Booking and planning for the perfect ski holiday can be daunting, especially for beginners, as there is so much choice. Some resorts are better for beginners, whilst others are suited for more advanced skiers. In addition, some resorts have more variety in activities outside of skiing, whereas others focus solely on the snow-based action.
Making the best decisions for your trip can make or break the experience and so it is important that you consider your non-negotiables. Read on for more help in planning your getaway.
The Resort
There are a few things to consider when choosing the resort. Firstly, when do you want to go? The time of year you are looking to book for can affect your choice of resort. December to April is the best time to take a skiing holiday, with February being the best time to go as it is in the middle of the season.
What level of skill does your party have? If your party consists mainly of novices, you will need to look at resorts with good beginner areas and nursery slopes. If your party is more advanced, you may find that you have more choice.
Lastly, do you have a budget? While most resorts will cost a similar price for the stay, the cost of different activities or amenities can vary wildly. The price of lift passes are often a good indicator as often resorts with expensive lift passes will also charge more for other things such as food.
There are many things to take into account when choosing the resort, but there are resources that can help. Piste Pro is a website that you can use to research the resort before you book. You can look at local maps of the area so that you can see what other things you may want to do outside of the resort. You can look at piste maps to look at the trails on the resort, and you can even use the site when you get there for their hour-by-hour weather breakdown.
Lessons
Many skiers choose to take lessons or refreshers courses at their resorts. As some pointers and coaching can help even advanced skiers make the most out of their holiday. Ski schools can get booked up quickly, so be sure to book in plenty of time. There may be a ski school affiliated with your resort; however, it is still worth looking up reviews and qualifications.
Hiring or Buying?
Ski hire prices are rising, and so many people are debating whether to hire or buy. The deciding factor for you should be how often you ski, how much disposable income you have and what level of skier you are. For those who ski regularly and consider themselves to have reached an intermediate level, it may be worth buying equipment, especially boots, as hire boots aren’t moulded to your feet, making them more uncomfortable and affecting your performance. You can rent most of the equipment you need, so in terms of packing, you may not need to bring too many extras.
Before You Go
There are a few extra things you should do before you go on your skiing holiday. Firstly, you need to buy ski insurance; skiing can be dangerous; although accidents are rare, it is important that you make sure you are covered just in case. You should also make sure you have exchanged the currency as it is far cheaper to do it before you go than to try and do it there or use your card.
In Conclusion
All holidays or getaways require planning to ensure that they go as smoothly as possible. Skiing is fun, it is great exercise, and the views are amazing, so be sure to follow the above advice to ensure that you are making the most out of your getaway.
