Feeling inspired by the Winter Olympics? Think you could become the next Billy Morgan? Annndd relax… it’s not as easy as it looks.
Hitting the slopes for the first time is far from a piece of cake. Unless you are some kind of sporting maverick, you’ll probably spend most of your time on your backside. But it’s loads of fun and with a bit of practice, you’ll be flying down the slopes like a pissed-up Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards in no time.
TLE recently caught up with Polly Lomas, ski trip curator at travel specialist Topdeck, to find out what you can do to ensure your first ski trip isn’t ‘peak’, which, according to my 12-year-old cousin, means bad.
Head to an indoor ski slope before: Master the basics beforehand then, when you do get to the mountains, you’ll be well ahead of the game. There are six indoor ski slopes across the UK so get a taster session booked in.
Go with a group: Go with a group travel company. This way you’ll gain access to world-class runs and make new friends along the way. It’s a snow-brainer!
Take a backpack: Always carry a backpack on the slopes. Take back up clothing because the weather changes all the time. When deciding what to wear, the three-layer strategy is best. Also, pack plenty of fluids and snacks to help keep up your energy levels throughout the day.
Pick the right ski boots: If you’re renting boots, insist on trying new pairs until they’re a comfortable, snug fit. It is easily the single most important aspect of your skiing equipment and will affect your control, edge grip and confidence. If you do wind up with the wrong boot, you’ll soon know about it – so don’t be afraid to go back and change them.
Protect yourself from the sun: Make sure you pack plenty of sunscreens and keep your skin topped up when it’s particularly warm and sunny. Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean that you won’t get sunburnt!
Beat the fear: Go for it! Skiing down your first big slope can be scary, but there’s no better feeling and the adrenaline will soon kick in. Keep at it!
