I seek help :) from anyone who knows snow!! In the Alps too ;)....NFRC

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I am actually going this time, yes I BOUGHT the ticket. I have always chickened out for all the reasons but mainly for the cold.

Problem is I have ABSOLUTELY no idea of clothing for the nether regions. I have everything for the other parts of the body BUT pants.

So I went on line and am so confused......

My question is?

From all the online stores I found, Lands End seems to have the size I want but the reviews say they run big.....anyone have some recommendations for me.

And I prefer to hear 'runs big' than 'runs small' but what am I supposed to do? I haven't had much experience buying on line ever.

Also I think renting snow pants for 2 weeks will cost more than buying my own.

Any ideas MOST welcome.

( I am going to get thermal leggings and snow pant BUT cant find any regular woolen pants for the UK!!)

 
Oh you people in the Caribbean. Such problems!. Do I understand that you want to buy SNOW PANTS?

Are you planning on romping in the snow or skiing or something that involves having snow massaged into your lower extremities?

Or are you just looking for warm pants, dress or casual, to wear in the winter? When you say ALPS, are you going high up into the mountains or just bopping around Zurich and Geneve?

 
Don't laugh! Not just the Caribbean. I've only been to New Mexico

Once. In the Spring. We get about an inch of snow a couple of times a year here. I wouldn't know what to do either.

 
The Lands' End online/phone reps are very helpful--they can give you measurements so you can >>

check the sizing more accurately. I've done this with everything of theirs from boots to pants to sweaters, and having the measurements is way better than just having to guess at the size from the chart or from the reviews. So you might contact them and ask for help. smileys/smile.gif

On a more general note, and as a Colorado girl, my question is: Are you going to be skiing? If so, you'll definitely want long underwear, good skiing socks (with padding for the shins), and good ski pants. (REI is probably the best source for those, in my opinion.) But even if you're just going to be doing elegant apres-ski chalet-hopping, you'll still want good silk long underwear (LL Bean's longjohns are good), good socks that wick away moisture (which is to say, not all-cotton socks), boots with tread (or snap-on crampons--easy to find online), and a good pair of thick pants, like corduroy or lined wool or black* jeans. Hope this helps! I may not know much, but I know how to dress for winter. smileys/smile.gif

*Yes, in Colorado, we schlump around in blue denim. Very un-chic. smileys/wink.gif

http://bit.ly/vOIHjG

 
Baby you have come to the right place smileys/wink.gif. Most all major

brands sizes that run in the "normal" range. I often buy clothes from North Face, which has great winter gear. Also, Arc'teryx is great (I have never managed to wear out any clothes from that line till now).
Rab is another line that has wonderful down clothes, but my all time favorite is my down pants from Mountain Equipment. LOVE them! They are so warm and comfortable, I couldn't live without them.

 
oh my, this made my morning! you might like the flannel or fleece lined jeans they have at ll bean

and other places instead of "wool" pants. I searched ll bean for something other than jeans, but nothing lined for women. you might try Cabelas as well(I can't connect to them at the moment though). Pendelton for wool pants, but not sure about delivery to you. http://www.pendleton-usa.com/category/Women/PANTS-SHORTS/1801/pc/1815.uts

nice light long undies, fitting right against the skin, are really a must for keeping warmth in---leggings and also long sleeve t-shirts. these don't take up much room and are a must to me. do resort areas have thrift shops like we have in the US? we can usually pick up all sorts of good condition ski wear for practically nothing.

 
I would like to try skiing but never having dont it before perhaps I will just be walking or sitting

in front of a fire with a large jug of gluwein...I hate being cold!

 
Unfortunately I may...

need plus sizes by the way I read it all and Land's End seems the best...PADDED socks! I would love to wear my jeans...they are thinner though. Longjohns I will deff. have to buy.LOL this is so nerve wracking. I have great tread, waterproof boots.

 
Thanx Ange. Everything seems so expensive for poss. a one off trip...OOOH!

Under garments and jackets and boots/shoes I am fine it is just the pants...for snow and for?? Can I live in snow pants and legging or would that be too hot in a restaurant at night? I just cant visualize this at all I can see me freezing going up in a lift..OH can you come down in a lift if you don't ski....It was so cold in the office airco today wondering how I will breathe high up the mountains in the cold...
At my age this is quite a diff thing to do and I have done so many other things (cept jump out of a plane...NEVER)

 
You don't need snowpants then...

