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First time ski.

Sunday 16th November 2008 at 5:26:55 AM

Swatje
Rank: Snow Ignoramus
#Posts: 2
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Hey fella's,

I'm from Europe, and I'm heading off to les trois vall�es this february. I already have some skigoggles, but they're pretty cheap and brandless (33$). However they listed 100% UV protection, anti-fog and venting. Is it a must to buy better brandname skigoggles for a firsttimer? Other than that, would it be useful to buy some regular sunglasses alongside. I don't really have a picture on how bright the sun can get up there.

Any other important tips or things I should know?

Greetings and many thanks!

Swatje

Sunday 16th November 2008 at 10:33:40 AM

tommbakk
Rank: Blue Terrain Skier
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The goggle brand isn't what determines wether or not your goggle is good enough.

Although, goggles from the big and famous brands (Scott, Oakley, Smith, Electric, Dragon, and so on) will always deliver good quality, even down to their lesser expensive budget goggles.

But as long as the goggles you allready have protects against UV-rays (which they require in order to be sold as a ski goggle, due to regulations in both the EU, and in the U.S), and they have anti-fog and venting, then you basically have got all what a ski goggle needs in order to work.

Since you're a first timer, I'd use the goggle you allready have, and if you find out that it isn't doing the job you expect when skiing, buy a new one when you're in France.

I'm no expert, but I'd think the cost for goggles is about the same in France as it is in Belgium.

Tommy B

Sunday 16th November 2008 at 11:27:03 AM

Swatje
Rank: Snow Ignoramus
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Yeah, probably about the same! Thx for your response. Should I also buy some sunglasses? Or are these obsolete if you have goggles?

Sunday 16th November 2008 at 3:58:02 PM

tommbakk
Rank: Blue Terrain Skier
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Swatje posted the following on Sunday 16th November 2008
Yeah, probably about the same! Thx for your response. Should I also buy some sunglasses? Or are these obsolete if you have goggles?

Well, wether or not sunglasses are obsolete due to the use of goggles, really comes down to one thing:

What kind of lense that is fitted in your goggles!

If it's a clear, non-tinted lense in the goggle you have, then skiing during days with a clear, blue sky and lots of sunshine could be a challenge for your eyes.

But, most goggles are usually fitted with a tinted lense. (There are lots of different tints, for all sorts of light conditions)

The most allround kind of lense, would be one that has an orange to yellow tint, and maybe even with a mirror-effect, to deflect sunshine. Orange/yellow tinted lenses are good for most kinds of weather conditions, and do help with visibility on clouded days with flat light.

But for your question regarding the use of sunglasses with your goggles...

I would really not recommend that!

First of all, you would probably need a new goggle anyway (a so called OTG-goggle, which is short for "Over The Glasses", which are really meant for people who wear glasses due to their eyevision)

And, instead of the hassle with putting sunglasses under the goggles, it would be a MUCH better option to simply buy a goggle with a tinted lense. (Several high-end goggles even have the option to replace the lense so that you can change along with the weather and light conditions when skiing)

Tommy B

Thursday 20th November 2008 at 7:56:50 AM

ianh
Rank: Super Member
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Although good goggles will give you every bit as much protection as sunglasses, as Tommy says, personally I think that being on the beginner slopes on a sunny day is a lot more comfortable wearing glasses. Your first couple of days will be pretty hard work and goggles tend to keep your face very warm. And when you start to sweat your goggles will steam up so you end up pushing them onto your forehead just to see, which makes them steam up even more.

As you get better and go faster the goggles become a more attractive option. Having said that, although travelling at high speed through cold air is nicer wearing goggles I still like to keep a pair of sunnies in my pocket for stopping at mountain restaurants etc. so I would definitely recommend having both goggles and sunglasses, but don't try to wear both together.

Ian Huyton
http://winterwonderings.blogspot.com
http://www.arinsal-andorra.com
http://www.ianhuyton.com