Going snowboarding (beginner) - What do I need?

mr tommo

mr tommo

mr tommo

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Im going to Obergurgl in Austria in January for a week. Dads Friends are going so Im just tagging along with a couple of mates.

Never been before and never attempted skiing or snowboarding :(
Im planning on doing a day session at the tamworth snowdome so I dont look like acomplete loser when I get there. :p

Was just wondering what I need to buy before I go? I will be hiring board and boots when I get there but I'd rather buy the rest here and use my own stuff.

Now what do I need?
Obviously I will need Gloves, Jacket & Trousers. Ive noticed TK Maxx have lots of skiing clothing in but it is any good? Like Jackets for <£50? Any makes I should go for or avoid?

Dont want to get there and freeze for the whole week but dont want to spend a small fortune either :o!

Also, as Ive never been before is this kind of holiday good? Anyone been to Obergurgl before? I hear its not the busiest of resorts but been told short taxi should be able to take me to a younger resort?

Thanks :)
 
You'll probably find yourself too warm if anything, I did anyway. All i took when i went skiing was a jacket i already had and then bought gloves, goggles and some salopettes. If you do find yourself to be a little cold just wear a couple more thin layers but you should be fine.
 
Get yourself a nice 1 peice pink suit! You'll look the shizzel!

To be honest, i wouldnt buy anything cheap from TK Max for something like skiing or snowboarding. It will probably be really pap material and wont keep the cold/wind out.

Have a gander on Ellis binghams website. They do some good stuff. Or Snow n Rock.
 
+1

A good pair of anti glare sunglasses, or googles if the weather is poor and you will be fine, thick ski socks, you can hire the rest.
Dont forget lip seal and sun lotion, the snow reflects the sunlight far more than you would expect and make sure your gloves really are waterproof.

Plenty of painkillers for hangovers help as well :p
 
went to obergurgl many years ago as a teenager

its the one of the highest austrian resorts and quite exclusive. we went full board but found everything else very expensive - take lots of money!

loads of snow and excellent skiing but one morning it went -20 !!!!. later that morning i was taken off the slopes (along with half a dozen other newbies) with frost bite. my nose and fingers went blue.........aparantly my gloves were too tight.

i had to frequently place my hands in hot and cold water and lost a few layers of skin from the tips of my fingers :eek:
 
leaskovski said:
To be honest, i wouldnt buy anything cheap from TK Max for something like skiing or snowboarding. It will probably be really pap material and wont keep the cold/wind out.
Click to expand...

Some of the stuff in there is decent enough from proper brands, I wouldn't dismiss it all although you are right in that some is more for the look than function.

mr tommo, I'd point you towards this thread as there is some good advice in there. :)
 
friddela said:
You'll probably find yourself too warm if anything, I did anyway. All i took when i went skiing was a jacket i already had and then bought gloves, goggles and some salopettes. If you do find yourself to be a little cold just wear a couple more thin layers but you should be fine.
Click to expand...

Salopettes are the trousers right?

leaskovski said:
Get yourself a nice 1 peice pink suit! You'll look the shizzel!

To be honest, i wouldnt buy anything cheap from TK Max for something like skiing or snowboarding. It will probably be really pap material and wont keep the cold/wind out.

Have a gander on Ellis binghams website. They do some good stuff. Or Snow n Rock.
Click to expand...

Just ordered a Snow n rock catalogue, thanks. I was told TK Maxx have got oakley goggles in atm for £15, should I still steer clear?

edgedemon said:
+1

A good pair of anti glare sunglasses, or googles if the weather is poor and you will be fine, thick ski socks, you can hire the rest.
Dont forget lip seal and sun lotion, the snow reflects the sunlight far more than you would expect and make sure your gloves really are waterproof.

Plenty of painkillers for hangovers help as well :p
Click to expand...

I will be stocking up on the Ibuprofen ;)

They have told me they always wear goggles so will probably just stick to them, only glasses Ive got are a pair of RayBans I bought last year and I dont think they'd do the job!
Sun lotion? really?

semi-pro waster said:
Some of the stuff in there is decent enough from proper brands, I wouldn't dismiss it all although you are right in that some is more for the look than function.

mr tommo, I'd point you towards this thread as there is some good advice in there. :)
Click to expand...

ooops, didnt see that thread. Thanks :)
 
Yeah really. You dont wanna get burnt up there because it will be bad. Make sure you get stuff for your lips as well as that is nasty when they start to fall apart.
 
leaskovski said:
Yeah really. You dont wanna get burnt up there because it will be bad. Make sure you get stuff for your lips as well as that is nasty when they start to fall apart.
Click to expand...

ThriceNightly said:
went to obergurgl many years ago as a teenager

its the one of the highest austrian resorts and quite exclusive. we went full board but found everything else very expensive - take lots of money!

loads of snow and excellent skiing but one morning it went -20 !!!!. later that morning i was taken off the slopes (along with half a dozen other newbies) with frost bite. my nose and fingers went blue.........aparantly my gloves were too tight.

i had to frequently place my hands in hot and cold water and lost a few layers of skin from the tips of my fingers :eek:
Click to expand...

