The North Face Freedom Pants are the perfect skiing pants for anyone just starting out. I am a skier and have just started using these pants this past season. They are fully waterproof and have a roomy cut. The gaiters at the lags also are a nice touch. My favorite feature on these pants is the cargo pocket on the front of the leg. I store my wallet and other valuables in there.
Although this is a great investment it has some faults. First, the picture is very misleading; the pants are not as slim as the picture portraits. Second, after my first run the front of the pant legs already had small rips from brush.
I am 5.10 and have a 31 inch waist. These pant fit me very well, although theyre a little baggy around the ankles. All and all, its a very good investment for the beginner skier/snowboarder.