Plus Size Ski Wear

[skidoc120]

Definitely hoping skiing again will help me de-plus-ify, but in the meantime I can't find a decent pair of ski pants. See any bargains out there?

Oh great, this thread comes out on top of the gear forum! Nice.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Keep eye out for Columbia. Saw some at Cabela's (online) on sale/available on that site, probably available elsewhere as well. Just do a google search and start the "hunt!"

 

[Swamp Dog]

THe North Face Freedom pant comes in a wide range of sizes and is a roomy cut. Definitely not a bargain though.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

^^^ Worth the $! Besides the obvious - boots - I personally can think of no better place to spend extra dollars than pants. Total waste of $ if they don't fit or repel moisture. This is the one clothing item to splurge on. (...speaking as someone who currently has at least 3 pairs of pants that are going out the door to consignment next fall.)

 

[Robyn]

A caution on the North Face Freedom Pants. There are 2 different cuts of these, one roomier and one called low rise boot cut which fits more like a slim cut jean but may discourage you. I know I tried on the roomier one first and nearly went down a size then at a different store when not knowing there were 2 cuts tried on the slimmer versioun and was quite discouraged. I went with the slimmer cut because I do like the way they fit once I realized that I hadn't gained weight in that 2 weeks.

Obermeyer also makes some extended sizes as does Marker.

And, finally, post a few more times and you'll have access to our Divas only area which has a getting healthy thread if you're interested in joining in we'd love to have you. It's a place for support and ideas as we work to improve ourselves. :D

 

[marge]

I'm not sure what size you are but I'm between a 16 and an 18 and I have the XL women's North Face Freedom pant. I got it at the outlet and I have also bought men's pants in the past just for extra room.

 

[skihub]

I'm not sure what size you are but I'm between a 16 and an 18 and I have the XL women's North Face Freedom pant. I got it at the outlet and I have also bought men's pants in the past just for extra room.

I am very interested in these pants - did you get them at the Birch Run outlet? I may have to check that out. I would like to try them on before buying - I am probably a size L (12-14 in jeans but they have to be relaxed fit for my thighs).

 

[Carol]

I wear the North Face freedom pants - I have huge thighs and calves but a small waist, and the non-boot fitted pants fit me wonderfully. There is adjustable velcro at the waist to make it looser or tighter. Definitely worth the price.

 

[michpc]

Also not sure what size you are, but I've found that Columbia pants run quite large, so they might be worth trying on.

 

[Robyn]

I am very interested in these pants - did you get them at the Birch Run outlet? I may have to check that out. I would like to try them on before buying - I am probably a size L (12-14 in jeans but they have to be relaxed fit for my thighs).

Don't count on that. My thighs are normally my problem as well but I love my low rise boot cut. :D And when someone comments that I've been loosing weight while I'm in ski pants you know they can't be looking horrible.

 

[volklgirl]

Look for Marker pants. Their size 16 stretch fits my size 18-20 really well AND makes my bum look GREAT!! They also come in short, regular, and long lengths. i found mine for 1/2 off at Brick Wheels in Traverse City last spring.

 

[skidoc120]

MaineSkiLady;88857]^^^ Worth the $! Besides the obvious - boots - I personally can think of no better place to spend extra dollars than pants. Total waste of $ if they don't fit or repel moisture. This is the one clothing item to splurge on.

Thanks, Divas, for the excellent tips. I can see that I was trying to get away on the cheap, but that probably isn't going to happen. My Utah ski experience was spontaneous, and I grabbed some men's snow bibs there from Wal-Mart, for like $30. They kept me toasty warm and dry, they were black and hidden under my jacket, so while not stylish, did just fine. I guess I was thinking I'd find something like that to charge Mountain High. Duh, this is Southern California!

Now will somebody please post a new gear request, so Skidoc's plus size woes aren't the first thing you see in the gear forum?

And PS Robyn, I love the term "extended sizes!" That's great.

