Skiwear

Whest

Hi all,

I'm going skiing for the first time next month and am trying to get kitted out for it. Skis etc.. have been rented over there, so no issues there. I do have a number of questions though:

-how many pairs of ski socks will I need for the week?

-What quantities of base layers should I bring?

-Do I need to bring thermals?

-I currently have one ski jacket and one pair of ski trousers- do I need extra?

-Any other things I should consider other than; gloves, sunglasses, goggles, hand/feet warmers, hat and neck warmer.

Thanks for your time

am i bovvered

Whest wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm going skiing for the first time next month and am trying to get kitted out for it. Skis etc.. have been rented over there, so no issues there. I do have a number of questions though:

-how many pairs of ski socks will I need for the week?... minimum 2

-What quantities of base layers should I bring?...minimum 2

-Do I need to bring thermals?... I have never used them, depends how decent your ski gear is.

-I currently have one ski jacket and one pair of ski trousers- do I need extra?...no, although if you have a spare trouser bring them.

-Any other things I should consider other than; gloves, sunglasses, goggles, hand/feet warmers, hat and neck warmer.... i think you have it all covered I would bring sunblock.

Thanks for your time

A lot depends on your personality and budget with regard to baggage, if you are happy to wash your socks & thermals in the sink before your shower leave them to dry overnight, no problems.

I have done a weeks skiing with just hand luggage !

Mmmm_Lemony

I'd say 2/3 pairs of ski socks would be fine, if you have somewhere to give them a rinse and dry out.

Depending on the quality of the base layers and how cold it is, but normally 2/3 base layers should get you through. If you don't have much wicking type stuff then bring lots of thin layers instead of thick heavy things. That way you can take off or put on as needed.

Thermals only if it will be really cold as most snow/ski trousers keep you warm enough.

Even a slight chill and you will feel it in your hands if wet, so good gloves would be very important, especially for your first time when your hands will be on the ground a lot. I would advise bringing a spare pair if you can too.

A decent backpack always comes in handy, to throw a spare pair of gloves or a few extra layers/scarfs into.

And if you can get a Helmet, wear one!

Apart from that I would advise trying to get up to Kilteernan for a few lessons before you go, as the classes will be a lot smaller, and you won't have to waist time on the basics when you get over there.

Stark

I'd recommend a Merino wool baselayer. They resist odour so you'd need two at most and would probably get away with one (I only used one last year) for a week without washing. Something like an Icebreaker with 260g/m^2 material would be good. They're a bit pricy (€85) but if you're also into other activities like running and hiking, then it's well worth investing in one. I know mine is the most used thing in my wardrobe. I had a pair of Merino socks as well but they did need to be changed

Glowing

Stark wrote: »

I'd recommend a Merino wool baselayer. They resist odour so you'd need two at most and would probably get away with one (I only used one last year) for a week without washing. Something like an Icebreaker with 260g/m^2 material would be good. They're a bit pricy (€85) but if you're also into other activities like running and hiking, then it's well worth investing in one. I know mine is the most used thing in my wardrobe. I had a pair of Merino socks as well but they did need to be changed

Merino stuff is absolutely fantastic .. *well* worth the money. I have Icebreaker stuff from 3 years ago, and it still looks like new. Absolutely no odor either unlike some of the synthetic stuff which well ... stinks after a while.

It's extremely comfortable to wear (soft and non-itchy), and wool is the only material which will keep you warm when it's wet too. I live in the stuff ...

Rew

Unless your stuck id try get a fresh pair of socks for each day. Last trip I bought a couple of base and mid layers and brought them in the shower with me a long with some washing powder. Worked well, no hassle drying base layers socks took longer and the room had an electric heater so couldn't put the stuff directly on it.

one pair of trousers is fine assuming there good quality and stay dry. I've brought 2 before and there is no real advantage. Same for a jacket. Wear your jacket going out on the plane and will save you weight and room in suitcase.

I bring thermal leggings but generally you dont need them. very handy to have if you do find your getting cold though and they dont take up much room/weight.

I bring:
goggles (yellow lens oakleys bought cheap off Adverts.ie)
sunglasses (polarized oakleys that I got in the US ages back)
a buff (can be used as balaclava, neck warmer or hat)
gloves (spent a fair bit on these this year after having cold hands on previous ski trips with cheaper borrowed gloves)
camelbak backpack (for water and bits and pieces).
suncream
walkie-talkies

Fattes

-how many pairs of ski socks will I need for the week?

- 1 pair for every day or at best one pair for every second day.

-What quantities of base layers should I bring?

I use Skin's only bring 2 for the week, and one pair of base layer leggings. Like the Marino wool stuff it is indestructible.

