Help for skiing virgins!-needed not offered!

monkeyspanner

There is a lot of good gear around right now at knock down prices as sales of ski gear have been slow this year. Our local ski shop has been running sales all season. TK Maxx have a lot of gear left. Trespass, Helly Hansen, Tog24, Mountain Warehouse, Blacks, and Saltrock outlets all have sales on.
So if you are definitely going I would stock up on gear now.

allanmc

If it's not too late in the season Andorra is where you need to go.
For English speaking people, the ski schools are the best in Europe (please trust me on that as we have been virtually everywhere) and it really isn't too expensive and is good value. Soldeu or Pas de la Casa are probably the best bets and are really geared up for beginners.

Aldi & Lidl ski wear is actually pretty good and is ideal for first timers. Lidl sometimes also have ski helmets for under £10 and they really are very good. If you are lucky, or are a strange size, or aren't too fussy about the colour, there may be something still available in TK Maxx. Try to get breathable fabrics if you can and layer them under a breathable jacket and salopettes. Multiple inside layers are better than one thick jumper as you can control your temperature better by taking one or two off.

If it will be a late holiday you may need to choose a higher and more northern resort to improve the chances of resort level snow and easy access to beginners slopes. Cervinia in Italy is really excellent and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it.

Take a high factor sun block (at least 25) with at least 5 star UVA protection. and apply it regularly, even when it is overcast, cloudy or foggy!! Tesco do a small pocket size tube of their own brand which is really excellent and is cheap. Boots own Soltan Extreme ski stuff can be very messy to use. Remember some high factor lip sun block as well.

Get close fitting sunglasses that block out most of the light at the sides and under the lenses. If wearing a helmet, goggles might be a better option. Opt for ones with CE markings to show decent UV protection. There may also be a category on the sunglasses label, if there is, look for category 3 or 4 and avoid 1 or 2.

Gloves are very important. Avoid leather ones as they can soak up water. A Goretex type breathable fabric pair is the best idea. Goretex ones will be expensive but there are cheaper alternatives available. If you suffer from cold hands, mitts are a warmer option.

If you are not wearing a helmet, ensure that you have a hat as it can get bitterly cold.

Specialised ski socks aren't really required. Any close fitting long socks without big seams, to minimise perssure points, are ideal.

Take a copy of your travel insurance docs and passport when on the slopes in case of emergency.

Don't stop or stand in the middle of a run or just over a bump. Move to areas at the side of runs that you are visible at. Finally, please remember to look up the hill before you move off as someone may be coming in your direction and may not be expecting you to move. If you take responsibility for your own protection, you will be fine.

zappahey

BernadetteN wrote: »

You could also consider the option of taking the train to a ski resort, rather than flying, if travelling from the UK, via Lille is a cheaper and better option than via Paris. There are 2 valleys accessible by train, the one Bourg St Maurice as the terminus and the other is the Vanoise with Modane as the terminus station - in fact there could be more, that's jsut 2 I know about. We are booked from Lille at less than £80 return to Modane in April, to give you an example of how cheap it can be. www.sncf.fr.

Keep an eye on the Thalys website around October time as they sometimes do deals on the ski train. We travelled from Brussels to Moutier in 1st class for 75 Euro each way, which is pretty good for half term.

moneysaveguy

allanmc I have heard this also. Have never been though as unfortunately the Andorra trip I had planned this year got cancelled.

As a beginner you will lose a lot of equippment unless you are really careful. Try not to take stuff off unless you absoluately must and if you do, try to clip it onto your or put it somewhere you will remember to take it. On the charlift be supercareful not to drop stuff.

allanmc wrote: »

If it's not too late in the season Andorra is where you need to go.
For English speaking people, the ski schools are the best in Europe (please trust me on that as we have been virtually everywhere) and it really isn't too expensive and is good value. Soldeu or Pas de la Casa are probably the best bets and are really geared up for beginners.

Aldi & Lidl ski wear is actually pretty good and is ideal for first timers. Lidl sometimes also have ski helmets for under £10 and they really are very good. If you are lucky, or are a strange size, or aren't too fussy about the colour, there may be something still available in TK Maxx. Try to get breathable fabrics if you can and layer them under a breathable jacket and salopettes. Multiple inside layers are better than one thick jumper as you can control your temperature better by taking one or two off.

If it will be a late holiday you may need to choose a higher and more northern resort to improve the chances of resort level snow and easy access to beginners slopes. Cervinia in Italy is really excellent and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it.

Take a high factor sun block (at least 25) with at least 5 star UVA protection. and apply it regularly, even when it is overcast, cloudy or foggy!! Tesco do a small pocket size tube of their own brand which is really excellent and is cheap. Boots own Soltan Extreme ski stuff can be very messy to use. Remember some high factor lip sun block as well.

Get close fitting sunglasses that block out most of the light at the sides and under the lenses. If wearing a helmet, goggles might be a better option. Opt for ones with CE markings to show decent UV protection. There may also be a category on the sunglasses label, if there is, look for category 3 or 4 and avoid 1 or 2.

Gloves are very important. Avoid leather ones as they can soak up water. A Goretex type breathable fabric pair is the best idea. Goretex ones will be expensive but there are cheaper alternatives available. If you suffer from cold hands, mitts are a warmer option.

If you are not wearing a helmet, ensure that you have a hat as it can get bitterly cold.

Specialised ski socks aren't really required. Any close fitting long socks without big seams, to minimise perssure points, are ideal.

Take a copy of your travel insurance docs and passport when on the slopes in case of emergency.

Don't stop or stand in the middle of a run or just over a bump. Move to areas at the side of runs that you are visible at. Finally, please remember to look up the hill before you move off as someone may be coming in your direction and may not be expecting you to move. If you take responsibility for your own protection, you will be fine.