tips Archives - WhoSki.com

Green up your watersports habit

Outdoors, on the water, in the fresh air – we love marine activities. Simple steps will help you keep on the right side of the environment, to green up your watersports habit this summer.

CHOOSE BIO-FRIENDLY SUN SCREEN

It was established in the early 2000s that the chemicals in some sun screens are harmful to coral reefs. Further research indicates that protective sun creams can also damage other marine organisms including wildlife.

Oxybenzone and octinoxate are among the culprits, and sunscreen containing these chemicals is banned in certain sensitive marine environments and resorts. Check the ingredients in your sun cream: choose marine-friendly and biodegradable formulations.

Fresh water in lakes and rivers also suffer pollution by sunscreen, scientists now believe. Harmful side effects include the water surface ‘sun cream slick’ that can prevent aquatic insects from laying eggs, thus depriving other river and lake dwellers of food supply.

Chemicals in sunscreen can harm fish, mussels and algae too. Research continues, but in the meantime, opt for eco sun protection when you swim, surf, paddleboard – whatever your watersports habit.

LEAVE NO TRACE

Most of us are aware of the need to leave only footprints – but how about going one better, and heading home from the beach / riverbank / lakeside with MORE than you brought by doing a quick litter pick every trip?

Take a 10-minute walk up and down the waterside between paddleboard outings and gather whatever bits of rubbish or general manmade debris you find. Stick them in a bag and put them in the bin / recycling when you get home.

Look out for local clean-up initiatives while you are water-side and do your bit. Plastic Free North Devon, for example, runs a series of green action days to deal with the rubbish that is clogging our shores.

Surfers Against Sewage provides advice on organising a beach clean as well as listings for local beach clean up activities.

PASS IT ON

Look for secondhand watersports equipment before you buy new – and sell on any pre-loved outdoor activity items you no longer need.

For example, watersports kit like boogie or body boards, essentially a sheet of polystyrene wrapped in a thin layer of nylon decorated with a cartoon character or similar, are cheap to buy but an eco nightmare. Surfer Today calls them ‘a silent environmental disaster’.

Rather than buying a cheap single use board, bucket or spade for the kids that won’t even last the weekend, invest in quality equipment that you can use repeatedly, then pass it on to another family member or sell on via WhoSki.com.

Reducing consumption is key to reducing your carbon footprint, reducing air miles and preserving valuable resources.

RENT BEFORE YOU BUY

Not sure whether paddleboarding is really for you? Think you’ll only go surfing once a year? Maybe you don’t need to clutter up your shed / loft / garage with a large piece of watersports or outdoor activity equipment you’ll barely use.

However cheap it is to buy, it is much less costly to the environment to hire or rent your watersports gear where possible. Stuff like wetsuits, kayaks and canoes requires a lot in the way of (often unrecyclable) raw materials to create, and most are used very little.

Green up your watersports habit. Try hiring on the spot from local providers and check their eco credentials. Or take a look at our circular economy friends KitUp who are building a UK-wide network of outdoors equipment owners willing to rent out their equipment on demand.

Why new neoprene is a no-no: what happens to our unwanted wetsuits

3 ways to beat the weeds

A weed is of course just a plant in the wrong place. And when that ‘wrong place’ is stinging your legs while you’re on the trails, weeds are a pest. So how to stop the stings and beat the weeds next time you’re out biking, hiking or walking?

Our three tips on ways to beat the weeds:

1 LEGS UP!

Ouch! Cyclists, mountain bikers and trail bike commuters know. When weeds are right on your leg and ankle level, brambles and stinging nettles can be mighty uncomfortable. The solution? Sit down – legs up: freewheel through the worst and hope for the best.

2 ZIP-OFF TROUSERS

Convertible zip-off trousers may just be the spring hiker’s best friend. Legs on while you are thigh deep in skin-irritating weeds and nettles, then zip them off for comfort once you’re clear of the undergrowth.

Zip-offs have numerous benefits, and are perfect for DofE expeditions as they are so versatile.

Visit the WhoSki.com shop to buy and sell secondhand walking trousers in all styles.

3 LONG SOCKS

Warm enough to wear shorts at last? Walkers know, this wet spring has been boom-time for weeds with cow parsley growing higher than your head and super-strong nettles just waiting to do their worst. How can you beat the weeds when you’re staying cool in cut-offs?

