How to plan & prep for your first ski trip: Tips for adult beginner skiers

A BEACH BUM’S GUIDE TO SKIING

Your first ski trip! How exciting! Are you ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime? There are so many reasons why you should learn how to ski. Speaking from experience, I started learning how to ski at the age of 30 and it transformed me from a lifelong beach bum to a winter and mountain enthusiast. In the process, I also became quite the decent skier!

Undoubtedly, there are a few things to consider while planning your first ski trip, even if you are not the one actually booking the trip. Further than that, there are many ways you can prepare during the weeks or even months beforehand (fun ways, I promise), so that you make the most of your time on the mountains.

Here is my list of things to consider while planning and preparing for your first (few) ski trip(s).

Planning your first ski trip: It’s best if your resort is beginner friendly

There are some ski resorts which are better suited to beginners than others; if possible, book a trip there. If you manage to be at a beginner friendly resort at the right time of the season, you are set for success.

While planning for your first ski trip, the choice of resort is likely outside your pay grade as a beginner. I imagine that your friends, family, partner or colleagues encouraging you to learn to ski will be in charge of the booking arrangements. To be honest, that is fine, all ski resorts will have easy pistes (AKA trails, runs) for you to learn on. Nevertheless, it’s good to know a thing or two about ski resorts and snow conditions and how they may affect you as an adult beginner skier.

WHAT MAKES A SKI RESORT, BEGINNER FRIENDLY?

What makes a ski resort great for beginners, one might ask? Well, having a variety of easy pistes and good ski schools, I would say. A great example would be Alpe d’ Huez ski resort in France that yours truly has visited twice. I really appreciated its suitability for beginners but also pretty much for every skier. Obergurgl-Hochgurgl ski area in Austria would also make the cut, even more so if this is not your very first ski trip but you seek to improve and push yourself a bit.

Based on the law of averages, a large ski resort has more of everything, so it’s usually a safer bet. In all likelihood, there will be more ski schools to choose from and a larger selection of pistes. Two great examples are Sölden ski resort in Austria and Avoriaz ski resort in France; we had a fantastic time in both. Sunshine village and Lake Louise ski resorts in Banff, Canada were also pretty great to visit while on my second ski trip.

Anyway, pistes are formed on the basis of natural topography which doesn’t always contribute to the perfect balance between easy and hard runs, even in large resorts. So, browse a bit online before booking. Ski resorts share tons of useful information on their official websites, including the ski schools they host, the number of pistes and difficulty level. Once you browse and compare a few resorts, you will be able to tell which one is best for you. 

HOW DO SNOW CONDITIONS AFFECT BEGINNER SKIERS?

One last thing I would add to the mix for a perfect trip for beginners would be snow conditions. To be fair, the weather can make or break a ski holiday for any skier. But even though fresh powdery snow is a delight for everyone, I believe that it will enhance a beginner’s learning experience considerably. Practicing those first turns on icy or slashy snow is bound to increase the level of difficulty for a beginner skier. Fresh snow is more forgiving on your turns as it naturally slows you down. It even makes falling enjoyable!

Needless to say fresh snow transforms the mountains into even more of a winter wonderland than they already are. Furthermore, the feeling of skiing in powder is incomparable… Ok, maybe comparable to dipping your toes in fine white sand, on the beach! Excited yet?

How can you ensure the best snow conditions possible? Your safest bet will be to avoid the beginning and end of the ski season and select a high altitude resort. Nevertheless, if that is not possible, do not worry. No one can predict the weather and one can definitely have amazing ski days early or late in the season.

Planning your first ski trip: Ensure that there is a beginner friendly route between your accommodation and the ski area

This is probably the most likely thing to overlook when planning a ski trip, especially if you are travelling with a large group where various accommodation preferences and conditions have to be met. However, making sure that you, the beginner skier, can get to the ski area safely and stress-free will definitely set the tone for a successful day on the slopes.

LET ME TELL YOU A STORY

This is a problem I had on my very first ski trip. Getting to the slopes for me (the beginner skier of the group) was a logistical nightmare and a source of frustration every single morning. The problem was that the routes available were ok for a decent skier, but circuitous (to say it mildly) for someone who can barely make a proper turn. This happens more often than not.

Thankfully my partner was gracious enough to escort me to the ski school every morning, ensuring that I arrive on time and in one piece. Still, one day that we tried a ‘shortcut’, our adventure ended up in tears and a missed ski lesson! Overall, the whole transportation issue not only was stressful to me but kind of a downer for him since he had to ski for a long time on his own afterwards to meet up with the rest of the group.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS…

Make sure that your accommodation is within easy reach of the beginner slopes and the ski school. Whether it is ski-in / ski-out or within walking / driving distance does not really matter. What matters is that the skiing part is beginner friendly. Having said that it’s worth noting that a lot of ski lessons start fairly early in the morning, so the time it takes to get to the slopes, may also make a difference.

