First Time Ski Holiday Advice

Pick up Hire kit the night before if you can

If your resort and hire shop allow it (and many do, with no extra charge), try to collect your skis, boots and helmet the afternoon or evening you arrive.

Why this is a game changer:

• No day‑one panic
  Everyone else is queuing in their long johns at 9 am while you are already on the lift feeling smug.
• Time to faff
  You can try on your boots, adjust buckles, stomp around the hotel like a robot and work out which socks and layers feel best without the pressure of the lifts opening.
• Less morning chaos
  Your first ski morning is confusing enough without throwing equipment hire into the mix.

If you are not sure whether you can do this, just ask when you book or when you receive your hire voucher:

“Do you allow collection the afternoon before without extra cost?”

The Ski Kit List: What You Actually Need

Ski Helmet:

o   Not technically essential in every resort, but I strongly recommend it for anyone skiing. All it takes is one fall on a rock or an unexpected collision.

o   Can be hired in resort, but owning your own means you know its history and that it fits properly.

o   Anything from a reputable shop will be safety certified, so you do not need pro‑racer prices or the latest World Cup graphics.

Ski socks (Essential)

o   Aim for one pair per ski day, or three pairs that you wash and rotate (my approach).

o   Normal socks are not thick enough, and most walking socks do not come high enough up your leg.

Note: Short socks + ski boots = rubbing, blisters and a very grumpy beginner who suddenly loves café stops.

Salopettes and ski jacket (Non‑negotiable)

o   A good pair of salopettes (ski trousers) and a ski jacket,

o   Or an all‑in‑one suit if you fancy the retro look.

Look for:

o   Waterproof or highly water‑resistant fabric

o   Decent insulation

o   Ventilation zips if possible

o   Enough room for base layers when you try them on

Note: If you feel a bit like the Michelin Man in the mirror, you are probably doing it right.

Ski goggles and/or sports sunglasses

You will need eye protection: the sun reflecting off the snow can be brutal.

• Goggles
• Best for poor visibility, snowstorms, colder days and higher speeds.
• Wraparound sports sunglasses
• Usually fine on bright, clear days.

Note: You can also buy helmets with built‑in visors, which I love for the “flip down, flip up, no faff” factor.

Thick waterproof ski gloves or mittens (Essential)

Thin woolly gloves are not going to cut it.

Look for:

• Proper ski gloves or mittens
• Waterproof and warm
• Ideally with wrist loops or leashes

Why wrist leashes matter:
There is nothing more heartbreaking than watching a glove drift slowly into the valley beneath you because you let go on the chairlift to apply lip balm. Not that I am speaking from experience. Obviously!

Snood or neck warmer

Highly recommended.

• Scarves flap, unravel and occasionally try to strangle you on lifts.
• A snood, buff or neck warmer tucks neatly under your jacket and stays put.

A good Snood with a stretchy bit can also double up as a face cover if you happen to end up in a blizzard!

Base layers and mid layers

This is where the magic happens. Layers let you adapt to both the weather and how hard you are working.

For warmer days:

• Breathable T‑shirt
• Light leggings or cycle shorts
• Thin fleece

For colder days:

• Thermal top and bottoms instead of T‑shirt and cycle shorts
• Fleece on top

• Aim to be warm enough sitting still,
• But not so bundled up that you turn into your own personal sauna on the way down.

Most of the time you feel the cold on lifts, not while you are actually skiing.

SPF lip salve

Essential.

• Cold, dry air plus sun and wind = cracked lips if you are not prepared.
• Go for a high‑SPF lip balm.
• Keep it in a pocket you can reach with gloves on.

You will use it more than you think.

Pocket‑sized sunscreen

Also essential. The mountain sun is sneaky.

• You will be in a bobble hat thinking “I cannot possibly burn, it is snowing”, while your nose quietly turns into a tomato.
• A high‑SPF sunscreen that fits into a jacket pocket is ideal so you can reapply during the day.

Two realistic approaches:

• Out all day: pop a small tube/stick in your pocket.
• Back to the room at lunch: apply generously in the morning and top up later.

Do not forget the classic burn zones:

• Nose
• Cheeks
• Forehead
• Under the chin

Transfers: The Holiday Before the Holiday

Let us talk about transfers.

In theory:  You hop off the plane, jump on a coach and glide up the mountain.

In reality: You might change buses part way, stop at several resorts and bond deeply with a stranger’s ski bag.

Types of transfer

• Shared coach transfers
• Usually the most budget‑friendly option.
• Can take longer, especially if they serve several resorts.
• It is not unusual to be split into smaller groups and moved onto different buses as they peel people off for separate stops.
• Smaller group or private transfers
• Great if you do not fancy the bus‑change shuffle with tired children, hand luggage, duty free and an emergency airport sandwich.
• More expensive, but the extra comfort and fewer faffy changes can be worth their weight in gold after an early flight.
• Whatever you choose: snacks and water
• Mountain roads + hunger = not a winning combination.
• Keep bottled water, snacks and maybe a light layer handy.

Mindset tip:
Treat the transfer as part of the adventure but set your expectations so it does not come as a shock if it takes a bit longer than the “2 hours” stated on paper. 

The Truth About Lunch Costs

Now for the bit your bank account has been nervously waiting for: mountain food.

What to expect

• On‑mountain restaurants are not cheap.
  You are paying for location, logistics and the view.
• Self‑service is usually better value
  But it is still not “2‑for‑1 pub lunch” prices.
• Hot drinks add up fast
  Hot chocolate, coffees and cakes are all very tempting when you are cold and tired.

A sensible guide is to budget for:

• 1 hot drink or snack stop each day
• 1 lunch each day

Money‑saving ideas that still feel like a treat

• Make the most of breakfast
  If your accommodation has a decent buffet, eat well in the morning.
• Pocket snacks
  Cereal bars, nuts or chocolate bars in your pocket help you:
• Push lunch a bit later, or
• Avoid that extra expensive mid‑morning cake stop.
• Supermarket top‑ups
  If there is a supermarket in resort, grab:
• Fruit
• Crisps
• Biscuits
  over the week. Small savings really add up.

You absolutely should enjoy that big bowl of pasta on the mountain. Just go in knowing lunch is unlikely to be the cheapest part of your day.

Little Extras That Make Life Easier

A few bonus bits that first timers often do not think of:

• Tissues and hand wipes
  For cold noses, hot chocolates and the occasional wipe‑out.
• A small backpack or slope‑friendly bag
  Handy for:
• A spare layer
• Water
• Extra snacks
  Just remember you will be sitting on lifts, so straps need to be secure and simple.
• Flip flops or sliders for the spa
  If your hotel has a pool or wellness area, you will be very glad you packed them.
• Comfy shoes or boots for evenings
  After a day in ski boots, your feet will beg for something soft and forgiving.

Final Thoughts: You Do Not Have to Get It Perfect

Your first ski trip is a learning curve. You will probably wear too many layers one day, not quite enough the next, forget where you put your gloves and wonder why your thighs suddenly hate you. That is all part of the fun.

Get the basics right and make your life a bit easier on those first days. The rest you can tweak as you go and, by day three, you will feel like an Olympic racer in full speed mode… even if the reality is you, hurtling down in a determined snow plough, utterly convinced you are the fastest person on the mountain.

If you would like a personalised kit checklist or advice on which type of transfer or resort would suit you best, just get in touch and I can tailor everything to you and your travelling party.