Any skiers or snowboarders out there?

I'm going out for a few days next month. Not been in about 15 years. Can't remember anything about it.

My main concern is what to take in terms of clothing - do I really need snowboarding jackets and trousers, snow boots etc etc?

I was thinking that my cheap goretex paclite waterproof cycling trousers and nike paclite jacket would suffice. Woefully unsuitable?

yeah I went a couple of weeks ago all I took was goretex shells and layered up

just remember your base layers ;)

rent your boots out there

I've been snowboarding most years for about 25 years and you don't really need a huge amount of stuff. All depends where you're skiing and how close shelter is etc. If you're on a slope that's walking distance to a bar then you need very little. If you're off in back-country then you'll need a load of stuff to keep you warm etc in an emergency.

Mostly I just ride in snowboard trousers and a hoodie with gloves; it does help having something that's waterproof as you do end up sitting down a load on a board. Not so much skiing though.

I've never owned a pair of specific snow boots in my life either as I'm either wearing regular shoes (with some grip) or board/ski boots. In fact most times I'm away I'm either in board boots or nice shoes for a night out. Walking boots or something are perfect but trainers are fine too really.

I'd get a fleece and some warm trousers to go with what you have or get a cheap pair of ski pants. You can pick them up for next to nothing. You can wear a hoodie and your waterproof top and should be ok although sweating and cold is sometimes an issue as your clothes can freeze. Like I say, depends how close you are to the bar really.

It's like cycling really; you can do it in anything but you're more comfortable, especially in grim weather, if you have decent stuff. I've had great days boarding in skinny jeans and a t-shirt and grim days wearing loads of clothes. Gloves are, pretty obviously, really important though and I'd get some decent ones that are waterproof. Cold, wet gloves are pretty horrible.

Depends also on your budget and the poshness of the resort, but buying stuff out there might be an option too...

Not sure if that's any help or just ramblings. :-)

https://www.lfgss.com/thread57344.html

Oh, it's definitely worth taking a Hoxton Bonnet too. ;-)

decathlon are good for cheap gloves/goggles also cheap snowboard pants.

I was out riding in Tignes a week and a half ago and some of the advice above would have seen you screwed. Skinny jeans and hoodies? Laughable. It was between -10 and -20 in resort, with added wind chill out on the hill and it was even colder up top. I was wearing:
base layer x 2 (ls and ss tops)
fleece
mid layer
t shirt or shirt on top
ski jacket

I was riding hard so was getting warm on the way down, but I'd say even with all that, I was never exactly (toasty) warm. Couple of nights I had a thick padded down gilet on top of a padded jacket as well.

It's warmed up though and this week I see it's -7 at its coldest with it warming right up to -1 later in the week.

I agree you don't need totally technical gear to cope all the time, but be sensible about it. I wouldn't go near a hill without proper technical gear, and if it gets warm I'll take a layer off. Might get the hoody out if it's a warm spring day, but hardly going to shred powder in a pair of skinny jeans...

Can you borrow some gear from mates? Or get onto ebay? Baselayers would be a good idea and you can pick them up for cheap. So, yeah, you do need a specific pair of 'snowboard/ski pants' and at the very least a winter jacket, preferably also a ski/board one. Gloves are another essential, but that aside your other layers don't need to be ski-specific.

Don't worry about snow boots, just wear trainers, and if you're really worried, spray them with waterproofing.

Sounds like I might be okay... I've got some merino longjohns and some merino baselayers and thicker tops. I've got some sealskin waterproof gloves and socks. I reckon I'll try and make do.

some of the advice above would have seen you screwed. Skinny jeans and hoodies? Laughable.

That wasn't advice, that was me saying I've had nice days in jeans and horrible days in lots of warm clothing—not that they should wear skinny jeans and a hoodie.

There's not really any need to get all arsey about it though.

yeah I went a couple of weeks ago all I took was goretex shells and layered up

just remember your base layers ;)

rent your boots out there

The cool kids seem to rip about in just a t-shirt.

Currently in Munich, looking to go tomorrow or Thursday. This will be my third time on a board. Hopefully I won't fall over so much this time. Going for a week soon for my girlfriends birthday (she is really good), so just trying to stay upright at the moment.

Where's mergatron when you need him?

you can get cheap base layers from decathlon £6 each I think I paid for top and leggings (wash them in a sink at night, dry on the wood burner ;) )

when I was out there it got to -22 and I was ok, never too warm but just right:

--top--
base layer
tshirt
fleece
goretex shell

--bottom--
base layer
thermal socks (long - just above the knee)
cheap decathlon snowboard pants (£25)

I would recommend getting a beanie and snood/face tube thing, wind burn can get a bit much on the cheeks, ears if the temp is really low

The cool kids seem to rip about in just a t-shirt.

they dont fall over as much as me ;)

Well apparently its 20° out there and all the snow's melting... looks like we'll be drinking instead.

Well apparently its 20° out there and all the snow's melting... looks like we'll be drinking instead.

Take it you're not going to the alps?

Just got another message from a friend out there

"Skiing amazing at the moment..."

Take it you're not going to the alps?

Just got another message from a friend out there

"Skiing amazing at the moment..."

Hmmm. South Tyrol. For a wedding primarily, but hoped to squeeze in some bad alpine athletics. maybe we've been misinformed.

tyrol valley is amazing, hit up kitzbuhel if you can, gorgeous resort, good boarding hotspot as well.....