It’s incredible to already see the flood of snow sports movie trailers such as Red Bull’s ‘Art of Flight’ or Matchsticks ‘Attack of il Nina’ and if this hasn’t already got you psyched up about this highly anticipated new season then the promise of deep fresh powder like we saw in the southern hemisphere earlier this year should! With each new year comes a fresh look and whether you’re deciding to get into skiing or snowboarding for the first time or you’re a seasoned professional it’s essential to have the right kit, here are a few pointers to help you choose your ski outfit this winter.
Ski/Boarding Jacket
The Ski jacket is the pinnacle piece of apparel for any enthusiast, with hundreds of styles, fits, colours, shapes and sizes it can be at times overwhelming! Here’s a rundown of the essentials to look out for:
Insulation is a must for any ski jacket; keeping you warm while out on the slopes is priority number 2 (next to safety). A good jacket should be well insulated, but be aware, thick padding does not necessarily mean a warmer Jacket. Snow Skirts are a must have for your ski jacket, stopping unwanted powder going up your back or down your salopettes. The majority of jackets on the market are equipped with these along with zip pockets including lift pass pockets internal hidden pockets and now with MP3 holders and earphone slots or speakers.
Bright Colours are this winter’s Mountain must-haves. Neon Greens, Compass Blues, Jem Pinks will be all over the slopes soon, so why not express yourself as loudly as possible. The choice available can be daunting so here are a few recommendations to help you along the way
If you’re a first timer to the slopes or want a good quality jacket but don’t want to part with too much of your hard earned cash, Dare2b have released a fantastic winter range which is priced well, has bright colours and above contains something for all the Family
For the more experienced of you who follow the snow each year and are looking for something a little more hard wearing and of course don’t mind spending a little more, look no further than the 2012 Columbia Sportswear range. They have 70 + years’ experience of making outdoor clothing and boy does that quality shine through! The ‘mountains’ of technology Columbia put into each item is astonishing. These include Omni-Heat, Omni-Shield, Omni-Tech to name but a few. Put simply they have a technology for every occasion.
Of course as with everything nowadays you can pay tremendous amounts of cash for high end jackets! Helly Hansen, whose years of experience in seafaring clothing has helped developed high end winter wear fit somewhere in between with Spyder and Schoffel establishing a name for being the best of the best over the past decades in winter snow wear. If you can afford it, buy it!
Salopettes/Ski Pants
If buying a jacket wasn’t tough enough, choosing some trousers to match and ensuring that they fit correctly, are waterproof, hard wearing and comfy can be an equally daunting challenge.
Buying Ski or Board pants is similar to getting yourself a new pair of jeans...baggy, slim fit and straight are just some of the styles available. The essentials to look out for include elasticated waist, preferably with braces to hold them up or high back waist, zip pockets, insulation, waterproof, breathable and internal gaiters (this stops snow and cold air going up the inside of your trouser leg giving you an nasty chill).
Similar to jackets, salopettes range in price and quality so we advise you to shop around before you commit to buying. Google has introduced ‘Google Shopping’ which compares the price of items against hundreds of retailers and definitely worth checking out.
Safety on the Slopes
Staying safe on the slopes is priority number one, although snow sports are great fun they can be very dangerous from avalanche warnings to snow storms and general injury’s and accidents are all too common. Protect yourself on the mountain at all times! Most resorts have now brought in compulsory helmet rules, so buying a helmet regardless where you will be going it is a sensible piece of kit to pack before you go, these can be rented from most resorts however I recommend buying one which you know fits correctly and is comfortable. If you are out in a group it isn’t uncommon to carry walkie-talkies so if anyone falls behind they are not forgotten, this can also be a good way to contact for help should circumstances change for the worst.
Because accidents do happen you must ensure you have the correct travel insurance, some policies do not cover snow sports so you must check that you are covered for all snow based activities before you go. The government has recently release a website aimed at your safety while abroad, including checklists, information and help on selecting such things as travel insurance, and destination information. For more information visit: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/about-kbyg-campaign/.
Above all else enjoy your time in the Mountains, it is an absolute joy and will keep you young, fighting fit, and fashionable (of course only with the right gear on your back!!!)
Good Luck!
