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Any tips on kitting out a family of 6 for first ski holiday -- needs to be cheap as chips

15 replies

knakered · 25/09/2007 11:13

Should we hire clothes?...dont want to buy new as not sure if everyone will enjoy...dont think we wil be able to afford to go regularly...and with children growing - wondered if anyone has any tips on how to do this on the cheap??

OP posts:
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seeker · 25/09/2007 11:16

We get our skiing stuff from TMaxx - and the children in particular use their ski jackets as winter coats. Ebay's worth a look - and is good for selling on afterwards - I've actually made a profit on some of my TkMaxx bargains!

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geekgirl · 25/09/2007 11:18

what age/sex? Just put some mauve Gymboree salopettes age 3-4 IIRC into the Oxfam bag...

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LizP · 25/09/2007 11:46

Hiring is much more expensive than buying cheap ski stuff - tchibo, tkmaxx, outlet places, sales, oxfam, or ebay will save you lots more. The one year I tried to hire a suit I was shocked at the price (but it was a very high quality suit I guess - I go for lots of layers and then a cheaper suit.) Or ask around and see if you can borrow stuff.

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janinlondon · 25/09/2007 16:15

Decathlon.

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LIZS · 25/09/2007 20:14

Tchibo have some atm ,got ds some winter boots for £12 and they have snowsuits for under 6's, Lidl , TK Maxx,Ski Warehouse do occasional sales in halls(big once near Victoria Station for example), H and M have some stock in already, Decathlon also good

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Weegle · 25/09/2007 20:24

LAYERS - definitely the way to go. Vest, tshirts, long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, then cheap ski gear and you'll be fine. Goggles are a waste of money unless you really are planning to all ski in a white-out. Socks are worth getting right though!

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LIZS · 25/09/2007 20:32

If you clkck on the website I linked and Roadshows, then the blue down arrow on the box by Worcester, it lists about 20 between now and Christmas up and down the country.

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prettybird · 25/09/2007 20:45

Another vote for TKMaxx. Ds has worn his ski jacket (managed to get a Trespass 3-in-one) for the last 3 years as his winter coat (and summer, in its constituent part) and it now has holes in it, so I think we got our money's worth.

Unfortuantely Trepass no longer seem to do the 3-in-1. It's been such good value, I'd even be prepared to pay full price!

If you don't get stuff that's too bright, then at least the jackets can double up as winter jackets.

TKMaxx does salopettes, thermals and gloves.

Personally, I like silk socks, which I get mail order from Patra.

The rest you can probably already make do from clothes you already have - lots of thin layers. For example, in cold weather, I wear a long sleeved thermal (M&S), a thin wool turtleneck jumper and a long sleeved T-shirt under my ski jacket. I am also very cold blooded, so whatever the weather, I also wear long johns under the salopettes - but you oculd just get awy with tights.

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bettythebuilder · 25/09/2007 21:27

Keep an eye on Aldi- I got dd a lovely ski suit for £12 last year, it's really good quality.

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debinaustria · 26/09/2007 07:32

Have to disagree with weegle and say that goggles are worth it as you don't know what the conditions will be like and if you've paid out for the holiday and ski school you'll be skiing every day regardless of the weather unless it's v extreme. Goggles stop your eyes from running with the cold air as well as keeping the snow off, sunglasses are great if it doesn't snow but my eyes still run in sunglasses and it's annoying.Plus with young children they actually stay on. Sign up for Lidl and Aldi newsletter e-mails, they giveyou a few days warning of their next special offers and they both do goggles

hth

Deb

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weblette · 26/09/2007 11:19

Lots of ski schools insist on goggles for children. Another place to look is H&M. Their ski stuff is lovely and not too expensive either.

Also ask around - I regularly swap clothes/goggles with mates as we tend to ski at different times. Just make sure anything you buy is reasonably neutral, ie avoid pink!

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LIZS · 29/09/2007 11:57

Just come across this site full of baragins too .

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lapsedrunner · 30/09/2007 08:25

Goggles are also great if you want to sledge when it's snowing

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ChippyMinton · 30/09/2007 08:38

Get decent mittens for the children, gloves or mitts for the adults.
Children should wear helmets, you can hire these in resort with the goggles that fit. Adults buy the double layer goggles that don't steam up. You might want to buy them in the resort as different coloured lenses are for different weather/visibility conditions. They will probably be cheaper than here and have a better selection.
A really warm hat.

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LIZS · 30/09/2007 10:27

Recommend the style of mittens Tchibo have (for up to aged 6 iirc) atm - long cuffs which an overlap the jacket cuffs so you don't get exposed wrists on drag lifts and snow shooting up sleeves and/or into the hand part when they fall or make snowballs.

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