If after years of badgering by enthusiastic friends you take a leap of faith and decide it is time to learn to ski then make sure you follow these handy tips before you set off; the trip is more likely to be a success and you never know, you just might have found you r new favourite hobby…
- Don’t volunteer to book the holiday, even if you are usually the person who does all the organising. Get your frequently ski-ing friends to take charge, or better yet place your faith in a specialist tour operator who will take care of details you haven’t even thought of.
- Consider the options of where you might stay. If your usual haunt is campsites uk then a catered chalet might be an alien concept but they can be a great way to experience your first ski trip and you will meet lots of people in a relaxed sociable environment too.
- Make sure you book yourself into a ski school. In Europe check that you will have an English speaking instructor – it will be hard enough without a language barrier! And don’t be tempted to save money and get your friends to teach you. You are likely to pick up bad habits, fall out unnecessarily and end up heading down a slope you are quite unprepared for!
- Don’t ski at the busiest times of year such as half term breaks. Try and go in term-time if possible as it will cost you less and there will be fewer annoyingly competent children whizzing past you with a grace you could only dream of.
- Try not to bankrupt yourself buying ski clothes and equipment. You might not actually like it when you get there which could make for a very costly mistake, plus you can hire pretty much everything these days so there is no need.