-Do I need to bring thermals? - If you buy the right base layers no.They will do the job. Base Layer, Mid Layer or fleece and a jacket or Shell.

-I currently have one ski jacket and one pair of ski trousers- do I need extra?

Unless you are Posh Spice hell no!

-Any other things I should consider other than; gloves, sunglasses, goggles, hand/feet warmers, hat and neck warmer.

Sun Screen, Money Insurance details.

Whest

Thanks very much.

All very informative.

2 weeks to go..... Can't wait!!!

Chief of

Mmmm_Lemony wrote: »

I'd say 2/3 pairs of ski socks would be fine, if you have somewhere to give them a rinse and dry out.

Depending on the quality of the base layers and how cold it is, but normally 2/3 base layers should get you through. If you don't have much wicking type stuff then bring lots of thin layers instead of thick heavy things. That way you can take off or put on as needed.

Thermals only if it will be really cold as most snow/ski trousers keep you warm enough.

Even a slight chill and you will feel it in your hands if wet, so good gloves would be very important, especially for your first time when your hands will be on the ground a lot. I would advise bringing a spare pair if you can too.

A decent backpack always comes in handy, to throw a spare pair of gloves or a few extra layers/scarfs into.

And if you can get a Helmet, wear one!

Apart from that I would advise trying to get up to Kilteernan for a few lessons before you go, as the classes will be a lot smaller, and you won't have to waist time on the basics when you get over there.

I wouldn't go too mad on base layers. Obviously try out some options for the first few days. If its your first time skiing and you are determined to stay vertical, I wouldn't be too concerned about the cold. You are going to be very warm from falling and getting up over again. First day can be hellish, I wanted to pack it in after my first time. It gets better and you get tougher and falling doesn't really hurt, you just get tired quickly.
It can be cold on some of the lifts so i would advise a balaclava and goggles. Good gloves too. Make sure your boots are right before you take them out of the hire shop.
If you have problems with your feet get a pair of molded insoles made in Elverys for 40 euro. Well worth it. If not don't bother. Just make sure they fit . Wear ski socks to the fitting. Tighten them up and bend your knees pushing your shins against the front of the boot. Wiggle your toes. Make sure they don't pinch.
Wearing a backpack for the first few days is a bad idea. You could land on your back quite hard and damage yourself especially if you had a full litre bottle of water etc in there. If there are more experienced going get them to hold your stuff for first day anyway.
Enjoy, and if you can, push yourself as far as you can go day and night. You will surprise yourself. I go every year I can with a seasoned crew and it's brilliant.

conno16

how some people make it through life i'll never understand...

Chief of

Whats your problem?

conno16

no major problem
just some bloke coming on here asking how many pairs of socks do i need during a week!
c'mon...

Rew

conno16 wrote: »

no major problem
just some bloke coming on here asking how many pairs of socks do i need during a week!
c'mon...

Whats the problem with that?

Chief of

Hahahah v true. The socks are the least of your problem on a skiing trip.;)

Mmmm_Lemony

conno16

Whest wrote: »

Thanks very much.

All very informative.

2 weeks to go..... Can't wait!!!

have a great holiday and dont forget to bring some spare pairs of underpants

Chief of

V Good

olaola

Here's a pi$$ take list a friend made up for our ski trip a few years ago - it's still a decent list though I'd say that a helmet should be on the RIMS list this year!

“Required Immediately as a Minimal Supply” or RIMS. Think of this list as your basic kit which will save you time, hassle, pain and heartache. This is the bare essential requirement for skiing and is listed below.

“Fully Elaborated and Longer Technical CHecklist of Increasingly Needed Gear,” or FELTCHING

IDF (important documents folder):
• Passport
• Boarding cards Outbound and Return
• Travel Insurance

The RIMS List - Essential Kit
• Socks - Ski socks
• Socks - regular
• Jocks (enough for two pairs a day – 13 pairs)
• Gloves - don’t cheap out here, you've been warned! (30 quid should get a good pair)
• Sunglasses
• Goggles
• Practical hat
• Ski hat
• Cowl
• Girls – don’t forget bobbins/hairbands!
• Flip Flops
• Swimming Togs and cap
• SPF Lip Balm
• SPF face crème
• One’s preferred pain killer - this should be anti-inflammatory so go for ibuprofen in Austria (only Nurofen in Ireland)
• One’s preferred hang-over remedy
• Walkie Talkies – They are very useful
• PLASTERS! – assorted.

