Foo - Skiing newbie... going shopping...

I'm planning on taking up skiiing this winter!!!
It's been a gazillion years since I skied, and even then it was just borrowing friends clothes, renting equipment and using them for the weekend; so I'm starting with the basics.
What do I need to wear so I'm comfortable and warm? I know ski pants and a ski jacket. But do I get a shell jacket and a fleece jacket to wear underneath? A fleece vest over a warm long sleeve shirt? What is the best underlayer for ski pants? Etc...
I live in PA and will be skiing here mostly and in Vermont at least once.
The questions seem silly but I do want to give this a shot and want to be comfortable and warm. And of course I don't want to look like geek wearing the wrong clothes. LOL!
No really... any basic advice would be appreciated before I hit the slopes this winter!
Thanks!
Gypsy

Since you're new to skiing, you'll want a waterproof outer layer & wicking inner layers. No cotton anywhere. You don't need skiing specific clothing, though if you do go that route, get good pants first. High quality wool long underwear is the cat's meow. Synthetics are cheaper.

I usually wear a 'shell' jacket over a fleece jacket/liner over sweater over long underwear on top; though the layers vary depending on weather. Bottoms are usually long underwear under nylon ski pants. If its not snowing & relatively warm, I'll wear jeans, but thats usually not a good idea when you're learning.

as halfbiked- any modern (synthetic) hiking/climbing/outdoors type clothing in layers with a breathable waterproof outer will do. Avoid the heavy ski jacket/pant combo as unless it's really cold and your not working hard you'll over heat.

bling bling but it works like a dream - arcteryx and mountain hardwear
not so bling but still good - north face, marmot, columbia, mamut, etc.
cheap but work ok - army surplus, wallymart fleeces and thermals, etc.

Try sierra trading post, rei outlet and campmor for online last season massively discounted bargains

Waterproof pants and warm and waterproof gloves. Powerbars, sense of humor and low expectations.

Thanks for the suggestions!! Those are exactly the kind of things I need to know. I'm starting my list now.

I definitely have a sense of humor!! My expectations are as low as the ground I'll be sitting on and face planting into. And my butt is well padded!!!

Don't forget a helmet and dress in layers. Patagonia has some good fleece layers of varying weights.
Ski socks, neck warmer, or baclava if you get a helmet. Goggles, especially if its snowing, although I wear mine all the time.

I like Salomon skiwear.

Sunscreen and a good moisturizer.

A good pair of ski boots, even if you rent skis.

Take lessons if you're renting shaped skis, the technique is entirely different from the old straight skis. If you're planning on using straight skis, buy shaped and take lessons.

I'm going Monday for the first time this year, I'll let you know what I forgot.

Kathi

I was a pretty decent skiier in my time, took a 25 year break and resumed at age 50. I only ski about 5 days a year and I wasn't going to buy an exensive outfit or equipment Modern rental boots fit pretty well. Parabolic skis ("carvers") nowadays are much easier to use than the longer, straighter skis I had back in the day.

I wear a pair of lightly insulated snow pants over jeans. Jeans alone would get damp, and hence cold. I wear two pairs of thin socks, or on cold days one thin and one thick. Despite advice against cotton, I wear a cotton T-shirt and a sweatshirt with a ski jacket on top. Layering is what keeps you warm. I got gloves with a removable liner, so I can handle warm or cold, and you want your hands to be comfortable. My ski jacket came with a detachable thin nylon shell hood, and for cold days if I wear it over a toque, it works fine, keeps the wind off my neck. I can't wear goggles over my glasses. I got antifog spray for my glasses, and both yellow and green clip-on sunglasses. The yellow is for flat-light days, seems to help bring out the moguls and ruts.

I'm not the most stylish guy on the slope but I figure I since I ski better than at least some of the best dressed and much younger people there, I don't need to feel self-conscious.

I love to ski. Mammoth or Tahoe hopefully this year.

I throw on a shell (Arcteryx) with fleece layers (depending on weather conditions), Marmot gloves and polarized sunglasses. Good to go. An MP3 player on the slopes, with due caution of course and awareness, is a blast. Also, I love renting demo skis to experience top-of-the-line skis without having to shell out $700-$1000 for them.

avoid at all possible cost thick or multiple socks - ONLY use the thinnest socks available(smartwool ski ultralight is a good start) the foam in the boots themselves will keep your feet warm and there's no worry about loss of feeling/moisture buildup(cold)/hotspots. If you are one of the rare few that still have cold feet then use ski boot heaters. Do NOT use thick or multiple socks.

