Skiers and snowboarders sweat a lot. It might not be pleasant, but it’s a fact! Due to the playground of white, wet stuff there is also a huge potential for suffering wetness on the outside, as well as wetness on the inside from sweat.
So, it matters what kind of clothing you wear. For decades, Gore-Tex has been leading the way in fabrics for outdoor clothing that claim to be both breathable (allow the sweat from you body to vapourise through the fabric) and waterproof.
Last season, a serious challenge to Gore-Tex’s market-leading position came from Polartec and their new fabric called NeoShell. Some people who tried NeoShell really loved it, while other people have stuck to their favoured Gore-Tex brand.
And now Gore-Tex is bringing out a new fabric. Next autumn, the company will launch “new generation of fabrics", with a product, which – according to one clothing manufacturer's test – is 22 per cent more breathable than its predecessor.
Coming up with the best fabric for ski clothing
It is simple enough to produce garments that are waterproof. Just think of those thick yellow rubbery jackets that yachtsmen used to wear. They were very, very waterproof! But breathable they were most definitely not!
The tricky part is making a fabric that is waterproof AND breathable.
At the recent launch of Gore-Tex’s new Pro fabric, press and retailers were told about how the material will perform. This fabric has been 4.5 years in the researching and creating.
It’s claimed that the Pro fabric is better than their previous top-of-the-range fabric, Pro Shell, because it is just as waterproof but more durable and between 10% and 28% more breathable. It’s this breathability that will be a defining factor.
And how will you tell the difference between Pro Shell and Pro? While the jackets will look more modern, the most obvious difference is that the new Pro has a rip-stop pattern (a grid) on the inner side of the fabric, while Pro Shell doesn’t.
The Gore-Tex Pro fabric jackets will be ideal for skiers and snowboarders who need a durable, highly waterproof and very windproof jacket with excellent breathability.
Gore-Tex Active wear, too
There is another Gore-Tex fabric that will suit other skiers and snowboarders. For those who are zipping about the slopes, don’t often stop and do not carry a rucksack, the Gore-Tex Active wear range is ideal. This is a lightweight and highly breathable fabric for “done in the day” activities.
It was only in the last two weeks that Gore-Tex revealed their new Pro membrane to European retailers and press. Time will tell how testers of the jacket feel it performs. And will there we another product comeback from Polartec? Who knows, but it’s great that there are so many great options for skiers and snowboarders who want to stay warm and dry.
Wednesday
Friday
Trespass Ladna Down Jacket Review
The Ladna down jacket from Trespass is perfect for those really cold days. The slimming fit design looks great and it’s 50% down and 50% feather insulation certainly does keep you warm. The jacket also has faux fur hood trim, which can be removed. The only problem with down is that it is no good if it’s raining.
- Great fit
- Really nice feminine-fit shape.
- Warm adjustable hood
- Fur trim on hood is detachable too
Best Resorts For Ski Weekends
If your short of time a ski weekend may be a great option. We take a look at the best ski resorts with easy access from the UK.
La Plagne - France
La Plagne is great for families. Part of the massive Paradiski which includes Les Arcs. If you’re looking for a thrill, try the 1.5km Olympic bobsleigh run.
Plane: Gatwick to Geneva, 1 hour 40 mins; transfer to resort: approx 2.5 hours.
Train: Depart on the 10:00 Eurostar Ski Train from London St Pancras, arriving at Aime la Plagne at 18:30.
Tignes - France
A good resort for intermediate and advanced skiers. Huge area of 300km served by a superb network of modern lifts that whisk you up the mountain for great on and off-piste skiing.
Plane: Gatwick to Geneva, 1 hour 40 mins; transfer to resort: approx 3.5 hours.
Train: Depart on the 10:00 Eurostar Ski Train from London St Pancras, arriving at Bourg St Maurice at 18:51. From there it is a 40-minute bus or taxi ride.
La Clusaz - France
Only a few kilometres away from Annecy lies the beautiful Savoyard village of La Clusaz. Due to its low-altitude location good snow condiation can’t be guaranteed.
Plane: Gatwick to Geneva, 1 hour 40 mins; transfer to resort: approx 1 hour 20 minutes.
Train: Depart on the 07:31 Eurostar Ski Train from London St Pancras, change in Paris and take the 12:45 TGV, arriving at Annecy at 16:30. From there it is a 40-minute bus or taxi ride.
Saas-Fee - Switzerland
The beautiful village is car-free, apart from the electric taxis that carry skiers and luggage to hotels. Well worth a visit if the the Metro-Alpin the highest restaurant in Swizerland, the Metro-Alpin, which revolves through 360 degrees as you eat for an amazing panorama.
