Advice needed Buying Gear: Vancouver or Whistler?

[DidSurfNowSki]

I'm heading up to Whistler next January and I wouldn't mind upgrading my ski jacket and pants. Given the cost of gear, I'd like to try them on before I fork over the money. Would I be better off looking for gear in Vancouver or at Whistler ? If so, any suggestions ?

 

[gareth_oau]

Last year I bought myself a relatively expensive Jacket while I was in Thredbo (yes, I have more money than sense).

I wore it when I was in Whistler late last year, and whilst wandering around the shops saw my jacket for sale, and it was even more expensive than I'd paid in Thredbo.

So, shop in Vancouver, or better still shop onine.

The risk is well worth the savings you will make.

try looking at:


www.peterglenn.com www.backcountry.com www.sierratradingpost.com www.skis.com

and if/when you find something, see if you can find it on www.amazon.com as their shipping is often a lot lower

 

[main street]

Hmmmmm,.... That only proves that in terms of pricing:

Whistler = Thredbo = Expensive as hell.

 

[sly_karma]

Outerwear doesnt demand demo like skis or near ski runs like boots. Vancouver will offer you an embarrassment of choice. Hard to beat Mtn Equipt Co-op for price (they're a non profit with a one time $10? membership fee), although their product lines lean more toward back country than resort.

 

[DidSurfNowSki]

I'm 6'2" tall and I have long arms so this makes me a bit cautious about buying this stuff online without trying it on 1st.

 

[skifree]

Vancouver.

 

[ODNT]

I'd check out end of season sales here considering you are holidaying in January @ peak
If you were going march/april I'd probably consider it….

 

[Crystal]

Get the stuff in Vancouver. MEC (Mtn Equipt Co-op), is sensational and easy to get on the bus from downtown.
http://www.mec.ca/Main/home.jsp

 

[WaitAwhile]

You can get some really good bargains on good quality gear at the end of season in Jindabyne if you heading down that way again before you head overseas.
Not sure how it compares to buying stuff in Canada.
But I've always found the best buys, even in resort can be right at the end of the season.

 

[Copakid New]

Have a look in alst years thread, by memory there is a list of stores in there. Search for copakid new

 

[gareth_oau]

Hmmmmm,.... That only proves that in terms of pricing:

Whistler = Thredbo = Expensive as hell.

I thought that was my whole point

 

[gareth_oau]

I'm 6'2" tall and I have long arms so this makes me a bit cautious about buying this stuff online without trying it on 1st.

most decent online stores will give you realtime online chat help. tell em your issues and they will help find a solution

 

[Chowder11]

Yeh Vancouver has a strip of shops just on the bottom side of the city over the bridge. W 4th avenue its called.
I bought a pair of Oakley goggles over there last year which were reasonable price considering they were a brand new model (Canopy's).
There are a 5-6 ski shops all in a row which all have good ranges of everything snow related.
Otherwise in downtown you have all your standard branded shops, North Face, Helly Hansen and so on.
Google is your friend and definitely don't rule out the internet. I have used www.evo.com a fair bit for ski hardware and clothing.

 

[DidSurfNowSki]

Yeh Vancouver has a strip of shops just on the bottom side of the city over the bridge. W 4th avenue its called.

This place ? http://www.shopwest4th.com/outdoor_lifestyle/outdoor_sporting_goods

 

[Chowder11]

This place ? http://www.shopwest4th.com/outdoor_lifestyle/outdoor_sporting_goods

That seams to be what I was talking about

 

[gareth_oau]

yep, we bought gear in three different shops in that street.

and right around the corner there were shops full of bentleys, lamborghinis, ferraris...

(unfortunately we didnt buy anything there)

 

[Crystal]

Yes we always do a trip out to W4th each trip well worth it.

 

[hpsauce]

If you are going for a bargain........last time I went through, there were a couple of outlet shops in Squamish. Cheaper than Van or Whistler.

 

[The Plowking]

Vancouver or day trip to Bellingham Usa even cheaper (+ travel though)the advantage of the west 4th/main st/burrard option is 6 micro breweries

 

[Dayo]

It's worth stopping by the arcteryx factory outlet in North Van. They have a wide selection thats all reduced, some with minor defects and loads of good deals for those that are XS and XL + last years stock that they didn't sell.

http://stores.arcteryx.com/NorthVancouver

 

[Copakid New]

Yeh Vancouver has a strip of shops just on the bottom side of the city over the bridge. W 4th avenue its called.
I bought a pair of Oakley goggles over there last year which were reasonable price considering they were a brand new model (Canopy's).
There are a 5-6 ski shops all in a row which all have good ranges of everything snow related.
Otherwise in downtown you have all your standard branded shops, North Face, Helly Hansen and so on.
Google is your friend and definitely don't rule out the internet. I have used www.evo.com a fair bit for ski hardware and clothing.

That the place I was remembering

 

[skifree]

Any suggestions for dedicated or good range of XC kit in Vancouver?

 

[Telemark Phat]

Any suggestions for dedicated or good range of XC kit in Vancouver?

Go to Vallhalla in Silverstar. You're only going to the centre of XC in BC. WildeandFrees sponsor will probably also be able to help out with a pro-deal.

 

[FatBoyDave]

Not sure what the options are in Canberra but we just picked up >50% off at some of the stores in Melbourne and Dinner Plain. At those prices, I don't believe it'll be any cheaper in Canada. While Whistler/Canada might have a bigger range they'll be mid season there, so $$$.

Managed to pick up a pair of Helly Hanson pants for $100, another pair of Eider pants for $125 and my girlfriend picked up a pair or Kjus formula pants for $200 and a windproof shell for $60.

 

[Crystal]

I would say MEC in Vancouver would be a good bet, not being a tree hugging dirty XC skier though I am unsure if it would have the range you need.....they have heaps though.

http://www.mec.ca/shop/snowsports-classic/50006+50932/

 

[Crystal]

Vallhalla in Silverstar is excellent

 

[JCK271]

I reckon it depends what you need. Went into both the big stores in Syd on the weekend, Larry Adler and Paul Reader. They had a fair bit of gear that was pretty choice but not a huge choice. Miss K2 needs all new gear and she couldn't find anything that was matching, yep I know it was a crisis. Going to wait to we hit Van for more selection. I know it might cost a bit more but got to keep the +1 happy at all times which always pays dividends in my experiece