Are you preparing for your first ski holiday? Here are our top five tips to ensure you have an enjoyable trip.
If you’ve never skied or snowboarded before, you might be uncertain about which option will be easier and more comfortable for you.
We can assist you in making this choice by outlining the key differences between skiing and snowboarding for beginners in our article, "Skiing vs. snowboarding: Which is easier?"
1) Choose a good beginner's resort
Stay in a resort with lots of wide, gentle slopes and plenty of blue and green runs that are suitable for beginner skiers.
Our favourites include Morzine, La Plagne, Meribel, and La Tania. These luxury ski resorts are designed for beginners of all ages, including adults and children. They offer a welcoming environment to learn and enjoy the slopes without the pressure of facing difficult runs or challenging pistes.
You can also discover a more in-depth list of beginner ski resorts in our article, ‘The best luxury ski resorts for beginners’, or you can ask our Experience Managers for their best recommendations.
2) Decide whether you'd like to stay in a hotel or a chalet
As much as we love skiing, a holiday in the mountains can be ruined if you stay in horrible accommodations.
At the end of an exciting day on the slopes, there's nothing better than relaxing by the fire, enjoying delicious food and wine, lounging in a hot tub, or having a massage and then collapsing into a comfortable bed.
We can offer a huge choice of luxury properties to suit all tastes and budgets. Our expert team have tried and tested them all, so give them your wish list, and we'll find the best place for you.
3) Book ski lessons
Booking ski lessons is essential. Avoid the mistake of imitating 'Bridget Jones' and attempting to ski down the mountain with your eyes closed! We highly recommend scheduling a series of lessons with a reputable instructor to give yourself the best possible start.
You can expect to fall a lot, but you'll also have an incredible amount of fun! Create a 'falls table' with your friends and family and give each other points for the most spectacular wipeouts—this is a great way to share lots of laughs.
During your first few days, you might find yourself going too slowly or too quickly, feeling both terrified and exhilarated at the same time.
You should also be prepared for kids to pick it up faster than you, as they often have less fear.
We have personally visited and skied with the best ski schools and guides so that we can recommend and book excellent courses for you. Speak to our dedicated Experience team, and they'll walk you through the options.
You can also take a look at our article, ‘The best beginner ski resorts in France with beginner ski lessons’ for ski school recommendations.
4) Hire your equipment
Don't be one of those people who has all the gear but no idea. We recommend you hire your ski equipment on your first holiday so you can try it before you buy.
We suggest some excellent equipment hire shops for you in the resort of your choosing and are often able to access exclusive offers and discounts.
Proper ski boots are well insulated and warm (only ever wear one pair of socks). Good circulation is important, so make sure you wiggle your toes and check for any pressure points.
Most hire shops will exchange your boots for you if you find them uncomfortable and can offer you the best skis or snowboard for your ability.
5) Purchase ski clothing
Never wear jeans or short sleeves. Ensure you have a good pair of waterproof trousers and a windproof/waterproof jacket.
Many ski pants are nicely padded, which helps provide extra cushioning when you fall over!
Layer up on top with zipped fleeces and thermals that you can remove easily if you get too hot, and always wear a helmet. This is now compulsory in America and absolutely essential - especially for beginner skiers.
Contrary to what you may think, helmets are very fashion-forward these days and could save your life!
Also, bring a good pair of gloves, sunscreen and lip balm (even when it's cold, the sun reflects on the snow and can cause severe sunburn), goggles (if it's snowing, windy or visibility is low), sunglasses (if it's sunny), a ski resort map, your ski pass, money (for all important hot chocolate and vin chaud stops) and some water and snacks to keep you going.
Looking for expert ski holiday recommendations?
We live for skiing and are sure you will soon, too!
For more tips from our expert team, call us at +44 1865 817 420.
