It started way back in June when there was massive clearance discount on everything to do with snow & ski. After checking out our options locally (boutiques: Winter Time, Lemmi, The North Face & scanning more floors), I turned to online.
I checked out many websites from USA, Korea & even Taobao. I was not able to find the cheap buys sussed out by a mommy blogger on Taobao. Hence, I decided to buy from the below websites. I already had an inkling of what I wanted to buy before going to these websites.
For X, I wanted to get this jacket in 3T. It was US$130 but I got it at US$85. It was a 2-layered jacket so I figured I would get more mileage out of this as opposed to buying 1 thick ski jacket. I also did not want to get a pure hard shell jacket in case it was too loose to work with our own fleece jackets. I wished I could have gotten the Boundary Triclimate Boys’ Jacket though as that came with a polyester lining inner jacket. We decided against an one piece suit for ease of bringing X to the toilet. After adding in international freight, I probably paid S$130 for this.
Presenting The North Face Toddler Boys’ Vortex Triclimate Jacket (from http://www.moosejaw.com/) – real weight 0.65kg, volumetric weight 1.15kg (9*13*3inch)
For Z, I bought this The North Face Dubs Triclimate jacket in S (7-8yo). This was US$170 and could be purchased at US$130, US$75 or S$244 (after 25% discount locally). However, the Dr Jays website only offered smaller sizes so I had to pay US$130 for this before shipping. After working out the math, I reckoned I paid S$190 for this which only rendered me S$50 savings.
Specs of the jacket:
- Fabric Rating: Waterproof / Breathable
- Shell Jacket Material: 100% polyester HyVent fabric
- Inner Jacket Material: 100% polyester taffeta
- Inner Jacket Lining: 100% polyester
- Inner Jacket Insulation: 160g Heatseeker
Other accessories or apparels were purchased from http://mountainwarehouse.com/ & https://www.decathlon.sg
From Mountain Warehouse, we bought the kids’ snow boots (heavily marked down from US$100 to US$29,99, and US$60 to US$14.99), beanies at US$1.99 each, ski socks at US$4.99 for 2 pairs (marked down from US$22.99), kids’ salopettes at US$22.99 (marked down from US$75), kids’ micro fleeced top at US$7.99, kids’ turtle necks at US$2.99 and more.
From Decathlon SG, we bought my Quecha snow boots at $59.90 (very affordable French brand), Mr H’s ski pants at $39.90, thermal trousers for the kids at $8.90 each and for the adults at $12.90 each. They were out of sizes for my ski pants, so I guessed I would wait and see.
From Amazon, we got Mr H’s shoes at US$60.57 with free shipping. 
From Dick’s Sporting Goods (which we had to buy via Vpost Shop4u as they did not accept payment from Non-USA billing addresses, not even paypal), we bought Mr H’s jacket. This would have cost S$546 SRP, or at best 20% discount or US$280. It was either buying via Borderlinx’s US$209.97, top up 5% for concierge charge and pay for international freight or Vpost’s offer of SGD338. We picked the latter as Borderlinx was experiencing some system error.
Featuring The North Face Men’s Alpen-Blitz Triclimate Jacket in Asphalt Grey/Fiery Red, 2015 Model
Spects of the jacket:
- HyVent® 2L shell
- Heatseeker™ insulated zip in jacket
- Classic fit
- Waterproof, breathable fully seam sealed
- Adjustable, removable hood
- Reverse-coil chest pocket
- Underarm vents
- Handwarmer zip pockets
- Wrist-accessory pocket with goggles cloth
- Adjustable cuff tabs
- Internal goggles pocket
- Two-snap, snap-down powder skirt with gripper elastic
- Adjustable hem system
- Zip-in liner jacket
- Zip hand pockets in liner
- Fabric: Shell – 160 g/m² HyVent® 2L—100% nylon Taslan® / Liner – 65 g/m² 53% recycled polyester, 47% polyester / insulation: 100 g Heatseeker™A
- Style C428
- Weight:2 lbs 15 oz (1330 g) / Length from Center Back:shell: 31”, liner: 27.5”
From Gear Gut, we bought my jacket via Vpost Shop4u too. Similar to the earlier website, they did not accept payment from a non USA billing address. It worked for me too because the jacket was retailing at US$280 and this website was offering it in a sold out colour at US$140. Other websites were selling at US$196 at best after 30% markdown. It seemed a little too good to be true, so I was very happy to pass on the risk to a 3rd party. Together with the Vpost discount codes I received earlier, I paid S$214 for this jacket. It was a total steal from the local pricing of $546 SRP (or $420 after discount).
In the end, I had to buy my jacket from BobWards at US$195.97 because Gear Gut’s inventory system had a glitch and misrepresented the stock availability. It was still discounted but not as much discount as I had expected. Sobs!
Featuring The North Face Women’s Kira 2.0 Triclimate Jacket in Rocket Red, 2014 Model
Spects of the jacket:
- 3-in-1 alpine ski jacket pairs a waterproof exterior shell with a zip-in liner jacket that features ample 100 g Heatseeker™ insulation
- [Liner Jacket] Zip-in liner jacket
- [Outer Jacket] Waterproof, breathable, fully seam sealed
- Adjustable, removable hood
- Reverse-coil chest pocket
- Underarm vents
- Hand zip pockets
- Wrist-accessory pocket with goggle cloth
- Adjustable cuff tabs
- Internal goggle pocket
- Two-snap, snap-down powder skirt with gripper elastic
- Adjustable hem
- Zip hand pockets
- Fabric: shell: 110 g/m² HyVent® 2L—100% polyester plain weave / liner: 58 g/m² 100% nylon / insulation: 100 g Heatseeker™
- Style: CU74
- Weight: 2 lbs 4 oz (1020 g) / Length from center back: shell 27”, liner 25”
What’s left as to buy: my ski pants (to buy or borrow), Balacavas, the kids’ ski gloves and the kids’ ski socks
The Honey Marquise Vol 1.0 