How to prepare for ski season (for experienced & beginner skiers)

A BEACH BUM’S GUIDE TO SKIING

Ski season is upon us (at least for those of us in the northern hemisphere)! Whether your upcoming ski trip is your 1st or 100th, it is worth preparing well in advance so that you make the most of your precious time on the mountains.

What do I mean when I say ‘prepare’, you may be wondering? Well, some of the things I talk about in this post may be viewed as a necessity. Some of my other suggestions are just intended for fun. Nevertheless, all five of these suggestions will get you ready to ski but also sprinkle a dusting of snowy mountain magic into your everyday life, even if you live miles away from the slopes… Here is how to prepare for ski season, and have fun while doing it.

5 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR SKI SEASON: No1. RESEARCH YOUR TRIP

There is no better way to prepare for ski season than actually booking a ski trip. But, before you book the trip, maybe you need to research and plan a bit more than you usually do? Do you always visit the same ski resort, staying in the same hotel / house? Is this truly what you want?

Many skiers visit the same ski resort for several years in a row. While there is nothing wrong with that (in fact there are many advantages to that), is this something YOU are truly happy doing? Or do you crave for something new? If that is the case, what is holding you back?

Maybe you don’t have the time and energy to search for something new. Maybe you are nervous deviating from a well-established travel routine that… works. That’s fair. I am not going to lie; organising a ski trip to a place you have never been before will require some extra time and effort. That is exactly why, as with all suggestions in this blog post, the secret is to start early. And while this may seem like a chore, I always say, a trip starts the moment you begin planning it! Yeah!

OK, TELL ME MORE…

Start early and you will have the time to research destinations, accommodation, ski schools, ski hire or whatever it is you are interested in, in a leisurely pace. Trying to frantically put together a last minute itinerary to an unknown destination will probably not yield the desired results. Even if it does, it will probably end up being a more stressful and expensive process than you would you have liked. In my opinion, late planning is the number one reason why people get discouraged from embarking on outdoor adventures and travelling in general.

First, ask yourself. What do I want to get out of my ski trip? Become a better skier? Spend time with the family? Party? Indulge in luxurious après ski? What makes or breaks a ski trip for me? Skiing conditions? Crowded pistes? Budget restrictions? Ski resort nightlife? Being able to ski with or without the children?

Once you have nailed down your priorities, then the wonderful world of the internet is at your disposal and, so is this blog! Check out my European ski resort reviews or get inspired by my skiing adventures in Banff, Canada. Take your time, grab a coffee on a Saturday morning and start browsing. Don’t stop until you have booked something that you are excited for. This can be a trip you have never done before but an update on an old favourite could work perfectly too!

5 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR SKI SEASON: No2. PREP YOUR SKI GEAR

Your beloved ski jacket is probably stuck in a dark corner or stuffed in an old holdall for quite a long time waiting patiently for winter to arrive…

Even if you are fortunate enough to be able to ski throughout winter rather than just for 1-2 weeks a year, there will still be a considerable period of time that your ski gear remains unworn. In the meantime, a lot of things can happen, summertime and all. Maybe you have gained or lost weight. Or you have developed a disdain for the bright colours that compile most of your ski wardrobe. Or the absolute worse, moths have attacked your merino wool accessories. Also, you forgot to wash and re-waterproof your ski jacket!

Really? No moth repellent? No washing before storing away your gear? What were you thinking?

Anyway, this isn’t about how good you are at home organisation. Nor is this a matter of being an early packer. Spending an afternoon going through your ski gear without the stress of an impending 5am start to the holiday is a very good idea, for everyone.

Preparing your ski gear well in advance provides you with ample time to:

1. properly care for your gear,
2. come up with alternatives if something doesn’t work for you anymore, and
3. buy new stuff stress-free and take advantage of upcoming sales. (Happily, there is always some sort of big sale coming up, year-round!).

SO, WHAT ARE YOU SUGGESTING, EXACTLY?

Spend a Sunday morning or afternoon going through your ski gear. This can be done in autumn or early winter, depending on how early the ski season starts for you.

