My personal take on ski gear:
1. The most important item is the pants. Ski pants are a must because they come with snow skirts that work with your ski boots. Also, choose pants with good waterproofing since you’ll be sitting on the ground (especially with snowboarding) or falling frequently. Breathability is also key—otherwise, you’ll feel miserable. So, don’t even consider ski pants under 500.
2. Ski jackets: To save money, you can use a windbreaker instead, which serves both purposes. Of course, if you’re more serious, especially as a skilled snowboarder, you might look down on this option. Don’t consider anything under 500, because breathability is even more important than waterproofing here.
3. Underwear: Many people overlook underwear, but it’s actually quite important. While skiing, you’ll sweat a lot. I strongly suggest avoiding pure cotton underwear. Thermal underwear is fine, or if you’re not too picky, you can use quick-dry summer outdoor shirts, or find moisture-wicking underwear at Decathlon. For warmth, go with fleece-lined thermal wear—it’s light, warm, and breathable. You can get all of these at Decathlon without spending much. Don’t settle for less.
4. Helmet, goggles, face mask, gloves, and socks are protective gear—no need to skimp here. My helmet is from Taobao, a brand called Star, pretty knockoff-ish—not an ad, just my choice. Goggles are a domestic brand, something like Feima or Tianma (some horse name), but they’re pretty good. Face masks vary a lot—some people pick ones with skulls, which is kind of fun. Gloves are all over Taobao; just pick ones you like that keep you warm. As for socks, go for COOLMAX material. They cost about 8–15 per pair, wick moisture, keep warm, and prevent odor. You can wear them for a week, though they might stink when first taken out. Just let them air for 30 minutes and the smell fades—perfect for lazy people. I once got some for 5 RMB five years ago, but they’re not that cheap anymore.
5. Finally, ski boots. If you’re already comfortable with the snowplough turn and aiming to advance to parallel turns and tackle advanced slopes, then the next essential gear I strongly recommend is ski boots. One reason is that when I go to different ski resorts, I have to adapt to different boots and sizes—it’s painful when they don’t fit. Plus, for hygiene reasons—athlete’s foot? Oh my God.
6. Choosing ski boots  First, sizing: I strongly suggest that if you normally wear size 42 shoes, go for one size smaller, size 41. As long as your toes aren’t curled up inside, it’s fine—even if your toes touch the front, it’s okay. Ski boots tend to stretch the more you wear them. Width: if you have wider feet, go for 104mm; narrower feet, 102mm. The key is that your feet shouldn’t be sliding around inside. If the boot fits snugly without pinching or hurting, it’s good. Boots will stretch over time. Hardness: for our skill level, choose something between 70–90 stiffness. Going harder than that, you won’t have the technique to handle it and it’ll be uncomfortable. Going softer won’t meet your technical needs.
7. Where to buy boots: In Beijing, a well-known spot is Ciqikou. For example, I bought a men’s ATOMIC B70 size 42 there for 2300 RMB. Others like Rossignol or Salomon are in a similar range. Of course, buying from abroad is cheaper—I got mine with shipping and taxes for 1500. Asked how I did it? Hehe, it’s my profession, so I just did it on the side.