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Kitting up for the slopes is a serious business - first you have to make sure you're going to be warm and dry - not to mention trying to look good as well. And then you have to mortgage your house, sell your children or win the lottery to buy the stuff.
With your local retail outlets about to start selling ski gear for extremely low prices, we ask whether it's really worth spending hundreds of pounds for one week's skiing a year. Normal retail prices can be astronomical: Ski jacket - £200, sallopettes - £100, thermals - £40, socks - £15, gloves - £50, sunglasses - £40, hat - £20... the list goes on. It's an expensive sport - especially for someone who is just learning and not entirely sure whether they will love it or hate it.
Luckily, companies are starting to wise up to this market and beginning to sell cheaper ski wear and accessories aimed at people who don't have to money to throw away on a sport they're not certain about yet. And whilst some of the clothes on offer aren't always the best - they're certainly good enough for a week's skiing a year.
Check out some of the options below from last year:
George at Asda
What's on offer? Jackets and trousers for men and women plus assorted woollies to keep you warm Best of all? Despite being cheap, the jackets last year had technical features such as a snow skirt and air vents Worst of all? The colours - baby blue and a not-so-attractive brown can look a little naff How much? £35 for a jacket and £15 for pants Kids' ski wear? Jackets from £18, trousers from £9 and helmets also on sale Where can I find it? Unfortunately only in some Asda stores. Call their customer services (0845 300 1111) for your closest stockist.
TK Maxx
A great choice of brands from Rossignol to Rip Curl - jackets, trousers as well as gloves and ski socks Best of all? The range of cheap but good quality ski wear - especially the great value Trespass stuff Worst of all? The jumble sale feel of the shops - everyone scrambling around for a bargain How much? Ladies Rossignol jacket for £49.99 (reduced from £200), Men's Trespass jacket for £59.99, Rip Curl trousers for £29.99 Kids' ski wear? Dare2b snowsuits for £24.99 Where can I find it? There are tons of shops all over the country. See their website for the closes store to you: http://www.tkmaxx.com/
Outdoor Mania
What's on offer? Everything from clothes to goggles to luggage Best of all? The packages where you can buy jacket and trousers together - Helly Hanson offer one for £169.99 Worst of all? It's just a website so you can't try the items on or get a good feel for how waterproof or warm they will be How much? Trespass jackets from £49.99, Dare2b trousers from £38.99 Kids' ski wear? Good range of clothes and accessories for teenagers Where can I find it? www.outdoormania.co.uk
Edge to Edge
What's on offer? Hire your clothes and equipment instead of buying them Best of all? You can pick them up and drop them off at Left Luggage at the airport Worst of all? Unheard of brands and, after hiring a couple of times, you could have bought your gear with the money spent How much? Jacket and trouser pack - £30 plus £8 delivery Kids' ski wear? Jacket and trouser pack - £29 Where can I find it? They have shops in Crawley and at Knockhatch dry slope. Their website is great: www.edge2edge.co.uk/hire
