If you enjoy going on adventurous trips and you’re into sports, then skiing might be the ideal hobby to get into. You can explore some beautiful areas and have a fantastic time skiing down mountain paths and different runs.
The great thing about skiing holidays and ski resorts is that there’s something for everyone. You can find runs that are perfect for beginners and children, as well as areas that are better for someone more experienced and more adventurous.
With this in mind, here are some tips to help you to plan the perfect ski trip.
1. Practice Before You Go
If you’ve never tried skiing before, then you should definitely pick up the basics before you take the step of going on a ski trip. You don’t want to spend that much time and money on an activity if you aren’t sure that you’ll enjoy it.
The good news is that you can try out skiing on a smaller scale. Depending on where you live, you can find a nearby ski slope and pick up the basics of skiing. Even if you don’t have any appropriate mountains, find an indoor ski slope or a dry ski slope.
This way, you can learn how to stand and walk around with the skis and pick up some basic tricks and techniques. You don’t have to become an expert, but reach a point where you can handle an easy run. This way, you know whether skiing is something you’d enjoy, and you can give yourself a headstart so that you can get the most out of your holiday
2. Pick the Right Place
Not every ski resort is created equally. There are many places around the world where you can ski, and some of the best ski locations are easily accessible in Europe. You need to consider your skills, preferences, and price range when choosing a ski resort and location.
Some ski locations are geared towards different types of skiing, while others have runs and routes for everyone. Cross-country skiing is a slower pace than traditional downhill skiing, but it can be an enjoyable way to explore the mountain slopes.
If you’re inexperienced, then make sure that the ski resort has a few easy runs that you can try. You’ll find that you get better at skiing fairly quickly, especially if you practice over and over again. It will become more natural to ski and you might find that you progress to harder runs throughout the week.
Another thing to consider is the resort itself. While the whole point of a skiing holiday is to ski down a mountain, the resort can impact how much you enjoy your holiday. Some resorts offer food, drinks, accommodation, and a wonderful place to relax after a long day on the slopes. This kind of relaxing resort is also perfect for those who like to take it slow on holiday, so they can still relax and enjoy themselves even if they don’t ski all that much.
3. Find the Right Equipment
Unsurprisingly, you can’t go skiing without any equipment. Depending on the resort, you might be able to hire the equipment you need, but this can be risky. If you’re a beginner, then you should also be wary of buying the most expensive equipment you can find.
When planning your first ski trip, you will at least need:
- Ski jacket and trousers to keep you warm on the slopes.
- Ski socks and gloves.
- Hat and scarf or a balaclava.
- Base clothing underneath your specialized ski clothes.
- Goggles to protect your eyes from the snow and sun.
- Ski helmet to protect your head.
- Skis, which you can usually hire.
- Poles, which you can usually hire. These are recommended for beginners and can give you more control while skiing.
- Backpack for extras or long journeys.
- Water bottle or flask.
- Small shovel to dig you out of trouble.
- Flashlight or flares to attract help.
Expensive equipment isn’t just costly, but it can be harder to use if you don’t know what you’re doing. Most of the time, top-quality skis are designed to help you to go down the slope as quickly as possible, sometimes sacrificing control or comfort to achieve this. You need to know how to use it to get the most out of it.
Sometimes, you can hire equipment for a week or two. Rather than hiring it directly from the resort, find a supplier who will let you pick and choose before you go on your ski holiday, so you know that you have everything.