When booking a place to stay, check the description of the location and read the reviews about how easy it is FOR BEGINNERS to get to the ski area. Have a look at the piste map and resort map as well (more on that later). Do not hesitate to email or call them to make sure.

Planning your first ski trip: Choose your ski buddies wisely

Your travel companions can make or break any holiday but even more so when it comes to learning how to ski as an adult. There is a lot that your ski buddies can contribute to your progression (or frustration!).

In addition to your lessons with a ski instructor (more on that next), you will need your ski buddies to join you on the easy runs after your lesson. The more hours of practice you clock in, the quicker your progress will be! Furthermore, as I mentioned previously, one your buddies may need to adjust their route between the ski resort and your accommodation, especially if it’s not beginner friendly or just for a morale boost.

Therefore, I would recommend going on a ski trip with people you feel close to. Naturally, everyone’s comfort levels are different. Some of you would be happy to learn to ski on a company trip, others would be more comfortable on a family holiday. Whatever rocks your boat. All I am saying is it’s worth a moment’s thought as to whether you are ok with learning an entirely new skill alongside, say, people you may not be comfortable to be around when you are tired and grumpy. Because that will happen at some point and your ski buddies can make things better or worse. Also, isn’t it better to share all that fun in the snow with your favourite people?

Ideally, you will have a mix of skiers joining you on your first ski trips. The better skiers will correct you and give you tips. The intermediates will happily join you on the easy runs. If there is another beginner, even better. You can share the pain and split the cost of private lessons, if group lessons is not your thing.

COUPLES’ THERAPY

Many people consider ski trips more like a big group holiday (family or group of friends) and less like a couples’ trip. Some will also say that this is even more so if one person is an experienced skier and the other one isn’t. I don’t agree with that as long as both people are excited to go.

If it is just your partner and you going on the trip, do not be disheartened. I have done quite a few ski trips with my fiancé only. I also know quite a few couples that did the same. It is definitely a bonding experience and great fun. Needless to say, it can be the exact opposite, if there is a crack in the relationship already. But, you can thank me later for getting you out of a bad relationship sooner rather than later…

THE IMPORTANCE OF A SUPPORT NETWORK

There is one last thing I’d like to stress. Whoever joins you on the trip needs to be ok with the fact that there will be a beginner skier in the group. They will also need to be ready for some compromise so that you don’t end up skiing alone all day.

For example, there will be times where your fellow skier(s) will need to reduce their speed considerably so that you can keep up with them. They will also definitely end up spending more time on the easy slopes than they would normally do. It could also be that meeting you close to the ski school after your ski lesson would prevent your group from exploring the entirety of the resort. It’s the little things that matter.

All in all, learning how to ski as an adult will make you feel a bit like a child. This is more than just a feeling; your group will need to take care of you. On the upside, learning how to ski is a very rewarding experience in so many ways and, as you progress, you will feel a childlike enthusiasm that you haven’t felt in a long time!

Planning your first ski trip: Arrange for lessons with a professional ski instructor

This is probably the No1 reason why people have had bad experiences while learning how to ski or why they struggle to become good skiers. From all of my tips for planning your first ski trip, this might be the most important.

Faced with the expenses of a ski trip, it is indeed tempting to skimp on the lessons, especially since they sound like something meant for children. It is even more tempting to omit them, if your friends insist that they can show you the ropes. Resist these temptations. If you want to learn how to ski (and have fun in the process), get lessons from a professional.

I have a separate blog post where I discuss why every beginner skier needs lessons from a professional ski instructor. There is quite a lot to discuss and it is a very important topic. So, if you need convincing about getting (professional) ski lessons, head over there.

WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO BOOK SKI LESSONS?

Part of planning your first ski trip is booking your first ski lessons. In other words, I would recommend NOT leaving booking lessons (private or group) to when you are at the resort, especially if:

• you are visiting a popular ski resort,
• there are not many ski schools at the resort, or
• your ski trip takes place during school holidays.

As a rule of thumb, take advantage of the momentum built from planning your first ski trip and book lessons right after making the rest of the bookings for the trip. This way, not only will you be certain of availability but you have also made the commitment! Trust me, once you are at the ski resort, there can be plenty of distractions to keep you away from the ski school!

