If you’re a newbie to the world of skiing, then read our essential tips on preparing for your winter sports session.
It’s natural to feel first time skiing anxiety, but you won’t have to once you’ve done your homework and read through our checklist!
We offer skiing first-time tips so that even the most nervous of would-be skiers can start getting excited about their most memorable winter holiday yet!
1. Choose your resort carefully
If you’re an absolute beginner, then choose a resort that has plenty of facilities for novices. This includes plenty of shallow, wide slopes for beginners (colour-coded green), tuition on tap and options for other activities when you want a break from skiing.
You should also consider whether you’ll want self-catering or catered accommodation. Chances are you’ll be pretty tired after practising on the slopes all day, so consider staying in a hotel or going for a chalet where staff are on hand to cook delicious meals for you while you recover from a day’s skiing.
2. Get kitted out
If you’re skiing for the first time, what to wear will be one of your first questions. You’ll need to get kitted out with the right gear and plenty of layers to keep you warm.
Start with thermal underwear and waterproof socks. Then work your way up to waterproof, breathable outerwear, a warm hat and gloves and cosy snow boots to keep your feet toasty.
And, of course, don’t forget the all-important ski goggles to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, as well as a helmet.
If you don’t want to invest too much in buying all the kit, you can consider hiring ski clothing at your resort.
3. Improve your fitness levels
Even if you’re generally fit and healthy, don’t underestimate the fitness levels needed to prepare for your first skiing session!
Continue with your usual aerobic activity and build in targeted exercises to build up the muscles you need for skiing. Start with improving your cardio endurance by running or using an elliptical trainer several days a week for 30 to 45 minutes.
You’ll also need to focus on strengthening the muscles that are used most when you’re skiing. Try squats and lunges to build up your quadriceps for a start.
For your glutes and hamstrings, try step-ups and one-legged deadlifts.
Your inner and outer thighs will benefit from side lunges, leg lifts and side-step squats, while you can do standing calf raises to strengthen those calves.
Practise front plank and burpees for your abdominal and back muscles.
And let’s not forget your arms. Do biceps curls with weights or simply rotate your arms around your shoulders in sets.
4. Eat and drink well
By eating and drinking well, we mean continue following a healthy diet with some treats thrown in to make your trip feel like a proper holiday.
You’ll need plenty of stamina to keep you going on the slopes, so make sure you eat plenty of foods like rice, potatoes and eggs to give you fuel. For an energy boost during the day, reach for nuts, dried fruit and chocolate.
And make sure you include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet too so you get your hit of vitamins and minerals.
One of the most important things to remember about your diet while you’re skiing is to keep hydrated. It’s best to avoid alcoholic drinks for this very reason until the end of the day. As well as making you dehydrated, you won’t feel fully in control on the slopes if you’ve had a tipple or two. Opt for soft drinks like fruit juices or hot chocolate to quench your thirst on the slopes.
5. Get the right insurance policy
Having the right travel insurance policy in place is one of your trip’s essentials. Make sure you have travel insurance for skiing, which will cover special circumstances related to this popular winter sport.
It’s especially important for novice skiers – unfortunately, accidents can happen, and you may be at higher risk of injury and in need of medical care as a beginner.
Travel insurance for skiing should also cover the cost of replacing expensive skiing equipment, losing your ski pass, cancellation or delay of your activities because of extreme weather conditions (like avalanches) and personal liability in case you injure someone else.
You can get single trip travel insurance for skiing. Or, if you’re planning on more than one expedition to the slopes, take a look at annual multi trip cover.
The key point is that the better prepared you are, the more you will be able to relax and enjoy your first time out on the slopes!
What else do I need to know?
Remember that travel is a dynamic situation with rules and regulations on entering other countries changing with little notice.
Keep abreast of the latest rules by checking out the government’s latest foreign travel advice here. You can find out what you need to do to enter your country of choice and what the restrictions are once you’re there.
It’s also a good idea to double-check any rules set by your ski resort or accommodation. For example, you may be required to show your COVID-19 vaccination status.
If you need to book a vaccine or booster, make your appointment on the NHS website well in advance of your trip.
There’s no time like the first time!
Skiing is one of those experiences that everyone needs to have at least once in their lifetime – and there’s no time like the first time!
And you can make sure your trip is as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible by preparing for your first skiing experience before you go.
This includes getting the right insurance in place as early as possible. If you need a hand finding the best policy for you, take a look at our winter sports travel insurance comparison service.
In a few easy clicks, you can find just the right policy for you, which covers all angles of your very first skiing trip. If you need a little extra help by email or over the phone, reach out to our friendly advisers. They’re here to help you make your very first skiing trip a smooth and memorable experience – with built-in peace of mind!
