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Skiing holidays – What you need to know

What you need to know about ski holidays

You have decided to go on a fun filled skiing holiday, but what do you need to know? If it is your first time skiing, this Checklist could really help. Most importantly make sure you don’t forget those all important essentials!

Checklist

Travel essentials

The most important things you need to take so your holiday goes smoothly.
Tip: Carry all below in your hand luggage

• Passport
• Photos for lift passes
• Travel Documents (including all tickets, confirmations and directions)
• Insurance documents
• Foreign Currency
• Credit/debit card – Make sure they can be used abroad
• European health insurance card – Just in case!!!

What to pack
Tip: Check your baggage allowance – All airlines are different

• Layer – bring warm clothes it is easy to get too warm on the slopes so warm up by adding them and cool down by reducing them.
• Sun cream and lip balm – The sun very strong on the mountains it reflects of the snow.
• Essential accessories – Hat, Gloves, scarf, Goggles and Sunglasses
• Ski Jacket, salopettes (ski trousers) and ski socks – thick ski socks are really good they keep you warm and comfortable, they are defiantly an essential.
Ski clothing cannot be rented at any ski resort, due to hygiene reasons, so check out your local TK Maxx, Decathlon and Matalan for reasonably priced ski clothes.

Optional Extras - (check first as some ski deals include boots, poles, skis etc)
• Snow Boots – boots with good grip
• Small bag/rucksack
• Thermal Underwear
• Small first aid kit – for blisters and small cuts. The resort will have a first aid kit.
• Helmet - especially for children (check if available at resort)
• Ski pass holder
• Ski / board bag and boots if you are taking your own. You should advise the airline before you travel if you are taking your own equipment as there will be a charge. However, for your first trip we would advise that you hire your equipment.

Personal Belongings to pack

• Trousers
• Jumper / T shirts
• Socks / Underwear
• Indoor evening clothes - chalets/hotels can be hot
• Swimming gear - resort may have a swimming pool
• Shampoo, Shower Gel, Toothpaste, deodorant, Tissues etc.
• Camera
• Phone camera chargers
• Plug adaptors

What to Expect
• Weather conditions to change! You can always take layers off!!
• Aim to find good soft snow. Hard, icy snow is unnervingly difficult to handle, falls on an icy surface are much more likely to hurt

Ski Lifts
You spend a lot of time on lifts on a ski holiday. For short ski breaks opt for quieter resorts with smaller lift queues.
Lift systems are progressively becoming more elaborate, and there are many different types of ski lifts. Here are examples of the most common:

• Chairlifts
A chairlift is what most people would picture when thinking about a ski lift. It circles on a wire, the skier or boarder sits on it and then pulls down a safety rail to hold them in. They may seat from two to eight passengers.

• Gondolas
Gondolas are similar in operating style to chairlifts, in that they operate on a cable which circulates in one direction. They are enclosed cabins which seat anything from four to thirty people - the smaller ones have seats and the larger ones are standing spaces.

• Cable Cars and Funiculars
Cable cars generally are two cabins which operate on a pulley system – E.g one goes up when the other comes down. You often have to wait a few minutes for one to arrive but they can carry a large number of passengers at one time.
Funiculars, or mountain railways, are generally the fastest means of transport. They run on rails - often underground - and have a number of carriages.

• Drag Lifts
Drag lifts tow you along the path as you hold onto them – you usually find them in the beginner areas. There are different types of drag lifts the 3 main are:

1. Button Lifts
A series of poles with button-shaped seats on the end that are suspended from a high-level moving cable, you put the seat between your legs, then hold on to it as it drags the button and you up the slope.
2. T-Bars
These work on much the same way as button lifts in that they drag you up the slope - the main difference is that two people take the lift at one time, and lean against a support like a large 'T' rather than a button.
3. Rope Tows / Magic Carpets
Rope tows are based around a waist-height moving cable which may have hand holds or seats attached. Magic carpets allow a beginner or child to stand on a moving walkway/ travelator.

Exercise
• Try and do some exercise in the run up to your first ski holiday as you will enjoy it more and progress quicker if you are physically fit.
• Be prepared for a few bumps and bruises
• Prepare to be exhausted at the end of the day

Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness is usually only a minor problem for most people, and most European resorts are too low for it to be a serious issue.
However, if you are unfit or suffer from low blood pressure, you may experience some of the common symptoms related to staying at altitude:
• Headache
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
These symptoms generally wear off within 48 hours. If not, you should see a doctor

Don’t forget!
• Get Insurance
• Sorting out the feeding of your pets and plants
• Pack any medication in your hand luggage
• Check all electrical appliances are switched off and unplugged
• Lock up!

Have a great holiday!!!