As with any holiday, a ski holiday involves an amount of planning that can seem overwhelming to the inexperienced. There’s a lot to consider and book including transport, accommodation, lift passes, gear hire and food. If you’re going with a large group this task gets even harder as you have to accommodate everyone’s needs and preferences. A pro-tip if you’re going with a group; hide in the background and get someone else to organise it all for you!
Unfortunately, latching onto a group and getting a plan-free holiday isn’t the reality for everyone. So, if you find yourself in the position of organiser, here’s several steps you can take while planning your holiday to get the ultimate ski experience.
Step One: Get a Date
Getting a date for your ski trip is obviously the first thing you need to decide upon. The nature of ski holidays and the amount of things that need to be planned for, means you need to start planning early enough to get it all done and have the option of making changes.You want to ensure you head to the mountain during a period of quality snowfall so if you have the flexibility to move your date a week forward or back, your ski holiday can really benefit from having such an option.
This means, that for a large group, the ideal time to start planning your trip is about a month out. If your trip is going international, it would be wise to start even earlier. Planning early also gives you the freedom to search for deals and make the best possible purchase for your accommodation, transport, etc.
The date you choose should dictated by what mountain you want to go too. If you want a specific mountain, find out when the best times to go are, if you can only go during a specific time, find out where gets the best snowfall during this period.
Step Two: Know the Snow Season
When you have chosen a date and a mountain, it’s important that you regularly check the weather report for the mountain in the lead up to your arrival. As we mentioned in the previous step, you want to aim for a time when the snow is fresh and there’s lots of it! Every location will experience different conditions throughout the snow season so it’s best to try and gauge when there will be enough snow for an enjoyable trip.
Step Three: Gear Up
As with any activity based holiday, it’s important to have the right type of gear. There’s nothing worse than shivering with numb fingers as you climb the mountain on a chairlift. Make sure you have quality snow attire that will keep the warmth in and the cold, wet snow out. Obviously, you want waterproof outer layers, but having warm layers’ underneath which you can remove if needed will ensure you’re comfortable and can stay on the slopes for as long as you want.
If this is your first ski trip, a great option is to rent all your gear before buying expensive clothes and equipment for a sport you might not enjoy. Even if you do enjoy it, but will likely only head to the mountain once a year, renting can be a price effective option. You can rent everything from skis to your helmet and snow pants.
It might be cold, and most of your skin will be covered but that doesn’t stop the sun’s harmful rays from burning any exposed skin. The white snow reflects the sun and makes it quite easy to get sunburnt. Apply sunscreen and make sure you have goggles that provide sun protection!
Step Four: Prepare Important Documents
By now it should be clear that there are a few things to organise for the ultimate ski holiday. Booking things like accommodation and your lift passes will not only save you time and effort once you get to the mountain, but it can also save you money. Organising these things and having them printed and ready before you leave will help you have a smooth-running holiday.
Step Five: Getting to the Mountain
You’ve made it to your accommodation and you’re ready for your first day on the slopes, all you have to do is make your way to the mountain itself. If you’re driving, check the weather and road conditions before you leave. If it has been snowing, you will likely need to carry chains and put them on your vehicle if you come to icy roads.
Trains and other public transport systems are usually quite effective and accommodating in regards to snow resorts. They will generally have bundle deals with transport and ski-passes so checking sites like Amtrak can be a great way to get to the mountain on a budget.
Step Six: Know Your Limits
Skiing and snowboarding can be a great holiday for beginners and advanced snow-goers alike, but for even the most experienced, it can become dangerous if care and common sense is ignored. It’s important that you know your own ability and respect that of others. Taking lessons can help you improve and become familiar with the mountain. Take your time and don’t take risks or force others to take on runs they don’t feel comfortable with. Learning correctly and ensuring others in your group are comfortable is key to having a successful ski holiday.
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