[ 06/05/2011 18:00 to 07/05/2011 18:00. ] The Ski Centre in Sandyford is calling on all ski enthusiasts to take part in their annual skiathon.

An amazing opportunity to win a stay in the top class ski resorts of Les Gets and Les Menuires

Columbia Sportswear had just unveiled its ground-breaking new range of gear for winter 2011

The Helly Hansen Freeze half zip base layer (€65) is a godsend for any woman that feels the cold.

Combining cosiness and fashion, Sorel Joan of Arctic boots (€135) have a seam-sealed suede upper that will keep your feet protected from whatever weather gets thrown at them this winter.

The Columbia Lafayette Street* *(€198)* *is a parka-style jacket from Columbia which combines urban chic and mountain style into a bit of kit that’s equally as at home on the ski slopes or the city’s street.

Inspired by the girlish allure of 1940s fashion, the Hayworth Jacket (€250) strikes the perfect balance between fashion and weather-proof innovation.

Whatever about renting skis and snowboards, having your own comfortable boots means a lot less faffing in the rental shop and a lot more hygiene.

Nothing can ruin a day’s skiing like freezing feet. If you’re a sufferer in this department, there’s good news in the form of Conform’able’s Volcano Thermic Insoles (€39.90).

If you’ve splashed out on a fancy snowboard you’ll need a decent board bag to protect it and to keep the fancy paint job from getting scratched when you’re travelling.