Cover up is your best option. If you can’t face long trousers as above, opt for long socks and roll them down when you’re out of the weeds and into the meadows.

Long socks will also help prevent ticks jumping aboard if you’re in an area when infestations have been reported, or livestock have been grazing.

PS Don’t get us wrong: we LOVE weeds at WhoSki.com. In fact, we would say they probably aren’t weeds at all. Wild flowers and plants are essential for the bugs and birds that make the great outdoors even greater.

We are just not such a fan when weeds are causing us aggro on the trails (says WhoSki.com co-founder Nicola, who slipped on a muddy hike recently and landed in a patch of super-strong stinging nettles. Skin was still a-tingle THREE DAYS later. Ouch.)

End of season ski kit storage tips

Ski lifts are closing across Europe as ski season ends, and it’s time to pack away the ski kit in storage for another year.

Most of us are saying au revoir to our ski jackets and salopettes, and packing them away for the summer. Smart skiers take time to put their ski kit into storage properly for an efficient return to the slopes next season.

Follow these end of season ski kit storage tips to make life simple when you’re preparing for your next ski trip.

SKI BOOTS:

Make sure ski boots and liners are thoroughly dry before putting them into storage at the end of the ski season. Damp liners will start to whiff and deteriorate over time. Remove liners and allow them to dry thoroughly for at least 48 hours before replacing them inside your ski boots for long-term storage.

Check ski boot casing for damage – any cracks or issues will need attention. Lightly fasten buckles to maintain shape of the plastic outer boot. Fold straps carefully so kinks don’t set in, then place ski boots safely in their storage bag.

Make sure you keep your ski boot bag in a mouse- and squirrel-free area, ideally in a location that does not suffer huge temperature fluctuations.

SKIS:

Check for damage before storing away for next season. Scratches and chips on the base may need filling, while damages and dents on the edges may require repairs.

Getting them fixed now by a specialist means they will be ready for an early start next ski season.

Ask your technician to apply a coat of storage wax too to protect base and edges. This will feed your skis while they are in storage and prevent them from drying out. Don’t forget: storage wax will need to be replaced with a performance wax before using your skis again. Loosen ski bindings completely to help them stay in best condition while out of use.

Store your skis somewhere cool, dry and ventilated that does not experience big changes in temperature as this can stress your skis as they expand and contract.

SKI CLOTHES:

Top tip: take the time to put away your specialist ski clothing clean and tidy now, and you will save yourself so much aggro when you need it again next season.

Wash ski jackets, salopettes and ski pants using specialist waterproofing detergents as necessary and – preferably – eco-friendly products. Air or line dry where possible – tumble drying not only consumes planet-killing amounts of energy, it is also a leading source of microplastic pollution.

Make sure you follow full washing instructions as per the detergent brand you choose. Grangers is a Peak District-based company that offers a wide range of eco-friendly, tried and tested detergent options perfect for outdoor wear.

Now is also the time to sort out any repairs required for your ski clothes.
Small holes are easily fixed either DIY or by a local repair specialist. The better you care for your ski clothes, the longer they will last – the easier they will be to sell secondhand at WhoSki.com – and the smaller their (and your) carbon footprint.

Once your ski kit is thoroughly dry, close all zips and fastenings. Store ski clothes in labelled, sealed bags somewhere dark and dry, and remember to add moth deterrent if you want to avoid annoying holes in your merino base layers.

Clearly lABEL your ski kit

My biggest ski kit storage tip is to pack away outfits for each member of your family in separate bags/boxes. Label them clearly. This saves so much time when you are getting ready for your next trip. It also makes it simple to grab the relevant kit if any family member is going on a ski trip without the rest of you.

Got clothes or equipment that will no longer fit next year? Pack them away separately (labelled, obviously) so you can easily remember what to sell on via WhoSki.com in the autumn.

If your clothing is multi-purpose – such as base layers, fleeces – list it on WhoSki.com under our outdoor clothing category so it can find a purchaser who needs it for year-round activities such as walking, hiking, expeditions or camping trips.

If you have multi-purpose clothing such as baselayers or mid-layers, already listed at WhoSki.com you might also like to re-categorise it as outdoor clothing for an out of season sale.