Plane: Gatwick to Zurich, 1 hour 40 mins; transfer to resort: approx 3 hours 20 minutes.
Train: Depart on the 06:57 Eurostar to Lille, changing to the TGV Lyria arriving at Visp at 16:57. From there it is a 50-minute connecting bus ride.
La Plagne is great for families. Part of the massive Paradiski which includes Les Arcs. If you’re looking for a thrill, try the 1.5km Olympic bobsleigh run.
Plane: Gatwick to Geneva, 1 hour 40 mins; transfer to resort: approx 2.5 hours.
Train: Depart on the 10:00 Eurostar Ski Train from London St Pancras, arriving at Aime la Plagne at 18:30.
Tignes - France
A good resort for intermediate and advanced skiers. Huge area of 300km served by a superb network of modern lifts that whisk you up the mountain for great on and off-piste skiing.
Plane: Gatwick to Geneva, 1 hour 40 mins; transfer to resort: approx 3.5 hours.
Train: Depart on the 10:00 Eurostar Ski Train from London St Pancras, arriving at Bourg St Maurice at 18:51. From there it is a 40-minute bus or taxi ride.
La Clusaz - France
Only a few kilometres away from Annecy lies the beautiful Savoyard village of La Clusaz. Due to its low-altitude location good snow condiation can’t be guaranteed.
Plane: Gatwick to Geneva, 1 hour 40 mins; transfer to resort: approx 1 hour 20 minutes.
Train: Depart on the 07:31 Eurostar Ski Train from London St Pancras, change in Paris and take the 12:45 TGV, arriving at Annecy at 16:30. From there it is a 40-minute bus or taxi ride.
Saas-Fee - Switzerland
The beautiful village is car-free, apart from the electric taxis that carry skiers and luggage to hotels. Well worth a visit if the the Metro-Alpin the highest restaurant in Swizerland, the Metro-Alpin, which revolves through 360 degrees as you eat for an amazing panorama.
Plane: Gatwick to Zurich, 1 hour 40 mins; transfer to resort: approx 3 hours 20 minutes.
Train: Depart on the 06:57 Eurostar to Lille, changing to the TGV Lyria arriving at Visp at 16:57. From there it is a 50-minute connecting bus ride.
Tuesday
Looking for Christmas stocking fillers? why not pad it out with one of these only £9.99
Mens Jack Wolfskin Real Stuff Ski Beanie Hat
The mens Real Stuff Ski Beanie Hat from Jack Wolfskin is a very light and compact microfleece beanie hat. |
| Click here |
Only £9.99
Friday
Ten things you nearly forgot to pack for this winter's chalet holiday
After a lifetime based in Les Gets, and several years running independent Les Gets ski company, Moutain and Tradition, Jana Poldaru and Raphael Cabuis know everything there is to know about planning the perfect ski holiday. Here, they tell us about the ten things we nearly forgot to pack this winter.
A recent post in the Chelston's Direct Blog outlined the most essential items of ski-wear which you should pack for your skiing trip abroad: a good ski jacket and some quality salopettes. If you've got a good chalet host and you get these simple items right, you're well on your way to enjoying a great chalet holiday. But, whereas a beach holiday really only requires a towel, some suncream, and an airport novel or two, skiing can be a more complicated business, and packing light isn't always easy.
When you're drawing up your checklist, here's ten things which you might not immediately think of, but which can help to make a memorable trip truly unforgettable. To find these or similar items, be sure to have a look in Chelston's current catalogue of ski accessories online.
1. SkiBat Easy Clip Ski Carrier
This simple but handy device clips your skis and poles together for easy carrying. No more flapping about in the cold picking up one item after the next in humiliating slapstick, this simple solution is moulded in thermoplastic material with rubber overmold to offer protection to your skis while keeping your items neatly locked together.
2. Backprotector
Chelstons currently stock a recommended model, the D30 by Sinner, which offers maximum protection for your back, with no compromise on comfort. Integrated into a lightweight vest, the protector is well hidden but ensures that safety remains top priority on the slopes.
3. Snowmule Towing Ski Bumbag
This is one of those great pieces of design that leaves you wondering: "why didn't I think of that?!" With integrated handles for towing one or two children, this comfortable but sturdy bumbag does much more than store your wallet! This means you can get the little ones moving again really quickly whenever they grind to a halt. The handles are self-retracting, which keeps them tucked away when they're not needed.
4. Re-Useable Gel Hand Warmers
This is an obvious one. If the cold gets to much, you'll be very glad of these; and once you've boiled them overnight, you can be using them again the very next day.