The FELTCHING List - Optional/suggested items:
• Almost should be on the RIMS list – body tight base layers. Well worth the money and easily rinseable-out and dry in no time. Cotton is NOT our friend.
• Helmet – more and more popular and protecting you most important asset. Please note, from the Ryanair Comms Manager himself: Ski helmets must be packed in checked luggage and if brought into the cabin will be considered “Ski Equipment” and subject to the same charge as all other ski equipment.
• Schols corn removal plasters with acetylsalicylic acid
• Tube of Deep Heat
• “skinny” cowl – handy for under your actual cowl as it doubles as a bandana or balaclava if needed.
• Iphone app for downloadable piste maps
• Lift pass retract-o-tron
• Thermals, if desired / Long johns - from Penneys, Dunnes or Arnotts bargain basement
• Ariel/Persil tablet – if you want to rinse something out and leave it dry
• Snappable, single-use heat pads
• Ear muffs/warmers
• And last but by NO means least in the current climate, my new “must-have” item, and, under Ryanair baggage conditions, available for carriage at no extra cost in either cabin or checked luggage; One Avalanche Rescue Pack (An avalanche rescue pack with one nitrogen/air cylinder can be included in either cabin or checked baggage.) there is nice one here: http://www.akxtreme.net/images/04_05%20Model/freeride_grey.jpg

Fattes

The FELTCHING List - Optional/suggested items:

• Helmet – more and more popular and protecting you most important asset. Please note, from the Ryanair Comms Manager himself: Ski helmets must be packed in checked luggage and if brought into the cabin will be considered “Ski Equipment” and subject to the same charge as all other ski equipment.

Helmets can be worn onto a ryanair flight. I have witnessed an entire group of Irish racers do it on more than one occasion!
[/QUOTE]
• And last but by NO means least in the current climate, my new “must-have” item, and, under Ryanair baggage conditions, available for carriage at no extra cost in either cabin or checked luggage; One Avalanche Rescue Pack (An avalanche rescue pack with one nitrogen/air cylinder can be included in either cabin or checked baggage.) there is nice one here: http://www.akxtreme.net/images/04_05...eride_grey.jpg[/QUOTE]

Amazing I would consider AVI equipment as ESSENTIAL link is not working but I presume your friend is talking about a re breather backpack. Feck all use if your friends can not find you without an avalanche beacon or do not have a shovel and probe to get you out.

Other than that a pretty good list in fairness.

heate

conno16 wrote: »

how some people make it through life i'll never understand...

Really?
Its not a stupid question at all. I ski a lot and probably have 10 pairs of expensive ski socks. I dont bring a pair for every day of the week that I'm skiing.
Reason being good quality socks can be reused during a weeks skiing.
Space though I always drive to resorts (unless there is severe weather and I'm going local) is at a premium if I am going with friends regardless of the size of the car. Socks take up space in my baggage - why would I lug around 5 extra pairs of socks I may not need!
Other than that I always include for a week
1.) Ski Jacket and 2 Pairs of pants and 2 pairs of gloves!
2.) A few polo shirts to wear under (jacket and pants being lined I've little need for thermals)
3.) Waterproof shoes for heading out in resort
4.) My boots, ski's, poles and sun glasses (I hate wearing goggles)
5.) Cash - Many resorts don't do credit cards as you'd expect and ATM queues would drive you nuts
6.) Selection of ski passes - many resorts allow you to reuse and some even credit for unused portions of the day

creativedrinker

does any one use walkie talkies? are they a good investment if your in a group?

Rew

Yeah we always bring them. There great to have but keep in mind they wont work all the time. Once there is major distance or obstacles in the way they stop working. There brilliant when your in the same general area and trying to find each other. You can get headsets for them if you want to talk to each other and ski at the same time as well.

The ones you can buy in argos and outdoor shops will all be able to communicate with each other and are legal to use across Europe. Radios bought in america are on different frequencies and aren't legal in Europe. Motorola Talkabouts can normally be picked up in pairs for reasonable prices and are great quality.

olaola

Yeah, we always bring them and make sure that at least one person in each group has one. We’d use them every day – handy for finding the ski schoolers at the end of lessons. Or if you’re on separate lifts/gondolas, you can pass on the route info (usually we have one person ‘in charge’ and they pick the route)
If we’re all skiing as a group, it’s handy for people who aren’t at the same level. You can tell ‘em you’re stopping at such and such. Even in the hotel – it’s handier to use them in the morning to see who’s up and who’s around than ringing the room numbers.

To be honest, it’s always safer to have some other form of communication on you. If something happens and you cannot find your friends – there will be plenty of people on other channels who might be able to assist you.

Fattes

Walkie talkie = Wast of money! Simple solution if we get separated we all meet at point x at time y.

They can be ineffective depending on location and weather, plus they make you look like a total berk!

God I hate the dam things

sheesh

Whest wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm going skiing for the first time next month and am trying to get kitted out for it. Skis etc.. have been rented over there, so no issues there. I do have a number of questions though:

-how many pairs of ski socks will I need for the week?

