BONGO Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 I'm off to Geneva on Sunday to a fre week of snowboarding. With no knowledge, or interest(!) I'm keen to hear what you lot have to say. I'm sure many have been... http://www.outdoorgear4u.co.uk/category/ski-wear/ This place is local to me, it's the only place i know of. Upper body is ok, as are goggles, gloves and hats, but i need pants. Is it all shite in there or are there some bargains?? Does anyone know of other highstreet shops that i could go into to see a selection of pants?? Not keen on spending over £50 on pants, as racing season is coming up, and Spain in Mach, so this needs to be a cheap jolly. It's a one off, so won't be going again... Anything else too, let me know! I've done it a couple times on dry slopes, and yeah, i was dog dick, but it should be a lugh if my knee doesn't fall off... Bongo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Harrison Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 Have a word with Luke E, he's recently got into it, and appears to be loving it! Seriously though, go to GoOutdoors, it's not far from you in Wigan - sometimes they have ridiculous discounts. You have to buy a discount card for a few quid, but usually you'll more than make that back on one purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooore! Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 I've been boarding a few times & skiing loads of times & I've always got my pants from TK Maxx. Never spent more than £40 on pants & have had some nice enough gear. DC, Billabong, Airwalk etc. Obviously you won't get any top of the range Burton stuff or anything in there but unless you're spending a season out in the snow you hardly need it. I was in Morzine last week, not far from Geneva & there was a massive dump at the end of the week so the snow's really really good at the moment in that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigjames Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 Aye TK Maxx for the win, seriously good bargains in there . It's where i've always got my stuff from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-Finger-er Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 erm, i bought some new pants for this season,even though I had no need for them, got them from the animal shop in cheshire oaks, cost me £25 an there bangin. not exactly that far from you(and theres about 4 shops there that sell ski wear(oakley shop,tog24,and another outdoor shop), but may be worth checking your local animal shop. but yea TK maxx arent bad either. suggested cheshire oaks as its in driving distance, as ive had all my gear apart from goggles off there at seperate points in the last 5 years. (jacket £50, although theres some nice oakley ones for £75) other stuff, get several pairs of ski socks, dont be a dick and try to weat football socks or the like. buy a proper ski jacket, not a warm winter coat, cant dismiss the importance of snow skirts on base and sleeves,the fact that the zips all have tags on so you can do em up wearing gloves, the specialist pockets for lift pass etc. dont skimp on goggles(actually mine cost me £13 off ebay, so I did skimp, so in other words dont buy sh*t goggles) I got some rayzor iridium ones, which as i said cost me all of £13, they were night and day better than my mates salice goggles, my salice goggles, my other mates £35 trespass goggles, and some randomer who asked to look at them, as they looked cool, said they were way better than his $70 smith goggles to look through(all regular orange lens) last place worth checking is m and m sports, had some right bargains on jackets there last time i checked, didnt check for pants as Id already bought a pair more than i needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomturd Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 other stuff, get several pairs of ski socks, dont be a dick and try to weat football socks or the like. agreed. some decent socks are a good plan, but they cost a bomb. you can always wash them in the sink each night (if you can be bothered to wash them at all...). saves some money. buy a proper ski jacket, not a warm winter coat, cant dismiss the importance of snow skirts on base and sleeves,the fact that the zips all have tags on so you can do em up wearing gloves, the specialist pockets for lift pass etc. not that agreed well depends what you mean, for the past 2 years i've gone in a 'ski' jacket (ones that have a snow skirt, not that I can ever be arsed with that).. but the one's i've taken have literally been a decent windproof/waterproof layer, no padding. So I've used a decent baselayer, midlayer and shell. But IMO no need to a massive padded jacket, they get pretty hot in my experience (when I did have one, I'd generally just wear a tshirt underneath). The 'gators' you can get on the sleeves are handy, stops snow getting up there, which is fairly annoying. GLOVES! now then.. its worth getting decent gloves. Cold fingers/hands can make your whole body feel cold, decent ones will keep them dry and warm all day. Mine completely froze into the shape of my fist a couple of times this year, but my fingers remained nice and cosy inside anyway, you didn't ask anything about that stuff. trousers, can't really go wrong if they're snowboard/ski ones. have fun, would love to go again this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willy Posted February 4, 2010 Report Share Posted February 4, 2010 You wont need a decent jacket in the alps, it wont be cold enough, if you can deal with getting snow up your back dont bother with a snow skirt. The gloves wont matter as its a one off, pretty much unless you spend over 50 there gona get shafted in a week anyway as thats what happens with snow boarding. Ski pants you will want water proof ones as it will be a pain in the arse and cold during the day when your sitting on your arse/kness the whole