Thermal t-shirt or vest
In the olden days
(around 5 years ago) many people simply piled layer upon layer of cotton
T Shirts underneath a ski jacket. The problem with this is that
the fabric of the layers captured the moister that we all produce when
taking part in any physically activity. When you cool down so does
the moisture within the material thus cooling you even more than you
would have normally. So, when choosing, your base layer, ensure
that the material has been specifically designed to transport moisture
away from the body (know as Wicking). If it’s going to be a cold
day (check this with the hotel reception at breakfast) you may want to
wear a Thermal T Shirt. There are many types of thermals but, in
general they should be quite close fitting (but not too tight) so they
trap the air next to your skin forming a warm barrier against the
outside temperature.
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Pants
In addition to the Thermal Shirt you may also want
to consider a set of Thermal Pants (long-Johns),
although if you have a reasonable pair of
Saloppetes (see below)
these are not normally needed.
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Ski Socks
You “will” need a good supply of ski socks (most
experienced skiers pack enough for 1 pair per day).
These are not just normal socks that are thicker,
but are specifically designed for skiing and to keep
your feet warm and dry. Some (good quality)
socks have padded areas to help protect your feet
against any hard knocks. Some (excellent
quality) socks have variable thickness. As an
example the
thickness of the material will be thin under the
arches and thicker over the end of your toes.
These socks are a good investment if you suffer from
cold feet or even if you just want to ensure your
feet are warm.
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Fleece (your second layer)
This is what you wear on top of your base layer.
The reason for a second layer is that it will retain
body heat by creating a (warm) layer of air trapped
within the material creating a barrier between you
and the outside environment. Normally a second
layer is either a fleece jacket or thick pile shirt.
Don’t wear anything too bulky as this will impede
your movements and will not fit comfortably under
your ski jacket.
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Ski suit
Looks Good – Water/Snow proof – Warm - Windproof –
Breathable
You will need a set of ski trousers (salopettes) and
a jacket. You can still obtain (in some old
fashioned shops) in single full suit, but best not
to get one of these - going to the loo is a real
pain, also with a two piece suit you can remove the
jacket if you get too warm, so a two piece suit is
by far the best option. Over the past few
years ski suits have undergone rapid development in
both design and functionality. BUT, if you
have a choice always go for functionality. It
is no good if your ski suit “looks” really good but
you’re cold when on the slopes. There are vast
differences in quality and cost in the range of ski
suits available BUT don’t forget (if this is your 1st
ski holiday) you can always hire a good quality suit
for around 5% of the cost of buying one. Most
ski shops will hire you a suit – don’t forget to try
it on “before” you agree to hire it.
What to look for.
For
a start, don’t believe the words, shower-proof,
rain-resistant, weather-proof, etc, etc (the list
gets bigger as each marketing dept comes up
with another phrase) and all the other phrases
manufactures use to basically say, “This suit is not
waterproof”. Why do they do this, simple –
there is a binding ISO standard that garments must
have before they can call something “water-proof”.
ISO 811 (and BS EN 20811). So make sure it’s
waterproof.
Tex's
Gortex is OK but watch out for LisaTex, RainTex,
SnowTex and any Tex's you can think of. Some
of them work - most don't (especially LisaTex).
If possible get a jacket with a hood and “lots” of
pockets. You will end up carry a vast amount
of “stuff” whilst you are skiing. Lip Balm,
Sun cream, Mobile Phone, Camera, Woolly Hat, Money,
Goggles or Sun Glasses (you will be wearing the
other one), etc, etc so lots of big pockets are a
major bonus.
If possible (when skiing in Europe) try and get a
jacket with a small pocket on the left arm for your
lift pass. Most European resorts now have
automatic barriers on all lifts which are opened by
passing your lift pass over a large sensor (normally
on the left). Being able to simply brush your
left arm across the sensor will mean you don’t need
to continually scramble for your pass at each lift –
and so no chance of forgetting to replace your
“very” expensive lift pass.
Your Salopettes should be
large enough at the base to fit snugly over your ski
boots. Most good quality Salopettes have in-built
gaiters – these will stop snowing going up inside
and then down into your boots. Don’t forget –
big pockets are a good thing.
Breathability.
There are many websites that will give you various
reasons why clothing material is “breathable”.
The physics are quite complicated but the basics are
simple. Your are Warm – The outside world is
colder. This causes a difference in pressure
that pushes warm air through the garment. As
the warm air contains moisture this is also pushed
out. The reason moister can be pushes out
whilst still maintaining the water-proofing is that
water droplets are much bigger than moister
molecules. Water-proof garments are made from
material with close knit fabric where the gaps
between the fibres are small enough to stop the rain
coming in but big enough to allow the moisture out.
