything beyond the nursery slope.

Have fun!!

 

[Red Light]

TK Maxx do good lines in cheap ski wear. Get the proper stuff if you can - you will get very cold and wet in Ronhills which means you will be off the slopes almost before you've started to warm up.

 

[ComedyPilot]

+1 for Red Light.

Get what gear you can. Listen to the ski school. Learn. Have fun.

I have skied on and off for almost 30 years, and love it. Would move to the Alps tomorrow if the means to do so were available.

 

[slowmotion]

You should beg, borrow, or rent some ski clothes. You can get away with wearing a pair of jeans and a fleece if the weather is good and you are experienced, but it's cold in February and you are going to be spending a lot of time on your bum....sorry to be brutal... You don't want to be cold and wet when you are learning, believe me.

Oh, BTW, it's fantastic fun!

 

[fatblokish]

Thanks for the tips, I see that Sports Direct have some cheap kit available so will try there first, then off to TK Maxx

 

[Becs]

Mountain warehouse are also a cheap bet - I got some skiing trousers from there for about £25, they fell apart by the end of the week (I rolled down a few slopes at speed!) but 25 quid for 6 days wasn't too bad, you get what you pay for. You might want to go for the ones with braces as snow in your pants is not fun. Definitely borrow some googles with a yellow tint and invest in some decent gloves +/- liners (v useful for winter cycling). Also know your weight accurately before you go so they can set your skis up and get some good thick socks. Take the socks with you when you get fitted for your boots. Always loosen your boots to walk in, make sure you stretch your calves, and I usually take ibuprofen prophylactically at breakfast and lunch. They brakes for your skis are your thighs!

 

[fatblokish]

Okey dokey,
I've got the salopette thingys which I have teamed with my old Grandad's braces to make a rather fetching outfit. Or not.

Putting off buying the goggles until we arrive at the resort as we are taking only hand-luggage and if the weather is fine we perhaps will not need them. Given the hand luggage restrictions, it looks as though I will be wearing most of the ski stuff, spare pants etc on the plane.

We also need to leave space for an ex-pat food list; angel delight, prawn cocktail crisps and teabags. Hmmm

 

[Becs]

just bear in mind that february is high season and goggles will be very expensive out there and possibly quite limited depending on the size of the resort.

 

[Red Light]

just bear in mind that february is high season and goggles will be very expensive out there and possibly quite limited depending on the size of the resort.

+1 You will pay through the nose for stuff in the resort. Oh and don't forget the suncream and lip salve.

 

[Red Light]

Mountain warehouse are also a cheap bet - I got some skiing trousers from there for about £25, they fell apart by the end of the week (I rolled down a few slopes at speed!) but 25 quid for 6 days wasn't too bad, you get what you pay for. You might want to go for the ones with braces as snow in your pants is not fun. Definitely borrow some googles with a yellow tint and invest in some decent gloves +/- liners (v useful for winter cycling). Also know your weight accurately before you go so they can set your skis up and get some good thick socks. Take the socks with you when you get fitted for your boots. Always loosen your boots to walk in, make sure you stretch your calves, and I usually take ibuprofen prophylactically at breakfast and lunch. They brakes for your skis are your thighs!

The difference between Mountain Warehouse and TK is the former sells cheap gear of their own, the latter branded gear from last year that is being sold off cheap. There is a difference as you found out.

 

[Becs]

The difference between Mountain Warehouse and TK is the former sells cheap gear of their own, the latter branded gear from last year that is being sold off cheap. There is a difference as you found out.

sadly tk max didn"t have anything suitable at the time - all £50 plus. Got 6 weeks before I go again so am planning to slim back into my super-robust north face ones, oh and not to go down mogully reds! Rolled about 200m snowball styleeee!

 

[Red Light]

Rolled about 200m snowball styleeee!

What points did you score for technical merit and artistic style?

 

[Becs]

well my skis went over my head about 6 times and stayed on, without hurting my knees so that's got to be worth something! There was a sign saying "piste pour bon skier" - I was not bon enough! Porte du soleil seems very haphazard with its grading system!