STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Hmmm...I guess to start, it's expensive.  I get most of my gear from North Face and my most recent ski jacket is from Patagonia.

If you have an Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) or REI in your area, I would go there.  They carry the high-end stuff and also their own less expensive knock-offs.

I would actually spend most of my money on quality goggles (I like Oakley) and gloves (you want a pair that wicks away moisture so your hands stay dry and toasty).

Get a water-resistant shell jacket and ski pants, then you can add layers of inexpensive fleece and long underwear to keep you warm (or cool).  You'll have more flexibility so you can ski in both -20 and 50 degree weather.

     

i've bought really nice snowboarding pants on sale at nordstrom's before--it's a little known resource!  they sell a small-ish selection of nice quality ski and snow stuff in their "active" dept., but it gets marked down on the same time schedule as everything else.  so nordstrom will have winter 05 ski stuff on sale months before the sporting goods stores will. 

last year i bought new snowboarding pants at sport chalet (i think that may be a west coast chain) for like $99--really nice burton ones.  you just have to watch for the sales--there are deals to be had. 

one thing to add on to jj's post about goggles--think about what the weather will be mostly like where you are skiing.  i usually go late in the season in cali, so i like goggles that have the darker tinted lens, like sunglasses.  but if you are going to be skiing in different conditions (like cold/snowing/not sunny) you might want a different color (like the orange).  talk to the salesperson definitely about which would be most versatile for you.  i know dragon makes some goggles that have interchangeable lenses--that might be a good idea for you.  other good ones to look for: smith, von zipper, spy. 

about the goggles, i got loads of compliments on my oakley.
i skiied in or around ca, ny, nj and il.
guys and gals kept on coming up to me and asking about em.

i'm not sure which style is mine but it was in the $100+ range,
and is similar to this: http://oakley.com/o/o1309d