[DMBFan23]

I'll take a crack:

Clothing: Rule 1: AVOID COTTON AT ALL COSTS!!!! It is freezing cold when it is wet, and takes forever to dry. Cotton is the devil.

I'll start with the pants. These are really the most important thing clothing-wise because when you're starting out you'll spend a lot of time on your ass because you're falling, and when you're good you'll take breaks by just sitting down, still strapped in. So as you might have guessed, waterproof is the key here. Mine are columbias, but burton is also pretty good. Look to spend about $80 here IMO, but anything WATERPROOF (not water resistant, don't accept substitutes here) will serve your needs. Wear some long underwear (not cotton, of course) underneath for winter skiing, just some boxer-brief type underwear (I really like under armour here) for spring skiing.

Jacket: Everyone says that layering is the key but my ski-team roommate proved to me that that is absolutely wrong. layers give more open space for cold air to get trapped in, and more things to get wet and nullify the whole advantage of a jacket which is to trap body heat. Go with one layer, a long sleeve undergarment...again I like under armour, but there are a million things that could work here. on top of that layer, go with a jacket with a fleece liner, and you will be way warmer and dryer than all the douchebags in 3 shirts and 2 sweaters. Waterproof is highly recommended for the jacket, but is not as important as it is for the pants.

Goggles: You want them with double lenses, or double layered, or whatever (I forget the proper name for this, but it keeps them from fogging up which is key).

Socks: No cotton.

Boots: I rented at first, so I went with whatever they had. when you want to buy, make sure they're wide enough for you, different brands tend to have different widths. you want to be able to fasten them TIGHT without it hurting.

Helmet: Again highly recommended, but optional...there isn't much variation from brand to brand or style to style here, just go with whatever.

Ok, now the equipment:

Board: I rented at first so this wasn't a big issue at first, but eventually if you're going to buy, decide what you want to do. Are you going to freeride (down trails) or hang out in the terrain park? Also your height and weight will factor in. Also how often are you going to ride switch? These are all things that the salesman will ask you. I like Burton boards, but if you get a chance to demo some boards, I highly suggest you take advantage - you get to pay a fee each day to demo however many boards you want, and the fee goes towards the eventual price of your board. It's kind of the same as a guitar, you just have to go to a shop, play a couple, and pick the one that sounds and feels best. I paid about 400 for my burton air and it is a very nice freeride board. I was going to go for the burton cruzer, but they didn't have my size.

Bindings: I admit I know almost nothing about bindings, ask the salesman...but go for quick release bindings if you can, it really helps getting on/off lifts.

Also, get a lesson or two. Don't learn from friends - it never goes well, and you'll more than make up the lesson money in about 2 more trips through getting max value out of your lift ticket by not sucking.

Good luck, it is a blast and you will get hooked almost immediately.