First of all, if you own your own skis or snowboard, these may require servicing. Make the necessary arrangements with your local mountain gear shop. Same goes for any ski boot repairs or adjustments. Again, the earlier you do this, the more time you will have for your gear to be returned to you before heading to the mountains. 

Regarding your skiwear, unpack and try on everything in a brightly lit space. Ensure that everything fits properly and check for any signs of wear and tear. Make sure everything is clean. If you have not done so last year, wash and dry your ski jacket, trousers and gloves according to their care label. Use either a wash-in or spray-on reproofer to restore their waterproof performance. I use Nikwax Wash & TX.Direct; they do the job without too much cost or hassle.   

Last but not least, make a note of items you are missing. This is your shopping list and the fun can now begin! Time for some shopping! Remember that the earlier you go through this exercise, the more time you will have to shop leisurely and take advantage of any offers and sales.

TOP TIP:

I know that for some people this may be a bigger chore than it is for others. A good way of not letting it slip through the cracks is to put it in your calendar for a weekend or two before a big sale, like Black Friday or Boxing Day sale. Having your shopping list ready for the sales will be a good incentive for getting the prep work done. It will also enable you to shop with confidence!

5 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR SKI SEASON: No3. GET FIT

Whether a beginner or experienced skier, being fit helps. [Please note that I am not a skiing or fitness professional. However, every ski instructor I have spoken to have passionately confirmed this to be true. Anyway, it is self-evident, isn’t it?]

Technique is probably the No1 thing that affects your performance as an (amateur) skier. However, your fitness level will determine your endurance and flexibility which, in turn, will affect how long you can stay on the slopes without being tired. It will also help prevent minor injuries and sore muscles.

Furthermore, there are more physical challenges involved with skiing apart from actual skiing. Most people are not used to being in high altitude; reduced oxygen levels make everything harder for the body. Moreover, walking or climbing stairs in stiff boots carrying your skis may prove more of a challenge that one thinks, especially for those of us who spend the majority of everyday life sitting on a chair tapping furiously on a keyboard.

Living a sedentary lifestyle for most of the year and then heading to the mountains hoping that it will all work out is not the brightest of ideas. Your time skiing and après skiing is too precious to be spending it feeling exhausted and achy!

THE DETAILS, PLEASE!

Skiing is a full body workout. However, emphasis on core and leg strength, endurance and cardio will make more of a difference. Happily, these can be achieved through many forms of exercise that you can practice in the city, indoors or outdoors. Classic gym sessions, yoga, pilates, running, spinning, swimming or tennis are some of the many ways that you can build up your fitness levels in a way that will help you ski better, for longer.

If you already exercise regularly, just keep doing what it is you are already doing with a focus on the above mentioned target areas. Exercising sporadically? Mostly when the weather is nice so that you look good on the beach? Well, an impending ski trip should be the perfect motivation to continue exercising even through the dark mornings or evenings of autumn and winter! As it is with most habits, and more so with exercising, having an incentive and a goal is the best way to ensure that you will stick to a routine and progress.

I guess all that remains to be said at this point is how often, how much and when to start. Frankly, I am not a fitness expert, so I will leave that for you to decide. Think about your current fitness levels, your skiing style and lifestyle. Do some research online or, better yet, chat to a professional. Personally, I travel a lot during the summer, so during that time I inevitably fall behind on any exercise routine I set beforehand. Therefore, upon my return to reality in autumn, I use the first signs of cold weather as a reminder that winter is upon us and, with that, all the fun that skiing entails!

5 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR SKI SEASON: No4. REFRESH THOSE RUSTY FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS

[Needless to say, this is only relevant for those of us travelling abroad in order to ski. For everyone else, keep counting your blessings and head to point No5!]

I love it when my interests, skills, habits and hobbies can act in synergy and support various aspects of my life. Practicing a skill, spending time and effort on a hobby / interest or trying to maintain a habit works way better when it can be applicable to many life situations. Knowing a foreign language is certainly one of those; one can use it at work or in their personal life, abroad or even at home.

