What You Need When You First Start Skiing

A first skiing holiday can be an overwhelming experience, especially when you look at all the clothing and equipment that people will say you need. But you don't need to buy it all straight away, we help you to decide what is essential and what can wait.

So, you’ve finally thrown caution to the wind and agreed to accompany your mates on a skiing holiday. Only problem is you’ve never skied before and have no idea where to start. Let’s sort you out with some hot tips on how to get started

With your first ski holiday we suggest you don't go and buy all the gear straight off, for the reasons you will see below. Skiing and boarding are equipment-heavy sports so think about hiring your skis and boots before you get to the resort not only to save money, just to make your life simpler too!

So what will you really need apart from a bundle of cash for the apres-ski, arnica for the bruises (if you're learning to snowboard!) and a little bit of fitness?

Our Checklist

Skis, Poles, Boots & Helmet

Don’t buy any of them! You may spend a fortune and then find that you hate it. Hire everything you need in resort. But order what you need online before you arrive in the resort as this is cheaper and much less hassle.

Ski Clothing

If you can borrow from friends then do so. If this is not possible buy yourself a ski jacket and salopettes but don’t go crazy! Ski clothing can be expensive and at this stage you still don’t know if you will like it or not. Another good idea is to buy a ski jacket that you would wear off the slopes so if the skiing doesn’t work out you would wear it again anyway.

Ski goggles

Buy these instead of sunglasses as sunglasses won’t help you in a snowstorm. But again don’t go too mad but remember the more you pay the better the quality of the goggle lens!

Ski Gloves

Again don’t go crazy buying designer brands but do ensure that they are warm and waterproof. You may be falling over a lot in the early days and cold hands aren’t much fun. Buy mittens if the resort temperature looks really low as they will keep your hands warmer than gloves.

Base Layer

Which is the new word for thermals! Pretty essential for keeping you warm when you are exercising in the cold and then having periods of rest. Buy both long sleeved vests and long johns. You can then wear nothing over your base layer but a thick fleece or t-shirt could be a good idea.

Neckwarmer

Your neck can get quite cold so a neck warmer is a good idea. If your resort is going to be extremely cold you may need to invest in a balaclava.

Ski Socks

Buy a few pairs of these!

Rucksack for the Slopes

Great for having a water bottle, snack and sun cream on the slopes. Never forget to invest in sunscreen as you can burn badly on the slopes.

Ski Insurance

Never ski without it! Always make sure that your ski insurance will cover you for injuries and accidents and get you safely home.

Summary

You can hire much of what you need. In fact you can hire ski clothing from places like ski3 Up, Edge 2 Edge and Ski Togs but if you don’t go mad much ski clothing is reasonably priced.

So go for it, take the plunge and see what fun you can have on a ski holiday for less money that you may think.

By Will Smith