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Don\u2019t fret when learning to ski as a beginner, we\u2019ve all been there! Your first ski holiday will be much the same as learning to ride a bike. As a small child, you see the big kids riding around fearlessly and want to be just like them. Then as you approach the saddle for the first time, it looks like a mountain to climb.<\/p>\n
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I\u2019d like to help take away some of that initial trepidation on your first ski trip – to help you get ready to safely enjoy the exhilaration, the sense of freedom and the sheer fun that I\u2019ve enjoyed over the past twenty years since I began skiing aged 5.<\/p>\n
My first tip for you to experience the most enjoyment is to be safe. When you first learnt to ride a bike you probably needed stabilisers, some suitable clothes to protect you if you fell, and space away from people and traffic to take your time and build some confidence. It\u2019s much the same with learning to ski.<\/p>\n
Go to a recommended local ski shop, explain that you\u2019re a beginner and ask what equipment they recommend. Take your time in selecting good quality clothes, boots, gloves, goggles and helmet that you like the look of and that you feel comfortable wearing. Good quality well-fitting kit improves our experience of all sports and pastimes, skiing is no exception and is essential for safety.<\/p>\n
So, for safe fun on your first day on the slopes, here are some tips and a list of absolutely essential kit:<\/p>\n Salopettes, Jacket and Thermals<\/strong><\/p>\n You\u2019ll need two sets of base layer thermals including long johns and long sleeves, then a mixture of thin fleeces. For your jacket and salopettes make sure they are comfortable, warm and waterproof. It\u2019s not a fashion parade unless you want it to be, so be sleek and stylish or keep it simple, the choice is yours.<\/p>\n Hat and Sunglasses<\/strong><\/p>\n Find a jacket in which your glasses and hat sit comfortably or take a rucksack, you\u2019ll need them both when you stop for breakfast, lunch or apres-ski. Be modish or unconventional with your hat choice – anything goes in the mountains! Lastly, you have sunglasses must have lenses which offer 100% UVA protection.<\/p>\n Helmet, Goggles and Gloves<\/strong><\/p>\n We always recommend you wear a helmet when skiing as head injuries are potentially very dangerous. Goggles are more comfortable than glasses when wearing a helmet, as the straps don\u2019t dig into your ears. In my opinion, goggles look cooler than glasses too – so that\u2019s a win-win. Good quality gloves are essential to keep your hands warm and protected.<\/p>\n N<\/strong>eck Warmer, Scarf and\/or Balaclava<\/strong><\/p>\n You\u2019ll be glad of these when the sun goes in or a chilly wind picks up and you\u2019re sitting on a ten minute chair ride. Don\u2019t be put off though, the views are often spectacular, but you won\u2019t get to enjoy them if you\u2019re having to bury your head in your jacket.<\/p>\n Sun cream, Lip Balm and Blister Plasters<\/strong><\/p>\n Not very glamorous, hey?! But don\u2019t be afraid to look like one of the England cricketers on tour to Australia, as the sun can burn in the mountains too. Lip balm is great to prevent chapping, as when the air gets cold up there it can really bite. Finally, don\u2019t suffer and lose fun time if you find your boots rub, just take some good quality plasters to keep you on the move.<\/p>\n Phone<\/strong><\/p>\n Keep your phone with you in case you get separated from friends or family, or if you get delayed for your planned rendez-vous. It\u2019ll also be handy for taking memorable pictures. I would highly recommend a phone bunjee<\/a> too, so you can capture the spectacular views on a chairlift without risk of losing it.<\/p>\n The rest is up to you. Just remember you\u2019ll spend the majority of each day in your ski wear so you won\u2019t need heaps of clothes.<\/p>\n I decided to ask the world of social media what happened on their first ski holiday, and what they wished they had known before they went.<\/p>\n \u201cI wish I knew what the piste signs meant, as I accidentally\u00a0ended up on a Black run on my first day\u201d<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n A black run is the steepest, most challenging run in Europe and should be avoided by any novice. Luckily this guy made it down alive and fell in love with skiing on day two after finding and mastering the beginner runs.<\/p>\n So here\u2019s what you need to know to be SnowSafe this winter.<\/p>\n Slopes<\/strong><\/p>\n GREEN\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>= Beginner If you\u2019re the competitive type like I am, it may be tempting to \u201cslalom before you can snow plough.\u201d Just remember, skiing doesn\u2019t have to be a race so take your time, and most importantly enjoy it. There\u2019s no mad rush, those mountains aren\u2019t going anywhere!