5. Shoe/Boot Ice/Snow Grips Spikes
Feeling the rush of a downhill slide is great when you're skiing, but rather less so when you're just heading to the shops on foot. For just a few pounds, a set of grip spikes might save you from a painful and embarrassing fall ... or two.
6. Ski Neck Warmer
No blurb necessary here: the best ski jacket in the world can feel very inadequate if a chilly breeze comes gusting down your neckline. It won't need to be repositioned like a scarf, but the inbuilt drawstring can be readjusted to cover your jawline.
7. Wrist Guards
Often, these will fit neatly beneath your gloves to offer maximum protection without inhibiting comfort. Even the best skiers fall over sometimes, so look after your hands!
8. Earmuffs
Generally more for the ladies than for gents, but there's not beating this classic solution to the bitter problem of icy ears!
9. Suncream & Lipsalve
It might be cold, but your skin and lips can still get burnt on the exposed slopes of the Alps.
10. Les Gets travel guide
Ok, so you might not be visiting Les Gets this time, but there's no harm in planning for next year!
A recent post in the Chelston's Direct Blog outlined the most essential items of ski-wear which you should pack for your skiing trip abroad: a good ski jacket and some quality salopettes. If you've got a good chalet host and you get these simple items right, you're well on your way to enjoying a great chalet holiday. But, whereas a beach holiday really only requires a towel, some suncream, and an airport novel or two, skiing can be a more complicated business, and packing light isn't always easy.
When you're drawing up your checklist, here's ten things which you might not immediately think of, but which can help to make a memorable trip truly unforgettable. To find these or similar items, be sure to have a look in Chelston's current catalogue of ski accessories online.
1. SkiBat Easy Clip Ski Carrier
This simple but handy device clips your skis and poles together for easy carrying. No more flapping about in the cold picking up one item after the next in humiliating slapstick, this simple solution is moulded in thermoplastic material with rubber overmold to offer protection to your skis while keeping your items neatly locked together.
2. Backprotector
Chelstons currently stock a recommended model, the D30 by Sinner, which offers maximum protection for your back, with no compromise on comfort. Integrated into a lightweight vest, the protector is well hidden but ensures that safety remains top priority on the slopes.
3. Snowmule Towing Ski Bumbag
This is one of those great pieces of design that leaves you wondering: "why didn't I think of that?!" With integrated handles for towing one or two children, this comfortable but sturdy bumbag does much more than store your wallet! This means you can get the little ones moving again really quickly whenever they grind to a halt. The handles are self-retracting, which keeps them tucked away when they're not needed.
4. Re-Useable Gel Hand Warmers
This is an obvious one. If the cold gets to much, you'll be very glad of these; and once you've boiled them overnight, you can be using them again the very next day.
5. Shoe/Boot Ice/Snow Grips Spikes
Feeling the rush of a downhill slide is great when you're skiing, but rather less so when you're just heading to the shops on foot. For just a few pounds, a set of grip spikes might save you from a painful and embarrassing fall ... or two.
6. Ski Neck Warmer
No blurb necessary here: the best ski jacket in the world can feel very inadequate if a chilly breeze comes gusting down your neckline. It won't need to be repositioned like a scarf, but the inbuilt drawstring can be readjusted to cover your jawline.
7. Wrist Guards
Often, these will fit neatly beneath your gloves to offer maximum protection without inhibiting comfort. Even the best skiers fall over sometimes, so look after your hands!
8. Earmuffs
Generally more for the ladies than for gents, but there's not beating this classic solution to the bitter problem of icy ears!
9. Suncream & Lipsalve
It might be cold, but your skin and lips can still get burnt on the exposed slopes of the Alps.
10. Les Gets travel guide
Ok, so you might not be visiting Les Gets this time, but there's no harm in planning for next year!
Skiing for the first time
As someone who enjoys hill-walking and trail running in the UK, I can’t help but feel disappointed as the weather starts to turn grey and miserable with the onset of autumn. As the skies become overcast, biting winds and thick fog envelop the Brecon Beacons near my home and suddenly the thought of heading for the hills just doesn’t have the same appeal that it had just a few weeks ago. But this year I have decided to embrace the colder climate and, for the first time in my life, I am going skiing.
It was a fairly spontaneous decision. A friend told me he would be spending some time in a French ski resort called Les Gets this winter and asked would I like to join him for a week and have a proper chalet holiday. There's only one answer to that question! So, before I know it we’re browsing the internet looking for our dream ski lodge. The choice is almost overwhelming, but through a ski holiday agency called The Chalet Experience, we booked to stay in a cosy-looking lodge called Chalet du Coin. Immediately, I was feeling giddy with anticipation.
