I'm looking for a little help from some fellow outdoor board Ag's. My wife and I have decided to go on a 5 day ski trip in early Decemeber. She has been skiing before and has all the proper clothes - pants, jacket, etc. This will be my first time to ski and I have no clothes that will work. All of my hunting gear is either not water proof or Gortex that is too thin to keep me warm. While we can afford the cost of transportation, lift tickets, rentals, and food - it would really be pushing it for me to purchase a new jacket and pants. Are there any Aggies here that could help me out and let me borrow for the trip? I know this is a reach, but if there is anyone I could ask - its you guys.

To help out - I'm 6'1, 175. My blue jeans are 31/31 and most of my jackets are medium or large. Not sure how that will translate to ski clothes. I live in Houston, come to College Station on a regular basis, and would be willing to drive a resonable distance. Compensation in the form of beer and backstrap can be discussed!

This is pretty adventerous, but you can hit the second hand stores once you get up there.

I did this when I went to Canada to ski. I got completely outfitted, plus extra for a fraction of the cost of buying new. You may even try locally, but I doubt there will be as much of a selection as wherever you are going.

I have also gone skiing in wind pants before, its fine as long as you spend more time on your skis than on the snow.

I've heard of people scotch-guarding their blue jeans before as well, and wearing thermals underneath...

AgPam - Thanks for the tip. I may try to google search thrift stores in some of the bigger cities that we will be driving through on our trek North. I just need to make sure its my turn to drive when its time to detour off the path! Not sure I could convince any others in the car to spend some time in a Colorado thrift store, but I'll try anything.

Any chance of finding some used ski clothes here in Texas? I can't think of anyplace that would sell them. I've started to look at LandsEnd and L.L. Bean as options. They are priced better than Sun and Ski and REI. Any other ideas from those of you that have purchased ski clothes before? Thanks for the help.

Don't they have rental shops at the slopes that rent everything you need?

A great place to buy gear online is SierraTradingPost.com

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/

You can get a decent pair of insulated Columbia ski pants for roughly $49.99
*Sportswear Free Agent

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/d/4276_Mens-Ski-Pants-and-Bibs-and-Suits.html

Then you can get gloves for under $20. My advice. Buy two pair and keep the second set in a fanny pack or in your jacket. As someone new to skiing you're going to be down quite a bit and wet gloves SUCKS!

As for the jacket:

White Sierra jacekts for $79.99
Gotcha 3 and 1 jackets for $59.95 or X-Games EMB Jackets for $49.95
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/d/328_Mens-Ski-Jackets-and-Vests.html?page=4

You can also scotch guard jeans, but it never really works. It'll be OK for someone who has been skiing before (and falls less), but for someone learning I'd hate to see you wet, cold, and miserable after the first day. Thing about ski gear it gets so little use it'll last forever! If you do go this route at least get gaiters to keep the snow out of your boots.

Hope this helps

when you get to the ski town, go to walmart, you can get some gear that will be sufficient. please do not wear jeans while skiing, you will look like a tard. thanks

Buy yourself a pair of waterproof camo pants. You can use them for your brief stint on the slopes and back here in God's Country during hunting season.

I have a pair of Columbia elastic waist, Shadow Grass, waterproof, insulated "over" pants (i.e. they're roomy enough to fit over jeans or another pair of insulated pants) hanging in my closet that performed flawlessly during a ski trip to Frasier, CO last spring break.

As far as a jacket goes, I wouldn't think you'd need a waterproof one unless you plan on wiping out alot.

And then there is always Craigslist...

http://houston.craigslist.org/clo/470674533.html

Please

Please

Please

Please

Don't wear cammo on the slopes.....(please), wear jeans before you wear cammo!

Go the EASY, CHEAP route...academy will be selling generic black ski bibs for like $15-$25...and they are decent enough. They will keep you warm and dry.

They will also be selling CHEAP shells and jackets for not much more. I personally always go with a shell (The outer, waterproof part of the jacket, with little or no insulation), and then if it gets cold, I layer underneath it with fleeces and undershirts and stuff. That way, if you show up to the slopes, and the daytime temps get up into the 40s and 50s', you can shuck a layer or two and stow it in a light backpack or in a locker or your car, and not get roasted alive out there.

