This is the year I’m going to become a good skiier. I want to go skiing at list 5 or 6 times this winter if I can manage it.
I don’t think I want to buy skis, because it’s easier just to rent them. But I’m thinking about getting a ski bib. At least that’s what I have heard it called. This is an overall type thing. I like it because I don’t have to worry about snow going down my pants, etc.
So I go to the ski store, and the woman who works there tells me that, well, ski bibs are kind of out. I’m not sure what to make of this. I think she was on the level, but I’m not sure. She said that the problem with them was that they covered your front, but not the back, so snow could still get down your back.
I don’t know what to think about that. I’ve worn ski bibs probably 5 or 6 times, and they always seemed to work out great.
My advice: Buy the skis. It’s better to get used to the idiosyncrasies of a single pair than to try and get used to them all over every time.
I don’t own a ski bib. I own ski pants, which I never wear I ski in long underwear and jeans. It’s great incentive to keep from falling down.
I had a ski bib when I was a kid. If only because of that, I must admit that I think that an adult in one would look rather silly. Otherwise, I agree that they’re not great with protection down the back.
Ski bibs are pretty out, I would say mostly because when you use the toilet you risk dropping a sleeve in or dropping it on a dirty floor and you can’t take the jacket off to relax during meals and apres ski. Ski pants/jacket work fine and you probably already have a suitable winter jacket. You’ll have a slight chance of snow on your back in a wipeout, though. If you want to spend $ on ski gear, I’d recommend good pants, gloves and goggles.
I have a bib, though I don’t ski much. It went up the back as well as the front, so it was rather protective. Compensated for my ski jacket which is pretty short, only coming down to the waist. If you have a longer jacket, you can probably get away with regular pants.
Do you have your own ski boots? When I started, I was told to buy a good pair of boots for myself and skimp on the skis if I ran out of money. I believe you can rent skis that fit your own boots, that way you don’t use the crappy rental boots.
A few snowboard specific snow-pants incorporate a semi-bib. I have a pair from Black Ice (I think!) that have basically the bib on the back with straps that connect to a regular rise front. They are great for those (rare!) times I go down to keep the snow out of the back of the pants.
If you have snow going down the front of your pants, well, perhaps another sport is inorder?
So it looks like I should get ski pants and ski boots, and maybe a ski jacket.
I already have an Eddie Bauer jacket, and it’s great (it got me through 2 Chicago winters) but I think it’s too long: it goes to mid-thigh. That’s too long for skiing, right?
Can I get the boots and the ski pants on ebay. Or, more precisely, is it wise to get used boots on ebay? Are there particular brands that I should look for? Any I should avoid? Any other advice?
I’m not sure about getting boots on ebay. They are the only thing connecting you to the skis, if they don’t fit well, you can have trouble keeping control, and be pretty uncomfortable for a day of skiing.
I don’t think your jacket is too long, at least I can’t think of a reason you couldn’t wear a long jacket and still ski. I remember seeing a guy cruise down the slopes with a full length fur coat on, so I figure anything is possible.
I agree, I would be hesitant about buying boots on eBay if for no other reason than that everyone’s feet are different and most people like to try on several different pairs, from different manufacturers even, to find one they like.
I suppose if you tried on a particular model at a ski store and liked it and then were able to find the exact same thing in the same size on eBay it might be ok.
Needless to say I agree spending money on
Boots and
Skis is much much more important than spending money on any article of clothing if your goal this year is to become a good skier.
Personally I love my ski bib. Underneath a jacket, you can’t tell it’s not ski pants. If you’re skiing anywhere warm enough to not need a jacket, you’ll be too warm in the bib anyway.
I will give a dissenting opionion about skis… until you’ve tried quite a few you won’t know what you like and what works best with your skill level. Plus, if you have to fly someplace in order to ski, traveling with them is a headache. The way the luggage guys toss them around makes me cringe.
I also disagree that clothing makes no difference… it’s not a fashion show but there’s a huge difference between being warm and dry versus being cold and wet (and risking frostbite depending on how cold it is). One is fun, the other is not. No one would ever accuse me of being a fashion plate on the slopes (teal parka, off-white bib, purple boots and silver skis!) but all my gear is very functional.
I do agree about the boots. Even relatively inexpensive boots will be 100,000,000X more comfortable than rental boots.
I’m having a hard time picturing the jacket you describe. Is is a parka-type waterproof winter coat that covers your rear, or some kind of dress jacket? The former is fine – even desireable – while the latter will end up being bad news.
Kinda hard to say without seeing it on you, but it might be okay (my ski parka comes about 1/3 way down my thighs). The question is really whether the cut allows you to bend at the knee and hip comfortably.
get a snowboard. It’s going to take you a hell of a lot longer to get good at skiing than 4-5 times. The learning curve for snowboarding is alot more rapid, the equipment is cheaper, and more comfortable. I personally think snowboarding is more fun too.
If you’re dead set on skiing (cause in the end, a good skier is more versatile than a good snowboarder), get used skis, used boots, used poles; I got my first pair at REI, used rentals that they sold me for like $20. Go to like Marshalls, Burlington coat factory, thrift stores looking for ski pants or bibs, worry first about functionality, then about esthetics (try to stick to navy blue, black, gray, solid colors if possible) if necessary, spray them with CampDry or some other waterproofing agent. Don’t get the kind that are insulated. Get the shell, then wear whatever underwear you need to adjust for the weather. You want something with a full side zipper, or some means of ventilation. Armpit zippers on your jacket are also a really good thing.
If you like bibs, get some, don’t worry about the looks of things, cause no matter how fashionably you are dressed, you look like a dork when you’ve got a yard sale of gear strewn about the mountain after wrecking.
Spend money on lessons.
For the love of god, do not buy boots on eBay!!! There’s not a single more important piece of ski equipment than boots. If you’re serious about getting good, find a reputable ski shop and get some boots. Make sure they check the shell fit (ideally 2 fingers behind your heel with no liner in the boot). Also, a good bootfitter can work on the shell and move buckles to make sure they fit. Also, look into some sort of footbed, custom if you can swing it.
By the way, these are my ski pants. They’re bibs and they rock! Good luck!