Then suddenly it occurred to me that I know nothing about skiing and have none of the clothing I will need. My companion is a great skier and has offered to give me some lessons and organise my lift pass and ski hire while he's out there. But I'm going to need good clothing, and I immediately started doing my research. So, for what it's worth, here's a beginner's guide to buying ski gear.
Ski Pants
Looking at a rack of thick, black trousers, don't be fooled into thinking that price and branding are the only differences between them all. Reading around the subject, I've discovered that there are many variable to consider, and that getting the right pair of ski trousers (or salopettes) can be really important. The right type of trousers for you will be dictated in no small part by the type of activity you will be undertaking.
If you anticipate doing plenty of hard skiing, then you might want slightly less insulation than someone who is planning a more leisurely time on the pistes, with frequent stops letting the cold back in. An active skier will want insulation which can wick perspiration away from the skin, helping to keep you warmer for longer. Also, trousers with an articulated knee shape (i.e. bent knees) will make for a comfortable fit when you're skiing, but won't be so important in the local bars and restaurants.
A high back on your trousers isn't just for when you're sitting on a frozen ski lift: it can stop snow from filling your nicely insulated trousers when you fall over, and so prevent their nicely insulated contents from being frozen!
Jacket
Ski jackets again come in many varieties, but I will focus on three main options. First, the warmest of the warm, is a thick down jacket such as the men's Trespass Igloo Down Jacket displayed on the Chelston Direct website. Thick and very well insulated with down and feather, this option will keep you very warm indeed; ideal for learners like me, but perhaps more bulky than you needs if you do lots of intensive skiing.
A second option is a simple waterproof shell, like the Jack Wolfskin Positron. This offers no insulation of its own, but has the advantage of allowing skiers to add as many 'mid layers' as they wish. This allows you to adjust the level of insulation according to changing weather, activity or other circumstances.
Finally, and most commonly, there is the parka-style classic ski jacket, which offers in-built insulation as well as a waterproof shell. This is less adaptable than the layering system, but is a great compromise if you want to take one jacket for the whole skiing holiday, without the bulk of a down coat.
With a good hat and some suitable gloves at the ready, is it too early to start packing?
It was a fairly spontaneous decision. A friend told me he would be spending some time in a French ski resort called Les Gets this winter and asked would I like to join him for a week and have a proper chalet holiday. There's only one answer to that question! So, before I know it we’re browsing the internet looking for our dream ski lodge. The choice is almost overwhelming, but through a ski holiday agency called The Chalet Experience, we booked to stay in a cosy-looking lodge called Chalet du Coin. Immediately, I was feeling giddy with anticipation.
Then suddenly it occurred to me that I know nothing about skiing and have none of the clothing I will need. My companion is a great skier and has offered to give me some lessons and organise my lift pass and ski hire while he's out there. But I'm going to need good clothing, and I immediately started doing my research. So, for what it's worth, here's a beginner's guide to buying ski gear.
Looking at a rack of thick, black trousers, don't be fooled into thinking that price and branding are the only differences between them all. Reading around the subject, I've discovered that there are many variable to consider, and that getting the right pair of ski trousers (or salopettes) can be really important. The right type of trousers for you will be dictated in no small part by the type of activity you will be undertaking.
If you anticipate doing plenty of hard skiing, then you might want slightly less insulation than someone who is planning a more leisurely time on the pistes, with frequent stops letting the cold back in. An active skier will want insulation which can wick perspiration away from the skin, helping to keep you warmer for longer. Also, trousers with an articulated knee shape (i.e. bent knees) will make for a comfortable fit when you're skiing, but won't be so important in the local bars and restaurants.
A high back on your trousers isn't just for when you're sitting on a frozen ski lift: it can stop snow from filling your nicely insulated trousers when you fall over, and so prevent their nicely insulated contents from being frozen!
Ski jackets again come in many varieties, but I will focus on three main options. First, the warmest of the warm, is a thick down jacket such as the men's Trespass Igloo Down Jacket displayed on the Chelston Direct website. Thick and very well insulated with down and feather, this option will keep you very warm indeed; ideal for learners like me, but perhaps more bulky than you needs if you do lots of intensive skiing.
A second option is a simple waterproof shell, like the Jack Wolfskin Positron. This offers no insulation of its own, but has the advantage of allowing skiers to add as many 'mid layers' as they wish. This allows you to adjust the level of insulation according to changing weather, activity or other circumstances.
Finally, and most commonly, there is the parka-style classic ski jacket, which offers in-built insulation as well as a waterproof shell. This is less adaptable than the layering system, but is a great compromise if you want to take one jacket for the whole skiing holiday, without the bulk of a down coat.
With a good hat and some suitable gloves at the ready, is it too early to start packing?
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