Thinking of going on a ski holiday but aren’t sure where to start? A winter sports holiday is quite the opposite of a summer getaway, and organising one can be daunting for a first-timer.
You’ll likely fall over countless times, so what? There will be plenty of others in the same boat as you and we all have to start somewhere. Before you jet off, it’s important to first consider a few key points to guarantee an unforgettable experience.
Finding a suitable resort
Regardless of whether you’re travelling solo or as part of a group, you must book a resort that has a variety of easy pistes. Fortunately, you can identify the difficulty of a piste with an internationally recognised colour-coding system.
As a beginner, you’ll want to take a course of ski lessons, where you’ll learn the fundamentals of skiing, including starting, stopping, and turning on a nursery slope. You don’t necessarily need to wait until you reach the resort to do this though, there are plenty of snow domes and dry slopes scattered around the UK.
From here, you can venture onto the green slopes or, if you feel confident, blue slopes. A ski holiday in France is the best option for beginners since you have the choice of resorts like Alpe d’Huez, Courchevel, and Flaine. All have a great selection of slopes and après-ski activities if you decide to call it a day.
Borrow most equipment when you arrive
When going on your first ski holiday, there’s no need to purchase all of your own equipment. First things first, you may not know exactly what gear you need for skiing and you don’t know if you’ll even use it again. Hiring the equipment will be much cheaper and you have the added bonus of an expert helping you find the perfect fit.
Generally, you’ll need to borrow skis, poles, ski boots, and a helmet. The boots must be a tight fit to avoid rubbing and bruising, so if you’re not satisfied during your trip, talk to the company that you hired the equipment from and ask for advice.
While you can hire clothing for your trip, it’s uncommon for people to do so. If you’re able to, borrow ski clothes from friends or family. Alternatively, look for some reasonably priced ski outer layers, including a ski jacket and salopettes. If these are not insulated, you’ll need some mid and base layers that are specially designed to keep you warm and dry.
Get in shape ahead of your trip
Whether you’re an avid gym goer or someone who goes on the odd bike ride, skiing is a demanding sport that requires a specific exercise program. The last thing you want is to spend a fortune only to find yourself bedridden by day two.
The snowplough, the initial technique you’ll learn, isn’t particularly demanding, but it is when practised for several hours each day. Therefore, to fully enjoy your experience, you need to get in shape before hitting the slopes.
You want to get your heart rate up and work on strengthening your leg muscles. Use a step machine for 10 minutes each day or simply walk up and down your stairs several times. Another great exercise for skiing is a wall sit. Squat and lean against the wall at a 90-degree angle until you can’t hold your body weight anymore.
