look at kitlender.com they have good packages where you can rent or buy and they will ship straight to resort if you choose and every time we have done it its all been brand new and easy to deal with

Blasphemy that not one veteran skier has mentioned the number one necessity, a FLASK.

Also, get moisture wicking long underwear. You can thank me later.

And chapstick!

Yep. Lips get very dry.

Polypropylene long johns to wick off the moisture, or silk ones if you want to make a fashion statement. Same with glove liners, and buy good ski gloves.

You can rent just about everything except for broken bones, those are self inflicted. Good places to find used stuff is at major cities Goodwill, Salvation Army and other non profit resale stores. This is not the places to buy skis and poles, rent them on location. Make reservations for the rental stuff.

These are things to for sure rent:
* Skis
* Ski Polls
* Boots
* Helmet

Optional, check with Ski Shop in Vail, you may want to rent.
* Ski Bibs and jacket. You can rent this, but I would just buy, it will last forever, never know when you want to use it. Get cheap black bibs, you can get for like $60. Columbia jacket I got for my son last year, can't remember how much. $150? Get a jacket where the inside (coat) zips in and out, so on warm days, you can just wear the shell.
* Gloves - If they rent nice ones, go that route. I bought cheap gloves for my kids, ended up buying nice ones. Cheap gloves are terrible, and it sucks when your hands get cold. And it will be cold in Dec. My gloves I have had for 20 years, they have duck tape on them, which means I'm a real ski bum.
* Goggles - This is personal preference, but I like to wear my shades if it is not snowing, which are prescription. The lenses are awesome, I got dark and yellow for overcast. If snowing, I got goggles with yellow lenses, and clear insert prescription. Do you wear prescription glasses? I would not worry about goggles until you need them, watch the weather. If you see it is going to be snowing the next day, get some goggles at the Vail ski shop.

Things to buy:
* Ski socks. You want thin socks, buy these at the ski shop, go cheap and thin. You do not want thick socks. One pair will do.
* Boots with rubber sole. These can be like hiking boots, you want something over the ankle if you walk in snow. Don't wear cowboy boots and leather soles, you slip and hit your [censored]...
* Get a buff
* Long underwear...
* Small back pack. Optional, but I never ski without one. Just love throwing small stuff in there, water bottles..you may want to shed a layer of clothing and put in there. You gotta learn to get on and off the lift with them, but a must for me.

Over all, I say don't worry too much about what to buy before you get there, they sell every thing you need there. You may pay a little more at the ski shop in the resort, but they sell good gear.

Also, take lessons for sure. Don't try and wing it. I would take a morning lesson every day, then afternoon ski on your own and work on what your instructor told you. If you do this, chance of injury is very low. If you are aggressive type and in shape, do a private lesson. It will move at your pace. Group lesson will go slower, but if you are the social type, they can be a lot of fun, and it is cheaper, and probably a lot of Texans.

Yep. Carmex is a favorite for most. I like blistex medicated, the best!

I have had mixed experiences drinking and skiing. Some times it felt great, and other times it really dragged me down. I would recommend not drinking and sking. Nothing better than sking hard all day, crushing some beers after a good day on the hill..

Pretty funny but true. I laugh at those on the hill wearing camo, it is just funny. Especially couples wearing matching camo outfits, probably their deer hunting outfits. It is juts funny, that's all. My son was all prepared to wear all hunting gear sking, but I bought him proper gear. Going out to eat, he still wore camo.

Takes one, to know one.

I
If your staying on the mountain I suggest taking it easy on the alcohol. I always had trouble with altitude sickness, and alcohol just magnified it.

Smartest people I see on the mountain are skiing in their Sitka hunting gear. Couldn’t believe that I didn’t think of it before buying some necessities.

Damn fellas appreciate all the feedback.

^^^^ this. CO is a dry cold and you will be active so dress in light layers that wick moisture (no cotton). None of my jackets/pants/bibs are insulated. I only used goggles when it was snowing hard, sunglasses the rest of the time. Wear sunscreen on your face.

Somes assume too much. I called out guy due to his extensive European experience, documented fishing capabilities and self-proclaimed chick magnet abilities. I thought these attributes would tie in perfectly with sa hunter. Not no "Gringo Bling". Believe me, hunter is neither of those. No Bling and no Gringo.

Cotton is personal preference. If you are the type person that sweats a lot, you do not want cotton. I do not sweat, I love cotton. I got cotton long one piece underwear, with trap door in back, I have had for 40 years, love them. And cotton turtle necks. I love wearing these skiing.

I quit wearing cotton duck hunting because it is dangerous, especially on my boat, if you get wet you are screwed.

Wick moisture is key with gloves. Cheap gloves, even if water proof, get wet inside and stay wet.

I picked cotton.

I laughed at the camo comments. Last time I skied Ruidoso, I wore my Sitka duck hunting jacket because it is waterproof. I'm sure most of the people wearing camo are from Texas.

The outerwear of choice for the "cool kids" looked to be hockey jerseys when I was skiing in CO.

Black is the fastest color, trust me, it has taken me years to figure this out. Girls can mix in a little white, but guys need go all black.

Yeah, you need to let out a "Whoooohooo!" every now and then to really play the part.

At the beginning of Covid I went to Tahoe and on the gondola I met a couple celebrating the wife's 75th birthday - the husband was 78, I believe. Yes, certainly few and far between to find older folks like that on the slopes. They live in the area during Winter specifically to ski and when not there they spend much of their time in the Caribbean. We had great conversation.

Regarding the camo comments, I've worn a Kuiu Vias jacket before. Yep, I'm sure to some I looked dumb, but I don't care. Base shirt is a Kuiu Merino.

Lol, you know that old deer hunting saying "if its brown it's down"....... well I think it probably works for skiing too...

Not just Europe! Don't make me post more pics!