 

[skihub]

Thanks, Divas, for the excellent tips. I can see that I was trying to get away on the cheap, but that probably isn't going to happen. My Utah ski experience was spontaneous, and I grabbed some men's snow bibs there from Wal-Mart, for like $30. They kept me toasty warm and dry, they were black and hidden under my jacket, so while not stylish, did just fine. I guess I was thinking I'd find something like that to charge Mountain High. Duh, this is Southern California!

Now will somebody please post a new gear request, so Skidoc's plus size woes aren't the first thing you see in the gear forum?

And PS Robyn, I love the term "extended sizes!" That's great.

I can relate to the practical but not stylish snow pants. I have had my warm and very comfortable bibs for many years. I snowmobile in them and I ski in them. They are everything I need in a snow pant, but they are not exactly stylish. They weren't really cheap, but not a major brand either. My husband and I buy a lot of stuff from The Sportsman's Guide catalog. These came from there and are Guide Gear pants.

I am trying to find a stylish but practical pair of ski pants, and keep these bibs for snowmobile use only.

OMG, I think I have had these bibs for about 9 years and they get used almost every weekend in the winter. It will be hard to find a pair of pants that has all the practical features of these....

 

[Slidergirl]

Another place to look is www.athleta.com. They have some of the nicest Tnecks in a variety of colors and prints, full neck and zip neck, in larger sizes. They also have some awsome ski pants in size 16. They're moving on to their spring line, so most of their ski stuff is in the sale bin now. I don't know what sizes they have left.
Actually, athleta is great for any kind of active wear in large sizes.

 

[skidoc120]

Skihub,
I envy you those pants! I just can't find anything like that out here in SoCal, or online. By measurement I wear a 3x, although normally wear a 2x. Try finding a 3x anywhere, all sold out. If anyone notices anything online, give a shout. I'm sure retailers think if you carry that much weight around, you're on the couch, not on the ski slopes! I'm really missing my old bibs. Can anybody suggest a temporary solution for this weekend? Don't want to miss the maiden voyage of my skis due to lack of pantage!

I can relate to the practical but not stylish snow pants. I have had my warm and very comfortable bibs for many years. I snowmobile in them and I ski in them. They are everything I need in a snow pant, but they are not exactly stylish. They weren't really cheap, but not a major brand either. My husband and I buy a lot of stuff from The Sportsman's Guide catalog. These came from there and are Guide Gear pants.

I am trying to find a stylish but practical pair of ski pants, and keep these bibs for snowmobile use only.

OMG, I think I have had these bibs for about 9 years and they get used almost every weekend in the winter. It will be hard to find a pair of pants that has all the practical features of these....

 

[volklgirl]

Until you can find something awesome, try men's pants and just roll the cuff up. That's what I've had to do until very recently. Spyder side-zip pants tend to run a little on the large size and our local TJ Maxx had tons of men's X, XX, and XXX pants.

 

[skidoc120]

volklgirl: Great tip. Don't know how many pairs of snow pants they'll have here in SoCal, but I'm game. I'll try TJMaxx tomorrow!

 

[skidoc120]

Found 'em!

Naturally TJ Maxx out here didn't have any snow pants (it's supposed to be 80 degrees in the valley today!) but I checked in Utah and the Orem TJ Maxx didn't have them either. BUT, of course, Wal-Mart did! For $21 each I can be the warmest, least fashionable gaper on the slopes! Yay! Thanks for all the tips, and thanks to my Utah pals for picking them up for me. Woo hoo! Big Bear, here I come.

 

[marge]

I am very interested in these pants - did you get them at the Birch Run outlet? I may have to check that out. I would like to try them on before buying - I am probably a size L (12-14 in jeans but they have to be relaxed fit for my thighs).

Yes, I got them in Birch Run. Good luck. I like them because they're also long enough.

 

[marge]

Until you can find something awesome, try men's pants and just roll the cuff up. That's what I've had to do until very recently. Spyder side-zip pants tend to run a little on the large size and our local TJ Maxx had tons of men's X, XX, and XXX pants.

Where's your "local"? Traverse?