Learning to Ski

[Brundlefly]

A few weeks from now, I'm going to do something I've wanted to do for a long time - I'm going to learn how to ski.. Or at least I will learn how to fall down and crash into things after skiing for 10 seconds at a time, if its an experience in any way similar to my attempt at learning how to windsurf.. Anyway, I have a question for those of you who are ski experts: What sort of clothes do I need for the slopes? I am going to sign up for lessons which will include instruction, equipment, and lift tickets, so I think all I will need is to learn how to dress properly. Someone told me not to wear cotton at all.. So, what is the best clothing material and what are the essential clothing items to bring.. And if you know of a cheap place online to purchase these items, that info would help a great deal.. Thanks..

[SlowwHand]

http://www.ifyouski.com/gear/clothing/technical/

http://www.skishoppingguide.com/

[atawa]

Just buy a cheap ski-overall and wear anything loose underneath and you'll be fine.

If possible I would recommend taking some what we call "ski-exercise" classes before you go, these are specialy aimed at working the muscles you're going to use while skiing. Drinking a pint of lager also helps to minimise risks injuring yourself on the slopes

[Jon Miller]

I have worn just normal clothes... it makes you wet.

For both skiing and snowboarding, I find it works certain lower leg muscles much more than I do in every day life.

JM

[Arrian]

I'm not an expert skiier, but I'm decent enough and I've been skiing for many years.

You want:

A hat, preferably one that covers your ears. Or perhaps a helmet. I admit I never did go in for those. They say they're safe and stuff

A neckwarmer or scarf.
Gloves.
Jacket/Parka
Pants
Warm socks - preferably fairly thin ones
Goggles are a maybe, IMO. I survived for years w/o them, but I have a pair now.

The gloves, jacket & pants should be made of water resistant material. You are going to fall down. Snow is cold and wet.

You can also buy some of those hand/foot warmer packets that will heat your feet and hands for a few hours. Depending on when & where you are going skiing, those can be useful. They're not expensive, especially if you do not buy them at the mountain (where everything is overpriced).

-Arrian

[Arrian]

If you have a winter jacket, you may be all set there. Ditto on the hat. The "specialty" stuff you need is basically the gloves, the pants and/or helmet & goggles.

-Arrian

[Brundlefly]

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far.. Wool, polyester, nylon - does the material make a big difference? Also it was a good suggestion about doing some ski-exercise class.. I dont know if I can find a specific class like that, but can someone tell me how they would prepare at the gym in the weeks prior to a ski trip? Maybe focus on lower body exercises and cardio? Another question: On the morning of the day that you hit the slopes, do you do a lot of stretching?

[Jon Miller]

Yeah, gloves and goggles are important.

I bought those, the second time I went out.

JM

[Arrian]

I don't recall off-hand what materials my various pieces of ski clothing are made from. The jacket, pants and gloves sure aren't wool (as wool gets wet, see, and that's no good). The hat is prolly a mixture of stuff, perhaps including wool.

I dunno about pre-skiing excercising... I just accept the pain, personally. You could do squats and such to work your legs to prepare, I guess. Stretching before you hit the slopes is probably a good idea. Stretching is generally a good idea before you do anything physical.

Random tip: I generally bring a mixture of items that I can wear under my jacket. It depends on the temp/wind. If it's warm (ish ) and fairly calm, I'll just have a t-shirt under my jacket. If it's cold/windy, I might have a fleece under there. In-between... a flannel. You get the idea.

My ski jacket (and many others) has zippers in various spots that allow ventilation if I get too hot. That's come in handy more than once.

-Arrian

[Kontiki]

Originally posted by Brundlefly
Thanks to everyone who has responded so far.. Wool, polyester, nylon - does the material make a big difference? Also it was a good suggestion about doing some ski-exercise class.. I dont know if I can find a specific class like that, but can someone tell me how they would prepare at the gym in the weeks prior to a ski trip? Maybe focus on lower body exercises and cardio? Another question: On the morning of the day that you hit the slopes, do you do a lot of stretching?

Gortex is ideal in terms of a jacket and/or gloves. What material you wear underneath is a little less important, and I'd say should be dictated by how cold it's going to be wherever you decide to ski. I'm used to west coast skiing myself, so you could dress almost normally under your jacket and pants and be fine, but I almost froze my ass off the first time I went to Mt. Tremblent in Quebec. I don't see a problem with cotton myself - I think you'd want something that breathes.

As for the muscles, the biggest thing you'll notice after you go out your first time are the smaller muscles that get used in lateral movements. You don't tend to use them much normally, even in most sports. Your glutes and quads will also get a good workout, as will your core from throwing your weight from side to side.

[Arrian]

Yeah, Gortex.

As for the muscles, the biggest thing you'll notice after you go out your first time are the smaller muscles that get used in lateral movements. You don't tend to use them much normally, even in most sports. Your glutes and quads will also get a good workout, as will your core from throwing your weight from side to side.

And/or picking yourself up off the ground whilst wearing skis

-Arrian

[Brundlefly]

OK, I will look for some Gortex on ebay..

Yes, I will be picking myself off the ground quite a lot I imagine.. I was going to buy a 3-day lesson package because it is cheaper than 3 single-day lessons, however, I think I will go with the single-day lessons and see how I feel about the whole thing after the first day.. These are downhill lessons, however I might find that instead cross-country is more of my thing..

I am going to Heavenly at Lake Tahoe.. Anyone ever been there?

[SlowwHand]

Lake Tahoe is absolutely beautiful. Enjoy.

[Arrian]

I've seen Lake Tahoe, but I have not skiied out there.

Be prepared for some failure, ok?

I have a good friend who tried skiing for the first time as an adult and, despite the fact that he was actually quite good for a beginner, he never liked it because he had unrealistic expectations. The rest of our group, his wife included, had been skiing for years, and thus we were miles better than he was. Despite picking it up very well, the gap irritated him and that was that.

You are going to suck at first. You will see people cruising down the slopes effortlessly and you will wonder how in the **** they're doing it. Believe me, I wonder too sometimes The little kids are the worst, the little bastards. It's easier if you're a kid. Much less distance between you and the snow

Don't let it get you down.

-Arrian

[Dinner]

The gear you busy depends on where you go and what the conditions are like. In Southern California it isn't that cold so a good gortex jacket, some $20 ski pants, and a cheap pair of gloves will work. In colder places the gear has to be better.

Just go to an outdoor store and you'll find what you need. Since you're beginning to ski rent a pair of parabolic skis and pay for an introductory lesson or two.