I've never been too cold when I was skiing, but I've been too hot several times. Getting sweaty can get a little miserable, so try to avoid lots of cotton undergarments. Spend the extra for wool or synthetics.

Two years ago, at wolf creek, it was in the mid 50s for 2 days I was there. I was skiing in my shell and a T-shirt and my bib, and all the vent flaps on my shell were open. I wasn't even wearing gloves or a hat, it was so pleasant. Of course, I had to put it all back on once the sun went behind the mountains, and the temps dropped about 30 degrees..

I see people skiing in jeans every time I go somewhere, but they are cotton, and will soak up water and make you miserable. Get a cheap bib...

Academy or Burlington Coat Factory has good deals on ski clothes.

Here's what I recommend:

1) Ski bib overalls with adjustable straps. You don't want these too loose. Get them to where they fit properly, but allow yourself room for movement.

2) Ski parka. Get a longer parka with cinch straps at the waist. You don't want snow coming in under your jacket when you wipe out. Also, if it has an inner liner and layers, it will be better, but they cost more. They're not mandatory.

3) Gauntlet gloves. Get the gloves that cover your lower arm and cinch at the wrist. Again, you don't want snow coming in your gloves. Wet hands freeze.

4) Padded socks. Go to a ski shop and get socks with padded shins. You will thank me later.

When you rent equipment get the best boots you can get, even if you have to spend more. Again, you will thank me later. For a beginner, you don't need the tricked-out skis. The cheap ones will do fine. If they come with the upgrade combo with the boots, fine, but the skis alone aren't going to do much for you.


Also, unless your wife is a good instructor, take a class the first morning. Let her go off and tear it up on her own while you're in the class. She'll thank you for that time to cut the slopes up, and you'll get the basics down.

Lastly, DON'T GIVE UP!!! Learning to ski as an adult can be dam hard, so stick with it. You'll have bruises in places you never thought you had the first couple days, but once you feel your first sideways slide and "get it" it's like riding a bike. You'll never forget how to do it.

SNOWPLOW, SNOWPLOW, SNOWPLOW!!!!

Have fun!

[This message has been edited by tx4guns (edited 11/14/2007 9:06a).]

Not a bad idea Mouth. I might run by Academy today to check out the bibs and shells. I have plenty of clothes I can layer with - just not any proper waterproof outer wear.

If this is your first time skiing you will want to get some bibs. The worst feeling in the world is getting snow down in the place where the sun doesn't shine...

I think I got a new pair last year for like $30 and they worked great from Academy.

Academy has black, insulated, waterproof ski bibs for sale for $24.95.

quote:

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SNOWPLOW, SNOWPLOW, SNOWPLOW!!!!

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It has been my experience that the SNOWPLOW muscles in ones legs are a limited, and they will no longer work in the afternoon. The mind says SNOWPLOW, and the legs try, but can’t.

Looks like I'm headed to Academy for snow bibs. $24 is in my price range! What else will I need?? Will keep my eyes open for a jacket/shell/gloves/etc.

Don't wear multiple pairs of socks either. All that does is make your feet sweat and your feet then become extremely cold. Not good times. Spend the extra dollars on a good pair of ski socks that will help keep moisture (sweat) to a minimum inside your boots. Nothing can ruin a day on the slopes like frozen toes. Same can be said for hand warmers inside gloves...your hands then sweat and get very cold. Better to be dry than to be "warm" on the slopes. And have fun. Remember to stop and enjoy the views with a cold beer at a powderhouse on the mountain.

Advice:

Don't eat yellow snow.

LOL

quote:

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It has been my experience that the SNOWPLOW muscles in ones legs are a limited, and they will no longer work in the afternoon. The mind says SNOWPLOW, and the legs try, but can’t.

