This morning I raided the ski kit bags. With a blizzard blowing outside and two dogs to walk I could no longer pretend that anything other than full-on ski kit was going to do the job. So I donned my wonderful stretchy ski pants (with gaiters), snow boots, fleece, ski hat, ski gloves and took the dogs out (who proceeded to behave appallingly in the snow, making me chase after them to get them back) and came back inside toasty warm and dry as opposed to damp and bad tempered.
So. I thought for those who aren't as keen on skiing as my mad family is (when we can afford it), that I'd track down five of the essentials you need to cope with this weather, whether walking the dogs or travelling to work. I'm leaving out the water-carrying daysack, expensive ski jacket and goggles for obvious reasons, although if it carries on like this you may well need those as well.
Ski pants with gaiters that go down your boots - essential for everyone who skis, these keep you totally warm and dry and the gaiters make sure that snow doesn't make it anywhere that it shouldn't. Of course you can go for salopettes (skiing dungarees) but I look so stupid in those I gave them up years ago. Or an all-in-one, although you might get funny looks when you arrive for work.
Lightweight stretch ski pants look the best and are what I have - they'll be more expensive because of the technical fabric but I've had the ones I'm wearing now for around ten years and I'd never go back to the other kind. If you just want them for the occasional snow shower then you may not want to shell out for these but they're definitely my favourites.
So. I thought for those who aren't as keen on skiing as my mad family is (when we can afford it), that I'd track down five of the essentials you need to cope with this weather, whether walking the dogs or travelling to work. I'm leaving out the water-carrying daysack, expensive ski jacket and goggles for obvious reasons, although if it carries on like this you may well need those as well.
Ski pants with gaiters that go down your boots - essential for everyone who skis, these keep you totally warm and dry and the gaiters make sure that snow doesn't make it anywhere that it shouldn't. Of course you can go for salopettes (skiing dungarees) but I look so stupid in those I gave them up years ago. Or an all-in-one, although you might get funny looks when you arrive for work.
Lightweight stretch ski pants look the best and are what I have - they'll be more expensive because of the technical fabric but I've had the ones I'm wearing now for around ten years and I'd never go back to the other kind. If you just want them for the occasional snow shower then you may not want to shell out for these but they're definitely my favourites.
Snow boots - Absolute necessities for this weather - I cannot believe some of the boots and shoes that I see people walking around in. Uggs won't work in snow, Fitflops won't work in snow and trainers and anything else are a total liability apart from proper walking boots. Just don't blame me if the snow piles in and your socks get soaked. You need a pair of proper snow boots which, I promise you, don't need to cost a fortune and again will last you for years.
Down coat or jacket with a hood - I've already written about these, so you can click here to take a look. If you do want the real thing the links below will take you to the best places to find them. Don't go for the cheapest you can find (unless it's in a sale, of course). Make sure that whatever you buy is insulated and waterproof. Short term pain (cash wise) will definitely get you long term gain here.
Waterproof gloves - proper ski gloves are the best, leather and sheepskin are second best and wool or cashmere make keep your hands warm for a short while but you'll regret them totally in your next snowball fight. You can't drive properly in them either.
Thermal top - again I've written about these and you can read about them here. When it's really cold nothing else does the job better, now matter how many other layers you wear.
Unfortunately for you, most of the ski stores are not on sale because of course this is the ski season. However you can find bargains around. Whatever, if this winter whiteout continues in the UK, you need to invest now. Being cold and wet is not an option, at least, that's what I say.
My favourite ski clothing stores where you can find just about everything:
Down coat or jacket with a hood - I've already written about these, so you can click here to take a look. If you do want the real thing the links below will take you to the best places to find them. Don't go for the cheapest you can find (unless it's in a sale, of course). Make sure that whatever you buy is insulated and waterproof. Short term pain (cash wise) will definitely get you long term gain here.
Waterproof gloves - proper ski gloves are the best, leather and sheepskin are second best and wool or cashmere make keep your hands warm for a short while but you'll regret them totally in your next snowball fight. You can't drive properly in them either.
Thermal top - again I've written about these and you can read about them here. When it's really cold nothing else does the job better, now matter how many other layers you wear.
Unfortunately for you, most of the ski stores are not on sale because of course this is the ski season. However you can find bargains around. Whatever, if this winter whiteout continues in the UK, you need to invest now. Being cold and wet is not an option, at least, that's what I say.
My favourite ski clothing stores where you can find just about everything:
And there are more in the Skiing Section at http://www.thesiteguide.com/
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