What do I need for a ski holiday?
Are you planning on heading off to snowy, mountainous regions for a spot of skiing? Brilliant! But, are you sure of exactly what you’ve got to take with you and what you’re able to rent or use at the resort you’re staying at? Luckily for you, we’ve compiled a list of items that you need for a ski holiday, so continue reading to find out.
When is the best time to go skiing?
The best time to go on a ski trip is between December and March, which is when you’ll experience the best snow conditions on the slopes around Europe and the United States of America. If you time it right, you can find a high-quality ski resort that’s relatively quiet between busy periods with children returning to school and people back at work.
So, whatever your skill or experience level, if you’re looking for the perfect time to head on a skiing trip, your best bet is between December and March. For beginners, you’ll find the best time to ski is at the start or end of the season, as the snow will be thinner and easier to manage. If you’re an experienced skier then head on your holidays at the end of January. Most places will experience the best, thickest snow in January, so check your schedule and see if you can fit in a trip abroad!
What do I need for a ski holiday?
So, you’ve decided when you’re heading on a ski trip and where you’re going, but what do you need to take with you?
When packing your belongings, you should try to categorise your items because there is a lot to remember to take. This includes essentials, equipment and clothing. For travel essentials, you need the obvious things like your passport, travel and health insurance. There’s a possibility you could hurt yourself on the slopes, so just cover your back with good insurance to be sure.
Skiing or snowboarding equipment
In terms of equipment, you should consider packing the below items:
- Snow boots
- Skis or snowboard
- Backpack
- Helmet
- Goggles
While you can take your own skis and snowboard, you should be able to rent them from your resort. Check before you travel, though. Imagine getting there without skis and not being able to hit the slopes! A helmet will protect your head in case of a fall, while you can pack essentials for the slopes with a backpack.
Clothing
It may be obvious to say but you will need thick layers of clothing to keep yourself warm and protected on the slopes. Occasionally, the slopes will be warmer than you may have thought but, generally, you’ll need to wrap up warm for the snowy mountains. Here is a list of clothing you should take with you on your ski holiday:
- Thermal tops and bottoms
- Fleeces
- Waterproof trousers, jacket and gloves
- Neck warmer
- Reflective goggles/sunglasses
- Warm hat
- Several pairs of thick socks
It’s important to know beforehand that you will fall over at some point on the slopes. You’ll fall into the cold, wet snow so you need to have waterproof clothing as your exterior layer. Everything inside, like a fleece and thermal layers, will keep you warm and regulate your temperature, but your exterior should keep you dry.
You can do this with waterproof gloves, trousers and a jacket. Also, a warm hat, like a beanie, can be worn underneath your helmet to keep your head warm, while a neck warmer is better than a scarf because it won’t unwrap and potentially cause injury.
Finally, a good pair of sunglasses or reflective goggles are an absolutely must-have item. The sun while you’re on the slopes is extremely bright, especially if it’s reflecting off the crisp, white snow. So you’ll need to protect your eyes against any glare in order to see where you’re going.
Discounted Rental With Intersport
We’re excited to announce we’ve teamed up with Intersport to offer our guests discounted ski and snowboard hire this winter season! We have a deal with the amazing Intersport chain of rental stores. There are over 700 Intersport stores in the Alps and Pyrenees alone, and this network means you can simply book the equipment that you need online before you travel, and then pick up your ski or snowboard equipment in the resort. In many resorts there are more than one Intersport, so there’s always a shop near your accommodation.
And of course, you don’t need to buy skis here in the UK or pay expensive airline baggage fees to transport them out to the mountains
Click here to access your exclusive Chill Factore discount
Can’t get away this season?
If you’re unable to get away this ski season then there’s still the opportunity to ski or snowboard in this country. Head to Chill Factore in Manchester to experience the longest real snow indoor slope in the UK!
If you’re looking for activities for you and the kids near Manchester then we have everything under one roof here at Chill Factore. No need to haul the whole family from one location to another (or to a different country!), you can please everyone, from the adrenaline enthusiast to the chilled observer.
Chill Factore, near the Trafford Centre, is packed with fun things to do for the whole family. We’re home to the longest real snow slope in the UK. And what says fun more than real snow? From sledging and sliding to ski lessons and private tuition, we’ve got something for everyone. There’s even a comfortable viewing gallery for the less active, so you can sit back, enjoy a coffee, and watch the excitement unfold.
All you need to do to get involved is to contact us on 0161 749 2222 or visit chillfactore.com to book a family day out.