Image by Freepik

5 ways to stay safe on the slopes

High profile cases serve to put the risk of ski accidents front of mind, so what can you do to stay safe on the slopes for your next ski trip?

Firstly, think positive. The statistics show that your chances of hurting yourself while skiing are low. French injury rates stand at just over two injuries per 1,000 skier days: a tiny risk.

But there’s still a lot you can do to help keep yourself safe on the slopes.

Piste studies show that ski accidents are more common on days when temperatures are mild, snow consistency is less predictable and the slopes are busier. Take particular caution on relatively gentle blue pistes where you’re most likely to encounter skiers of mixed ability.

In addition to ‘be wary on the blue’, watch your speed, and always look up the slope before you set off, these 5 ways will help you avoid injury on your next ski trip:

1 Wear a helmet

Head injuries represent less than 4% of piste injuries, and wearing a helmet reduces your chance of head injury by 35%.

2 Get in shape before you go

The organisation Mėdecins de Montagne warns that the highest chance of injury comes on day 2 of your ski trip, the infamous “Second Day Syndrome”, with people who are unfit at highest risk.

Shape up before you go and stretch every day while you’re in the mountains, using video ski fit videos from our fitness partner My Life Tonic, at 50% discount using the code WHOSKI50.

3 Stick to the piste

The number of fatal accidents on marked slopes has declined in recent years. However, off-piste deaths have risen due to increased numbers of free-ride skiers combined with more unpredictable snow caused by greater variability in temperatures and conditions in mountain areas.

If off-piste or back-country skiing is your thing, the Swiss Centre for Accident Prevention advises you to take avalanche training, go out equipped with safety gear and – ideally – only head off-piste in the company of an expert local guide.

4 Swap downhill for cross country

XC skiing injuries represent just 1% of winter sports injuries and no, cross country skiing is not just for the oldies. GB Snowsport cross country athletes are enjoying unprecedented success, with Andrew Musgrave scoring a Top 10 World Cup performance in Lahti this month against an army of Norwegians.

Another advantage: cross country is cheaper than downhill skiing because you don’t need to buy a lift pass.

5 Leave sledging to the kids

‘Fun’ fact: more than two thirds of sledging injuries are suffered by adults. Stay sensible and step away from the sledge. Especially after you’ve spent an evening in Dick’s Tea Bar.

Most importantly, every piste user should know and follow the FIS Rules of Conduct, the ‘Highway Code’ of the slopes. Read them on the Ski Club of GB website here.

Ace your Easter ski trip

Racing to the slopes for an Easter ski trip? WhoSki.com is your best piste pal for snow tips for all the family, every step of the way.

Survive the drive:

From TAG to aire, 15 years-worth of tips to ease your experience of the autoroute to the Alps. Read more: Ski-drive tips

Offspring going on a Uni ski trip?

There’s a lot that goes on that it’s probably best NOT to know. Ever. We persuaded some students to spill the beans and share their tips. Read more: Secrets of the student ski trip

Sell your ski stuff now:

Have you ever tried finding ski clothing in shops after February half-term? Our top tip – don’t bother! The shelves are full of summer sports gear already, making this the perfect time to list your good as new ski clothing at WhoSki.com for a quick sale. Read more: Five simple steps to selling your ski clothes

Dealing with reluctant skiers:

What can you do if your child – or grandchild – doesn’t like ski school? My daughter hated her ski lessons, for YEARS. Here’s what I tried, with varying levels of success… Read more: Help! My child doesn’t like ski school

Must-haves for a school ski trip:

Still looking for kit for a school ski trip child? The WhoSki.com shop is the best place to buy good quality ski clothes at great prices. Check our school ski trip essentials checklist to make sure you’ve got everything you need. Read more: School ski trip packing list

Cross country ski essentials:

If you’re hitting the trails rather than the downhills, we can help. It’s hard work – but super-fun. Here’s exactly what you should be wearing to stay warm, look good and avoid overheating when cross country skiing. Read more: Dress right for XC skiing

Shop sustainably. Buy and sell at WhoSki.com: we donate 25% of our commission to teen mental health charity stem4 on EVERY sale.

