My eldest went skiing with his secondary school. Those memories of his time on the slopes with his friends are some of his fondest. It was a great big adventure for him. He loved the challenge of some of the slopes, being outdoors in the crisp mountain air and the adrenaline from taking part in a vigorous exercise. So many reasons to love a skiing holiday! Now if your inspired to get planning a skiing trip read on for some tips.

Get Kitted Out

Probably the first step is getting kitted out! We had a long list of items to buy for my eldest. Make sure you stock up on thermals it can get quite chilly out there. You will need salopettes (yes, I did have to google them when he presented me with the list, it’s just ski trousers!), a ski jacket, ski goggles, hat and ski gloves. You can rent out your boots, skis and poles on arrival at the resort.

Don’t forget to pack sunglasses too it can get quite bright when the sun reflects off the expanse of white snow! Also, plenty of suncream, are you are more prone to sunburn from the reflection off the snow and the higher altitude means the sun is more powerful because of the thinner atmosphere.

Transfers

Transfer time from the airport might play a factor in picking where you book. After a long journey I always prefer a short transfer time at the other end of the flight. Geneva to Morzine transfers take around one hour and seventeen minutes so that’s a manageable distance to cover. Or you could do Geneva to La Clusaz in an hour!

Make sure you book transfers in advance. Some companies become fully booked during certain times of the year, such as over Christmas and the New Year.

The Right Resort

When choosing your skiing resort different factors will play a part in your decision like price and what time of year they have the best snow covering. Depending on your ability at skiing then you will want to look for slopes of a certain difficulty. There is no point going to a resort comprising mainly of black slopes (the most challenging with a gradient of more than 40%) if you’re new to skiing. You will want a good balance of blue (easiest) and red (intermediate) slopes for your stay.

Après-ski

Other important considerations when planning a skiing trip are the “Après-ski” (after ski) activities available at the resort. Activities you might want to try can include spa experiences, fondue evenings, husky rides, igloo building and ice skating. So if you have something special in mind check first that the resort offers it. If your have children with you then you might want to check out their childcare facilities.

When To Go Skiing

Your best bet to go skiing is between December and mid-April. My eldest went in January which is a considered the month with the best snow. January as long as you go after the New Year celebrations can also work out quite affordable as it is one of the quieter months.

Avoiding Mistakes

Book your skiing lessons in advance, the instructors will have limited availability. Lift passes are best booked prior to travelling too. They can fluctuate in price according to demand. Also, on the busiest days you might even be denied access to the slopes as they will not have the capacity for you. The last thing you want to do is arrive at your skiing holiday and not be able to ski!

You need to make sure you pack enough layers. Lightweight is best as bulky items can impact your skiing performance. The aim is to be warm and comfortable not wet and cold!

Don’t rush to take on the more advanced slopes. Take your time, build your confidence and stay safe out there. Skiing instructors teach you how to stop carefully and other valuable skills. My eldest had an extended skiing lesson in the UK before heading to the resort. It helped him make the most out of his holiday. Then whilst he was at the resort their group had a dedicated skiing instructor for the duration of the stay.