Skiing Holiday, What Do I Need?
Discussion
My girlfriend and I would like to go skiing, probably around February next year. Neither of us has skied before so are complete novices so I don't know what I will need for a holiday.
In addition to flights, transfers, accomodation and food I'm guesing we'll need lift passes, gear (do you buy this or rent it?), clothing (trousers, jacket, gloves, hat, boots?) and some kind of instruction.
Is there anything I've missed and does anyone have any advice for beginners?
In addition to flights, transfers, accomodation and food I'm guesing we'll need lift passes, gear (do you buy this or rent it?), clothing (trousers, jacket, gloves, hat, boots?) and some kind of instruction.
Is there anything I've missed and does anyone have any advice for beginners?
Personally, I'd always buy your own clothing. You don't need to spend a fortune, although it does start to add up.
Assuming you're skiing for a week, I'd pick up two sets of base layers, a couple of medium weight fleeces and enough good thick socks so that you don't need to wear them more than twice (although once is preferable obviously). You'll also need a ski jacket and trousers / salopettes, gloves and a warm hat. Oh, and some grippy shoes / boots for getting around in the evening.
I'd hire your skis and boots from the resort, although you may want to pick up your own pair of goggles and maybe a pair of sunglasses suitable for skiing, as you may not always need or want to wear goggles. You should probably wear a helmet too, although many don't (hired for a few euros or bought for about £50)
Lift passes generally bought on arrival at the resort, although I think you can sometimes purchase in advance at a discounted price.
I went on my first skiing trip a couple of years ago and it was quite daunting working out everything we needed etc but its one of the best things I ever did. Do it, you won't regret it.
Assuming you're skiing for a week, I'd pick up two sets of base layers, a couple of medium weight fleeces and enough good thick socks so that you don't need to wear them more than twice (although once is preferable obviously). You'll also need a ski jacket and trousers / salopettes, gloves and a warm hat. Oh, and some grippy shoes / boots for getting around in the evening.
I'd hire your skis and boots from the resort, although you may want to pick up your own pair of goggles and maybe a pair of sunglasses suitable for skiing, as you may not always need or want to wear goggles. You should probably wear a helmet too, although many don't (hired for a few euros or bought for about £50)
Lift passes generally bought on arrival at the resort, although I think you can sometimes purchase in advance at a discounted price.
I went on my first skiing trip a couple of years ago and it was quite daunting working out everything we needed etc but its one of the best things I ever did. Do it, you won't regret it.
yep, don't do more than 2 hours one to one tuition a day - you'll get very tired very quickly and you'll be wasting your money
thermals x 2 as you will get very warm and sweaty
thick socks for your ski boots
try and get gloves with string to wrap around the wrist, very easy to drop them off the ski lift when having a fag
sun glasses that you don't mind losing
goggles for a white out
wooly hat
bath salts, ice/heat packs, plasters
thermals x 2 as you will get very warm and sweaty
thick socks for your ski boots
try and get gloves with string to wrap around the wrist, very easy to drop them off the ski lift when having a fag
sun glasses that you don't mind losing
goggles for a white out
wooly hat
bath salts, ice/heat packs, plasters
Ski wear can be expensive, but do yourself and favour and head over to TK-Maxx. They have a huge range of last years ski gear at very low prices. You will be able to get every thing you need including underwear, gloves, jackets and pants etc and not need to spend more than £100 each. Sounds like a bargin to me.
Oh and enjoy your skiing
Oh and enjoy your skiing
Pretty much all said, so I'll be largely repeating! But, as a beginner...
Get ten hours worth of dry slope lessons here so you aren't totally wasting your expensive holiday time. And book half day lessons for every day so you make decent progress.
Borrow ski 'clothing' where you can. For a week, one each of jacket, gloves, and salopettes should do. But, you'll want a fresh pair of socks every day (or you could take some and buy more there).
Rent the boots and skis, this time.
hth
Get ten hours worth of dry slope lessons here so you aren't totally wasting your expensive holiday time. And book half day lessons for every day so you make decent progress.
Borrow ski 'clothing' where you can. For a week, one each of jacket, gloves, and salopettes should do. But, you'll want a fresh pair of socks every day (or you could take some and buy more there).
Rent the boots and skis, this time.
hth
A quick run down from me (albeit what do I know??)
> lessons - don't go dry slope go indoor (castleford is quite near you isn't it). Once in resort go for group lessons you will probably learn as much and laughing with other adults in the same boat as you is great for dealing with the stress of not being able to stand up or do anything. Also, it will give you a ready mande group to ski with in the afternoon.
