Clothes for snow skiing--advice for a southerner 
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Clothes for snow skiing--advice for a southerner
I have some of THE most wonderful friends in the world! We have family who went to our church here and now live in a suburb of Denver. They have offered us their 4000 sq ft home for the week of Christmas since they will be in TN. They thought it would help our sanity and stress level to get out of Baton Rouge for awhile and enjoy a white Christmas, plus she said that their home needs cookies baking and children laughing over the holidays.
We are pretty sure we are going to take them up on their VERY generous offer. We know cold, because we did live in MO for 6 years. However, we have never been skiing, plus since we have been in LA 4.5 years we have gotten rid of most of our cold weather clothes. We all have jackets, but no coats!
I'm about to start scouting Ebay for stuff. We'll probably only go skiing once (none of us have ever been), but she said there is a great place for sledding across the street, plus I'm sure we'll be playing in the snow a lot. I'm thinking we need ski pants, but what other items for 2 boys and 2 adults. What should I buy now--for cheap--on Ebay to play in the snow? TIA
How wonderful! Good long underwear and thermal socks are a MUST!!! Also good gloves and a hat. If you can pick up insulated ski pants or bibs cheaply, that would be good too. If not, you could scotchguard jeans, that's what we used to do when we were teenagers. Think layers. Long underwear (i like both top and bottoms), turtleneck, sweater, jacket/pants.
Oh gosh. That stuff is expensive.
How many days are you going to be in Denver? 7 days?
You call need wool ski hats and wet proof ski gloves and ski gator. If I am playing in the Snow I need ski socks. We only play in the snow alittle every year. I have 4-5 ski socks for everyone in the family. You need some sort of work boot or snow boot.
If you wear cotton hats or cotton socks or even acrylic they get wet and you must go inside to dry else you will get frost burn. Wool or ski specific clothing is made to get wet and not have you freeze to death.
I used to be able to get away with less stuff. Like a 18 year old kids can get away with no snow pants but for the rest of us...
Basically if you have the wrong clothing you are miserable on the ski slopes.
Really if you look around
You can buy new snow jacket and pants for $30 bucks for kids. Even on ebay I bet they have them... I always buy new ski jacket and ski pants on ebay for around $30 bucks.
$50 bucks for adults. (maybe cheaper)
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&catref=C12&from=R10&satitle=ski+nwt&sacat=11452%26catref%3DC6&bs=Search&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=ZIP%2FPostal&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search
See that is the new stuff nwt. Probably can look
ski new
also.
http://www.bizrate.com/buy/noncat_prod_details__oid--100845651.html
This is $50 for a mens one piece one. I like one piece for me... My middle doesn't get wet but I don't think men like one piece.
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=CATLIST&PRO_SUB_CAT=447&PRO_SSUB_CAT=2283&cid=59707&fp=f
Mens ski jacket for 29 bucks
youth full ski outfit for $60 bucks.
$3.00 shipping.
Usually I have a 10% off coupon or around that for overstock.com in coupon section...
http://www.the-house.com/sntpf-all.html
Womens snow board jacket for 29 bucks.
29 bucks for snow board pants.
Can you wear snow board clothes to ski? don't know... Probably.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?p=WX2&i=66768
Like that ... 39 for mens jacket and 29 for bib.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=2-1/qid=1127045553/ref=sr_2_1/602-6931862-3671821?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B000A8192A
snow bibs for boys at target for 15 bucks.
The way I buy for myself or husband is go to ski outlet store. Usually they are just opened in the winter.
So you can try on the clothes.
Used ski clothes that have been washed and washed will not keep out the wet.
I bought used ski bib at salvation army and I hated them. The water came right in.
ski Goggles have to fit face so I would buy when I get to denver.
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&from=R10&satitle=snow++nwt&sacat=11452%26catref%3DC6&bs=Search&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=ZIP%2FPostal&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=
This is
snow nwt
Hi Pam,
I used to ski every weekend, from the time I was 2!
We used to use the following: (Make sure you get everything that is WATERPROOF...If you go skiing, you will fall and get wet, etc.)
Hat
Goggles (I would not use sunglasses)
Gloves (I personally love the waterproof mittens)
We wore a turtleneck, sweatshirt, and then a jacket.
You can buy waterproof shells with Thinsulate for the pants and just wear sweatpants and long underwear underneath. The kind that zip up on the sides are the best.
Wool socks
Things to bring and some ideas:
1. Aspirin (At high altitude, your blood will want to thicken and this causes headaches.)
2. Chapstick (It's VERY dry in Colorado)
3. Make sure you have humidifiers in every room if you can. Ask them if they have any.
4. When you rent boots/skis, etc, do so AT the ski resort. If something doesn't fit, after you have made a few ski runs, it's easier to exchange the equipment.
5. Get ski lessons in the morning and just have fun the rest of the day!
6. Bring food in a backpack. The lunches there are EXTREMELY expensive. You can "rent" a locker at the ski resort and put it in there.
7. Bring sunscreen...the snow reflects the light.
Recommendations (ski resorts)
1. Winter Park
2. Copper
3. Vail (Vail is my favorite, but it's spendy.)
DON'T go to Breckenridge...it's always SO very cold there!!!
I might be able to get you some Copper tickets for cheap. Let me know how many you want.
I'm sure I'll think of more! Gotta get ready for church! I'm so excited for you!!!
PS- NEVER wear jeans when you ski...not only are they uncomfortable, but when they get wet, they STAY wet!!
Pam, Pam, Pam....you have a beautiful 4000 square foot house at your disposal...and you want to LEAVE it for the SNOW and COLD?!?! Can you tell I've lived in New York my whole life? If it were this Northerner I'd be curled up in front of the fireplace the whole time with a book or chick flick.
All that being said, layering is the way to go, and waterproof MITTENS are best.
