There's snow falling in the Alps, and in just a few short weeks all resorts will be dusting off the cable cars and opening their doors for winter 2010-11. Here Claire of AktivExperience in Meribel offers up her top tips for making sure that this winter's ski holiday is your best one yet!
Seeing the mountains, getting that 1st lift of your holiday, clicking in and doing that 1st run of your holiday has to be one of life's greatest feelings; the adrenaline, the breathtaking views, the freedom, in my world there is nothing better.
For me though, I am one of the lucky ones who is a permanent resident of the mountains so instead of just managing 1 week a season I get the whole 18. But what if like the vast majority I could only manage a week a season, how would I get the most from my limited time? Having worked over 19 ski seasons between us (Claire & Ben) we have seen those prepared getting the most from their skiing and those who come unprepared that spend the first couple of days still sorting themselves out.
In an ideal world your annual ski trip should start well before you arrive in resort, unlike a summer holiday where you plan to laze around the pool or relax on white sandy beaches, your ski trip can be and generally is far from relaxing, your body is pushed to its limits and probably your patience too!
Before you head off.
Skiing or boarding, it is going to exercise parts that haven`t been used since the last trip, and if you are anything like me, the idea of hitting the gym 3 times a week all year is great in theory but in practice something more exciting like chilling on the sofa with a bar of Galaxy is more appealing, so your body maybe a little out of shape.
To ensure you don`t pull a muscle on your first day and spend the following 6 sat watching tv in your chalet some pre-ski holiday conditioning is a good idea, a few simple exercises to get the body and the muscles warmed up for the trip ahead.
The exercises are not like that last minute beach diet that you go on a week before you hit the beach, the regime should be taken up as soon as you start thinking about booking your trip, at least this way your body will be fully prepared.
Getting the Gear:
You`ve got the exercise regime sorted, your body is already preparing itself now you need to sort out what you are going to wear, good gear is a must, it protects you from the elements and buy wisely and it will last you years.
In years gone by wool and tweed was the acceptable attire but this was when we skied on wooden planks with leather straps for bindings, long before the invention of synthetic fibres which dry quick, and are used to make a warm dry barrier to protect from the cold.
The demise of C&A many years ago saw the demise in the value all in ones (shame! ha ha ha) but no need to despair, designer outlets are popping up all over the UK, and TKmax always have a good range of branded apparel, that are fashionable, trendy & smart (depending on your approach to slopes style fashion) and sufficiently technical for your ski trip.
Ok only a week to go and you will be hitting the white stuff, the week before you head out do a little pre trip “lunch hour” research into your resort, most companies are now blogging and post weekly if not daily and many keep their blogs updated with the current weather, snow conditions, and what is happening in resort while you are there.
You're in resort what more can you do? Right thats it, you`ve exercised those legs,you`re fully kitted out, you have done a bit of research and your flight is about to take off and you are on your way to the snow. Once in resort the only thing left to do is ski/board and have a wicked time. So here are my final tips to help you get the most out of your trip while you are there
- Get organised with your ski hire the day/evening you arrive, there is nothing worse than wasting the first 2 hours of your first day faffing around in the ski shop, head there when you arrive or better still arrange for your ski hire to be done in your chalet.
- Pre order your lift passes, again another time saver, and your passes will be delivered to your chalet during your first evening or during breakfast on your first day
- Get out your ski wear the night before, especially if you have kids, get all clothes & apparel ready so that when you rise in the morning you can step into your clothing and you will also have peace of mind that you have brought everything, gloves are like socks in the wash, you are sure you put 2 in there but some how only 1 appears to come out?!
- Regarding clothing on the hill, the best thing to do layer up, better to be too hot with layers than too cold, at least with layers you can remove them, too cold and your heading home early.
- Want to get as much ski time in as humanly possible in 6 days? Then try to get to the lifts 1st thing, from experience there tends to be minimal queues for the 9am lifts but by 9,30am the queues have formed especially during peak dates, and ski till you drop last lifts tend to be 4,30pm so grab that lift and enjoy being one of the last on the snow.
- During your time on the hill you will need refueling, if you have a hearty breakfast before you set out then you should be able to last till 2,30pm which again from experience is a good time to stop off at the restaurants as most people have eaten between 12 - 2 so no waiting for a table and quick service.
- When looking for somewhere to head to after skiing check out the bars with happy hours, many offer 2 4 1 and happy hour beer jugs.
- Can`t ski or very inexperienced? The best advice is get lessons, you may have a friend with you who promises they can show you the basics but lets be honest a professional will be better qualified and there is less chance of a fall out.
- FINALLY......... HAVE AN EXCELLENT HOLIDAY
Obviously these are just hints and tips that we suggest to our guests that we have picked up along the way, others will have their own feel free to post your own hints and tips, create a review on Chalets Direct and share your thoughts.