> gloves/mittens - I prefer gloves others prefer mittens... both are on a par with warmth, if you're worried get slik glove inners.
> Helmet - yes, you will fall over and snow can hurt (hire in resort)
> clothing - as others have said TK Max or ebay.
> Socks - NOT thick socks... technical ski socks these are designed to pad the right places on your shins, ankles, top of your foot.
> base layers - one or two sets if it's proper stuff then one set as it will dry really quickly and you can shower with it on every night and hang it up to dry.
> Skis and boots - hire in resort but pre-order, ask their advice do not go for top of the range from day one they will be a nightmare.
> timing - February?? does it really need to be February.. it will be crowded, if you can why not go in January, often better snow and less crowded.
> Resort - out of all of the above this will probably make the most difference to your enjoyment of your first holiday. Choose a good "beginners" resort.. probably won;t have the cache of some of the other "known" resorts but they will offer you more.
Hope this help and happy to answer any more questions, as I sit here watching the snow fall!
> lessons - don't go dry slope go indoor (castleford is quite near you isn't it). Once in resort go for group lessons you will probably learn as much and laughing with other adults in the same boat as you is great for dealing with the stress of not being able to stand up or do anything. Also, it will give you a ready mande group to ski with in the afternoon.
> gloves/mittens - I prefer gloves others prefer mittens... both are on a par with warmth, if you're worried get slik glove inners.
> Helmet - yes, you will fall over and snow can hurt (hire in resort)
> clothing - as others have said TK Max or ebay.
> Socks - NOT thick socks... technical ski socks these are designed to pad the right places on your shins, ankles, top of your foot.
> base layers - one or two sets if it's proper stuff then one set as it will dry really quickly and you can shower with it on every night and hang it up to dry.
> Skis and boots - hire in resort but pre-order, ask their advice do not go for top of the range from day one they will be a nightmare.
> timing - February?? does it really need to be February.. it will be crowded, if you can why not go in January, often better snow and less crowded.
> Resort - out of all of the above this will probably make the most difference to your enjoyment of your first holiday. Choose a good "beginners" resort.. probably won;t have the cache of some of the other "known" resorts but they will offer you more.
Hope this help and happy to answer any more questions, as I sit here watching the snow fall!
Marcellus said:
A quick run down from me (albeit what do I know??)
> lessons - don't go dry slope go indoor (castleford is quite near you isn't it). Once in resort go for group lessons you will probably learn as much and laughing with other adults in the same boat as you is great for dealing with the stress of not being able to stand up or do anything. Also, it will give you a ready mande group to ski with in the afternoon.
> gloves/mittens - I prefer gloves others prefer mittens... both are on a par with warmth, if you're worried get slik glove inners.
> Helmet - yes, you will fall over and snow can hurt (hire in resort)
> clothing - as others have said TK Max or ebay.
> Socks - NOT thick socks... technical ski socks these are designed to pad the right places on your shins, ankles, top of your foot.
> base layers - one or two sets if it's proper stuff then one set as it will dry really quickly and you can shower with it on every night and hang it up to dry.
> Skis and boots - hire in resort but pre-order, ask their advice do not go for top of the range from day one they will be a nightmare.
> timing - February?? does it really need to be February.. it will be crowded, if you can why not go in January, often better snow and less crowded.
> Resort - out of all of the above this will probably make the most difference to your enjoyment of your first holiday. Choose a good "beginners" resort.. probably won;t have the cache of some of the other "known" resorts but they will offer you more.
Hope this help and happy to answer any more questions, as I sit here watching the snow fall!
This ^^^ is all good advice.> lessons - don't go dry slope go indoor (castleford is quite near you isn't it). Once in resort go for group lessons you will probably learn as much and laughing with other adults in the same boat as you is great for dealing with the stress of not being able to stand up or do anything. Also, it will give you a ready mande group to ski with in the afternoon.
> gloves/mittens - I prefer gloves others prefer mittens... both are on a par with warmth, if you're worried get slik glove inners.
> Helmet - yes, you will fall over and snow can hurt (hire in resort)
> clothing - as others have said TK Max or ebay.
> Socks - NOT thick socks... technical ski socks these are designed to pad the right places on your shins, ankles, top of your foot.
> base layers - one or two sets if it's proper stuff then one set as it will dry really quickly and you can shower with it on every night and hang it up to dry.
> Skis and boots - hire in resort but pre-order, ask their advice do not go for top of the range from day one they will be a nightmare.
> timing - February?? does it really need to be February.. it will be crowded, if you can why not go in January, often better snow and less crowded.
> Resort - out of all of the above this will probably make the most difference to your enjoyment of your first holiday. Choose a good "beginners" resort.. probably won;t have the cache of some of the other "known" resorts but they will offer you more.
