Any skiers?

[RyanbabZ71]

Ok i am going skiing found an awesome place 2 hrs away in michigan.

 

My question is what do i need to take along?

 

Gearwise.

 

What should i wear?  Jeans?

 

Thanks

 

[chevy4x4trucks]

Jeans??? C'mon, don't you watch TV, you've got to get skintight spandex pants in a girl color and a strange looking jacket to match.  

 

I don't know about wearing jeans, they don't dry too quickly, but I've never been skiing before.

[bassdog]

Ryan,

 

I'm not a skier, but have been before.

 

Gear - the obvious - skis, ski boots, ski poles.

Ski pants: some sort of water repellant type

Ski jacket: same as pants.

gloves or mittens: your preference - keep those hands warm.

winter hat / beanie

sunglasses for sunny days.

 

Dress in layers, if you get too warm you can always take off a shirt or sweater.

 

Bring a water bottle or sport type bottle with you on the trail.

 

Change of dry clothes when you are done for the day.

 

Can't really think of much else, it's been do long since I've been. Hope this helps.

 

bassdog

[RyanbabZ71]

SO HOT PINK SPANDEX AND A YELLOW JACKET?

 

screw that.  

 

Oh man i did forget about the jeans getting wet

 

hmmm

 

scuba steve gear?

[chevy4x4trucks]

that's not a bad idea, go skiing in a wet suit

[RyanbabZ71]

im renting the skis and stuff.

 

alright i have an idea now thanks guys

 

[Torque Junkie]

Ryan,

 

I'm not a skier, but have been before.

 

Gear - the obvious - skis, ski boots, ski poles.

Ski pants: some sort of water repellant type

Ski jacket: same as pants.

gloves or mittens: your preference - keep those hands warm.

winter hat / beanie

sunglasses for sunny days.

 

Dress in layers, if you get too warm you can always take off a shirt or sweater.

 

Bring a water bottle or sport type bottle with you on the trail.

 

Change of dry clothes when you are done for the day.

 

Can't really think of much else, it's been do long since I've been. Hope this helps.

 

bassdog

That pretty much covers it, except one thing.  You'll want goggles if you're gonna be going at any speed faster than the bunny hill to keep the wind out of your eyes.   Especially if you wear contacts!  Mittens also keep your hands warmer than glvoes, but if it's mild out, your hands'll sweat in mittens.

 

Take some liquid in that bottle, but something sugary like Gatorade or Powerade.  Something that'll quench (so not Coke or other pop) you but won't freeze as easily as pure water, and some snack food you can eat on the chair lift so you don't waste 30 mins of your day stopping to eat lunch.  My personal favorite is Jerkey, but I'll often times get a Lunchable and just stop on the side and sit on a rock and eat real fast.

 

And if you havn't gone in a while, take some asprin, becuase the ride home will be VERY sore

 

Have fun!!

[silverado man]

Oh and dont forget a waterproof camera for all the ski bunnies. ;)  

[Jpshostr]

im renting the skis and stuff.

 

alright i have an idea now thanks guys

 

I've been skiing in the mountains of CO many times, awesome, I think everyone should go there at least once.  Anyways, you are being smart renting the boots and skis.  Unless you are almost a pro skier or go weekly or more it makes no sense to buy when you can very cheaply rent and get fairly new, cutting edge stuff.  As for a coat, I've always had a Columbia winter coat, those are about the best for skiing.  As long as it is waterproof you will be fine.  Ski pants are a must have.  You WILL fall (especially at our age where we try to jump and go too fast!) and snow will stick to you and melt.  What a miserable day if your pants are melted on the inside and froze on the outside.  Once I used Carhartt bibs and a coat to go skiing in, worked fairly well, but I had to change for the ride home.  One other must have, sunglasses.  I prefer Blublockers for skiing.  They may look kind of goofy, but they sure help out.  Use googles if you can't bring yourself to wear the blublockers.  Spend the few bucks and buy an anti-fog patch to rub on the glasses, they actually have worked for me.  Oh yeah, bring plenty of money.  Its been my experience that ski resorts rip you off when it comes to food, but about mid-day you will want to eat.  