Image by derich on Freepik

Help! My child doesn’t like going to ski school

Having a child who doesn’t like going to ski school can ruin your ski holiday as well as theirs. Is there anything you can do?

Of my two children, one was a ‘Ski-Do’ at ski school from day one, aged five. He went off happily every day, eventually progressing to avalanche drill and schussing the scariest of couloirs with his cool dude instructors.

Child No2, however, was a classic ‘Ski-Don’t’. Didn’t like the ski school experience, was always the one hanging off the back of the ski tiddlers-snake, terrified of getting lost on the mountain, anxiety-induced tummy aches. To her credit, she did try her best not to cry until we’d dropped her at ski school, but it was stressful for all. Even now, a keen late-teens skier, she reckons she’s got ski-school-induced PTSD: “It’s not the skiing I disliked, mum, it was the lessons.”

Parental guilt, moi? Big time.

So, is there anything you can do to help your child who doesn’t like going to ski school? Here’s what I tried and how successful it was…

1 COMFORT:

Make sure your child is comfortable in their ski kit. Clothes should be warm and easy to take on and off. Snip out any scratchy labels. Let them help choose their outfit – wanting to wear the ski suit they specially selected for ski school might act as an incentive to join in with enthusiasm.
Success rate: 3/5 (On day 1, at least. Enthusiasm subsequently plummeted)

“I love my Barbie ski suit – but I still don’t like ski school”

2 A COMFORTER:

One year, my daughter spent her time on the slopes with a favourite doll tucked down her front, securely zipped inside her all-in-one. Did it help? Somewhat, although there were still PLENTY of tears. This was also the year she caught Norovirus and scarlet fever while in resort. Note to self: perhaps it’s NOT ski school that’s the problem?
Success rate: 2/5 (Slightly happier but no silver bullet. Feeling like c**p probs didn’t help)

3 SNACKS:

A little packet of sweets tucked into a safe pocket for break time is a good incentive, especially if your child isn’t normally allowed much in the way of ‘naughties’.
Success rate: 0/5 (No kidding my girl, who knew life would have been happier with us, slurping a chocolat chaud avec Chantilly in a cosy cafe)

Hot chocolate with Chantilly cream — You can see the appeal of a chocolat chaud

4 ANXIETY REMEDY:

I used to send my quivering child off to ski school sucking on a ‘braveness sweetie’, with a couple more zipped into a pocket. Braveness sweeties = fruit flavoured Rescue Remedy pastilles. Did they work? Well, research suggests that Rescue Remedies can help reduce anxiety. They at least gave my little girl something to focus on mentally to help manage her worries.
Success rate: 3/5 (Recommend. Pack enough so all the kids in your group can enjoy the braveness bonus)

5 THROW MONEY AT THE PROBLEM:

The year we abandoned group lessons in favour of a private instructor was the first year EVER my daughter did not hate learning to ski. We shared the cost across two families and guess what? It was worth EVERY PENNY.
Success rate: 5/5 (Happy child = happy parent. Daughter only required private tuition for a few years before she was able to ski en famille. Bingo!)

6 DIY aka ‘DO A SALLY’:

My WhoSki co-founder Sally gave up on ski school, and she and her partner taught the kids themselves. As she puts it: “Sometimes this was bonding and at other times very, very hard work!”
Success rate: 3/ 5 on a good day (but 5/5 for affordability)

To be honest, perhaps my daughter’s aversion to group lessons stemmed from a bad experience on a dry ski slope aged four, where she got hit in the head by a rogue button lift seat. Not a great start…

Have you managed to solve the ‘Ski-Don’t’ problem? Let us know on the WhoSki social media channels.

Huski delivers – the perfect NY’s Eve

Thinking about trying a Huski food delivery for your ski stay? WhoSki’s Sally reviews the Huski food ordering service for her New Year’s Eve arrival.

The worst thing about self-catering on a ski trip? Being tied to the kitchen every evening.

Arriving at your apartment after a long journey and immediately having to head for the supermarket (along with every other skier who’s just landed – this is arrival day, remember) can be a real downer to the beginning of your ski week.

So this year, we decided for the first time ever to go easy on ourselves and placed an order with Huski to cover our family of four for food on arrival night. Here’s how we got on.

