Skiing travel tips for 2011/2012
When choosing a destination it is important to choose somewhere that will accommodate your parties needs and make you feel at home. If you are going on a family ski holiday somewhere that has English speaking ski instructors will be beneficial as well are off-piste activities to keep them entertained such as husky rides.
Choose the accommodation that will suit you, some people prefer to stay in a catered ski chalet because it feels more like home, where as others prefer to stay in a ski hotel.
Skiing and snowboarding are physically demanding activities and therefore you need to prepare your body to minimise the risk of injury on the slopes. You need to strengthen your leg muscles and build up your endurance – squats and cycling can help with both of these.
Make a list of the ski clothes you need to take with you; thermals, salopettes, jacket, scarves, gloves and socks and then a list of clothes for the evenings. It is important you have all the right skiing gear before you set off, unless you have opted to hire clothing and equipment which is usually cheaper if you are just starting out as a skier.
If you are going to buy your ski boots make sure you get a pair that fit really and get used to them before you go skiing. Snow boots can also be a good idea if you don’t plan on skiing every day but want to head up into the mountains. Before heading off on your holiday check the ski conditions so that you are prepared when you arrive at your resort.
Many people don’t bother with ski insurance and instead take the risk that they won’t get injured. But skiing and snowboarding are dangerous activities which makes it vital to protect yourself with ski insurance in case anything was to happen to you on the slopes. They are activities which pose an increased risk and are therefore not covered by normal insurance, specific winter sports insurance is designed to give you cover for emergency medical situations and mountain rescue.
The safety of skiers on and off-piste is paramount and the International Ski Federation has produced a code to help ensure minimal risk. It is good to familiarise yourself with the code before heading to the slopes. Its main points are: respect for others, control of speed and skiing, choice of route, overtaking, entering and starting, stopping on the piste, climbing and descending on foot, respect for signals and markings, assistance and identification following an accident.