-What quantities of base layers should I bring?

-Do I need to bring thermals?

-I currently have one ski jacket and one pair of ski trousers- do I need extra?

-Any other things I should consider other than; gloves, sunglasses, goggles, hand/feet warmers, hat and neck warmer.

Thanks for your time

bare minimum salopettes (sp?) feece, wolly hat, neck gaitor, ski gloves, ski socks and goggles. + going out clothes. don't bother bringing too many clothes for going out you will probably just go into the pub straight from skiing

Base layer/thermals? do you feel the cold alot otherwise no unless you are going to someplace cold honestly the first tim i went (westendorf) i was wearing a tee shirt sallopettes and ski jacket and it was -3 and i was completely comfortable. also base layers dry very quickly

Number of pairs of socks? ask the people you are going with if they are going with 3 you have 3

I currently have one ski jacket and one pair of ski trousers- do I need extra probably not unless something happens to either of them (which is unlikely) save on packing by wearing the ski jacket on the plane.

keanooo

Whest wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm going skiing for the first time next month and am trying to get kitted out for it. Skis etc.. have been rented over there, so no issues there. I do have a number of questions though:

-how many pairs of ski socks will I need for the week?

-What quantities of base layers should I bring?

-Do I need to bring thermals?

-I currently have one ski jacket and one pair of ski trousers- do I need extra?

-Any other things I should consider other than; gloves, sunglasses, goggles, hand/feet warmers, hat and neck warmer.

Thanks for your time

Don't forget to get a life while you're out there....

TrapperChamonix

olaola wrote: »

Here's a pi$$ take list a friend made up for our ski trip a few years ago - it's still a decent list though I'd say that a helmet should be on the RIMS list this year!

“Required Immediately as a Minimal Supply” or RIMS. Think of this list as your basic kit which will save you time, hassle, pain and heartache. This is the bare essential requirement for skiing and is listed below.

“Fully Elaborated and Longer Technical CHecklist of Increasingly Needed Gear,” or FELTCHING

IDF (important documents folder):
• Passport
• Boarding cards Outbound and Return
• Travel Insurance

The RIMS List - Essential Kit
• Socks - Ski socks
• Socks - regular
• Jocks (enough for two pairs a day – 13 pairs)
• Gloves - don’t cheap out here, you've been warned! (30 quid should get a good pair)
• Sunglasses
• Goggles
• Practical hat
• Ski hat
• Cowl
• Girls – don’t forget bobbins/hairbands!
• Flip Flops
• Swimming Togs and cap
• SPF Lip Balm
• SPF face crème
• One’s preferred pain killer - this should be anti-inflammatory so go for ibuprofen in Austria (only Nurofen in Ireland)
• One’s preferred hang-over remedy
• Walkie Talkies – They are very useful
• PLASTERS! – assorted.

The FELTCHING List - Optional/suggested items:
• Almost should be on the RIMS list – body tight base layers. Well worth the money and easily rinseable-out and dry in no time. Cotton is NOT our friend.
• Helmet – more and more popular and protecting you most important asset. Please note, from the Ryanair Comms Manager himself: Ski helmets must be packed in checked luggage and if brought into the cabin will be considered “Ski Equipment” and subject to the same charge as all other ski equipment.
• Schols corn removal plasters with acetylsalicylic acid
• Tube of Deep Heat
• “skinny” cowl – handy for under your actual cowl as it doubles as a bandana or balaclava if needed.
• Iphone app for downloadable piste maps
• Lift pass retract-o-tron
• Thermals, if desired / Long johns - from Penneys, Dunnes or Arnotts bargain basement
• Ariel/Persil tablet – if you want to rinse something out and leave it dry
• Snappable, single-use heat pads
• Ear muffs/warmers
• And last but by NO means least in the current climate, my new “must-have” item, and, under Ryanair baggage conditions, available for carriage at no extra cost in either cabin or checked luggage; One Avalanche Rescue Pack (An avalanche rescue pack with one nitrogen/air cylinder can be included in either cabin or checked baggage.) there is nice one here: http://www.akxtreme.net/images/04_05%20Model/freeride_grey.jpg

Not bad, but better to have it separated in to Hand Luggage that has everything (barrring Ski boots) you need to ski straight away. That includes Helmut, Baselayers (in case), Ski wear ad essentials like contact lenses and Ibroprofen. The last thing you want it to be looking for clothes if your bag is delayed by 24 hrs.
Hand Luggage weighs in at 6.7kgs
Checked luggage includes Boots and weighs in at 19.6kg. I'm fecked if I'm going to spend another €30 transporting by boots.