I am a complete skiing novice - should I buy my equipment in the UK or when I arrive in France

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Asks Margaret

A. It really depends on how easy you want your shopping experience to be. Experienced skiers used to buy all of their equipment abroad up until about four years ago because it was a lot cheaper and it offered a wider range of brands - to some extent it still does but there are advantages to buying your gear at home. You won't have to worry about getting everything as soon as you arrive, and you can always take the goods back if you change your mind about them if you buy them in the UK.

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Alternatively, European prices are cheaper and many shops offer a "try before you buy" service. Personally, if its your first time on a ski trip you should maybe consider renting your equipment from the resort you are staying at and invest in all the equipment when you are sure it's a sport you are prepared to spend money on - because it can be very expensive.

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Q. What should I do if I decide I do want to buy my own equipment

A. There are lots of ski equipment shops online that you can buy from - usually at discounted prices - but as you are a novice you should really have your clothes fitted properly, especially boots.

All your clothing should be waterproof and allow unrestricted movement when you are on the slopes. New materials like MPC and Gore-Tex keep you warm and dry without being too bulky and are a great investment because you can wear them all year round, not just once or twice a year when you're skiing.

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Q. How can I tell if my ski boots are good enough, they are really expensive and I don't want to make an unwise investment

A. The best tip for buying ski boots is to buy them at a resort - then you can test them out on the slopes not just in the shop. If you can afford it you should buy custom-fitted inners as they are a lot more comfortable and offer better support. Over 90% of skiers choose soft boots over hard boots - mainly because they are more comfortable, but hard boots should not be disregarded as they offer better support and are much better for carving (see below).

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Q. What about buying skis, how would I go about that

A. You should really seek professional advice when buying skis, and most sales people at resorts or in specialist shops in the UK will have a broad knowledge of all brands and types of ski. Be completely honest with the sales person about your skiing ability and they will be able to help you with your purchases.

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Most skis sold today are carving skis - they took the ski market by storm about five years ago when they were first used commercially. When compared with traditional straight skis, carvers are much wider at the tip, narrower in the waist and flared at the tail - and are a lot easier to use than straight skis. They are also lighter, shorter and more stable - so much better to use if you have little skiing experience. Longer skis are usually for more experienced and faster speed skiers as they are harder to use and a lot more tiring too.

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Q. Where is the best place to buy ski equipment online

A. There are lots of ski outlets online - most of which have actual shops where you can try equipment on if you're not used to buying skiing equipment. The advantage of buying online is that it is usually cheaper.

Some of the best online vendors include the following:

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Cotswold Outdoor/9 Feet

This company has specialised in mail order ski equipment for 22 years, and it also has 11 shops throughout the UK with 350,000 annual customers. It sells all the leading brands and has special size charts online to help you chose the exact size you need. All products ordered online are delivered within seven days, you can buy gift vouchers or even place an urgent order if you need your equipment very quickly.

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This website also has a tips and trick section with shortcuts and useful bits of information for when you're out on the slopes. Rock Bottom is another great part of the site that sells lots of leading brand names, usually last season's stock at knock-down prices - up to half price off.

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Beans Online

This site only sells its equipment to customers in the UK - and offers a free delivery service for all UK customers. Goods are dispatched within two days. You can also hire your ski equipment from this site.

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Snow and Rock

This site sells many leading brands via the Internet or through its eight sports shops. It also has a fantastic Q&A section that allows you to email any ski questions you may have to their panel of experts and a forum where you can pass on tips and advice. All goods are covered by Snow and Rock's 7-day exchange or refund promise (which is a 14 day promise if you order online). In addition, Snow and Rock operates a competitive price scheme, which means that if you find the same product for a lower price (in the same size, colour and specification) the difference will be refunded, if it is within 21 days of your initial purchase.

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UK Skiing Guide

Is a portal that has links to many online ski stores including Boardwise, Finches, Snow & Lines, Snowboard Asylum and 9Feet.

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UK250

Is another leading portal for ski equipment with lots of links to online shops.

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1ski.com

Offers a comprehensive ski resort guide and sells skis, ski boots and snowboards.

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Outdoor Megastore

Is an online discount warehouse for ski equipment.

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Ski Rental Twinner

If you decide not to buy your equipment this site allows you to select and rent ski and snowboarding equipment at 150 ski resorts throughout Europe. If you rent your skis via the website and pay a 15% deposit, your total rental bill is reduced.

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By Karen Anderson