PRE-DEPARTURE:

Huski’s website is easy to use, with plenty of options for all needs. My veggie son had ample choice, my other son chose Chicken Tikka Masala while we went for a more traditional French option of pork and rabbit. Click and order: simple. You can add wine and a range of puddings to your order for a 100% guarantee that whatever time you arrive, you’ll be catered for. We took our own rice to go with the meals.

We added details of our ski apartment provider and received swift confirmation from Huski that meals would be waiting for us on arrival, ready to cook – so no worries if we were delayed.

ON ARRIVAL:

A bit of congestion and far too many loo stops meant we arrived later than expected. We just about had time to drop our luggage and make a dash to the ski hire shop. It was New Year’s Eve, and we hadn’t booked a restaurant in advance so a freezer full of Huski goodies, exactly as detailed in the confirmation message we’d received earlier, meant we could relax and watch La Plagne’s New Year’s Eve firework display from our balcony in comfort.

THE FOOD:

All dishes were labelled with cooking times; we simply turned the oven on, opened a bottle of wine and played a game of cards. All the Huski food was really good and tasted like home cooking. I made one slip up with a pudding – my bad – from not reading the instructions properly, but we ate it anyway! Delicious.

VERDICT:

Huski offers a great selection of food including for vegetarians. High quality. Easy to choose and really easy to organise. Some portions were slightly small for my tall, ravenous teenage boys – but tbh that applies to almost every meal placed in front of them. Communications were clear, regular and reassuring, in fact far more so than the company we rented our apartment from. Containers were all recycled after we finished.

Would I use Huski again? Yes, definitely – and would also love a first night firework display every time I go skiing, if they can organise that too?

My Huski meal was ordered and paid for as a regular customer.

WhoSki.com has since negotiated an exclusive discount code WhoSki5 with Huski – use it for your next trip.

Survive the Drive: tips on driving to the ski slopes

With 15 years’ experience of driving to the Alps, WhoSki founders Sally and Nicola share their top tips to ease your next car journey to the ski slopes.

Motoring Essentials:

Paperwork: Take copies of your insurance and vehicle registration documents and an up-to-date driving licence.

In the car: In France, you’ll need reflective jackets for everyone / warning triangle in case of breakdown / replacement headlamp bulb.

For the mountains: Snow chains, plus a tough pair of gloves for fitting them. Check WhoSki.com for secondhand snow chains before you buy new, then sell them on after your trip. Or try renting them out via KitUp.

On the car: Headlamp beam converters if your vehicle doesn’t auto-adjust / UK sticker displayed on your vehicle / a Crit’Air vignette if you will be entering a clean-air city or area.

Speed things up: A windscreen TAG to fast-track your way through auto-route toll gates.

Family Essentials:

Set off with full water bottles and plenty of snacks.

Pre-pack name-coded bags of goodies for each passenger. If your kids are old enough to manage their own food intake, this will save considerable hassle for whoever is in the front passenger seat – as well as time and money at service stations en route.

Tuck a sick bag into seat-back pockets: zig-zag mountain roads can cause havoc with little tummies.

A blanket and a pillow never go amiss on a long car journey.

Keep snowboots accessible – you will need them if you have to stop and fit snowchains, plus you may need them when you arrive in resort.

The Overnight Stop:

Pack an overnight grab bag to avoid unloading the car. Make sure you’ve eaten before you check in – or take food to eat in your accommodation. Looking for somewhere to eat late at night when you’ve got a car full of tired travellers is predictably awful.

If driving at February half-term, set off on the second leg of your journey as early as you can bear. Hitting the road at 5am rather than 6.30am can make the difference between arriving in your ski resort in time for lunch – or just about making it for a bad-tempered supper after a long, slow slog up the mountain in a traffic jam.

Let the kids travel in their pyjamas and pack everyone their own ‘breakfast grab bag’ to stave off hunger until your driver needs a coffee and a croissant stop.

Tips for an Easier Journey:

Print out / download all your arrival details in advance so you know where you’re staying / how to get there / where to park. WiFi can be annoyingly sporadic in the mountains so don’t rely on Google Maps to help you out.

Toilet stop required? Aim for one of the simpler ‘aire de repos’ picnic areas rather than a service station to avoid queues for the toilet.

