Skiing - Chamonix

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Deleted User 298457

Deleted User 298457

Hi folks,

I am heading to Chamonix Feb half term with the kids. I've never done skiing before - it is an opportunistic thing (friend is giving me their chalet for a week). Can anyone recommend what I need to do? Never been on holiday anywhere where there is snow, lol.

Plan to give the 4.5yr old a chance on the slopes. I have zero idea at all. Just browsing vinted for ski gear ATM for her.

What would I even need? :cry:

Many thanks
 
Rent ski's and boots from somewhere in the resort and close to the chalet, buy a new helmet. You will all want to be going on lessons, they are usually held in the morning, giving you some time in the afternoon to practice what the lesson covered/explore on your own.
 
Trifid said:
Rent ski's and boots from somewhere in the resort and close to the chalet, buy a new helmet. You will all want to be going on lessons, they are usually held in the morning, giving you some time in the afternoon to practice what the lesson covered/explore on your own.
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Will I need boots of some description to get around when I am not skiing? Or trainers fine? I have some Adidas Terrex that should be OK?

I am actually working the week we are there so not planning on a huge amount of skiing myself. Mainly looking to give my daughter an experience.
 
dlockers said:
Will I need boots of some description to get around when I am not skiing? Or trainers fine? I have some Adidas Terrex that should be OK?

I am actually working the week we are there so not planning on a huge amount of skiing myself. Mainly looking to give my daughter an experience.
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Middle of February town will be covered in snow, so you'll want decent normal foot wear with a decent sole. Terrex look ok - goretex uppers? want something that won't get wet and soak through.
 
dlockers said:
Will I need boots of some description to get around when I am not skiing? Or trainers fine? I have some Adidas Terrex that should be OK?

I am actually working the week we are there so not planning on a huge amount of skiing myself. Mainly looking to give my daughter an experience.
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100% need some decent non slip boots.

You'll want to buy some decent long and thick socks too so you don't get sores. You'll need thermal base layers (top and bottoms), salopettes and a ski jacket (that has a pocket on the arm for the ski pass.)
 
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You can also hire ski gear which for a youngster can make a lot of sense.

Aldi have a surprisingly good bit of ski gear when they have it in, but it goes quite quickly.

Hire the skis (poles and helmet) etc in advance of going. Its cheaper.
Suggest https://www.skidiscount.co.uk/en/ski-rental

I would book the lessons in advance as well. IMO for the first time the whole day lessons is probably best for a youngster.

In regards footwear, 100% you need water resistant. So something like hiking boots.
Its semi unlikely in Feb but certainly possible that mid days temps can get above zero and then the snow starts to melt etc on the rooves, and only finishes once the sun drops and the temps plummet.
So you can actually get quite a lot of water and slushy snow about.

Its unclear if you are thinking of just letting the youngster go skiing or all of you.
You 100% need lessons at the start or your going to be spending a lot of time sat on your ass (or worse).

Get decent insurance.

As your borrowing, unless you specifically want to eat out all the time I highly recommend https://hu.ski/ as your in France.
The wine case is an absolute bargain.

Eating out is expensive generally in ski resorts, are the supermarkets are limited in options so if there is anything specific you would want consider taking it with you.
They will have options but often highly limited.
 
you're taking a car ? - enough space to put the skis in the back (less hassle than roof rack) - chains ?

mittens/gloves amongst the clothing shopping list w/cream.

Try to get a meal at La Panoramic ... at end of trip when hopefully you can ski back
 
Ski lessons are a must for anyone starting out. Your daughter is 4.5, I wouldn’t expect much more than a 60-90 minute lesson from her every morning. Any more and she’ll be exhausted, cold and hating life. French ski instructors can be hit and miss and are not gentle with their instruction style. Short lessons every day with an instructor that she gets on with (in a beginner group) and she’ll be going round and round straightforward runs on her own by the end of the week. (We went to a tiny resort in Norway when my daughter was 5 and she got on very well, but absolutely couldn’t have done more skiing). Chamonix is beautiful and the village is nice to explore. Buy simple sleds (bum board or snow tube) and you’ll be able to enjoy that too.