Even a pair of jeans, with nice silk long johns underneath will do you nicely -

UK doesn't get too cold either, I can't remember a day that I thought I would need even wool pants.

Also, remember that Marks and Spencer in London has good prices on trousers and even snow pants, if you really want them, plus you can try stuff on... it would be very, very warm inside wearing snow pants!!

Ski lifts - there are some that you can go up and come down without skiing, and those are typically enclosed gondolas, as it's very difficult to get off a chair lift if you're not on skis

If you're going to be in NY before Europe, I'll take you shopping -

 
I think the gluwein sounds good, along with the fire. Attempting skiing on a short trip departing

from a balmy country, and for the first time, would be a major challenge and then there's all that equipment that takes so long to fit.... huge headache.

If you wanted extra protection pants (sounds like a seniors' ad) a pair of zip-on nylon pants to cover whatever you're wearing would be ample. But that's only necessary for long jaunts outside in the country. And if you have longjohns, you'll be very warm. But really, we all survive in these climes with just warmer pants, such as wool, or heavy blue jeans, and we're here to tell you about it. But a cheap scarf (it can be all synthetic), some gloves, and some socks that go halfway up your calf.

I feel like a mom getting her kid dressed for her first walk to school in the winter.

 
Joanie, you'll be fine. First, you don't use the same pants in the ski slopes

during the day as you will use in the restaurants at night. Bring your regular pants or wear nice jeans.

And yes, you can take the ski lift back down. Many people like to go up with their family even if they don't ski. They just take in the view. Also, many places have cafes and restaurants on top of the ski slopes. Bring you camera and enjoy the view and watching people ski.

As for breathing well in the cold and avoid getting a cold - buy a fleece neck warmer or scarf. It can easily be pulled up over your cheecks, and if you choose fleece over wool, you won't get your mouth full of wool hairs smileys/wink.gif

Another tip - buy a fleece balaklave. A balaklava is WONDERFUL, and keeps you warm. It won't cost you a fortune, and with a winter hat and a scarf, you will keep your head and neck warm.

 
Definitely, ski lifts run in both directions with people in them on their way down. It truly

could be expensive to outfit your Caribbean body for the mountains, but just think of layers and you won't have to make any major purchases. A pair of nylon pants over your regular ones will keep out wind and snow. Remember bloomers, they cover the front of your thighs where you are likely to get cold. Now why would I think that you remember bloomers?

You could not buy ski pants and wear them comfortably to a restaurant at night. You'd be too hot and they'd be very bulky. But layers, you can just remove. Scarf...important. Mitts or gloves, essential.

I'm wondering if I could buy the stuff for you here and send it. It's a lot cheaper when you can get deals and when you can buy cheaper versions in the first place. This is not exactly winter country but it is in close proximity so choices abound.

You'll survive. I can recall walking to school one day when it was 42 below and with the wind chill, 70 below. It was a good mile, I had nylon stockings and a little scarf on my head. Totally senseless. You won't encounter anything like that there, and I don't ever want to again either. It's the kind of weather when outdoor cats lose the tips of their ears. I survived. I thawed out in time to walk home again for lunch.

 
Marg you are always so sweet. I will shop on line for those thermals...

I think and am debating the pants. But do like the idea of the "jersey - scarf over thing I've seen my daughter in...she wears it here on some 'winter' nights.
I am usually fine in the UK but haven't been there with snow but my daughter says the last time I stayed with her the temp went below freezing and I walked some 3 miles from a friends house to dinner and then another mile after dinner and I was fine with what I had ie the boots and jacket I have here.
No why did I never know realize it was below freezing that night..perhaps 'cause we walked fast and I had had a glass or six of wine.
So I am not so worried any more. Layers, lots of French wine and hopefully some movement and I am sure I will be fine. I do want to try on a pair of skis down the bay slope though. LOL I learn't to ice skate at 40!! can't be too ahrd:)

 
Thanks I need to know that re the pants!

I can imagine how warm it will be inside. Those thermal leggins?? I see picks of folk walking with leggins, long tunic tops and long over jackets...can I wear the thermal leggings in the same way? I mean they don't look like PJ's do they do they?

Geez, I am so out of touch, don't want to look like a real hilly-billy in a fine Alpine village square and embarrass my nephews and nieces.....

I can not wait to have Racelette up there on the slopes...It sounds like such a dream:)

 
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