Need advice from those who ski

[MushyMushy]

My 17 year old son decided to join the ski club this year. I'm thrilled! That kid has never in his life been a joiner, but this year he's joining and participating in things. Just gave blood today.

But I digress.

Can anyone point me in the right direction for buying ski/snowboard apparel? I just want the basics that won't break the bank. I'd be glad to put more money into it if I knew he was going to do it for a long period of time, but he's just getting started.

TIA!

 

[chris1gill]

Check Backcountry.com - they had a huge sale about 3 weeks ago I don't know if they still have anything.... We get some of our snowboards from Boardstar.com - it's hit or miss whether what you want is in stock, sometimes you have to wait, but they're far less than some other retailers. Then there's usually local ski/swap programs, but we haven't done those, so I can't vouch for them in any way.

DS is big into snowboarding but we just found out he had a torn meniscus in his knee, I hope it doesn't take him out for long, I already got the season pass, two snowboards, all the accessories an extra set of bindings and of course more boots... (as well as all the accessories) I'm glad he snowboards however, it's cheaper than skiing which is what my daughter does. Since she is still growing and ski sizes are a bit more precise we're renting her equipment... That's another option for equipment.

 

[mommasita]

My 17 year old son decided to join the ski club this year. I'm thrilled! That kid has never in his life been a joiner, but this year he's joining and participating in things. Just gave blood today.

But I digress.

Can anyone point me in the right direction for buying ski/snowboard apparel? I just want the basics that won't break the bank. I'd be glad to put more money into it if I knew he was going to do it for a long period of time, but he's just getting started.

TIA!

Do you have a store called "Play it again Sports"? This is where we sell all old sporting equipment, and you can buy used (but safe) for under the cost at local sporting stores. Skiing is expensive. I hope he loves it, it sure is fun!!!

Check Backcountry.com - they had a huge sale about 3 weeks ago I don't know if they still have anything.... We get some of our snowboards from Boardstar.com - it's hit or miss whether what you want is in stock, sometimes you have to wait, but they're far less than some other retailers. Then there's usually local ski/swap programs, but we haven't done those, so I can't vouch for them in any way.

DS is big into snowboarding but we just found out he had a torn meniscus in his knee, I hope it doesn't take him out for long, I already got the season pass, two snowboards, all the accessories an extra set of bindings and of course more boots... (as well as all the accessories) I'm glad he snowboards however, it's cheaper than skiing which is what my daughter does. Since she is still growing and ski sizes are a bit more precise we're renting her equipment... That's another option for equipment.

Sorry to hear about your son. That sounds painful. I can not wait for skiing!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

www.llbean.com

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1987311

 

[MushyMushy]

They've got some nice things on that LL Bean page.

I can tell that he's going to be a pain in the butt about this. He has never liked wearing a winter jacket -- ever. He was laughing at me for being concerned because he's 17. LOL... a mother never stops worrying about her kids, does she? That includes big 17 year old kids. Yeah, yeah, I know. My worry is, he'll just take off to the mountains with a couple of hoodies and then end up miserable because he didn't know what he was getting himself into with the cold weather.

Just looked at that Backcountry site -- holy cow, snowboards are expensive.

 

[Nala56]

My DD is in ski club, skis at 7 springs. When she first started I didn't want to invest a lot of money untill I know she would stick to it. I got her stuff on E-bay. Keeps her warm just like expensive stuff.

 

[MushyMushy]

My DD is in ski club, skis at 7 springs. When she first started I didn't want to invest a lot of money untill I know she would stick to it. I got her stuff on E-bay. Keeps her warm just like expensive stuff.

That's where he'll be going for the trips.

I've never been there and have no interest. All I want to do in the winter is hibernate.

 

[Kae]

try www.the-house.com. I just bough DS some new Burton stuff for his birthday.

Kae

 

[Nala56]

That's where he'll be going for the trips.

I've never been there and have no interest. All I want to do in the winter is hibernate.

I hear ya!! Tonight's forcast maybe snow flurries next week. Yikes

 

[bsnyder]

I'd also look and see if you have a "Play It Again Sports" franchise, or something similar near you. You can get some great equipment at a fraction of the original cost. Probably from a parent who shelled out big bucks for a sport their child spent one day on and then gave up!

 

[lindalinda]

I would go the rental route. Did the ski club send any info home? Our ski club has a really good discount for rental/lift fees. If he's 17 thats what I would do. If he really loves it, then he will save up himself and buy gear. It's an expensive sport!

 

[Pakey]

i also recommend used stuff any where you can find it. We put 5 kids through skiing/snowboarding (they each started at age 3). When they are little they lose it (I won't tell you how many gloves were fished out of toilets through the years) and when they are teenagers, they beat the you know what out of it.

For us, the most important thing was that we always got decent gloves. You can stand being a little cold as long as your hands are dry and warm, esp with snowboarders.

 

[mamacatnv]

Our local Univ. has a huge ski swap every year. It is a great way to pick up new to you equipment for not new prices. We pay an entrance fee and the proceeds support the Univ. ski team. The locals can bring in their stuff the week before, have it tagged for sale and then attend and get new stuff to replace what they put into the swap.

When kids were younger and still growing we rented the gear every year along with boots and we purchased ski pants and helmets. The kids had good ski jackets anyway because of our climate.

Call around and find out if you have any kind of swaps coming up.

 

[imabrat]

Play it again sports!
Look into the ski swaps at local ski resorts and such. They sometimes have great deals on gently used, brand name ski stuff.
I also would look into seeing if you can rent skis/snowboard. Unless you can find some cheap stuff at the ski sales, I wouldn't go spending that $$$ on something until you know he'll definitely stick it out.

Encourage him to wear a helmet! I can't stress how important this is. I've seen tragic accidents and deaths because someone wasn't wearing a helmet. I'm 15 and yeah my friends tease me, but they're always the ones who end up hurt.

 

[Jennifer S]

We rent ski equip for our son. He is 12 so I didn't want anything permanent since he's still growing. I think it's $80 for the season.

 

[luvdzny]

Check with your local ski hill or ski shops, the ones around here have used equipment sales. It is a great place to find bargains. I agree with the PP who said buy good gloves. Many times the kids take off their jackets because it is too warm, but gloves are important!