Soft goods recommendations for beginners?

[WJenness]

One of my roommates wants to get out and start riding this year.

He doesn't have any snowsport gear, and he was asking me for recommendations that he can put on his Christmas list for his girlfriend / family who ask what to get him.

I've talked to him about the basics of what to wear (layers, no cotton, etc), but lacked advice on specific products...

I don't want to aim too low (cost wise) and recommend products that he's not going to be happy with by ending up cold and wet, but I don't want to recommend high end expedition gear that he doesn't need.

Any suggestions?

-w

 

[deadheadskier]

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with Columbia for outerwear. I've skied in some pretty nasty conditions in my day and have never felt the need for something more expensive. My jacket was $120, pants $70

 

[bvibert]

I haven't used them, but I hear Target has some good synthetic base layers. To get started off and half decent winter jacket should do, assuming that he's not going to be doing much riding in the rain or heavy snow. If he's going to be riding I imagine that he'll want something decently waterproof for pants, for the time he'll spend sitting in the snow fiddling with bindings and whatnot.

Sorry I can't offer any help on brands and such. I just think that lower end gear will be fine to start off, as long as it's fairly warm. If he sticks with it then he can get better gear, which he'll appreciate even more...

 

[drjeff]

Bibs, hands down for a newbie. Don't need to make it any more difficult to get snow down the old butt crack than need be!

Basically anything at a Big Box sporting goods store(Dicks, Sports Authority, Modells), should be a good balance of price vs. performance for a newbie.

 

[Geoff]

Start by seeing if there are bargains at a TJ Maxx. eBay is always a good source for ski and snowboard clothing at a substantial discount.

I think materials and construction matter more than brand. I won't buy anything for my outer layer that's not Gore Tex. Jackets must have armpit zips, a system to cinch down the cuffs, and some kind of powder cuff. I only buy jackets that have a hood that will fit over a helmet but that's a personal preference. All zippers have to be fully waterproof.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

Columbia....best bang for your buck...great gear that lasts...i've had my Columia Ski Pants for well over 10 years and going stong..

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

never understood why you'd want a hood to go over a helmet....your noggin is already covered...am i missing something?

 

[tjf67]

EMS is a great store. Reasonable prices for decent gear. The only problem is there logo is all over the place.

 

[wa-loaf]

I was in Dicks recently and they have a bunch of Columbia and mid-range Northface stuff. You can't really go wrong with either of them.

 

[deadheadskier]

never understood why you'd want a hood to go over a helmet....your noggin is already covered...am i missing something?

wet weather

I know the vents on my helmet don't seal out water completely when shut

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

Ahhhhh,,,,,,got ya...understood.

 

[cbcbd]

never understood why you'd want a hood to go over a helmet....your noggin is already covered...am i missing something?

You lose a lot of heat from convection, especially around the neck/head area. With a hood you get a windproof shelter around your neck and head, plus an extra layer of trapped air.

I love my hood!

I rarely wear it up while skiing but it is great to put on while on the lift, I guarantee you will feel warmer, even if you're already wearing a hat/helmet. Plus, if I wore enough stuff around/on my head to keep warm while on the lift I would sweat a lot while skiing - hood is an easy on/off way of temperature regulation.

 

[Geoff]

never understood why you'd want a hood to go over a helmet....your noggin is already covered...am i missing something?

In addition to wet weather, big powder days, and skiing in the snow guns, it also gives me another thermal control. I can pop the hood up if I start to feel a little chilled riding the lift. It's a useful feature on windy lifts or when you're skiing late in the day as the temperature drops.

 

[Trekchick]

never understood why you'd want a hood to go over a helmet....your noggin is already covered...am i missing something?

In addition to wet weather, big powder days, and skiing in the snow guns, it also gives me another thermal control. I can pop the hood up if I start to feel a little chilled riding the lift. It's a useful feature on windy lifts or when you're skiing late in the day as the temperature drops.

Powder skiing, to avoid the powder down the neck. #1 reason for me.

Add to that what Geoff said, since we live in Michigan and often ski under snow guns, it can help with a certain comfort level there too.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

never understood why you'd want a hood to go over a helmet....your noggin is already covered...am i missing something?

on seriousy windy and stormy days, a hood over the helmet for the lift ride is key...first time I rocked the hood over the helmet was on the blackcomb glacier chair...dumping and a ripping wind coming straight from behind the lift...no hood = frozen neck on that day. nothing like having to hunker down under the hood when its dumping!