Any chance these people can lend you some of their winterwear? They're smart and going somewhere warmer, of course.
All kidding aside it sounds like a lovely offer and I hope it's a very special Christmas for you.
Plus everything has to dry out completely before you put it on for the next day. So you need everything put on radiators or some how dried every night.
I think you need two hats and two gaitor per person.
Plus extra hats and gloves for mild play. Extra everything.
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/Products.aspx?DeptID=0&CatID=030348&Grptyp=SIZ&ItemId=0cf98f5
snow suit for boys - jacket and bibs for 49 dollars at jc penney - plus can return local if you don't like... I think... you can return local. Better check that.
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/Products.aspx?DeptID=0&CatID=030348&Grptyp=SIZ&ItemId=0cf98f5
snow suit for boys - jacket and bibs for 49 dollars at jc penney - plus can return local if you don't like... I think... you can return local. Better check that.
Good idea, Kate. That family might have some things for you to borrow! :-) Gloves, goggles, etc.
Never had a problem with my jeans staying wet once I scotchguarded them.
I agree with Kate, see what you can borrow. I know I loan my ski clothes out all the time. I bet they have the basics at their house.
When I used to go skiing, I wore snow pants and just a turtle neck and fair isle sweater. If it's sunny, it can get pretty warm on a ski hill.
I've never heard of scotchguarding jeans. Cool idea!
Try to get stuff that says Thinsulate, because it's warm and not bulky at all.
Vaseline on your face will help with sun and wind, as well as the dryness. It acts as a protective barrier.
Have lots of fun!!
Okay well we transplanted from texas to ohio for several years. This is what I learned. You want those ski pants, the kids want to sit in the snow and it doesn't take long once you sat to have a very cold bottom if you are not in waterproof stuff. I would let my kids wear their winter jammies (long legs and arms) u nder their snow pants, toss on another long sleeve shirt and then a jacket and go play. You don't water proof gloves also, same reason. Honestly we just loved the snow, we played every day, but only for short periods. We never did take the kiddos sking though. Have fun and enjoy. There is nothing that matches a warm fire place and some hot chocolate and homemade treats to end a perfect snow day.
My kids always wear UnderArmour as their first layer.
Have a wonderful time!!!
Ditto, Kaye, I would just layer under your current jackets and then get ski pants and good waterproof gloves. I buy my boys ski pants at Target. I got then for around $16.00. I found, that if you layer under them, they work just as well as the expensive ski pants. I usually have my dks wear thermal underwear, sweat pants and then their ski pants. If you go to Target's website, you can buy them online. I just looked and they are on the website for 16.99. Also, if you can find a cheap pair of waterproof boots, that would be great. I don't remember if you can get ski hats down in Texas. If not, you should also be able to get those at Target online. I bought my boys scarfs the first winter we were here. They would never keep them on, so last year I didn't waste my money.
It is really nice of your friends to let you use their house. I am sure you will have a fantastic time.
Hey, Pam, if you feel like taking a day trip to the Springs while in Denver, let me know!!! I'd love to meet you.
Don't have any advise on skiing clothes. I've never been.
Okay, another question. I have found ski pants for about $5 on Ebay. If I am layering long underwear and sweatpants under them, so I buy their usual size or a size or two larger to accommodate the layers?
Cat,
Hos far is CS from Denver? (specifically Parker)
What a lovely offer! Those are some special friends you have, Pam!
The best part of sledding is having hot chocolate afterwards!
I have no new advice for you. I think these ladies have helped you out greatly!
I grew up in Parker, and then Boulder...*sniff*
Parker is about 45 min away, depending on where Cat lives and where your friends live in Parker.
Do they have a farm type house? We used to work on a farm out there. I miss the horses dearly!!
Oh, and I would buy just one size larger. SO glad you are getting some pants! What size are you BTW? I have some old pants that don't fit me anymore...I have too much of a belly pooch. I think they're like a size 8/petite.
Heidi's right. It's about 45 minutes to an hour. I have friends that live there and that's where we bought our Expedition a couple years ago. It's not a bad drive, very pretty actually. There are some beautiful houses off Highway 83. Depending on how long you guys can stay in CO, there are tons of things to see in Colorado Springs. Have you ever been out this way?
I would also go up a size. If they're too tight, you won't be able to move.
Heidi, I wear an 8 or 10 (I think I'll go with a 10), but I'm DEFINITELY not petite . I'm 5'9"! I don't think they have a farm house, but I really don't know.
Cat, no I've never been to CO at all. DH has been twice on hiking trips, but the boys and I have never been. Mountains are my favorite places on earth though so I'm quite excited! My BIL was in the Air Force and stationed in Denver. He's still there, in Aurora, I think.
Thanks for all the help!
I think you will be too hot with thick bib ski pants and sweat pants and thermals. My son wears his pants under ski bibs.
I have a full outfit and wear lite pants like leggings under outfit. My husband uses the thinsulite and wears just wool long johns because he get hot.
Those bibs are warm.
OOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I am SO envious!!!! I want to take a *winter* vacation sooooo badly! No help with suggestions, but I wanted to say how lucky I think you are!!!!!
Oh, ok! I posted that and then I thought, "How rude of me!" I'm italian...I don't even think before I write! Sorry about asking for your size. I just wanted to help. I think I've seen a pic of you before though and I thought we were around the same size. You are actually smaller than me! I have to wear a 10/12 now. 
You'll have BLAST in Colorado!! It would be easy to see Cat too. She's not too far away from Parker.
I also recommend going to Boulder...they have some wonderful hiking trails!
Oh, and Pam, these shops are SO much fun! Even in the winter!
My Hometown of Boulder
I sometimes get HOT when skiing. Make sure your layers are easily removeable! Skiing is exercise
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