Booking your first ski holiday is a very exciting prospect and we think it’s safe to say, the trip is very unlikely to disappoint. However, we can appreciate that it can feel like a bit of a task to get everything organised for your first ski holiday. The good news is, it really doesn’t have to be. With a little bit of help along the way, the experience of a beginner ski holiday really can be as enjoyable and exciting as the trip itself. To help you on your way, here we’ve put together a complete guide to skiing holidays for beginners. So read on for everything you need to know and get ready for the trip of a lifetime!
Contents
- Planning a skiing holiday for beginners
- Where to go skiing as a beginner
- What to pack for a ski holiday
- How to buy a ski pass
- Finding the right skis for your ski holiday
- Getting fit for your first ski holiday
- Booking ski lessons for beginners
- Booking accommodation for a Ski Holiday
Planning a skiing holiday for beginners
When booking your first ski holiday, the easiest way to manage the process is breaking it down into simple steps. Starting with determining your budget, who’s going, where you are going and when. Once you have these core details nailed down, the fun of finding the perfect accommodation and planning the finer details can begin!
To ensure you don’t forget a thing, explore our step by step guide for a full rundown of the process from start to finish.
Keeping your Ski Holiday Affordable
Budget is of course a consideration for most holidays. However, when you’re a beginner skier, this is particularly important to ensure you don’t pay over the odds unnecessarily. Particularly before you know if it’s the holiday for you. There are a number of ways to keep your ski holiday affordable, such as booking it directly yourself to others that may surprise you, like opting for a fully catered chalet experience. Be sure to get the most for your money with our 17 tips for an affordable ski holiday.
Where to go skiing as a beginner
When it comes to choosing the right ski resort for you, there’s a number of things to consider. From airport transfer times, to the ski area itself and the local amenities. For a beginner ski holiday, it’s always recommended to explore the different kinds of slopes and terrain at the resort. Resorts with a range of easy to moderate slopes and dedicated beginners areas are always a great choice and will mean you’re able to explore a range of slopes without being caught off guard and taken out of your comfort zone unexpectedly. It’s also useful to check out the recommended ski schools on offer. Find the best resort for beginners in our run down of European ski resorts.
What to pack for a ski holiday
Packing for your first ski holiday is another thing that may feel like a mammoth task but really doesn’t have to! Getting organised ahead of time is the best way to ensure packing is stress free and that you’ve got everything you need to hit the mountain. Consider what you’ll wear skiing and in the evenings before you get started.
Top Tip: use a list and work through it as you go. To save you the time of creating your own, check out our packing guide complete with a downloadable checklist for everything you’ll need both on and off the slopes.
How to buy a ski pass
A ski pass functions as evidence of payment for accessing the lifts and slopes within a resort. Most Ski Jackets will often have a dedicated ski pass pocket allowing you to safely store your pass and move through lift-turn styles easily without the need to take it out every time.
The price of the pass will depend on the resort and is influenced by the size of the ski area and lift infrastructure. Usually passes are available for daily or weekly purchase. However, it’s important to note that opting for daily ski passes often results in higher overall costs.
Depending on the resort, you will likely be able to purchase your pass online in advance or once you arrive either from your travel operator or the local lift pass office. Bear in mind that you may often save money by booking in advance!
If you’re booking a ski holiday in Meribel, learn more about the ski passes available.
Finding the right skis for your ski holiday
Finding the right skis is another important part of any ski holiday but this is likely to come with some additional considerations for a beginner ski holiday. A common one is if you should buy your own or rent in resort. It’s often recommended to rent your skis and ski equipment for the first few trips. This way, you can ensure you’re confident that you’ll be skiing regularly. Plus, in many cases, after a few weeks you’ll likely need to upgrade from your beginner level equipment so it saves buying twice or out growing your newly bought equipment. For a full rundown on whether to rent or buy your ski equipment, visit our blog. If you’re set on buying your own skis, then why not check out our guide for buying your first skis.
Getting fit for your first ski holiday
A fairly average cardiovascular fitness is all you’ll need to make the most of your ski holiday but it will never hurt to do a little physical preparation. Skiing and snowboarding both engage muscles that we don’t use so often in day to day life, so even those who are active are likely to feel a few aches and pains. It’s also worth considering that when you’re a beginner, your body will be even less used to the physical demands of being on the slopes. So, it’s definitely worth engaging in some light skiing exercises to prepare you for your holiday.
Booking ski lessons for beginners
In almost every ski resort, you will find at least one and most likely a selection of ski schools, an establishment that teaches skiing. Ski lessons vary from ski schools where a larger group of mixed strangers will ski together with an instructor, to private group or individual private lessons. Private lessons are where you will have a dedicated instructor to yourself or chosen group.
It’s always recommended to book some lessons for your beginner ski holidays. Time with a professional instructor really can revolutionise the learning experience and help to build ability and confidence much quicker than trying to learn on your own or with an untrained instructor.
It’s always worth checking out the local ski schools prior to your trip to get a feel for what lesson type aligns with your budget and preferences. You can then book your lessons in advance, which is also always recommended, particularly during peak periods such as school holidays. If you’re booking a ski holiday to Meribel, check out our recommended local ski schools.
Booking accommodation for a Ski Holiday
Finding the right accommodation for your first ski holiday can often feel like one of the most challenging parts of the process. From hotels to apartments and chalets, not to mention different catering options, it can often seem like there’s just too many options to consider! The right option for you will be influenced by a number of variables, including the people you’re travelling with as well as your budget. Here’s some key things to consider:
Distance to the slopes
The proximity to the slopes is a crucial factor for many groups, and the convenience of daily travel to and from the slopes can significantly affect your overall holiday experience. Lengthy travel durations to the slopes can be tiring, especially as a beginner after a busy day on the slopes and particularly if travelling with little ones who need you to carry their skis!
Space and Flexibility at the accommodation
Although you probably won’t spend a significant amount of time in your bedroom during a ski holiday, the value you assign to having personal space and flexibility plays a role in choosing between a hotel or a chalet. Opting for a chalet provides maximum privacy and flexibility to customise the space. Chalets are especially suitable for families seeking room for children and groups wanting to socialise together in their own designated space during the evenings.
Catered of self catered
Your accommodation choice can be significantly influenced by whether you prefer inclusive meals or prefer self-catering, which can also impact the overall trip cost. Surprisingly for some, selecting a catered service can often offer better value for money than self-catering, especially if you plan to dine in local restaurants. Even when preparing meals at your accommodation, the cost of food and drinks in ski resorts is often higher than what you’d pay at home.
Various companies, such as us at Ski Basics, provide a range of experiences, allowing guests to choose the service that best fits their preferences.
If you’re booking a ski holiday in Meribel, why not take a look at our three Ski Basics experiences and our range of beautiful chalets, each with their own charming features and ideally located just a short distance from the slopes.
Concluding thoughts – Booking a Skiing Holiday for Beginners
So there you have it! Our complete guide to skiing holidays for beginners. We hope you’ll agree that the process really is a breeze. Whenever you decide to ski and whichever resort you decide is the one for you, we are confident it will be a holiday to remember. If you have any questions about our services or would like to learn more about ski holidays in Meribel, do not hesitate to contact us and a member of our team would be pleased to help. If you’ve already decided that Meribel is the place for you (great choice!) and would like to get your booking underway, why not take a look at our chalet availability.