Skiing and snowboarding can make for a great winter getaway, but as a novice it can also be a recipe for holiday disaster if you don't do you homework. Follow our guide to a trouble free time on the slopes.
In your dreams you're the very picture of skiing perfection, whooshing through the virgin snow, your hair flying out behind you, your face bathed in crisp sunlight, but as I found out, the reality can be a little different.
My first ski trip began with a slope-side tantrum with my ski instructor (I was 25 not 12 but there was no way I was going down that slope!), a permanently wet bottom and multiple bruises. Despite this, once I got the hang of it I had the time of my life because I went with friends who really knew their stuff and were prepared to help a struggling beginner.
Fitness
Learning to ski is all about letting go of your inhibitions. Accept now that you're going to fall over. A lot. It is also hard work, you'll find you'll use muscles skiing and/or snowboarding that you've probably never used before. To limit the aches and pains it's well worth warming up your body with some sort of cardio, weights and stretching plan a month before you go. Look here for some ideas but also speak to an instructor at your gym about a skiing workout plan. It really pays to keep up the stretching before and after a day on the slopes.
What to wear
If it's your first time there's no point in buying all the gear. Ski wear is expensive, and you don't even know if you like it yet. Seasonaire and world traveller Katie Gormley advises buying some good thermals, socks, hat and gloves and then borrowing the rest. `If the jacket and trousers you borrow are a bit old and tatty, buy a waterproof wash from a specialist store like Snow+Rock', Gormley advises. `If you're wet and cold you won't be having any fun.
`The other key item of equipment is goggles. Whether buying or borrowing them, make sure they're good in flat light because you can't always be assured of glorious conditions, but as long as you're comfortable and can see you'll be ok.'
Remember that mountain weather is changeable. It depends where you go and when, but always prepare for the worst. That means taking lots of clothes you can layer like t-shirts, plus polarised sunglasses for when the sun shines. Don't forget you can easily burn as the sun glares off the snow - so don't forget the sunscreen.
Ski lessons
As a novice it's a good idea to book a few lessons before you get there because places fill up quickly. I booked two days of instruction at the beginning of the week to get the hang of things, then had fun with my (very patient) friends on the slopes for the rest of the holiday.
Ask your travel agent for advice on decent instruction, research thoroughly on the internet or better still get recommendations. It depends on where you go, but Ecole du Ski Francais (http://www.ski-ecole.com/), pretty much has the monopoly in France.
Bear in mind that although most instructors undoubtedly know their stuff, it doesn't necessarily make them good instructors- so if you don't gel with an instructor ask for another. Ski lessons are expensive, they're not easy and if you spend your lessons fighting with an overbearing instructor the only person who is going to suffer is you, or rather your skiing will. My first skiing experience was with the latter and it wasn't pretty! The second time I researched my options a bit more before choosing one of the recommended guides and ended up really enjoying my lessons. It gave me so much confidence and I'm now looking forward to returning a third time.
Budgeting
Skiing and snowboarding are not cheap hobbies, but they don't have to break the bank. The first expense is the ski and lift pass, which gives you access to all the cable cars and lifts needed to explore your mountain of choice. To get a rough idea of what you should be paying for your pass and accommodation Katie Gormley suggests choosing the country you wish to go to, and comparing prices for the cheapest and most expensive resorts online.
Lots of hotels provide half board, but you can also rent self-catering flats or chalets or have chalet girls who will do all the cooking and cleaning for you. It all depends how much cash you have to splash, and where you want to go. For example, Courcheval 1850 in the French alps can be pricey, but go just a bit further down the mountain to Courcheval 1650 and you'll find it's a bit more affordable and you can easily ski from one to the other in one day.
Ski hire is another expense and it's worth shopping around for the best prices as some places do group discounts. However, don't skimp on this, having good, expertly fitted, equipment is imperative to ensuring you come home in one piece!
Again, depending on where you go, slope side refreshment can be expensive. You'll need at least 10GBP on the slopes in the correct currency to pay for a sandwich lunch and any drinks and snacks you might want. Skiing is hard work and come lunchtime you'll need to refuel. If you want to skimp on this however, take a packed lunch!
The bottom line is if in doubt ask; people are generally very helpful, from friends or acquaintances who've done it all before, to fellow skiers on the slopes and staff in the hire shops. Above all remember it's a holiday, enjoy it!