Get the kids to download a heap of TV shows / movies to their devices in advance. A long car journey is not the time to get fussy about screen-time limits. Invest in dual chargers to avoid anyone running out of juice.

Last-Minute Planning:

FOOD on arrival: If you’re self catering, ordering a meal for the day you arrive is a no-brainer. The convenience of not having to shoot off to the supermarket the minute you ‘land’ cannot be underestimated, and leaves you more time to pick up your ski equipment from the hire shop.

Huski delivers throughout the French Alps, with plenty of tasty choices for all needs (veggie, vegan, gluten-free etc). Let them know where you’re staying and they will deliver in advance right into the freezer of your ski apartment. Sally can confirm: the food is great.
Use our Huski discount code WhoSki5 for money off your order.

THE auto-route TAG: If you haven’t already got one (mentioned above), you can order a speedy delivery windscreen TAG to fast-track your way through auto-route toll gates. It is seriously worth it.

Driving Home:

The journey home is much easier to do in one go if you can share the driving. Always take breaks and do not drive if tired. Overnight accommodation on the way home can make for a more relaxing experience, though the time difference is in your favour for getting it over with in one go.

Sell like a pro: price it right for a successful sale

Are you new to marketplace selling? Take our advice to create the most effective listing and help your ski clothes sell FAST!

Part 3 : Pricing your item right will help it fly out of WhoSki.com and into the hands of another skier. If your goal is to sell quickly and your motivation is to keep ski clothes out of landfill and in active usage: our tips should help.

Perhaps your ski kit has been on sale for a while but still not been snapped up? A price reduction might help… Read on for more secondhand sales pricing tips.

Part 1: Our tips on how to post images that will help sell your ski clothes

Part 2: Our tips on how to write the best description for a successful sale

1 Get the pricing right

Experienced skiers know that a new designer ski jacket could come with a £500+ price tag. But let’s face it, most of us would not dream of paying jaw-dropping prices like that.

Be realistic when you are pricing your garment for re-sale. Think affordable. However, be wary of pricing it too cheap unless you really want a fast sale – buyers may suspect it is damaged or of poor quality.

Top tip: Use the description box to mention the as-new RRP of your item to make it clear what kind of deal your buyer is getting.

2 What is a realistic price?

Bear in mind that secondhand items rarely sell for even half the original price, unless they are pristine ie unused, with the original labels still attached.

Selling on your pre-loved clothing helps reduce its (and your) carbon footprint. It is a way of recouping some of your outlay but we advise that you set your sights realistically. Think about the eco benefits of ensuring your clothes get maximum wear – and remember we donate to charity on every sale.

Top tip: High Street brands sell quickly – they are affordable and your customer is familiar with them, so do price accordingly. People will spend more on designer brand ski clothes, but remember affordability is key in the secondhand sector.

3 Check the competition

Browse the WhoSki.com shop on a regular basis. You will start to learn what sells, at what price, and what seems to shift more slowly. Make sure you are signed up to receive our emails which announce new listings so you can keep an eye on the competition. (If you’re not already a WhoSki.com member, register here for your email updates.)

When pricing your outfit, check what else is on offer at WhoSki.com. If you spot something similar, check the cost and think ‘Would I pay that?’ to give you a steer on your price point.

Top tip: Selling items affordably as a set rather than individually may help attract a buyer eg a pack of ski socks, a selection of base layers or matching ski jacket and salopettes. If they don’t sell, split and re-list them individually.

4 Be prepared to drop your price

We are a fixed-price marketplace, not an auction site, but it is easy to adjust the pricing of your items if you find they are not selling. Simply log in, visit your account and edit your listing. You can also re-write the description to make it clear you have reduced the price, if you wish.

Top tip: Think about timing when trying to sell your pre-loved ski clothes. The pre-Christmas period is buzzing as is half-term for kids’ stuff. Towards the end of the ski season, there is generally little ski clothing left in the shops so you may well clinch a last-minute sale at WhoSki.com.

One extra point to bear in mind: the ski season for UK skiers is relatively short. Most transactions in our marketplace take place between October and April, but you can leave your items on sale at WhoSki.com for as long as you like. If they don’t sell this season, they may well be snapped up next.

Read full WhoSki.com listing rules here

Remember to let your audience know via social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok) that when they buy your item through WhoSki.com, we donate ££ to charity, PLUS they are helping keep valuable textiles out of landfill.