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Ski, Boots and Poles
I am not going to say anything here about skis,
boots or poles. I could fill many pages with
the technical requirements for these items and the
differing designs and shapes. Hopefully you will
have got advice and bought the correct gear.
You don't really need to buy any gear as it is
available in all ski resorts for a small charge
(except in France where it's "big" charge) and this
in this case the experts in the hire shop will
ensure you have the correct equipment.
The
only advice I would give is that if you want to buy
some ski equipment then ensure that you take advice
from an expert. Remember the “some” people in
ski shops are experts and “some” don’t really
understand what they are selling?? I really
did over-hear a salesman in a branch of a well known
national chain in the UK, informing someone that the
Din settings printed on the side of the poles were
not really important and that is was something to do
with the printing of the design. Hmmmm –
enough said.
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Helmet
Wearing
a helmet may save your life.
A helmet will vastly reduce head trauma and brain
injury if you hit something (or something hits you).
A
doctor friend of mine who works in a major casualty
department, and so is used to all the scrapes, bumps
and bends that happen to people when they bang into
something, told me that he could fix most things
that go wrong with the human body but once your head
is dented (his words) you have a big problem that
probably can't be sorted. Anyone skiing
without a helmet is just asking for trouble.
It is a legal requirement that all children (14 and
under) skiing in Italy (and some other countries)
wear a helmet all times whilst skiing. There
is an on-the-spot fine for parents of children
caught skiing without a helmet.
If
you have asked us to supply either skis or snowboard
and you are under 15 on the date of arrival in
resort we will provide you with a helmet for free.
If
you buy a helmet. Have a look at the label and
ensure that it confirms to
EN
1077. You must ensure that it fits snugly so
it will not swivel around whilst you are wearing it
and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, when skiing make sure the
neck strap is fastened.
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Ski gloves
It is important that you keep your hands warm (and
dry) whilst on the slopes. Ski gloves are
specially designed for skiing - so don't bring an
old pair of woolly gloves. Try and get a pair
with a fleece or synthetic lining - so you can take
them out to wash/dry them.
Unless you want to
go racing around ski posts (like on Ski Sunday) you
don't need Kevlar knuckle pads. However some
padding on the outside is a good idea but not too
much. You gloves should reach up your arm
slightly - to at least a few inches above the wrists
(this will keep the snow out). Most modern
gloves are adjustable with Velcro straps.
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Ski hat
Not for skiing
(you'll hopefully be wearing a helmet for this) but
you'll need a warm hat for sitting around on the
slopes, cafes, bars and also for the evening - it
can get "very" cold at night in a ski resort.
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Ski goggles and sun glasses
It would be best to take
both a pair of goggles "and" a pair of glasses.
Even when its overcast the extra UV light (due to the
altitude and reflection from the snow) can cause
damage to your eyes.
If you can't afford both then get a set of
goggles
Glasses
Ski sun glasses are not the same as those you may
wear in the summer. The lenses are fitted into
the frames so they will "pop-out" in the event of an
impact. They offer a greater level of protection
from UV than most summer glasses. If you
normally wear corrective glasses you must obtain a
set of sun glasses from your optician.
Goggles
If it's snowing or overcast you can have a situation
known as "flat-light" which is where it is difficult to
make out feature on the slopes. Skiing (at any
speed) requires that you can see where you're going,
so modern goggles have lenses that will cope with
this.
In the event of it snowing whilst you are up on the
slopes, a pair of goggles will stop falling snow
going into your eyes. Try and get some
"anti-fog" lenses. These will be double glazed
and have a venting system - this will normally be a
thin gauze membrane at the top and bottom of the
goggles. The venting system will allow air to
circulate and so reduce misting up. Always
carry a small cloth to wipe the inside of the
goggles if they do get missed up. Goggles are
available that fit over corrective glasses.
Your
glasses and goggles MUST have plastic lenses, NOT
glass.
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Sun Protection (block/cream
and lip balm)
Get a high factor
sun cream (VERY high for children). The skin
damage caused by sunlight is much higher on a ski
slope than it would normally be due to the light
also being reflected upwards from the snow and the
decreased atmospheric protection due to the
altitude. Apply the sun cream to "all" exposed
areas, face, neck, ears, bald batches, etc.
Repeatedly re-apply the cream throughout the day.
If you in any doubt about the factor you should get,
go for total block. Better safe than sorry.
You lips can become dry and cracked very quickly due
to the wind and sun if you don't apply lip balm.
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Flip-flops or
sandals.
These are a good idea - if you have them. When
your come back from skiing you will place your boots
in the boot room and this tends to have a wet floor
- due to everyone's boots carrying in snow. A
pair of sandals are much easier to put on (over your
thick skiing socks) than a pair of trainers.
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