For a more in depth discussion about ski lesson selection and to find out more details about beginner’s ski lessons for adults, head over to this post: ‘How to make the most of your ski lessons: 7 things to know‘.

Planning your first ski trip: Get travel insurance

I am not sure how you feel about travel insurance. In this kind of trip, though, you should definitely get one.

Whether your first or 100^th ski trip, skiing is not an activity without risk. Before going on your ski trip, it’s better to make sure that, no matter where you are in the world, you will not have to worry about a huge medical bill over a sprained ankle. And that is the thing with skiing. Even a relatively minor accident can make you unable to continue skiing down the mountain. That means that you will not only have to pay for medical services at the bottom of the mountain. You will also have to pay for being transferred there (and you might be at quite an inaccessible spot at the time of the unfortunate incident). So, an impressive bill may await you at the end of all this.

If you already have travel insurance, check that it specifically covers you for winter snow sports -most standard ones don’t. If you do not have travel insurance but do travel a couple of times a year, it may be better getting a year-long contract which also covers you for snow sports at no additional cost. There is plenty of those out there.

Compared to other expenses associated with a trip, travel insurance is quite a minor one and it could end up being a lifesaver in the unlikely event that things go south.

Preparing for your first ski trip: Make a mindful investment in your ski gear

Most people hesitate to learn how to ski because of the initial monetary investment that it requires, and that is totally reasonable. The expenditure for the trip and the cost for the lessons do amount to a significant sum. In addition to that, there is the cost for all the gear you will need. There are ways to mitigate that.

The unforgiving weather combined with physical performance requirements mean that there are many technical aspects to skiwear design. Enhanced insulation and water resistance are practical features that one does not come across in everyday clothing as there is no need for them in an urban environment. Furthermore, these technical features come with a hefty price tag. Stepping into a specialised mountain gear shop, you soon realise that there are hardly any ski jackets below the £300 / $400 mark. Apart from that you will also need to buy ski pants and all the accessories.

For more information on what you will need, head over to my ultimate ski trip packing list. My après ski packing list features quite a few gems (less necessary but quite fun) too. Last but not least, it’s worth knowing a few things about how to wear your ski boots pain free all day long.

Anyway, depending on your financial situation, you might be saying, so what? If that’s the case, skip to the next tip now. If you are, however, more thoughtful about your expenditure (out of principle or need), keep reading. 

There are three ways you can deal with the cost of all the new gear you will need: 

1. Go all in

The principle for buying skiwear is shifting your mindset away from the fast fashion mentality that most of us succumb to. Skiwear is expensive but (hopefully) of very high quality. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will destroy these clothes in the short period of time most of us spend on the mountains each year. Also, skiwear design does not change that much over the years. So, this is indeed a justifiable investment because the ski gear you buy today will be coming with you to many mountain adventures over the years to come. 

In our current world of fast fashion where we wear something a couple of times and then throw it away, isn’t this a refreshing idea? Owning items that are bound to remind you of many happy moments created over the course of many years?

Further than that, this shift in mindset could potentially transcend onto your everyday clothes as well. Buying less, throwing away less and owning things that you truly cherish… It’s better for the planet, your wallet and your closet space which never seems to be enough… 

2. The path of most resistance

All these ideas of mindful but very costly purchases are wonderful. However, spending all that money in expensive gear is not an option for you. Especially since you are a beginner and do not even know whether you will like skiing or whether you are likely to keep going on ski holidays to eventually justify the initial expense. Fair enough. Luckily, skiing is not that much of an exclusive sport anymore. Nowadays, along with cheap flights and an increase in accommodation options, affordable skiwear is also available. 

There are many high street brands out there that are currently offering technical gear, such as Superdry, H&M, Oysho. Furthermore, one can definitely survive with standard M&S or Uniqlo thermals rather than specialised ski base layers. The Topshop ski jacket I bought just before my first ski trip is still going strong, five ski trips later and I have so many happy memories wearing it! 

3: The middle ground

Mixing and matching affordable and premium gear means that you will not blow your budget in one go.

Furthermore, it provides you with the opportunity of slowly upgrading your gear, piece by piece. With every ski trip you go, you will learn what works and does not work for you and which piece of skiwear actually makes a difference and is worth paying premium price. Upgrading a piece or two every season will also be a treat to get you excited for your next ski trip and push yourself to progress! Bonus points if you can pass on your old skiwear to a newbie.

ALL THE GEAR AND NO IDEA

One last thing to note, in the unlikely event that no one told you this. The majority of beginners rent their helmet, boots, skis and ski poles so the original expenditure is a bit more manageable. After your first ski trip and if you are absolutely thrilled with the sport (which you will be), consider buying your own ski boots and helmet; this will save you precious time in the resort and, eventually, money. Regarding skis, given the luggage fares that most airlines impose, buying your own skis is indeed a luxury, a nice thing to have but quite unnecessary.

