We’re all familiar with the rush of adrenaline and sometimes crave that feeling. What better way to satisfy that craving than whipping down ski slopes with the Alpine sun beaming down on you? You’ll have seen people excel at the sport in movies, TV shows, and even online, so maybe it’s time to try it for yourself. 

Disclaimer: This post is a collaboration

If you’re new to the sport, you may not be sure where to start. Skiing is one of the most exhilarating winter sports, but also an overwhelming and sometimes daunting prospect for beginners. There’s a great deal to consider when starting your skiing journey. From choosing the correct gear to finding the perfect resort to learning the basics and beyond, all require some serious research and planning. 

Picking a Beginner-Friendly Resort

First and foremost, you ought to pick your favoured destination for skiing. As a beginner, you’ll want to pick a resort with gentle slopes, reliable snowfall, and easily accessible beginner zones so you can work up your chops in real time. This means looking for resorts with magic-carpet lifts and plenty of green runs. 

There are hundreds of places to choose from that fit the bill in this way, but for somewhere a little closer to home, you won’t do better than the Val Thorens ski resort. There are a variety of slopes for you to try, including an incredible 51 beginner slopes, meaning you’ll have plenty of variety. The après ski isn’t to be forgotten about either.

Choosing the Right Gear

With your destination firmly in mind, now it’s time to gather up the essentials. Wherever you end up skiing, so long as it’s a resort, you’ll be able to rent equipment as necessary – saving you the sometimes-astronomical cost of buying your own skis, at least for the time being. This doesn’t preclude you from needing the clothing essentials, however. 

For your trip, you’ll need a waterproof ski jacket, thick gloves, and salopettes to keep warm and dry. In terms of safety gear, you’ll need helmets, goggles, and boots. Again, you’re more than likely to be able to rent these at the resort but buying your own means guaranteed comfort on the slopes.

Before You Ski

You’ve got your resort holiday planned, and you’ve purchased all the necessary gear to make your ski holiday a comfortable one. But there’s one piece of the puzzle missing, and it’s a bit of an awkward one: fitness. 

Skiing is a truly accessible sport, and not one that you need a huge amount of physical fitness for. However, having a decent base level may help you in the long run. General gym trips to build your core strength are highly advised, as well as a session or two at your local dry slope to learn the basics, get a feel for the muscles you’ll need and build some confidence before you set off.