So, what better way to prepare for a ski trip abroad and also acquire a valuable skill than learning a new foreign language or practicing one you already know? Naturally, taking some refresher courses, reading a foreign newspaper or practicing with a native speaker in order to refresh your memory on stuff you already know is one thing. Learning a new language takes the meaning of preparation to a whole other level. Nevertheless, half the battle in learning / refreshing a foreign language as an adult is having a reason to do it and being able to practice. Having frequent ski trips abroad might just be the fuel you need to keep the engine running…

And this is how I try to motivate myself while embarking on a personal challenge.

MY PERSONAL CHALLENGE

My fiancé and I live in London, and France or francophone Switzerland is where we have the majority of our ski trips. Luckily, I studied French at school for many years. However, the gap between my years of almost being fluent in French and having regular trips* to France was quite long. Or long enough to significantly lower my competency level, especially when it comes to conversing with native speakers who like to talk fast. Use it or lose it, they say, and, boy, are they right.

So, it occurred to me that rather than admitting defeat or going back to language school, I should try and dust off my French speaking skills via an app. At this point I should state that I have not tried a language learning app before. To be honest, I am quite dubious as to whether one can learn an entirely new language via an app; call me old fashioned (and please let me know if you or someone you know has actually accomplished that). However, I do believe that online courses and apps can be helpful for those who need refresher sessions on skills they already possess (but are currently buried in the darkest pits of their adult brain)… What do you think?

In conclusion, I cannot provide you with a happy ending on this one. Not yet, anyway. I am currently in the process of researching apps and starting the lessons. Wish me luck or, better, yet, join me! I promise to report back on my progress!

* In case this is your first blog post of my series ‘A Beach Bum’s Guide to Skiing‘, I should let you know that I started skiing only a few years ago.

5 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR SKI SEASON: No5. GET EXCITED

I saved the best, easiest and funnest for last! Get excited!

Life can get so busy and hectic. Most of the times not only is our holiday time limited but we also somehow end up losing days from that precious time itself. In the beginning of a trip, we waste time trying to relax and getting used to not being at work. As our trip winds down, we start dreading our return to reality. Isn’t that awful?

I say, rather than letting routine and worries bleed into our days off, we should be allowing our trips and holidays to seep into our everyday lives!

That’s where getting excited comes in. What do I mean by that? ‘Getting excited’ is not just about changing your state of mind, though, this is a good place to start if you are into positive thinking, manifesting and so on. What I am talking about is surrounding ourselves with things that will make us think and look forward to our time on the slopes. Creating an environment that induces childlike anticipation in our everyday lives. Sprinkling little snippets of the best aspects of our ski trips into routine habits and casual things.

HOW DO I DO THAT?

Read a winter-themed book set on the mountains. Choose a snowy film for your movie night or watch a snow sports related documentary. Get together with like-minded people and have a chat about your past skiing experiences and upcoming trips.

Think about all the things that help make your trip a bit easier or more enjoyable.

• Love music? Prepare playlists for your upcoming ski trip; one for driving or flying, another for fun and even one for relaxing in the evenings!
  
• Enjoy cooking? Find a new recipe that will be perfect to cook at the chalet and practice beforehand.
  
• Love playing board games with the kids or party games with your ski buddies? Head to the local shop and browse for hours until you proudly buy a new one to take with you to play by the fire. FYI: Skull Canyon Ski Fest by Pandasaurus Games is perfect for a cosy evening at the chalet!
  
• Interested in photography? Research the best ways of taking photos specifically for challenging settings and conditions. FYI: YouTuber Wolf Amri’s photography videos are awesome for amateur photographers; he even features a video about photography in snowy landscapes as well as taking photographs of moving subjects (such as someone skiing).

The list can only get longer depending on your interests! Let me know your ideas in the comments section, below. The point of this exercise is to bring some of the magic of the snowy mountains into your home, build up excitement and prepare for an awesome trip, all at the same time!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Happiness can certainly be found while skiing the Alps or the Rockies. However, it can also be found in the simplest things at home, especially when they come with a healthy dose of enthusiasm and anticipation of bigger and better things! Let’s make winter fun last longer!