hi presto 2

We went skiing this year to Austria and going again next year, footwear for cross country skiing etc should be provided in the package you have booked, check with the company you booked with, we did walking (not far though) and i bought us moon boots and water proof boots. Moon boots are easy to find this year their in fashion even next sell them!
But make sure they are waterproof and warm enough. the best thing you can buy is good socks, i paid alot for socks of millets £3.50 for one pair last year but the best ones i found were from Aldi £2.99 for 2 pairs.
We all we need this year is new socks i will be waiting for Aldi to stock them uusually christmas time, any other questions just ask
Ali

Hi Ali

Thanks for that. We were lucky with most of the gear - we managed to 'raid' a Tog24 shop in Windermere - they were right at the end of their sale and we got loads fo good stuff for about a third or 75% off !

The only thing we're stuck on is footwear - have been looking at moon boots, but am unsure about ski boots. (Then again if we get some hubby will HAVE to go back whatever !!!!!!!!). Have seen some moon boots that tell you the temperatures they'll suit ---- I may need that as I feel the cold really easily!

You say you were in Austria, where abouts? We're in St Wolfgang - have never been to Austria before and felt a little 'uneasy' about where we'd chosen to go. We looked at resorts where the mountain scenery seemed more dramatic but they were mainly best for good skiers. We've gone for a resort where we think it'll suits anyone who wants to do more than ski.

Do you think we'll be ok getting to the ski slopes via the bus but not skiing when we're there - just taking in the views etc??? Can't wait to see the scenery ........ don't want to get there amd not have much chance to get up into the mountains!

Sorry if this rambles ...... now we're back from Lake Garda we're getting excited about going off again!!!!!

Hi Presto2, good X country ski boots are expensive and definitely not worth buying for your first taster trip - the hire of them will almost certainly be included in the hire package with the skis and poles. I would, however, be wary of buying 'moon boots' from anything other than a specialist supplier - boots from an ordinary shoe or fashion shop are unlikely to be either waterproof or rugged enough. I would suggest that you buy a good all-purpose walking boot from a specialist supplier. They needn't be expensive - Hawkshead do some excellent ones that will be suitable for your nordic walking etc and will provide your feet with the sort of support you need. Moon boots aren't really suitable for the sort of snow conditions you'll meet on the sort of trails they're likely to take you on. Great for the apres-ski scene but not for actually walking any distance in!

SM

Thanks for that. We've been looking at some pretty good walking boots and moon boots from a specialist web site. They're designed for temps between -25 to -30 and specifically for snow / winter wear. Does this sound about right.

Thanks for the info re the skiing!

Hi Presto2,

As long as you buy from a reputable specialist supplier you probably can't go far wrong. A good one will have a good helpline and so before ordering it's often a good idea to speak to a real person and explain the sort of holiday you're going on. If they are any good they should know their stock and be able to point you in the right direction as to what is most likely to suit your needs. But if it's possible to get to a good shop than it can be worth going and having a good chat with an assistant who can fit you properly for boots so you know what to look for even if you eventually buy on the Net. I don't know where you live so can't recommend a particular shop but Ellis Brigham, Field and Trek and Graeme Tiso are all reputable chains that employ ski and outdoor enthusiasts who usually know what they are talking about.

SM

Thanks for that!

As people who feel quite confident going on over seas 'sun' holidays we feel totally 'lost' with this one! We have friends who are mad skiers so we will pick their brains as well!

We're in Stoke on Trent - don't know if this is anywhere near you - don't recognise the names you mention, but that may be because we haven't had any cause to look before! We're between Manchester, Birmingham and Chester so there MUST be something somewhere local to us!

Thanks again

Hi Presto2,

Ellis Brigham have a shop in Manchester as do Blacks, and you should find knowledgeable assistants in both.

SM

hi presto 2

Were going back to Neiderau, its a small village in the Tirol areaof Austria??
I think it should be ok to hop on a ski bus to go walking even if your not skiing cant see that being a problem, the scenery is fantastic, this is one of things you have to see for yourself to believe it, its lovely.

If you fancy the drive up to Chester there is a few ski shops that do ski boots if you need more info on them let me know before traveling up here and i will get telephone numbers etc...
ali

Thanks Ali,

Will shout 'help' if we get stuck!

Thanks for the info re the ski slopes - we've been to Lake Garda, Italy a number of times and adore the scenery. LOVE the snow, so can't wait to see what its like to put the mountain scenery together with the white stuff!

Can't wait ................ and we've only been home a month!

Until earlier this year i lived in Colorado and endured snow for the winter months. Unless the snow is deep and the roads/paths not clear than any normal footwear would suffice for normal things, like shopping, eating etc, in fact I used to wear trainers most of the time. Just be careful about slipping on ice.

For other activities where I knew there would be deeper snow I simply wore the boots I already had, which happened to be a fairly standard set from Caterpillar, not the cheapest but quite good and useful in the UK too.

Thanks for that...

Unfortunately my walking boots died so all I have is my wellies ...... (no comment) Looks like it may be that santa needs to bring me a pair of boots this year .... off to write my note!

Cheers

Hi everyone!!

Can anyone recommend a good internet site to buy ski jackets etc. As it is our first time we don't want to spend a lot on gear incase it never gets used again!

We are not on the UK mainland so can't go to a specialist shop.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

Dawnie, Try http://www.glideslide.co.uk. You might be better hireing in case you don't enjoy skiing.

Blimey that stuff is dear!! The clothes will cost more than the holiday at this rate!!

Where can I hire stuff from?!

Beginning to panic now! Ha Ha.

Yes the stuff is very dear, but in their shop its not that much, I actually meant you could hire from glide@slide.

I am due a new jacket myself this year I will be looking in M+S and Oneil

Hi

We got our gear (minus ski equipment) mainly at Tog 24 in the Spring Sales 2005 (!). Having said that we've been to Tog 24 today at Cheshire Oaks Retail Park near Chester and the stuff is pretty reasonable. Got a good quality pair of padded ski pants for snow boarding at £29 - they were at the end of the end of the sale! I think they should have been about £70 / £80.

There was quite a lot of good quality stuff about at the Retail Park if you look .......if you're close by that is! Tog 24 also have a web site and you can buy it on line.

(Just incase anyone's wondering, we don't work for Tog 24 - a friend who is an experienced skier recommended their stuff for first time skiers like us!)

Hope this helps

(Must admit we saw some stuff in other shops that makes me wonder how they can justify charging £150 for a fleece! It's moments like that when going to Barbados and buying a cheap bikini comes out as a cheaper holiday!)

hi

We were at Cheshire oaks today, drove around in the rain for 10 mins couldn't find parking anywhere so drove back to Chester!!!
This place was busy ended up on the chester retail park buying ski socks from the Donney shop for £1.

Asda bring out cheap ski wear if you are going for the first time and dont want to spend alot, its good enough and cheap enough.

I woudn't hire it is cheap enough to buy and second hand skiwear sells well on E-bay if you dont want to use them again
I bought a lot of our things of E-bay last year some brand new and some second hand.
Ali

Hi Ali,

Must admit, we had to park on the top floor of the multi storey car park!4
It's at the far end of the park .... if you ever attempt another visit!

If anyone has a Tchibo franchsie near to them or wants to look online they are doing womens ski wear this coming week I think and it looks like good stuff - not that I have a clue ha ha!!

Not got an Asda on the island so can't even go there!