time. Go to Tk-Maxx, spend less on the coat and gloves, spend abit more on the ski pants. By abit more, I mean just get waterproof ones. Decent pair for 30, 40 quid easy. Job done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_rob2@hotmail.com Posted February 4, 2010 Report Share Posted February 4, 2010 I dont know how people can say you dont need a decent jacket in the alps was minus 23 when i went to tignes in jan, and i was fecking freezing! and thats wearing a £200 burton jacket... lol. (saying that, it is 3 years old now, and is loosing its 'water proofness') but anyways, you can pick up some cheap VANS pants for around £50... also, like everyone else says, TK MAXX is your best bet for cheapness... When it comes to boarding, i dont like to go cheap (im really big into it) this isnt because i want to own all the best names etc, cause if i did, my clothes + boots wouldnt be 3 seasons old... lol. I always try to spend atleast £200 on the jacket, and £150 on pants, this is ensureing your going to stay warm (which you still dont when on the lifts) the main thing that wil keep you warm though, is your baselayers... i bought some pants + long sleeve base from mountain warehouse in Carlisle for £10 each, and they were REALLY warm... its probably the bestt thing to do if your going cheap with pants etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shamus Posted February 4, 2010 Report Share Posted February 4, 2010 ^word. base the f**k out of it. anything wicking yet warm! and loft for the win i've found with other items! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willy Posted February 4, 2010 Report Share Posted February 4, 2010 I spent half of last season in Canada where it gets down to -40 without wind chill and skiied in those conditions numerous times. You dont need a decent jacket (it just helps alot), you need to be smart and wear layers. Hes going for one week only ffs, a complete waste of 200 on a jacket that in all likely he wont need again, but saying that if he wanted to get one he could go out in at the same time (plent of swish bonfire and burton ones, just off the top of my head) then it might be worth it. But not for only one week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomturd Posted February 4, 2010 Report Share Posted February 4, 2010 I dont know how people can say you dont need a decent jacket in the alps was minus 23 when i went to tignes in jan, and i was fecking freezing! The sign said -13 when I was in tignes in jan, it didn't feel anything like that, was so hot I had to unzip my (thin) jacket when I stopped. But as I said I had a decent base and mid layer, and it was sunny most days, so I guess that makes a big difference. One of the guys I went with wore a HH base layer and a shell jacket thing all week, nutter! Hat, gloves, baselayers, hood, one of those neck things & thermals underneath trousers make a big difference IMO. impending snowball fight.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shamus Posted February 4, 2010 Report Share Posted February 4, 2010 neck thing... i hope you mean buff? i love them, great on the motorbike in the chill too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONGO Posted February 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 Thanks guys, appreciate the help. I presume i'm right in thinking that i am no doubt under estimating how cold it's gonna be???!!! I got lots of good layers as i've always been into walking etc, so that's no problem. I didn't buy a jacket as i don't want to spend the money... I do have base layers though and planning on wearing a Buffalo and hoodie, and got a Berghaus, as well as a water/wind proof jacket that's eerily similar to a boarding jacket as far as i can tell, so that's all sorted. Got some decent gloves yesterday too, and some pants for £45 which seem pretty decent. Plenty decent enough for me for a week anyway... Also gonna lend another pair off a mate so i don't have to wear the same all week. Got beanies but gonna buy another hat tomorrow, and got neck tubes already. Plenty of socks and i'm sorted. Can't wait to make some yellow snow!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooore! Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 Just don't eat it once you've made it. It doesn't taste like oranges or lemons! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomturd Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 I presume i'm right in thinking that i am no doubt under estimating how cold it's gonna be???!!! Over estimating probably Although the signs say its cold, it normally feels pretty warm, too hot if anything - it gets pretty hot constantly moving around trying not to fall over. Dont worry about wearing the same trousers all week, thats pretty normal as far as I know. In fact.. mine have been for about 3 weeks now without getting washed trousers clean themselves and all that... I'm just remembering the feeling of being out all day, then turning up at a bar in your snowboard stuff, loosening your boots and having a beer. Probably the best beers you'll ever have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 I dunno - Sometimes it'll feel really cold. -13C on a crisp clear day with no wind is probably ok, but the same temperature in a windy cold wet blizzard is going to feel horrible if you don't have right equipment. I wouldn't underestimate the cold because it could really ruin your holiday. Take layers - that way you can easily strip down if you're too warm. Hoodies under jackets aren't the best idea in the world - they're not particularly warm for the "bulk" they are, and once they get wet, they stay wet (and cold). A couple of thin thermal layers would be as warm, and much easier to move about. Decent gloves is a very good idea. Which reminds me - I need to buy some before I go away in March. Anyone got any suggestions? ~£50, warm and