Winter/Ski Clothes

I checked the Craigslist in Austin for Obermeyer and there are quite a few things for sale. Like the size 7 ski suit for $35.

Obermeyer, spider, north face, marmot, lands end, some columbia, burton, etc all make terrific cold weather gear. You're right, it can get expensive to buy the clothes. To outfit my 2 kids in bibs/jackets/fleece sweaters was $288. I splurged and bought brand new...Obermeyer has the iGrow and should last two seasons fingers crossed.

Check consignment stores too. GL! Happy skiing!

How about renting the ski boots and "bibs" for a one time trip?
The gloves I would purchase at a sporting goods store.
Those you can always use.

We live in IL and get a lot of snow. If you are looking for better quality, I totally agree with getting Land's End. I got jackets, boots, gloves and fleeces for our whole family there. The price is slightly higher than what you might pay at Target or something like that, but if you will be out all day skiing, it will be worth it to go a step up so everyone is comfortable.

I would recommend the Squall jacket or parka for the kids and also especially, get everyone in the family a fleece to use as an underlayer- it will keep the warm air trapped in there, and it is the perfect weight/warmth for a break in the ski lodge to eat lunch or rest without getting chilled or having to wear a heavy bulk sweater underneath.

The other thing- instead of scarves, I got my son and husband the fleece neck gators- just a tube of fleece- they are very warm and really cover that under the chin area and keep the snow out, and not expensive. For skiing, easier than messing with a scarf IMO.

Have fun!!!!

Our family likes Lands End. Also, I recommend getting ski socks instead of using regular socks. The ski boots can be so uncomfortable! We get our ski socks at REI. If this is not something you are going to be doing on a regular basis, you can also check out outerwear on Ebay and at consignment stores.

My family goes skiing every year. Our first time we borrowed what we could from family. But, we do like Lands End brand, and also UnderArmour.

Other than that we've pretty much just gotten things that were warm, good layers, not too expensive, etc.

Do make sure you are all wearing a waterproof layer!!!

Have fun & don't forget to bend your knees! :)

For our first year snowboarding we borrowed everything. So before you go out and buy... mass email your friends and relatives to see if anyone has outgrown things they've hung onto, or aren't using for when you need them.

ALSO if this is going to be an annual thing in October every year all the ski and snowboard companies do MASSIVE one day sales (75% off type sales). Ditto at the end of the season everything tends to be 40% off until October with the 1 day sale on new and "demo" gear when the new lines all launch for the new season. We got $700 board for $100, a $200 jacket for under $50, etc.) AND (but wait, there's more), a lot of communities do "snow trade" early in the season where parents bring in their old gear and do something of a big garage sale/ swap meet in order to outfit their kids on the cheap. AND there's also craigslist. If I have my eye on something from the store (like $80-$300 snow pants) I try them on in the store and then look on craigslist and ebay. I sooooo don't care if they're used.

For actual skiing/snowboarding the brands I use/recommend are:

Burton
OR (outdoor research)
UnderArmor

If you can buy used, do that. Obermeyer is good, Columbia, Scott gloves (they even sell some gloves at Costco that are pretty good. What you really need to make sure is that they have warm socks that are not to thick and good thin long underwear. Silk is best but I use thin mix that I got from Sports Authority.

Lands end is great and reasonably priced too. Their stuff is 100% guaranteed too...take it back if it doesn't meet your expectations. Also-they rate their jackets for how warm they will be.

Go to Polka Dot Pony on Anderson Mill road to rent the clothes;)