We’re off to Norway again in Feb half term and I’m hoping that the lessons from before will have stuck in and she’ll start to get more confident.

Things to bring? Warm, waterproof clothes. However many that you think for your daughter - double it!
 
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I have no further advice to give apart from: lean forward.

And can I have your friend’s chalet for a week too?
 
Vinted is great for ski wear, Mountain Warehouse are also great for new items at really reasonable prices and offer Bluelight/NHS/Student discounts if you've got access to any of those.

I always use Aplineresorts.com for our ski equipment hire, always have some sort of discount code available.

If you have a Dry ski slope near by head over and get some lessons just to understand the basics, most also have some sort of kids clubs over the weekends.
 
Thanks chaps really appreciate the guidance. Need to properly digest when I'm not full of cold.

In terms of just dealing with the cold -- what's the crack with layers etc? I can't seem to find any jacket that isn't like 200 quid :cry:
 
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dlockers said:
Thanks chaps really appreciate the guidance. Need to properly digest when I'm not full of cold.

In terms of just dealing with the cold -- what's the crack with layers etc? I can't seem to find any jacket that isn't like 200 quid :cry:
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The decathlon stuff is decent. I never get cold when skiing, generally only ever wear a base layer (generally merino because I've had it forever) and a long sleeve tee then my ski jacket.

You can get a cheap ski jacket from decathlon which will be fine or bang on a jumper and use a waterproof jacket. I've done both and never been a drama. Probably be worse for yourself because you'll spend most of the time in the snow rather than on it :p (I know this from experience).

Also lessons if not already mentioned, you'll have more fun if you're taught to ski. It's fairly difficult to try and learn yourself.

Intact decathlon do a ski jacket, base layers and gloves for £65! It may not be the best in the world but for learning to ski in - absolutely perfect.
 
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Dare2b also good price if you get lucky on style / size combo being available when they have offers on.

One thing not mentioned, sun glasses. You want some with a decent UV range, ideally wrap around or at least partially.
Sun blindness is not fun.
Get the youngster goggles for actual skiing, and glasses for when off the slopes.

Further to comments about tiredness someone said, I had meant to say you may find eating out in evenings very difficult as they may well be shattered.

Sun cream as well. Often forgotten but the sun can be brutal at height and reflecting off the snow!
 
Thanks chaps - we are ~10miles from a Decathalon but that is a great shout. Haven't explored there since I needed a pump for an inflatable air bed about 10 years ago :cry:

The Dare2b brand looks very reasonable and at Sports Direct. Probably worth a punt! I need to catalogue what bits I already have as I seem to be north of 100kg these days :cry:

I did think about sunnies earlier. I presume Ray Bans etc no good and I need "proper" ski things?

I am taking my 18 week old too - is there any baby guidance here? :cry:
 
Oakley prism but I assume you’ll be wearing goggles while skiing, no?

I was in Chamonix in the summer, climbed a few mountains and based ourselves there. Loved the place, every direction you look is like a scene from a postcard. Wish they could make the Australian ski resorts that lively and vibrant in the warmer months.
There’s loads of outdoors shops there to buy or hire gear, including a decathlon. Don’t stress too much if you don’t get everything sorted in time. I didn’t find it overly expensive tbh, you can claim VAT back on the gear you buy too.
 
dlockers said:
Thanks chaps - we are ~10miles from a Decathalon but that is a great shout. Haven't explored there since I needed a pump for an inflatable air bed about 10 years ago :cry:

The Dare2b brand looks very reasonable and at Sports Direct. Probably worth a punt! I need to catalogue what bits I already have as I seem to be north of 100kg these days :cry:

I did think about sunnies earlier. I presume Ray Bans etc no good and I need "proper" ski things?

I am taking my 18 week old too - is there any baby guidance here? :cry:
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Good glasses are fine, you may find polarised also helps.
The issue with non wrap around is that the sun reflects so you may find normal "flat" lenses don't give you enough coverage, its a personal thing.
If your skiing then normal glasses are a no IMO.

You don't need to spend a lot, but just stick to a brand so you trust the ratings.