Thanks so much for all the info! I am taking note of all of it. And markhr, I probably would have done the big socks, multiple socks thing. Guess I'll use the extra socks to pad my butt. :D

The last couple times I was skiing were on parabolic skis. I thought I must have become a better skier since the last time I had skied. I guess it was going from straight skis to parabolic. Oh well!

Have fun Monday, Kathi! I used to live in Colorado which is where I've done most of what little skiing I've done.

Where are you skiing in PA? I've had some fun days at 7 Springs. Though it seems like half the time we go the wind is howling!

avoid at all possible cost thick or multiple socks - ONLY use the thinnest socks available(smartwool ski ultralight is a good start) the foam in the boots themselves will keep your feet warm and there's no worry about loss of feeling/moisture buildup(cold)/hotspots. If you are one of the rare few that still have cold feet then use ski boot heaters. Do NOT use thick or multiple socks.
Good point, although if the OP is going to rent boots, as I do, the foam isn't necessarily going to be sculpted to his/her foot. A couple of time on cold days I've had to add a layer of socks after getting cold feet the first few runs.
RGC.

sorry for that mini rant - although even with rental boots, as long as sized correctly, there should be very little side to side slop and definitely no backwards/forwards slippage. If there is ask for a smaller boot, i.e., just snug front to rear and not painfully tight. Anyway, by the sounds of it I'm teaching you all to suck eggs as the only straight skis I've ever used were for xc.

as far as padded posteriors go I use a dainese "nappy" so I can't talk

http://ctt-sports.de/images/big/short_protector_plus.jpg

sorry for that mini rant - although even with rental boots, as long as sized correctly, there should be very little side to side slop and definitely no backwards/forwards slippage. If there is ask for a smaller boot, i.e., just snug front to rear and not painfully tight. Anyway, by the sounds of it I'm teaching you all to suck eggs as the only straight skis I've ever used were for xc.

as far as padded posteriors go I use a dainese "nappy" so I can't talk

http://ctt-sports.de/images/big/short_protector_plus.jpg

what the fsck is that thing? you actually wear that when you ski?!

To the OP:

Don't be afraid to spend a fair amount of time fitting your boots. They should be snug but not tight - a tighter fit will be better once you are skiing more. The fit of your boots is THE single most important part of being comfortable on the slopes.

Also, once you get hooked on skiing, the first thing you should buy is BOOTS, don't worry about skis. It makes that much of a difference.

bk

for snowboarding mostly - I'll also probably wear them for park and pipe this season.

I wiped out on an icy patch while skiing last winter and had a bruised hip for a quite while. If I'd been wearing my training pants I guess I would have walked away merely winded.

The Fancy Pants are not a bad idea. In my experience snowboarding crashes are a hella lot worse than skiing crashes.

Thank you all for taking the time to respond to my post. I will be much more prepared because of the suggestions!

I will be renting boots/skis. At least initially. If I end up loving the sport I may eventually buy my own. (Just what I need... another hobby to spend money on. LOL!) I'll make sure that my rental boots are a good fit.

halfbiked...Most of my skiing will be in the Poconos. Though I think my first couple times out will be in NJ at Vernon Valley since it's small and down the road from my brother's. I figure a couple afternoons during the week when kids are at school will be the best time to start. I'll post where I end up and how I do!

markhr... wow! I never knew they made padded pants like that!!!! Gives new meaning to "Does this make my butt look fat?" :D

Thanks again!
Sharon

Another ski bunny joins the fray. Welcome!

LOL! Don't know that ski bunny will describe me. I'm sure I will have absolutely no grace as I roll down the slopes. :D

So REI has some good deals online right now. Which is better in ski pants? Bibs or no bibs? I'm thinking bibs so I don't end up with snow all down my pants when I crash and burn. Sounds very cold and uncomfortable. But I could also just tuck layers in to prevent that. Any opinions?

That's pretty good logic, go with the bibs. I get bibs for my kids at Goodwill, most have only been used a few times and they are $5. Hope you have an EXCELLENT time Angel. And remember "don't cross your tips"