Ski trips are arguably one of the most challenging adventures to plan, especially if you’re just starting out in the sport. Where to stay, where to ski, how to rent gear? With so many moving pieces, hitting the slopes can seem overwhelming. Let me break it down for you:
A First-Timer’s Guide to Planning a Ski Trip.
Step 1: Choose Your Location
The first decision to make will be to pin down the location where you want to ski. Whether it’s one of the skiing hot spots or one of the lesser-known resorts, identify where you want to ski first, then the rest of the details will fall into place. Keep in mind that you’re a beginner. Do your research on the trail ratings of the resort before booking your trip to ensure it’ll be a suitable place for you to learn the ropes of the slopes. Even the bunny hill can be intimidating when you’re just starting out, so check to make sure there are beginner-friendly areas for you to become comfortable and confident in your skis.
Once you pick the resort(s) you want to hit up on your trip, you’ll need to book your accommodations. If staying at the ski resort is within your budget, you will appreciate being in a ski-in, ski-out zone. While not necessary, staying at the resort itself is a good idea for a first skip trip. Some perks of this option include having your hotel room nearby and easily accessible for breaks (skiing can be exhausting), and you won’t need to haul your awkwardly-sized ski gear all over the place. This is convenient, but it also tends to be on the pricier side. If you choose to stay in a more budget-friendly location, my pro tip would be to stick within a 30-minute drive from the resort. A day on the slopes is epic but also makes for a really, really long day. You’ll thank yourself later if you have a short drive after you wrap up your snow day. Also, hot tubs are a bonus after a long day of skiing. Consider finding a spot with a hot tub when booking. 🙂
Step 2: Lock In Lift Tickets
Before you can jump on a chairlift, you need to purchase your lift ticket. As soon as you decide where you want to ski, don’t waste any time buying your lift tickets. If you wait until the last minute, it may become challenging (and expensive) to get the tickets you want. Look for deals on lift tickets in advance! Don’t be tempted to wait for a better price…the earlier you lock in your lift tickets, the cheaper they will be. Snow.com, Liftopia, and Ski.com are some of the best online providers of discount ski lift tickets. Purchase well in advance to save some extra money!
COVID-19 has created additional challenges to securing lift tickets, with many ski resorts halting the sale of lift tickets at the resort and moving everything online. Quantities are often limited to preserve the quality of the experience for the skiers, so don’t be shocked if they sell out! If you plan to ski over a holiday or around the spring break time frame, reserve your tickets as far ahead of time as possible.
Step 3: Purchase the Essentials
An additional cost to your first ski trip will be your essentials if you don’t already own ski clothing. The good news is that you’ll be able to use this gear again if skiing turns out to be something you enjoy! You will be able to rent your boots, skis, and poles, but there are additional items you should buy beforehand to protect you from the cold, snowy weather that lingers over the slopes. Be sure to purchase and pack the following items for your trip:
- Ski pants and jacket
- Base and mid-layers (thermal & fleece)
- Hat or balaclava (ski mask)
- Ski socks
- Gloves (waterproof)
- Goggles
- Helmet
- Snow boots
It may be tempting to get the snazzy, name-brand gear when you start shopping around online, but remember, you’ll be falling A LOT. Besides, skiing may not be for you. You don’t know until you try, though! When you feel confident on your skis and you are ready to level up, that’s when I would splurge on the high-end gear.
Step 4: Rent Your Gear
There is some gear you will buy beforehand, such as your helmet, goggles, and snow gear. However, if you’re a first-timer, you most likely don’t have your own set of boots, skis, and poles. Have no fear – renting is a really good option for beginners. Besides, you don’t want to invest in all of this expensive gear if you don’t know if you even like the sport, right? Rather than buying brand-new gear, my recommendation would be to rent it on your first trip. Besides, if you don’t know what you need, this is also an opportunity to get fitted for your gear to make sure that your boots and skis will fit you properly so you can perform your best once you get out there and begin learning.
Depending on where you choose to ski and where your accommodations are, you typically have a handful of options for renting gear. Renting from the ski resort or hitting up local ski shops for equipment rentals are going to be your best options. If you rent an equipment package from a ski shop, you can go in and get fitted quickly and easily beforehand. If you are lucky enough to be staying at the resort, you can usually grab your gear on-site. However, equipment check-out tends to be more populated at the resorts with longer lines, ultimately cutting into your ski time. My vote? Hit up that local ski shop the night before you hit the slopes so you will be ready to rock and roll for a full day of skiing the next morning.
Step 5: Go to Ski School
Let’s face it. Lessons are essential. They may be pricey, but you do not want to cut costs on them. When I booked my first ski trip, prioritizing lessons right off the bat was the best advice I was given, and now I’m passing it on to you. As soon as I strapped on my boots and clipped them into my skis, I knew I was in for a wild ride. I immediately felt thankful that I had someone lined up to give me some much-needed pointers to help shape my form and confidence.
I learned to ski at Arapahoe Basin in Dillon, Colorado, and it was a marvelous experience. Our certified ski instructor, Mitch, taught us all the tips and tricks we needed to know to set us up for success on every trip to the slopes moving forward. Mitch taught us how to ski without poles, and I’m thankful for that! After a full day of ski lessons, I felt brave enough to move up from the bunny slopes to the greens. By the end of the four-day trip, I was on the blues! Skiing does not come as quickly or as easily for everyone, but lessons help you level up right off the bat and will help you avoid developing bad habits. Don’t skip ski school…learn the critical first steps to skiing from a pro.
Step 6: Hit the Slopes
Since you’ll most likely be fresh out of ski school by the time you’re ready to leave the bunny slope, the next most important thing to learn about skiing is the trail ratings that indicate the level of difficulty set for that particular slope. Get to know the color-shape rating system:
Green circle: Easiest
Blue Square: Intermediate/more difficult
Black Diamond: Advanced/Most Difficult
Double Black Diamond: Expert Only
You can expect to stick to the green or blue slopes for some time before advancing to the next level. Learning to ski can open doors to a lifetime of winter fun and connection to the mountains, so take advantage of the opportunities to keep practicing. Patience is important, and practice is everything. Immerse yourself in the views as you ride the lift up and slide back down. Enjoy your new winter hobby, and stay safe on the slopes!
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