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Snowsports season is about to start in some countries. And we, for one, cannot wait.
If you’ve never been on a ski trip, you should give it a shot.
Don’t let the worry of falling over, eating snow, or getting stuck on a ski lift put you off from trying it.
A ski trip doesn’t have to be pricey.
If you book far in advance, look out for hot deals, use a trusted tour operator, apply student, military or senior discounts, you can easily bag an all-inclusive week-long skiing deal for less than US$1,000.
But there are still a few other things you need know to avoid being the Bridget Jones of a skiing vacation.
Don’t pretend you’re an advanced skier
If you do this, you’ll end up getting yourself in trouble.
Most slopes at a ski resort are color-coded so it’s essential you find a resort which offers plenty of green and blue runs, which are internationally regarded as the easiest to ski.
While each region has its own system of coloring, the main rules are:
Double and triple black diamond: For professional skiers only.
Black: Very challenging, often with exposure to hazards (rocks, trees), incredibly steep and very demanding.
Red: Where most skiers can be found. They vary in gradient, width, and demand, and are often well maintained. Steep drops are fenced off.
Blue: They’re normally wide which is great for big turns, with plenty of places to stop for a break. We reckon you can progress to a blue slope by the end of your trip.
Green: This is where your journey to becoming a skiing superstar should begin. They’re wide and never go above a 25 percent gradient.
Skiing lessons
Skiing lessons are a great way to learn the proper technique before hitting the slopes and they’ll reduce your risk of doing damage to yourself.
Either a day-long lesson or a couple of hours each morning for the first few days of the trip will get you skiing like Eddie the Eagle.
Insurance
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If you break your leg(s) on the slopes and you’re not covered, you could be facing medical bills in excess of US$10,000.
Also, mountain rescue in many countries isn’t free and the fee for them risking their lives to save you will also be added to your bill.
Snowsports insurance isn’t hard to come by and it’s not particularly expensive either.
There are plenty of well-known insurance companies that offer a wide range of cover, but we suggest buying the policy that covers everything from accidentally losing your skis to fully covering all medical expenses.
Don’t ski on thin ice
Of course, skiing across a frozen lake is a silly idea – imagine trying to tread water with two clunky sticks attached to your feet.
But as a first-time skier, you shouldn’t entertain the idea of going off-piste, skiing at night, or ignoring the signs telling you a run is closed.
If you do and have an accident, your insurance company may not pay out.
Look the part and stay warm
Temperatures are always going to be at freezing or below, but that doesn’t mean the sun won’t be beaming down on you.
So it’s not just thermals you need to pack, but sun protection too.
To make sure you’re protected against all the elements, you’ll need to invest in proper ski clothes.
- Your jacket should be waterproof and breathable. Look out for jackets with 10,000mm to 28,0000mm waterproofness and 5,000g to 20,000g breathability. Go for something in the middle for your first ski trip as you want to stay dry and warm.
- Sealed seams are essential. Without them, snow could get into your jacket, melt and make you cold.
- Underarm ventilation is also important because despite it being minus zero on the slopes, you will sweat.
- When it comes to ski pants (salopettes), the same rules apply as with the jacket but ensure you get pants with braces to prevent any accidental flashing.
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- Helmets are vital when skiing. There are loads of helmets on the market; some are designed for agility while others let you securely fasten your GoPro.
- Get a helmet which either has a clip for your goggles or built-in ski glasses.
- Get cuffed gloves that can be attached to your jacket and invest in some soft glove linings for extra warmth.
Protecting yourself against the sun is as simple a suncream. Apply it to your whole face before you head out and take an extra bottle to apply to your lips and nose throughout the day.
Don’t look back
“You’re only responsible for the people in front of you,” is a mantra you’ll need to recite on the slopes.
Looking backward while skiing puts the people in front of you in danger. If you keep focused on what those ahead are doing, you can avoid causing a crash. That’s a rule that applies all the way to the up the slope.
Don’t take the piste
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You will cause a crash if you suddenly stop in the middle of the slope.
If you want to take pictures, first assess your surroundings, ski to the side and snap away.
Book a resort where they après-ciate a boogie
“Après-ski” is a brilliant invention which means “get drunk, dance, sing and make late-night snow angels!”
Après-ski is what happens in most ski resorts when the sun goes down and the booze comes out. It’s an experience like no other.
If you’re not entirely sure you’re going to love skiing, book a resort with a lively nightlife and good dining options. Otherwise, you risk being bored out of your mind.
Snacks save the day
We don’t just mean “pizza”, the common ski breaking method. We mean tucking sugary snacks into your ski jacket.
They will give you an added boost of energy to get down a slope at the end of the day and boy, will you need the energy as you can burn up to 1,000 calories an hour skiing.
If you’re already pumped at the thought of skiing but unsure where to go, consider these snowy peaks in Asia.
The post How to make the most of your first ever ski trip appeared first on Travel Wire Asia.
Source: travelwireasia.com