These two posts make me not want to go anymore :p
 
Don't worry about brand names, just get lots of different layers and then you can adjust easily depending on how cold it is.

Googles over glasses, if you're a beginner in glasses you'll be constantly trying to clean the snow out from the inside of the glass.

Gloves with wrist support.

Shorts with added bum protection! On the beginner slopes the snow tends to be packed down hard and you'll be falling on your arse a lot! I can't stress how much you will wish you brought them should you try and learn to board without them.
 
Firstly enroll in a ski/board school for the mornings.
This will get you going and you'll end up with some additional mates in the same boat.

Must have equipment:
Wrist protectors - vital. A broken wrist will ruin your holiday.
Gloves - very important, you'll be pushing away from the ground with your hands hence they'll be in the snow so spend something on these and don't skimp.
Goggles - these will do a wider range of conditions compared to sunglasses better in windy conditions too.
Beanie - keep your head warm.
Jacket - with powder skirt, zipped vents (not velcro) and hood if it gets really windy.
Trousers - padding on the bum, with zipped vents and powder skirting to go over the boots (should have a metal lock rather than a push button to secure the boot powder skirt as the platstic pus buttons unpop easily).
Ski socks - you'll need at least one pair per day, more if you double up to pad against illfitting hire boots.

I would also say a helmet and knee pads. Any knocks you get make you feel bad, make you do the wrong thing (because it hurts and you don't want that again).
 
Well I had a sports hernia and had an op about 2 months ago. So I bought a pair of Coreshorts for rehab (£100:() They are like base layer shorts only a lot thicker and stronger so I hope they will be ok.

Everyone whos going will be skiing, just a couple of us snowboarding (never done it before wither). Which is better/more fun? EDIT ** BOTH LOOK cool :p
 
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Dano said:
Broken arms are just as bad, learn how to fall, go for a few beginners Judo sessions.
Click to expand...

Its ok Im Italian, I do a lot of diving when playing football :p:o

NickK said:
Firstly enroll in a ski/board school for the mornings.
This will get you going and you'll end up with some additional mates in the same boat.

Must have equipment:
Wrist protectors - vital. A broken wrist will ruin your holiday.
Gloves - very important, you'll be pushing away from the ground with your hands hence they'll be in the snow so spend something on these and don't skimp.
Goggles - these will do a wider range of conditions compared to sunglasses better in windy conditions too.
Beanie - keep your head warm.
Jacket - with powder skirt, zipped vents (not velcro) and hood if it gets really windy.
Trousers - padding on the bum, with zipped vents and powder skirting to go over the boots (should have a metal lock rather than a push button to secure the boot powder skirt as the platstic pus buttons unpop easily).
Ski socks - you'll need at least one pair per day, more if you double up to pad against illfitting hire boots.

I would also say a helmet and knee pads. Any knocks you get make you feel bad, make you do the wrong thing (because it hurts and you don't want that again).
Click to expand...

Cheers :) One question, whats Powder Skirt?
 
Dont do that. You turn the thread into a "tray rider" vs "rudies with sticks" arguement.

I think a lot of people tend to think snowboarding is easier to pick up. I dunno as Ive never done it, but from what i remember, i didnt spend most of my time on my backside when i first started skiing, however, you legs can go in different directions so in theory you can do more damage. However, having said that, wrists can easily be broken and seem to be a common thing on the tray.
 
Gloves. Don't forget Gloves. I forgot mine, cause i'm brilliant, but declined the instructor's as i was being "hard". On the upside, the multiple times i fell over i didn't feel a thing! i was too numb from the cold!
 
leaskovski said:
Dont do that. You turn the thread into a "tray rider" vs "rudies with sticks" arguement.

I think a lot of people tend to think snowboarding is easier to pick up. I dunno as Ive never done it, but from what i remember, i didnt spend most of my time on my backside when i first started skiing, however, you legs can go in different directions so in theory you can do more damage. However, having said that, wrists can easily be broken and seem to be a common thing on the tray.
Click to expand...

Hmm thats another problem Ive got.. 2-3 months on from my hernia op and I still cant play football.. Scar tissue and lots of pulls in my groin and Lower abs. I thought Snowboarding may be a little easier on my groin as both legs are in a set position. Atm I cant think of anything worse than Skiing and both my legs going in opposit directions :eek:
 
mr tommo said:
Its ok Im Italian, I do a lot of diving when playing football :p:o



Cheers :) One question, whats Powder Skirt?
Click to expand...

Poweder skirt is an elasticated 'skirt' in the botton of a jacket that grips your waist so as to stop powder (loose snow) from getting up into the jacket from the bottom. It's effectively a big seal.
 
Cool cheers for all the replies. Going to head of down to TK Maxx now just to have a look. Wont be buying but will take note of the model numbers and get back on here for more advice.
 
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