Our family of 5 fters are not frequent skiiers. Heck I have taken lessons in Gatlinburg and could not ski on ice afterwards. I was told it was easier on snow powder than manmade snow (ice). I remember the bibb rental being high so we stopped by Dicks to check on bibbs. They are on sale for $29, which if I remember correctly is cheaper than the rental. Any advice on what we need for the slopes out there? What is better to rent than buy? What should we buy in advance? Where are the best deals on these items? I can take the bibbs back to Dicks if there is a better place to get them. We are not regular skiiers. I have one son that can and does once a year if the opportunity occurs. The other two and the wife ice skate. I don't do either, but trying. Thanks.

$29 sounds dirt cheap for bibs - just make sure they have some actual cold insulating power. No sense buying them if the don't actually do the job.

You will rent:
Skis, boots, poles

You should buy:
Bibs/ski pants
Ski jacket
A "Base layer" - a thermal/spandex top + bottom
Ski socks
Goggles
A hat (if not buying/renting a helmet)
Gloves/mittens
And if you're skiing in the colder months, I strongly recommend something to keep your face warm - a face guard/balaclava/neck warmer/etc.

You may want to buy or rent:
Helmet

This article may help you out: http://www.epicski.com/forum/thread/...-need-some-che...

Wear layers, but nothing cotton. Outer layer and gloves should be wind and waterproof. Socks should be well fitted and only one pair should be worn at a time.

For non diehard skiers, I always recommend going in spring when the weather is better and the days are longer. This being an El Nino year most likely means a long ski season as well as epic snowfall conditions. With the storms this week, it's snowing at a rate of about two feet per 24 hour period here in California, with the rockies getting about a foot a day. Not much fun in those conditions unless you're prepared for it.

Ditto.

I'm NOT an expert skiier by any means (never touched a ski before I moved here last July), but I have been on the slopes a lot lately.

I bought this.....I know, ridiculous, but not a bad price.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=11714633

Do wear a helmet, though.

It is kind of funny how we've progressed. In the 80s it was still possible to ski Winter Park with long johns under...jeans.

And we survived.

You wore long johns?

imo there's a lot of "technical clothing overkill"

ive been using my "c-pass" every weekend going back the last 2 months... ive worn cotton, ive worn wool, ive worn poly and poly-blends. never owned "ski socks". ive used thinner and thicker rei , smartwool, and costco socks -- just pick up whatever happens to be clean before i head out.

not much of a difference in comfort and warmth.

the only true NECCESSITY is to LAYER. secondarily, get gloves with "closed cuff" instead of open cuffs... not sure why they even produce these annoying open cuffs. one tumble on a back-bowl powder run and you get annoying icy and wet gloves.



vs