 

Above all, have fun.  I love skiing.  After skiing in the mountains, these little hills here in the cornfields (Snowstar and Chesnut Mountain the closest resorts) just aren't near as fun, but hey, at least I get to slap on the skis and point down1

[General Lee 01]

Like said before, goggles, Waterproof Pants and Coat.

 

I'd suggest wearing like 2 or 3 shirts under the water proof stuff. Unless you're one of those crazy ppl who think you're more of a man by wearing the least amount of clothes.

 

One other suggestion, a Ski Mask. Or something that will cover up and keep warmth to your maouth and nose, nothing like that "Frozen snot" feeling with 30+mph (Depending on how fast of a skier you are) wind blowing against you.

 

Has anyone ever tried snowboarding?

 

That looks more fun to me than the traditional 2-ski.

[scooter70]

Ryan,

Where are you going in MI?  It's been in the 30s and 40s here (SE MI) lately and I've been looking for somewhere to go the week after Christmas.  I grew up in New England and used to spend the whole week in Vermont.  This is the first Christmas that I'm not going home.       I would like to see what these so-called "mountains" are like here.

 

As for your skiing clothes....  no jeans, depending on the weather you could get away with wind pants with long johns if you don't have ski pants.  Make sure you bring extra socks for afterwards.  That's the best part of skiing....  taking off the boots and putting fresh socks on.  

 

Snowboarding....  tried that, cracked a rib.  Now I'm back to being a 'two planker'.

[siume99]

Ryan, I've been a skiing about 10 times in Iowa and Wisconsin.  Definately not jeans (they don't dry).  Take a couple of pairs of gloves.  If you are learning to ski...you will fall.  Its nearly impossible to get up without putting your hands in the snow.  If its in the 30s, you might be getting into slushy stuff!  Cold hands, cold body, miserable day.  A couple of T-shirts.  I change at noon to get a dry undershirt on.  I use plain sunglasses for day runs, but also have along clear safety glasses for cloudy or night skiing.  A stocking hat, if not for skiing down hill, definately for riding the chairlift back up.  (There ain't no windbreak!    )  Definately money to get something warm to eat (expensive) and to buy a snow bunny a hot coco  :blush:  :love:    )  I'm planning on going to IA or WI in January.  Have fun.

[RyanbabZ71]

Thanks for all your suggestions

 

 

as for the snow bunny that will be my gf

 

Heres what i learned.  

no jeans

hat and gloves (planned on this)

extra cloths (always travel with 2 days worth of cloths)

sunglasses (gotta wear these they are prescription if i dont i cant see )

 

i have plenty of thermal socks and i have some awesome US army long underware.  This stuff is basically water proof.  You never get cold wearing it.  At least i havent when i worked outside in the below zero temps.

 

Should be a fun day.  Probably be going first or second wk of january (3rd or 10th) depends on work schedules

[mikeb]

Ryan check where you rent your skis, sometimes they will rent you the bib overalls for $5 or $10, definately worth it.  A couple of my friends who hadn't skied before came with me and they wore jeans, they were cold and soaked by the end of the day.  Gloves or mittens, I like mittens when it's cold, have a down pair, but you'll probably be falling a lot, lol, and gloves will probably make it easier to put your skis back on.  Check the area  you'll be going to sometimes they have first time beginners ski packages, skis, boots, poles, lift ticket and lessons.  Oh yea, wear a ski hat or at least a baseball hat, wear sunblock, lots, even if it's overcast or you'll get burned from the reflected light from the snow, come back with racoon eyes.

[RyanbabZ71]

you guys dont have faith in me do you?

 

"since you will be falling alot"

 

thanks  

 

I just need to watch out for trees  :0

 

i heard about the sunscreen also.  very good idea