<\/p>\n \u201cI wish someone had warned me about the chair lift bar, as it hit my head when someone pulled it down\u201d<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n Unfortunately, this can happen to even the most experienced skiers if you don\u2019t pay attention. But there is an easy way to avoid this. Simply lean back into the chair as soon as you have sat down and look up for the bar, then just make sure everyone is ready before you pull it down. Remember to remove your backpack before boarding the chairlift as it will help you sit back in the chair before the bar drops. This is another reason a helmet is recommended too, as it\u2019ll take the hit if you forget\u2026 and don\u2019t worry, it happens to everyone.<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t get my skis on half the time because there was snow\/ice in my bindings\u201d<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n When you\u2019re all pumped up and eager to get on the slopes, the last thing you want is something like this slowing you down. If you see snow or ice where your boots should go in (that\u2019s your bindings), simply brush your boots across it, or use your pole to clear the snow before you lock your boots in.<\/p>\n \u201cI kept getting stuck going through the turnstiles\u201d<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n You will go through these before you get on the chairlift. They are there so the resort can ensure you have bought a ski pass and are allowed on the mountains. Don\u2019t worry, you don\u2019t have to get your ski pass out every time. Some resorts have sensors on both sides, but the majority are on the left hand side. When you receive your ski pass, pop it in your pocket on the left hand side of your jacket, that way you won\u2019t have any problems. Make sure you put your legs right up against the bar so once the turntable starts to move you can just slide your skis right on through.<\/p>\n The above can easily be avoided. We recommend hiring a private qualified and approved ski instructor<\/a> or join a local ski school. They will take you to the safest places for beginners and give you the guidance you\u2019ll need to begin. I\u2019ve always found skiing exhilarating, liberating, tremendous fun and much more besides but it can be dangerous. Put your safety and the safety of everyone else on the mountains right on top of your list of priorities. Take instruction from the experts, look forward to fun like you\u2019ve not experienced before, and keep safe! Whether you would prefer private instruction, or a group less, we can recommend the best ski schools in the resort you are staying in. For more information on resorts, read our blog on the\u00a0top 5 beginner ski resorts.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n So, there we have it. I hope this has given some insight and you are feeling as excited as I am about the upcoming season. To ski or not to ski?<\/a> I vote ski! But if you are still undecided, get in touch. We have an abundance of luxury chalets<\/a> and ski in ski out chalets<\/a> for beginners. Feel free to contact us on +44 1202 203653 or send us an email<\/a>. I will happily answer any concerns you may have, find you the perfect resort to suit your needs, and help you plan your first luxury ski holiday.<\/p>\n Let the adventure begin.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Don\u2019t fret when learning to ski as a beginner, we\u2019ve all been there! Your first ski holiday will be much the same as learning to ride a bike. As a small child, you see the big kids riding around fearlessly and want to be just like them. Then as you approach the saddle for the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[1],"tags":[42,34,25,36,84,258,73,191],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ultimateluxurychalets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Clothing.jpg\" "\\"Credit:")
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0Clothing and essentials for a ski holiday<\/h3>\n
![\"Credit:](\"https:\/\/www.ultimateluxurychalets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/csm_cp_skihelmet_cashmere-banner2016_01_bd1084e9b7.jpg\" "\\"Credit:")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ultimateluxurychalets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/progression-19.jpg\" "\\"\u00a9")
<\/p>\npointers TO Avoid dangerous or EMBARRASSING situations!….<\/h3>\n
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\nBLUE<\/span><\/strong>= Beginner\/Intermediate
\nRED<\/span> <\/strong>= Intermediate
\nBLACK<\/strong> = Advance<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ultimateluxurychalets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/DSC9714-e1508430168440.jpg\" "\\"Credit:")
<\/p>\nNow you are ready for a day on the slopes. What\u2019s next?! Let\u2019s GO…..<\/h3>\n