Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Snowy]

So I have finally managed to book a trip to Barrie, Ontario to see my brother But it is in February So it looks like we will be doing that skiing/snowboarding thing - something that hadn't really crossed my mind when we booked, after all the primary purpose of the trip was visiting family! But now I am thinking about practicalities. I have never skiied so am clueless about what kind of clothing we will need for this kind of holiday. My brother assures me there will be plenty of snow and they will teach me and the boys all about snow sports

So calling on the collective wisdom of Omletteers! I am looking at clothing and am thinking snow boots and padded trousers with braces.

So, cheap and functional recommendations please for men, women and boys will be gratefully received - brands to look for/avoid and the same for retailers. Average daily temperature due to be -5c

[The Dogmother]

Go to TK Maxx or Sports Direct for bargains and get some really good thermals or base layers.

[Grandmashazzie]

Yes def TK max.Dont want to seem a skinflint but the outer stuff you may not need again and it will be bulky in your luggage.when I went to Canada my sister asked around and borrowed stuff for our kids to use when we went to her one Christmas.

[Snowy]

Ooh never thought of TK Max, cheers! And yes, unlikely the kids stuff will be used much before they outgrow it (unless we get another nice snowy winter of course!)

[Couperwife]

keep an eye out for Aldi too - they frequently have ski gear

 

How exciting - I wish I had family in interesting places, the best I can do is south-end

 

cathy

x

[The Dogmother]

I agree with Grandmashazzie, see what you can borrow.

[Willow]

If the trip is Feb it may be worth waiting for Jan sales to buy stuff

[The Dogmother]

Freecycle?

[redbug]

keep an eye out for Aldi too - they frequently have ski gear

 

 

Lidl has a little ski wear for kids 21/11/13.

[Snowy]

Nice one, will look out for those, thanks

[Bramble]

I'm sure friends of mine hired the ski jacket and trousers etc for their little ones - might that be an option? If you buy, you can always ebay when you've finished with it?

[soapdragon]

Lidl have some great snow boots at the moment - the sort of thing that you could wear here to over the Winter so as to really get your money's worth They also had/have thin thermal jackets that would be an ideal layer - down to -10 I think they said on the label.

[Chickendoodle]

Layers layers layers!

 

We got padded trousers and were advised to have layers - a thermal vest then a thin cotton polo with a micro fleece and a thicker fleece so that you can remove some layers if you get hot. We also had neck warmers (a fleece tube that goes over the head that you can pull up over your face if the wind is biting)

 

Apart from the trousers the layering bits are all stuff that has a use outside skiing.

 

Oh and don't forget the long johns - I think Primark do them really cheaply

 

Good gloves and goggles (might be abe to hire these) Snow and sun are a blinding combination

 

Make sure you take some vaseline to prevent chapped lips and some sun block

[kinsk]

Good base layers are the key and then after that you can go more budget, especially as a learner who may spend a lot of time rolling around in the snow!

 

The best base layers I have ever found are ice breakers, the merino wool ones, they are not cheap but so, so worth it.

[Snowy]

I noticed Aldi had some merino base layers in the other day, may pay them a visit tomorrow. And snow boots for the boys would get the use through winter as well, so worth getting them now probably. Certainly think we may be doing rather more rolling around in the snow than anything else Ooh, got oldest son some of those Chube neck warmer things last year - they disappeared into his room never to be seen again!

Hopefully my brother and nephews will have goggles and things that we can borrow.

 

Am currently researching hotels overlooking Niagara falls for a two day break Getting so excited now - can't believe we have to get through christmas first!

[The Dogmother]

Oooo, I might have to raid Aldi for those merino base layers for wearing to work this winter.

[Grandmashazzie]

We stayed in the Brock now called the Crown Plaza.Our room had view of the falls and we couldn't get to sleep with the noise

[Snowy]

We stayed in the Brock now called the Crown Plaza.Our room had view of the falls and we couldn't get to sleep with the noise

 

Aah. Didn't think of that

[Patricia W]

My son married over there about 3 years ago as his Canadian OH wanted to get married in the snow. We hired a ski chalet for less than the price of a hotel. Out of school holiday season they are an amazing bargain. And I used my muck boots, bought on the recommendation of the forum. Other than that, remember that it will be very warm indoors as they have sussed out insulation etc so you don't need loads of warm clothes for inside.

 

You'll love it!

[Daphne]

2 things I learnt through bitter experience a) get proper thermal padded mittens, I thought I might die from frostbite with inadequate gloves when I spent hours in the snow during a skiing lesson b) cotton is not a good idea for your layers, OH nearly died (well got a chill which involved several days in bed ) from getting too hot and then cooling down in a cotton baselayer - I'd go manmade material (cheap and effective) or merino (costly and very effective).

[Snowy]

Oooh sound advice Daphne, thanks, wouldn't have thought that about cotton!

[Geoid]

Can anyone recommend some shoe grips? I hate sliding around when it is icy.

[The Dogmother]

YakTrax!

 

Get the ones with the velcro straps though.

[Plum]

Shoe spikes in Aldi £3

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Cathy, what size are the boys? I have stuff which T has outgrown which may be of some use....am coming up to Northampton next week too so could possibly meet to hand over anything useful....

 

We did base layers from Lidl...and snow boots...and goggles etc