First time Skiing- can I rent ski clothes or just suck it up and buy some?

March 27, 2008 6:31 AM

I'm going skiing this weekend with people who know how to ski- or in other words, they all own their own equipment and ski clothing. I have never skied before. Getting the equipment- boots, skiis, pole, blah blah is all ok... but is it even possible to rent clothing? Where?

No one has spare skiing clothing and I don't know anyone I could borrow from. I've googled all over the place and keep on getting ads or pages which redirect to junk directories.

I don't want to invest in buying just in case this is a one shot deal and I end up not liking skiiing and never do it again. The jacket I suppose I can deal with wearing a nylon jacket with a sweater or layers underneath, but the nylon or whatever pants I have no idea where to rent some.

Anywhere recommendations near Mount Sunapee, or on the way to Mount Sunapee from Manchester, NH?

posted by Jimmie to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (17 answers total)

Just buy some snow pants for $20 and wear some jeans and long underwear underneath. It's not the best but it'll do. You can get them at any Walmart (or equivalent but less evil store). Check it out.
posted by ictow at 6:44 AM on March 27, 2008

Check the close-outs at Sierra Trading Post. You can get things quite cheaply, particularly now as the season is ending. I don't know what you were thinking it would cost to rent ski pants (or a bib. I wear pants, but the Boy swears that a bib is *so* much better. He skiis the scary slopes, though; I don't), but you might find a closeout at Sierra Trading Post that's priced right. Their return policy is great, too, if you order something that doesn't fit.
posted by crush-onastick at 6:46 AM on March 27, 2008

I went skiing for the first time a few years ago (ended up being a one shot deal, so far at least) to an Academy's (general sporting goods store) and bought ski pants very cheaply ($20). I wore long underwear underneath them and was perfectly fine. Try looking at any sporting goods stores in your area, Academy's is pretty generic and their prices are really low.

I also went camping recently and was looking at a cold rainy night and wished I could have found my skiing pants to wear!

Have fun. Snow banks are your friend, very cushiony.
posted by collocation at 6:48 AM on March 27, 2008

I ski once ever five years, so last February I bought these pants form REI and wore them over some warm long johns. They worked perfectly, and I can wear them when I'm not skiing as well.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 6:49 AM on March 27, 2008

You don't really need anything special. If I were you I'd go to a thrift store and buy a pair of nylons pants there for less than five dollars. Follow the same layering strategy on the bottom as you will on the top, and you'll be golden.
posted by OmieWise at 6:50 AM on March 27, 2008

You don't even need ski pants. I did my earliest skiing in jeans. Most (practically all) ski mountains will have a beginner's package that offers skis and boots (and poles, which you hardly need as a novice) with a bunny hill lift ticket and a lesson.

I've seen people learning to ski at Bretton Woods who looked like they just got off the plane at Logan from Ethiopia, wearing long, dress overcoats.

Although I have ski pants somewhere, on those rare occasions when I go skiing I feel most comfortable wearing jeans (what I call dungarees, except on the internet, where people laugh at the term) with long underwear. The thing about ski pants is that they make this ridiculous swooshing sound between the legs.

The only special equipment you might consider buying or renting would be a helmet, which I would not ski without (I am a terrible skier), not because I ski fast or dangerously but because someone else might hit me.
posted by thomas144 at 7:40 AM on March 27, 2008

Agreed, nothing special needed, unless you are dressing to look the part. Do keep in mind to use layers. It can get very hot, very fast. But you probably already own stuff that will work fine.

And wear sunscreen.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 7:43 AM on March 27, 2008

Buy cheap ski pants. If you go in jeans you will end the day soaking wet as you will fall and the snow will stick to you and then melt. says the voice of experience.
posted by GuyZero at 7:57 AM on March 27, 2008

ditto buying cheap ski pants, even they are just a shell - as waterproof as possible is best, you can wear your jeans under them if you like. other things that will make you comfortable - not so thick wool socks, waterproof jacket, warm gloves. wet is bad. things that don't dry well are bad. i used to ski in jeans as well but then again at that time i was pretty good and hardly ever fell and i scotchguarded them.

i have seen people ski in everything from jeans to carhartt coveralls to a poor lady in a cotton skirt last month. i am sure it was a religious thing, but bless her heart it had to be miserable with all the new snow we had.
posted by domino at 8:15 AM on March 27, 2008

I usally wear nice comfy sweatpants with a waterproof trackpant over it. I'm sure you have sweatpants, and the trackpants you can pick up at wal-mart for 10 or 15 bucks. I'd recommend layering your upper as well (tshirt, long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt, waterproof jacket). If you've got it, glove liners or really thin gloves under your big ski gloves are a lifesaver.
posted by ruwan at 8:54 AM on March 27, 2008

I vote to buy a bib or regular ski pants. I've sold ski clothes for cheap on Ebay. You might want to look there. You could also log on to Freecycle and post a "Wanted" ad.
posted by LoriFLA at 9:21 AM on March 27, 2008

The ski shop I used to work at rented a whole setup, coats, bibs/pants, goggles, gloves. Albeit they were usually pretty roughed up but they were available. Call ahead and check. Definitely do NOT ski in jeans, get something marginally waterproof, especially if its going to be spring type conditions... not to mention how bruised an ego can get from the shouting of those on the lift about your constant falling and jeans wearing ; )

Kidding.. have fun!
posted by huxley at 9:22 AM on March 27, 2008

I love Mount Sunapee! Have fun!
posted by LakesideOrion at 9:35 AM on March 27, 2008

Yep, avoid jeans. COTTON KILLS!!! Probably not on a ski mountain, but you'll just be uncomfortable. Find a cheap pair online. REI-Outlet.com Any old jacket will do, but an investment in a nice set of gloves will pay off for years.
posted by jstef at 10:48 AM on March 27, 2008

Jeans == FAIL!

Wear some long underwear under track pants (preferably not the tear-away kind), and remember to brush the snow off when you fall.

If you've never skied before, then expect to spend all morning by yourself on the bunny hill while your friends ski together. Make a deal with them that in the afternoon you will all ski together on the easiest green run so that you can see the difference between your own skiing and theirs... don't feel bad about snowplowing or your own style, but realize that there's a big difference between going down a hill with skis on, and proper skiing. Good luck and enjoy!
posted by furtive at 11:15 AM on March 27, 2008

Please take a ski lesson the first day. Just tell your friends...hey it's my first time, I'm taking a lesson. Odds are they did too their first time out. It makes the world of difference. People who have been skiing since they were little kids can do it without a lesson but those of us who learn to ski as adults usually do much better with a lesson the first day. It might make the difference between hating skiing and loving it. It did for me.
posted by tamitang at 5:12 PM on March 27, 2008

Yes some places do rent clothes. You just need to call the rental shop at the mountain or any of the independent shops that are nearby and ask (or take the advice above). Frankly, if you live above Tennessee, you probably should own most of what you will need.
posted by mmascolino at 8:23 PM on March 27, 2008