Hope this help and happy to answer any more questions, as I sit here watching the snow fall!
As for resort, the big names are not necessarily the best for beginners, and may even put you off going again!
There's a excellent book, updated annually, called 'Where to Ski'. Well worth the ~~£15. This will give you good advice as to which resorts are best for beginners. It really does make a difference.
As a rough guide, avoid most of February if you can, as previously said, it's expensive and crowded, and not really any better than January or March. Definitely avoid half-term week!
As for which country, being very generalist;
France -
Relatively expensive in the resort for drinks.
Very expensive for food in mountain restaurants.
Good standard of ski-school.
Cheap accommodation.
Larger resorts generally purpose built, mid-rise, lots going on, but no 'charm'.
Italy -
Mid-price for drinking/eating in the resort.
Mid-price for mountain restaurants.
Fair standard of ski-school.
Cheap accommodation.
Generally older resorts so have some character.
Switzerland -
Very expensive for eating/drinking in the resort.
Very expensive for mountain restaurants.
Good standard of ski-school.
Relatively expensive accommodation.
Generally old, very pretty, charming resorts.
Austria -
Cheap for eating and drinking in the resort.
Cheap for mountain restaurants.
Good standard of ski-school.
Higher than average for accommodation.
Generally old, pretty resorts based around old towns.
The cheapy eastern european places -
Cheap.
Cheap.
Poor.
Cheap.
Cheap week away!
There are, of course, always exceptions in this, but this is a good idea to start looking for which country you fancy.
Skiing holidays generally work out at roughly the same price wherever you go, but where you spend the money can vary a lot!
For example;
Austria = £400 flights / accommodation, £150 lift pass, £100 food/drink for the week.
France = £250 flights / accommodation, £150 lift pass, £200 food/drink for the week.
As for gear, hire skis, boots, helmet in the resort. If you love it, buy some cheap kit for next year, which will last you 3-4 years before you need to upgrade as you improve. Boots should last from 5-10 years, skis normally 5 years before you need to replace/upgrade (all depending on use, obviously!).
Clothing - TK-Maxx or eBay, definitely. You'll get kitted out for very little.
You will need;
Hat
Scarf (fleece rather than wool is better)
Gloves / Mittens (personal preference as discussed above)
Coat
Trousers
Base layers (polo necks or similar, proper stuff if your budget will stretch)
Goggles (ebay - they're cheap!)
Sunnies (avoid glass lenses)
Technical socks (as mentioned above), 2-3 pairs and wash 'em.
Other things to remember;
If you do a package tour, you DON'T need to arrange ski/boot hire and a lift pass with them. OK, the price is the same, but what normally happens is this;
You pay rep for lift pass, who says he'll drop it off later that night. Later that night, no sign of rep. Next morning, no sign of rep. Lift pass finally turns up at 11am, where you've missed the best part of the day.
Buying a lift pass is a doddle, you go to the lift pass office (normally next to the biggest lift in the resort), hand over your card, and buy it. Takes about 5 minutes.
You can arrange ski/boot hire before you go, there's sometimes a discount for this if you pre-order. Alternatively, it's hardly the end of the world to arrange it when you get there. Saturdays/Sundays the hire shops will be open 'til late.
As a beginner, most resorts have 'free' nursery slopes at the bottom of the mountain where you'll likely spend 2-4 days learning the basics (learn to ski book should tell you this). You may get away with only buying a pass on your third or fourth day. At around 30-40 euros a day, it can be quite a saving!
As for learning to ski, as a once or twice a year holiday-maker, it will take you 7-10 years, assuming you're taking lessons every year, to learn properly.
Boarding will generally take less, maybe 3-5 years to get 'good'.
Any good instructor will tell you this if you ask them!
I've been skiing all over Europe for the past 27 years, since I was three years old. I was lucky that my old man decided he fancied it long before it became common for Brits to go away for the winter!
Celebrating my 30th with 6 weeks in Kitzbuhel this season, my season pass just arrived yesterday!
You really will love it, it's a great holiday. Outdoors, exercise, fun,
, what more could you want?maser_spyder said:
As for learning to ski, as a once or twice a year holiday-maker, it will take you 7-10 years, assuming you're taking lessons every year, to learn properly.
A good post - but don't agree with that, unless you mean from complete beginner to instructor - doing no training/practise in between.I would've guessed most people would be competent after maybe 3 weeks combined slope time, that's what it took for me and my friends. I don't claim to be the most technical skier, but for holiday fun - you don't need to be.
I was amazed at how easy it is to pick up again after a long break.
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