People travel all over the globe to ski, and now with countries relaxing their COVID-19 rules and regulations, ski destinations are once again an option for avid skiers. However, during these unprecedented times, it seems like people are looking to try something new. Being forced to stay at home day in day has motivated plenty of people to explore things they haven’t done in the past. 

 

People who go skiing on their annual vacation often talk about how much they love the sport. Skiing down snow-covered mountains with family members and friends does sound a little exciting, so it is no wonder lots of people are booking trips to ski spots in Canada, France, and Austria. But for those who are new to the sport, preparation is key. Without preparing, you’ll probably spend more time on the ground than skiing! If you are thinking about hitting the slopes for the first time in the near future, this article should help you get off to a flying start. 

 

1. Go at Your Own Pace

It might be tempting to join your friends on the slopes who have a lot of experience skiing. But the chances are, you won’t be able to keep up with them. Instead, find a place where beginners learn the different techniques. This way you won’t be forced to join them in areas for experienced skiers. It might look easy, but it can take years before you get the swing of things. Consider investing in lessons from an experienced teacher. Even if one of your friends is planning on teaching you, it might be a good idea to spend some money on a teacher who has been educating people to ski for several years. They will have been showing people what to do for a long time, and they will know the steps it will take for you to get the hang of it. Consider going for lessons by yourself, so you won’t get distracted by your friends and you can focus on everything your teacher is telling you. Trying to learn to ski is difficult, so you will need to concentrate. If your friends are watching you, it will be hard to focus on what you need to do.

 

By the time you catch up with your friends, you will know what you can do, and what you can’t. You will be able to judge whether or not you can challenge yourself by joining them on higher slopes. Consider speaking to your teacher, and ask him or her whether or not you are ready for bigger slopes. Don’t rush into anything you are not comfortable with. You can have lots of fun skiing in flat areas. Although you don’t need to be overly cautious, you don’t want to sustain a serious injury either. 

 

1. Rent Skiing Gear

If you have never gone skiing in the past, but you are sure you are going to love the sport, it might be tempting to spend your hard earned money on brand new skiing equipment. Although this shining equipment might look cool, you could find yourself spending a large sum of money on items that you don’t need, or you can’t use. One of the biggest mistakes newbies make is by investing in ski poles that are too big or too small. Using the wrong sized poles is one of the most common reasons beginner skiers sustain an injury. When you are purchasing poles, or renting them, it might be a good idea to use this ski pole size calculator.

 

If you rent gear that you are not comfortable using, you should have no problems changing it for different gear. However, if you purchase new equipment and you want to return it to the store after your trip, the chance of you getting a refund is highly unlikely. Renting equipment will give you an idea of the type of gear you like, so if you are buying skiing gear down the line, you will know what to get. 

 

Don’t assume that the rental gear in ski stores is old and outdated. Most modern ski rentals carry new equipment that works. However, it might be worth examining the gear before you rent it. Check for damages and scratches, and point them out to the staff members if you see anything wrong. This way, you won’t be charged for damaging the equipment when you return the items. 

1. Bring Some Food & Drinks With You

Skiing consumes a lot of energy, so you will need plenty of snacks and drinks so that you can recover faster. Staying hydrated is extremely important while skiing, so don’t forget to bring plenty of fluids. If you go skiing on an empty stomach, you won’t have enough energy to ski throughout the day. 

 

However, you don’t want to pack your bags with lots of unhealthy snacks. Instead, try to find foods that are high in protein like nuts. If you want, bring some chocolate with you but don’t overdo it. Bananas have a lot of potassium, and they are known as God’s energy bar, so they are great to eat while skiing. 

 

There is a lively atmosphere in most ski resorts, so it might be tempting to drink a lot of alcohol the night before you hit the slopes. However, you will want to avoid overdoing it. Skiing while suffering from a hangover is not a lot of fun! If you do find yourself skiing after a big night out, make sure you bring lots of water to keep yourself hydrated. 

 

1. Wear Sunscreen

Just because you are not relaxing on a beach, doesn’t mean you don’t need to protect yourself against the sun. If you don’t protect yourself, there is a good chance you will get burnt. You might experience chapping on your skin or your lips, so you should buy some form of protection for both. Lip salve and chapstick are readily available, so don’t forget to buy these items before you go on your trip. If you don’t purchase skin protection before you arrive at your ski destination, you should be able to find it for sale in the resort, but you can expect it to cost a lot more. A lot of the stores in a ski resort or stores nearby are known for charging a lot more for products than other stores, so you might save yourself a few bucks by investing in these items before you jet off on your travels. 

 

Most rental stores stock polarized goggles, which can help protect you from the sun. Most skiers wear these along with sunscreen, but if it is too warm, you might find yourself taking them off. 

 

Conclusion

Skiing is a great pastime loved by millions of people around the world. Once you start getting used to the different techniques, you might find yourself falling in love with the winter sport. However, don’t assume you are going to become a professional skier after a couple of attempts. A lot of beginners get frustrated with skiing because they can’t seem to get the technique right from day one. It takes a lot of time to handle even the most basic slopes, so don’t give up until you feel like you have given it a fair shot. Falling is part of learning, so keep in mind that it might take you a lot of time before you start seeing results. In the long run, you will be happy that you didn’t pack it in!