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My wife is petite, and had this problem. I went and skiied while she took the class. She was worn out with sore knees from snowplowing all day, and it made her kind of miserable skiing the next 3 days. I skiid hard all 4 days as much as possible, and did pretty well. The problem is making that leap to the step christie and the christie, so you can parallel smoothly down the hill with little effort. Wy wife was so tired, I couldn't get her to try it to the point she was comfortable doing it...and really, you DO fall a lot in the learning process when you are older. Without practice, she never picked it up well.

I think she's going to try snowboarding next time, which should be fun, because I'd have to learn that, too. We could get matching casts!

Who gives a crap if I or anyone wears camo on the slopes? Afterall, it's not gotdam fashion show, right?. Give me sensible functionality over couthness anyday. Besides, it allows you to easily ID fellow friendly folks--Texans.

[This message has been edited by SanAntoneAg (edited 11/14/2007 11:53a).]

I'd wear winter camo, if it was waterproof, and not think a thing of it. Cept it might be interesting if you crash off a run in the middle of nowhere, bust an ankle, and the ski patrol can't spot ya.

Who wants to look like everyone else, really?

I got everything for skiing for acadmey for under $100, including 12.99 snow boots

I didn't read through everything, but I can't stress enough the importance of eyewear. Get some tinted goggles or sunshades and something to keep them tied to your face. They'll protect your eyes from the blistering sun and wind while keeping slush and spray out.

Also, don't forget sunblock. You're quite a bit closer to the ol' sun up there and the rays reflect magnificently off of the snow.

[This message has been edited by AggieBonz02 (edited 11/14/2007 12:40p).]

quote:

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Who gives a crap if I or anyone wears camo on the slopes? Afterall, it's not gotdam fashion show, right?. Give me sensible functionality over couthness anyday. Besides, it allows you to easily ID fellow friendly folks--Texans.

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It's not a matter of fashion, but most cammo jackets/pants are distinctly different that those designed specifically for skiing. The pants...maybe (but again, bibs will serve you better when you're learning), but the jackets tend to be much bulkier (designed for stationary activities vs. aerobic activities) and do have have snow skirts, vents, etc

So in fact they are less practical than a jacket speficially designed for skiing. And with the prices given, they're not going to break your wallet.

I have a cheap, waterproof shell that I layer with thermals and fleece. I've got a small fanny-pack that I usually wind up stuffing the shell into as the day heats up.

Good luck!

people wearing jeans to ski makes me lol

plus - if this is your first time to ski you are going to be on your ass A LOT and will probably want something very waterproof.

[This message has been edited by TKEAg04 (edited 11/14/2007 12:41p).]

You can rent ski clothes with your other rentals.

Get some cheap sunglasses, and get a strap to hold them on.

You can also try to find cheap ski goggles. You will need some form of eye protection out on the white snow, and if you use glasses, you will likely be falling down enough that they will come off a time or two...hence the strap...

When I was in HS in Midland and we'd take off to ski Ruidoso, my skiing uniform was a pair of jeans, and can of scotch guard and some gaters.

Try sierrasnowboard.com They usually have some pretty good deals on apparrel. Also the-house.com does too. Wear your camo. I've worn camo Gore-tex and it works great. Who cares what you look like if you're blowing right past everyone.

shoot me a pm, I have an old pair of north face ski pants that will fit you. Are you in houston?

If you are a new skier I would not recommend jeans.

Tormentos - I am in Houston.

No bueno on the PM - not a paying member. Can you shoot me an e-mail? wload07 at yahoo

Thanks for the help.

I second the Burlington Coat Factory as a place to get good stuff cheap.

Lost,
Some of the best deals on ski clothes is at the Bluebird resale shop. I can't remember the address in Houston, but the River Oaks type wear their ski clothes one year then turn em in to the resale shop. Great deals. I've bought a lot of stuff off ebay too. Get good eyewear or you'll have sun damage and a good stocking cap helps.

On a funny note, one of the guys at my fire station claims he wore his bunker gear while skiing. I guess if it keeps heat out, it would keep cold out too.

"All or none!"

I would second sierra trading post. They always have great deals. Also, like others have said, sunglasses are crucial! Glare off the snow is awful. This thread makes me want to go to Colorado.