So there I was, headed into Snow and Rock to shop for the trip, completely overwhelmed, and about to ask for "warm snow-suit-type-stuff". As I looked up at the 5 floors of stock looming above me, I felt like I was heading into battle armed with a toothbrush, and an old dodgy one at that. Luckily, a wonderful girl that I'd been to school with years before, had taken pity on me and how useless I was, and she'd mailed me a fabulous list to use as a guide for the shopping expedition.
Huge thanks to Jannine Samways McClure (who has travelled extensively and lived the most amazing life) for this very informative list. My notes are added in brackets:
· Thermal underwear - get leggings and long sleeved tops - they are unsexy!! :) but amazing in keeping heat in - they will go under normal clothes and ski gear - get a few pairs each as they get sweaty on the slopes. Get the smaller tighter fitting ones every time - baggy ones won't work as well. (Damn, I don't do tight clothes! I like things baggy! That's why I never took up scuba diving - they won't sell me a baggy wet suit.)
· Thick explorer socks - unisex again. (Hmmm... Haven't noticed that Dora the Explorer has particularly thick socks. Must ask my 3 year old niece about this...)
· Thinsulate gloves with liners....so these are like waterproof gloves (great in the snow and wet) and inside they have a smaller, thinner pair.
· Any ski goggles - they start about US$40 which is fine - just 2 requirements....1. get polarized as the glare from white snow can be blinding - sunnies work too but only if its not snowing :) 2. get a pair with a small vent that you can open and close as they can fog up ..its usually a little plastic clip on the top you can move up and down. (Oooooh yes. Now we're talking. I've seen pics of people wearing these on the slopes and they're super sexy. Now, I'll still look like the Oros man, but at least I'll look like a sexy Oros man.)
· Long sleeve t-shirts - any thickness - these are great over thermals and under ski jackets. (The only thing I was able to buy in SA during our Winter. Phew!)
· Ski pants and jackets - any brand is fine so long as they are waterproof outside - a warm lining is preferred - if there is no lining inside the jackets they are usually called "shells" - I'd advise against shells and suggest jackets with lining. (Honestly even in the coldest weather, thermal undies with waterproof pants on the bottom combined with thermal top, t-shirt and lined ski jacket on top is fine).
· Scarf - or I use something called a neck gator (try Google an image) but it pulls over your head and goes around your neck - is better than scarf as it wont unravel and can be pulled up over your face for protection against the elements. (Excellent. Wonder how many bank robberies are committed near the slopes?)
· Beanie - try get one that has a lining - it's all very well as I learnt the hard way :), to get a cute knitted woollen one but when the wind starts up - those cute little holes between the wool aren't so cute anymore :) (This is very important to remember. Stephen has a ginormous cranium and so a lot of heat can escape from that sucker if we don't keep it heated!)
· Carabina clips - these are great for clipping outer gloves, ski goggles, ski passes etc on your ski jacket - also mini lip balms and sun blocks with rings on them for easy clipping (these are usually available on the slope);
· If it is sunny - sunblock no question!!! the snow is reflective! (OMG, seriously??? Sun block in - 30 degree temps. Crazy!)
· Moisturiser for windburn - I promise your skin will hurt so slather up :)
· Optional but fun - hand and feet warmers - these look like mini sanitary pads and you peel the back off and stick on your sole outside your sock before putting your boot on and between the inner and outer layers of gloves. No skin contact. They heat up and last about 4 hours...not necessary but useful if you really feel the cold. (LMAO. Can't wait to hand Stephen heated sanitary pads...)
· Tissues - your nose will run :) (Hmmmm... I'm a pill popper, better add Advils to the list as well.)
· Camelbak - is a small flat backpack that you put water in and drink form - kind of optional but worth having instead of bottled water which is bulky. (Sounds better than camel toe so I'm in! Wonder if we can put sherry in it instead of water?)
I had this list clutched in my grubby little paws, and I was set to go.
To be continued...
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