Your first ski trip: The months beforehand
You've taken the time to find this website, so it sounds as though you have booked or are at least on the brink of booking your next ski vacation.--------------------------------------sponsored--------------------------------------
For some of you, this will be a first, and this is what today's topic is going to focus on.
In short, this isn't the classic beach getaway - this is a completely different beast. Skiing breaks are paradise for a lot of people, but they are different and they take some getting used to.
As such, whether you are considering the ski France has to offer, or if you are looking at somewhere else in the world, let's take a look at some of the ways you should prep for this first trip.
Ask yourself what you want from the trip
Like it or not, not all resorts are equal. Some are geared to families, others to the party scene - while some can probably be described as being fairly hybrid.
In the months leading up to your adventure, you need to ask yourself what you're really trying to get from it. Are you sure skiing is going to be your thing? If you have any doubts (and these should exist if you've never touched a pair of skis before) then at least consider a resort that has other activities on-site. Remember, you're up in the mountains, and accessing other cities isn't going to be the easiest thing you can do.
Research the lift passes
Once you've researched your resort, next on the list is the lift pass. A lot of beginners will turn up to the ski office and simply buy the so-called "standard" pass.
Quite often, these passes cover every piste, for an entire day. Firstly, particularly as this is your first time on the slopes, there's no guarantee you will be out there all day and a 4-hour option might be worth considering.
Then, there are is the piste itself. Again, due to your level of skiing, you probably only need the pass which covers a minimum number of valleys. This will work out to be much better value for you.
Save for lessons (and don't rely on relatives)
As you are probably finding out, skiing isn't the cheapest pastime in the world. Something that can add to your costs quickly are lessons - but this is one area where we would advise against cutting.
Sure, you might have a family member who has been every year to the mountains, and is happy to teach you. However, there's every chance that they have their own bad habits, whilst learning from someone close to you can be quite a frustrating experience.
Instead, save the money, and invest in lessons. You'll quickly pick up the right technique - and soon be able to join the rest of your group on the runs.
Prep your body
Finally, this might be a holiday, but it's something that can be tough on your body. If you’re not in good shape, you won’t last very long on the mountains. There are now countless workouts around that can help you prep for this new type of stress on your body and again make your getaway all the more fulfilling.