stylin' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-Finger-er Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 I'm just remembering the feeling of being out all day, then turning up at a bar in your snowboard stuff, loosening your boots and having a beer. Probably the best beers you'll ever have. Can you please shut up about how good skiing/snowboarding is, You know this, I know this, by monday bongo will know this, but if you keep repeating it, im going to end up crying over the fact its looking less likely like im going to go again this season, even though I can afford it. however other good ski holiday beers include: the beers you drink on the first night anticipating the first day. that lunchtime beer when your sat in the sun. the beer you have when you knock yourself out by pole planting a tree stump at high speed and having the pole bounce back and hit you in the face, where you ski down at like 5mph for the rest of the run, go in, have a pint, get another chair up, stick some snow on ur fat lip, and then go and find an even steeper slope. and my personal favourite, the beer you have when you meet back up with your mate after stumbling back to the room at 8am, where you high five, smell each others fingers, and crack open a morning budweiser. Grrr... any idiots want to come back to canada with me? Last note bongo, suncream, if its sunny you will need it, i know i went proper late on last season, but after spending 3 hours one afternoon with the corners of my forehead exposed after removing my hat, i was red raw. and they charge mega bucks for it on the slope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haydon_peter Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 I am in the same position as Bongo. Should be going first week in March to the Alps last minute, destination 'wherever there is snow and cheap last minute deals' I have Long Johns, Merino base layers, a Smelly Helly polly prop base layer and a fleece mid layer so I am sorted for layers! Tacky Max in Salisbury have limited stock and the stock they have is all massive sizes! I think a trip to snow and rock is required soon (Its a shame I cant find anything cheap in TK Max, I have been checking frequently for the last couple of months ) What lenses do people recommend in goggles? What colour/grade lens is good for varying conditions? Does it really matter that much? I will probably just buy a lens for my Oakley O-Frame MX Goggles if I can find one cheap... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-Finger-er Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 What lenses do people recommend in goggles? What colour/grade lens is good for varying conditions? Does it really matter that much? I will probably just buy a lens for my Oakley O-Frame MX Goggles if I can find one cheap... after 3 seasons of using your regular translucent orange lensed goggles, (of varying quality) i finally took the jump into buying some iridium ones, I ended up getting these: goggles not only cos I thought they looked damn cool, but because they where cheap (theres auctions on ebay for them starting at like £13 or summit, within a few goes youll end up winning one with a starting bid) and Im thoroughly impressed with them, they didnt fog anywhere near as bad as my mates goggles (salice and trespass,both around £30) and where way clearer to see through, good make out shapes and snow undulations way better than normal, and where fine even in dull white outs. Id take your mx goggles with you with the clear lens, incase you end up doing night skiing, or torchlight decent etc(if its offered). But I wouldnt use them unless necessary (as skiing with them is better than skiing without goggles on a windy night, but mx goggles dont have the ventilation required for snow sports really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomturd Posted February 6, 2010 Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 Decent gloves is a very good idea. Which reminds me - I need to buy some before I go away in March. Anyone got any suggestions? ~£50, warm and stylin' I lost my dakine ones one trip, and ended up having to buy some 50 euro zanier ones. Never heard of the brand before, nor did I want to spend that much, but it was the cheapest I could find in the resort. but in the end it was 50 euros well spent! I love em. They're warm and furry on the inside, never wet with sweat. As I said before, they froze solid on the outside this year, but remained dry and warm on the inside. these are them http://www.theski-shop.co.uk/index.php?pag...t&Itemid=38 edit: no idea if they're stylin' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haydon_peter Posted February 9, 2010 Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 I hate being small and living in a City with limited decent outdoor shops! TK Max have NOTHING, the camping shops have stuff but its all really expensive (£200 on a jacket I will use for 1 week then not use until next year isn't really ideal!) Looks like a trip to another TK Maxx is in order, I only have 2 weeks to sort myself out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted February 9, 2010 Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 I lost my dakine ones one trip, and ended up having to buy some 50 euro zanier ones. Wow I assumed zanier was a description not a brand name. I well want some "zanier" gloves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haydon_peter Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Managed to get hold of a Patagonia ski jacket that fits me nicely in the local camping shop for £100! I also got some nice snowboard socks today and should be borrowing some ski pants from a mate. I will be sorting out some gloves and goggles ASAP then I'm good to go. Last minute trip will be booked at some point over the next week to go away on the 27th/28th for a week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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