Happy selling!

Read Part 1: Our tips on how to post the best images to help sell your ski clothes

Read Part 2: Our tips on how to write the best description for a successful sale

Read more WhoSki.com Seller Tips here

Sell like a pro: how to write a killer description

Are you new to WhoSki.com or marketplace selling? Follow our tips to build the most effective listing and help your ski clothes sell FAST!

Part 2 : Providing the right information in your description will help clinch that sale and ensure your ski clothes stay in active usage to delight another skier.

Part 1: Our tips on how to post images that will help sell your ski clothes

Part 3: Our tips on getting the pricing right for a successful sale

1 your headline

Your listing headline should make it clear what you are selling, including details such as size/age and using keywords such as ‘ski jacket’ ‘snowboots’. This helps make it easier for wannabe buyers to find your beautiful item via search and also saves time when scrolling through listings.

Top tip: Size matters. Prioritise sizing in your headline to help make it easier for others to know immediately if this item may be suitable.

2 KEYWORDS ARE KING

Use keywords like ski jacket, ski pants, child’s ski jacket etc in your description. This will increase your presence in the world of Google search – the more people see your post, the more likely you are to win the sale. Use the generous word count in our description box when you upload your ski gear for sale – the more information you can include the better.

Top tip: Brands sell, so include the make of your item, whether it’s high street or designer.

3 HIGHLIGHT FEATURES

Take a good look at the item you are selling and include all key features that may be of interest to others. Does it have a detachable hood, where are the zipped vents, how many pockets, is there a powder skirt or built-in googles wipe? Check the manufacturer’s website for info on your item if it is still for sale there.

Top tip: Be honest about any wear and tear, and include info about defects. Your customer needs to know exactly what they are buying.

4 DETAIL COUNTS

Check the label in your item and add details to your written description including sizing information, waterproof rating (measured in resistance from 5k rainproof minimum up to 20k max), breathability and warmth ratings. For children’s wear, it can be useful to know if waistband and legs are adjustable.

Top tip: Sizes/ages don’t always tell the whole story. Include key measurements eg sleeve length, inside leg, waist etc.

5 PRICE IT RIGHT

Are you charging a realistic price? How keen are you for your item to sell? If you want it to shift, price it lower. And if you are unsure what the right price is, think about what you would be prepared to pay for it secondhand. Remember too that you can always go back to your item and reduce the price if it is not selling.

Top tip: When listing your item, check spellings in your headline and description. An error can mean it doesn’t come up in search results.

Happy selling!

NOW READ: Part 1: our tips on how to post the best images to help sell your ski clothes

AND: Part 3: Our tips on getting the pricing right for a successful sale

Read more WhoSki.com Seller Tips here

Read full WhoSki.com listing rules here

Sell like a pro: listing pic tips for a quick sale

Are you new to WhoSki.com or marketplace selling? Take our advice to create the most effective listing and help your ski clothes sell FAST!

Part 1: Check out our tips below on posting images that will help you clinch a quick sale.

Part 2: Our tips on how to write the best description for a successful sale

Part 3: Our tips on getting the pricing right for a successful sale

1 POST AT LEAST 3 IMAGES

Every advertiser knows: good pics sell product. When listing your ski clothes, aim to post at least three good images – front, back and side, with extra ‘action shots’ if you have them. Seeing how a ski jacket, pants or all-in-one look on a real person, as well as on a hanger, could clinch your sale. Use the clearest pic of the item for sale as your first ‘hero’ image. Note that, unlike some marketplace sites, we do not limit to four the number of images you can post.

Top tip: Check your listing after it’s posted and make sure your first ‘hero’ image looks good on site. It is super simple to swap the image order by editing your listing even after posting.

2 NEUTRAL BACKGROUND

Use a plain background for your clothing shots. Remove any extraneous clutter, which can distract attention from the lovely item you want to sell. Ski clothing is often colourful: pose it in front of a plain white wall or door, or on a parquet floor rather than a patterned rug or carpet.

Top tip: Highlight any areas of wear/damage to ensure your customer knows exactly what they are buying.

