Several years ago, I got a nice pair of ski goggles from Sierra Trading Post - "STP" as noted in previous posts. Next, I purchased a few different goggles from Costco over the years, too - they've been a relatively inexpensive type of Bolle, two packs with a yellow lens and a red lens, both double-layered. "Interchangeable" sounds nice, but really cheap interchangeable may not work well -- fitting the lens in properly can be tricky. One year, the Costco/Bolle was a hemispherical goggle, not interchangeable - it was alright. However, two years ago or so, the Bolle goggle was made smaller - 'terrible - it resulted in "gaper gap", a gap exposing some forehead. Also, cheap goggle lenses tend to scratch easily, in my experience. My current googles are Oakley - bought on sale at a discount, from a reputable local ski shop. They've held up very well during the past two seasons. As for affordable helmets, I've seen Bolle at Costco, but those are made for spherical heads and just do not fit me. I, like many other humans on this planet, have a somewhat oval (dare I say, "ovoid") shaped head. So, please remember to try on a helmet before you buy it. I got my helmet at a ski shop - again, a lucky, clearance-rack purchase. It's a good helmet, too, from what I can tell. Ski poles: a friend told me, back in 2007, "Don't spend more than about $20-$25 on ski poles". Many ski shops sell plain aluminum poles at reasonable prices. Last year, I bought a pair during a Labor Day weekend sale at a local shop; yes, about $25, from what I remember. Skis & boots, 'sorry, I don't have any "affordability suggestions" for those items, at this point. It's widely said that, "If you're going to spend money on ski equipment, boots are key." Ask around, then go to a respected boot-fitter. Oh, as for ski jackets & pants: please go to a couple of Outdoors Stores - e.g., LL Bean, Kittery Trading Post, REI, and Ski stores, try things on, ask questions, ask your friends who ski... REI used to make the Shuksan hiking pants - full-side-zipper with Recco reflector, several pockets, Durable Water Repellant coating - I love 'em! Keep an eye open for sales. I got a pair of real ski pants on "clearance" sale from LL Bean, and wear 'em for the zero-degree, windy days. Good luck to you!
I'll probably get scoulded by phil.
... and back into her ski gear once winter kicks in. She has top quality ski gear but says the middle of the road snowmobile gear is just much warmer for her small frame especially when it gets windy or we're zooming groomers.
