With the cost of family ski holidays running into thousands, it's refreshing to see that at least someone is looking after the rock bottom budget end of the market.
German supermarket chain Aldi has done just that with is new range of skiing and snowboarding gear, claiming to be able to kit out a whole family in jackets, pants and gloves for under £125.
Available in stores across the UK from December 3, the store's budget range includes a Adult Ski trousers at £17, an Adult Jacket at £20, and adult gloves for £5, with children's jacket and salopettes for £7 the set, with gloves for £3.
Other snow sport bargains include ski socks at £4, base layers from £9, goggles from £8, adult ski or snowboard helmets for £20 and even an action camcorder with memory card, case and helmet mount for £30.
Active Traveller Magazine gear tester Alf Alderson was invited to put the slightly more pricey (or should that be slightly less inexpensive?) Ski Pro range ski gear through its paces in a pre-season test session on the artificial slopes of the Snow Centre and was "pleasantly surprised" by Aldi's new range: "At such a low cost the quality an durability is massively impressive."
This Ski Pro range includes a jacket and pants which have been independently tested to offer a commendable 10,000mm waterproof rating and a 10,000g/m2 24h breathability rating. Both figures are in the ballpark of other well-know outdoor brands costing 10 times as much.
Men's and Ladies' Ski Pro Jackets with fleece lining, zipped vents, snow cuffs, mesh goggles pocket, removable hood and goggles wipe are priced at £35. Compatible Ski Pro pants with detachable bibs cost £30, and Leather faced Ski Gloves with goatskin faces, DuPont Sorona padding and elasticated cuff loops cost £20.
The only caveat is that if the popularity of Aldi's Special Buy cycling 'event' sales are anything to go by, you'll need to be at the shops when they open to be in with a chance of bagging these bargains!
See aldi.co.uk for more.