3 TAKE PICS IN BRIGHT, EVEN LIGHT

Avoid shadows, make sure you clearly indicate any areas of damage, smooth out any creases. Ski jackets often look better if you ‘pose’ the arms: lightly pad them with tea towels or similar and tuck sleeves into a pocket for the killer photo.

Top tip: Avoid using filters on your images: customers need to get a realistic idea of colour/shade of the item that they are buying.

4 HIGHLIGHT KEY POINTS

Does this item of clothing have key features that may clinch that sale? What really sold it to you in the first place? Extra pockets, built-in powder skirt, sleeve or leg vents? Make sure you highlight key features in your photographs and mention them in the description too.

Top tip: Include a legible image of the clothing label as proof of brand, size, waterproof/warmth ratings.

One more piece of advice: only use your own photos. Customers want to see the secondhand item they are buying rather than an idealized commercial version.

Read full WhoSki.com listing rules here

Happy selling!

NOW READ: Part 2: Our tips on how to write the best description for a successful sale

AND: Part 3: Our tips on getting the pricing right for a successful sale

Read more WhoSki.com Seller Tips here

University ski trip survival tips

Signed up for the university ski trip? We got a bunch of student ski trip veterans to share their survival tips…

Travel: sURVIVE the bus trip

“It’s pretty brutal but I would highly recommend it for your first ski trip as it’s part of the experience. Lots of students choose to get the bus out but fly home at the end of the week.”

“Although flying is definitely the nicer option, as a first year student, taking the coach with everyone else is really fun and hypes you up for the trip. You have to do it once!”

TIP: Take a travel pillow… “30 hours on the bus without one IS NOT fun”

Be sure to pack…

A Bluetooth speaker. “Essential for pre- après in your room, on the slopes, on the bus.”

Although also: “Be quiet after 10:30ish in your room, the French police are far from friendly and there have been horror stories of confiscated speakers or phones controlling those speakers thrown from balconies. It might be tempting to keep the après going but hit the bar and save yourself a nightmare.”

Alcohol. “Take a bottle of spirits with you: MUCH cheaper than buying in a resort. Plus a small flask to sneak into après.”

“I definitely recommend taking caffeinated painkillers with you because waking up hungover, running on no sleep, with sore legs from the day before… these will resurrect you! You also may not be able to find them in the resort, so keep them handy.”

Ski clothing essentials (as well as the obvious…)

A roomy onesie to wear over your ski gear. “It’s really fun and also makes you and your friends easier to spot on the piste, in the lift queues etc”

Extra socks: “Bring way more socks than you think you’ll need (they always become disgusting and changing before après is an unlikely pleasure)”

“If you want to have style, bring a vintage ski suit with you. Also bring a backpack, ideally one that is older, because it will take a beating.”

“Customise your helmet! At après they all get dumped on the floor, you don’t want to be that guy who goes home empty-handed because of a helmet mix-up. Who doesn’t love a cool sticker?”

On the piste

“Try to go with / make a friend who’s at the same level as you. In my friendship groups we tend to split up into those who can ski well and those who can’t and then meet up for après.”

Lessons: “Everyone I know who did them recommended them. My advice: go in the afternoon if you can. There’s no way you’ll make a 9am ski lesson every day of the week after going out every night.”

“If you’re worried about safety have a buddy ski down with you after the après on the slopes because sometimes people get lost on the way home.”

survive the après

Comfy shoes for going out: “Snowboots are waaay too hot to wear in clubs / bars at night. Something like Converse/Van -style shoes have been the best compromise for me.”

“Try to drink tons of water. Also, try and drink alcohol in your room to save money. Watch yourself in the clubs, because it’s so easy to spend all your money. Don’t take it too far the first few days, it’s all about stamina!”

“No matter how bad the hangover, aim to be on the slopes as early as you can most days. Being at the top of the mountain almost cures the hangover & you can do a week of drinking for free at home, don’t waste the experience.”

“Unless you’re made of stronger stuff than I am, give yourself one pass for the week not to go out drinking (it’s pretty much impossible to ski every day and make après and every night out)”

save money on your ski kit

“On the Uni ski trip, they offer a clothing rental service, but with the prices on WhoSki – it’s cheaper to buy secondhand than rent. Bonus: you get to keep them! For next time or to re-sell after. Genius!”

Read more: Be a sustainable student skier