In any case, there is a bit of a learning curve into technical gear and weather resistant clothing, especially if these are your first purchases of outdoor gear intended for cold weather. So, allow yourself enough time to do some research and browse the shops before committing. If you are skiing in the northern hemisphere, Black Friday sales might be a good time for getting ready; just in time for the first heavy snowfalls.

Preparing for your first ski trip: Amp up your fitness levels prior to your trip

Prior to your first ski trips, it will be helpful to enhance your fitness levels a little bit.

This is especially true, if you are one of us busy bees whose job requires sitting on a chair for 8 hours a day and getting more than 1-2h of exercise per week is the exception rather than the rule.

UP A MOUNTAIN AND DOWN A HILL

Experienced skiers can compensate for any potential lack of physical fitness with their technique. However, when you are an adult beginner skier being fit helps. As a beginner, you are being taught the ‘snowplough’ technique which is tough on the adult body. On the contrary, children can go on for hours; this is one of the reasons why learning to ski as a child is easier. Thankfully, as you progress and gain confidence in stopping and controlling your speed, you transition into ‘parallel turning’ which is more suitable for the adult body. The more you progress, the more effortless the movements become and you can ski happily ever after.

Skiing involves physical activity even when you are not actually going down the slopes. There could be long walks or stairs to climb, all while carrying skis and wearing stiff and heavy ski boots. Some (including yours truly) might also say that getting into and out of the ski boots is an exercise by itself! Additionally, lower oxygen levels due to the high altitude mean that everything requires extra effort.

COMMON SENSE IS KEY

Skiing is a full body workout. However, emphasis on core and leg strength, endurance and cardio will make more of a difference. Happily, these can be achieved through many forms of exercise that you can practice in the city, indoors or outdoors. Classic gym sessions, yoga, pilates, running, spinning, swimming or tennis are some of the many ways that you can build up your fitness levels in a way that will help you while learning how to ski.

As to how much you should be training and when to start, frankly, I am not a fitness expert, so I will leave that for you to decide. Think about your current fitness levels and lifestyle. Do some research online or, better yet, chat to a professional.

With that being said, don’t get discouraged from learning to ski just because you might think that you are not fit enough. When I went on my first skiing trip at the age of 30, I would not say that I was very fit, yet, everything turned out fine. My thighs were not happy about it, but it was nothing that a relaxed day at the village midway through the trip could not fix. Après ski is half the fun and you can start as early as you like! 

All in all, this is my take on the matter based on personal experience. I am not an expert on this subject nor do I speak in any professional capacity. Learning how to ski is strenuous on the body so, before you head to mountains, check with your doctor / GP if you have any doubts about your physical condition.

Preparing for your first ski trip: Understand piste / trail ratings & study the map

As mentioned previously, a variety of easy pistes is the main thing that makes a ski resort beginner friendly. The best way of checking to see if that is true, is to take a look at the piste map, also known in North America as trail map. A piste / trail map shows the various pistes / trails of the resort along with a classification of their difficulty level. It also shows ski lift routes as well as other notable locations of the resort.

The latest version of a ski resort’s piste map can be found at the ski resort’s official website and phone app (if they have one). It usually presented in downloadable .pdf format and it is worth saving on your phone for your upcoming trip -you will definitely use it when you are there. Most popular ski resorts also have interactive 3D maps where you can apply filters and switch layers of information on and off.

Your ski instructor will talk you through the system of the resort as well, but there is no harm in being informed beforehand, for your safety and for understanding what your skier friends are talking about!

Similarly, if you are keen on learning the names and some basic info about the various types of ski lifts, check out this article by adventure magazine Mpora.

THE ALPINE RESPONSIBILITY CODE

Lastly, while you are browsing the wonderful world of the internet, it is worth spending two minutes of your time on the Alpine Responsibility Code. This is a set of universal rules for skiing and snowboarding endorsed and used by most ski areas around the world (with occasional minor variations or additions). At its core, it’s about being sensible and using your common sense and awareness, for yourself and others, in order to reduce risk. It is very short and easy to digest, so make sure to read it!

FINAL THOUGHTS

That’s all folks! You are now ready to start (or continue) planning your first ski trip! Exciting times, right? Since you have made it so far, I would also recommend checking out my top 10 tips for when you are at the resort and learning how to ski. It’s all about the practicalities of being on the slopes and having your first lessons as well as your first après ski sessions! Hurrah!