If you already have some good sunnies then maybe go with them and pick some up in resort if you find you want wrap arounds. You can pick up cheap sunnies from the French makes in resort for like £20 or so that are dark and wrap around.
But if you absolutely must have a top brand you can get rinsed in resort.

Blenders do some good stuff, goggles as well as glasses but your probably out of time to get them considering half term.

Also consider, if your skiing you tend to have quite a few bits your trying to juggle, and plenty of them will destroy the lenses given the chance (boot buckles, poles, skis), or easy to drop them, so consider glasses disposable.
 
If you're skiing I would just go with goggles, will protect your face to a degree as well especially with it being likely quite cold in February.
 
lanyards on the glasses may help for spills - but if you find a pair of vaunet glasses coming down from grand montet they're mine

I think decathlon is better for resolving any problems you have with articles
[ adults, anyway don't need custom ski clothes -
I've always had a smock shell jacket (breathable) that will fit on top of a polartec300+polartec100 +base layer, if needed, each have lots of other uses in the UK
equally never used salopettes - had some waterproof overtrousers, with braces, full length zips that fit over top of ski or walking boots, with polartec trousers
]
 
dlockers said:
In terms of just dealing with the cold -- what's the crack with layers etc? I can't seem to find any jacket that isn't like 200 quid :cry:
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Welcome to skiing :p

I haven't been for quite a few years now but layers for me was always;

Top;
Thermal longsleeve top
Tshirt
Fleece (zip-up helpful here for getting hot)
Jacket (ski jackets are usually mid-weight, not feather/insulated as you'll boil alive)
Gloves
Hat

Bottom;
Ski socks
Thermal leggings (top tip, get 3/4 length so they don't rub in your ski boots!)
Salopettes/ski pants

My usual memories of skiing temperature is 99% being too hot and sweaty tbh, but safer that than catching a chill. Especially for beginners as you'll spend more time falling over, sitting in the snow etc. and being wet.

I really would not advise skiing in sunglasses, your face will hurt, you'll get windburn/sunburn and you'll probably crash and lose/smash them in the first day anyway since you're new. Do carry them though, as you'll want them for lunch/coffee breaks etc. Leave skiing/boarding in sunglasses to the posers.

I'd also massively recommend a camelbak, you will sweat and dehydrate and get altitude headaches. Also essential to carry on your person;
Camelbak/water
Snickers/chocolate
Hip flask (sounds hipster but actually very worth it/common)
Paracetamol
Lip balm
Sunscreen (you absolutely will get burnt)

I'm sure all that was online somewhere but I'm listening to a very boring meeting and reminiscing about my ski days :p

I'd also look-up some ski exercises to do before you go. Skiiing uses very distrinct upper leg muscles that you won't even know existed. Doing some running, doing some high step-up exercises (onto a coffee table or something) will get you somewhere near into shape. Along with 99% being hot and sweaty, every day ends with completely dead legs (like, struggling to turn/get down the noob slopes safely :p ) so the more you do beforehand the better.
 
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My standard "load out", layers are king.

Merino base layers (3/4 length long johns are a god send on colder days)
3/4 length sweat pants
Ski socks - again wool
Mid layer pull over top
For really cold weather a fleece top as a 3rd layer
Outer pants and jacket can just be water/wind proof shells (I've got both an insulated and non-insulated ski jacket)
Helmut, goggles and buff and yes definitely sunscreen + lipbalm as exposed skin will burn quite quickly in sunny weather. Can pull the buff up over most of your face in cold weather to be more comfortable.
Gloves - I've got cold and warm weather gloves, cold hands are a mood killer when skiing, but sweaty hands are pain when trying to put on sweaty damp gloves

Dress so you're a bit on the cold side in my opinion prior to skiing rather than ending up being too warm and sweating during exhertion but then get cold on the chairlift. Depending on how cold it is, I'll have the extra layer in my bag and if it gets uncomfortable I'll add that layer on. If it's a warm day, I'll just ski in pants and a base layer under my outers, with my mid layer in my backpack if it gets a bit chillier.

For a 4 year old though, I suspect you just want to keep them warm and dry. Getting cold will just sap their enthusiasm for it.
 
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