Discover all our tips for your ski holiday

Going on a ski holiday, especially for the first time, can seem daunting, complicated, or on the contrary, surprisingly easy. Here is a practical ski guide that covers everything you need to know before booking your trip, setting off, and most importantly, enjoying your holiday. Discover all the essential tips to make the most of your ski holiday and ensure a successful getaway

Our top resorts to visit this winter

What should you do before booking your ski holiday?

Research destinations suitable for non-skiers

Going on a ski trip means getting ready to face the cold and an environment that may be unfamiliar. For non-skiers, snowy peaks offer hiking, scenic walks, and more. Each destination has its own unique activities, as well as a variety of mountain holiday rentals. This can help persuade even the most reluctant companions to join you.

Look into available insurance options

Planning a ski holiday can be quite a headache for some. Holidaymakers are strongly advised to look into the insurance options available for their trip. After all, skiing is a sport, and it’s far better to be insured and protected against potential issues than to deal with them unprepared.

Book at the right time

The ski season lasts around four months. If you want to secure the accommodation you have in mind, in the resort of your choice, it’s best to book in advance. On the other hand, if you're looking to take advantage of lower prices or even more attractive last-minute deals, booking late can also be a smart move. Every traveller is different. Here's our advice on the best time to book.

What should you do before heading off on your ski holiday?

Pack your bags

For technical ski advice: your suitcase should include ski equipment, protective gear, and a ski backpack. The ARVA (Avalanche Victim Search Device) is an essential piece of additional equipment for skiing if you plan to venture into off-piste areas.

Prepare the children's snow trip

For a school trip, it's important to prepare the children's snow trip to ensure everything goes smoothly. The child's suitcase should at least contain toiletries, personal items, and ski equipment. However, the suitcase should not include any valuable items.

Know how to fit snow chains

Before heading off to ski on snowy, icy, or steep roads, it’s essential to learn how to fit snow chains on your car’s tires. The first piece of technical ski advice starts with choosing chains that are suitable for the size of your tires.

Anticipate driving on snow

When going on a ski trip, it’s important to follow the safety signs indicating chain areas and, above all, anticipate driving on snow-covered roads. Failing to do so can increase the risk of accidents or traffic jams on the road.

Plan your journey

Going on a ski holiday involves travel, so it’s important to plan your journey whether you’re travelling by car, train, plane, or even bus. You should check the schedules, fares, and make sure to allow enough time for the journey and any necessary services.

Book services at the resort

If you have children and wish to take advantage of services such as the crèche, childcare, a nanny, or ski lessons, it's important to book these in advance to avoid any inconvenience.

Train yourself

The first piece of ski advice for getting started with winter sports is to focus on both physical and mental preparation. It’s not necessary to attend gym sessions, but exercises like strength training, stretching, and jogging can help prepare your body for a peaceful ski holiday.

Our tips for ensuring your ski holiday goes smoothly

Always keep training

Once you arrive at the ski resort, it’s important to do some endurance or warm-up exercises. Before enjoying activities like snowboarding, alpine skiing, or other winter sports, you should prepare the muscles in your abs, glutes, and thighs.

Always follow the safety rules on the slopes

On the ski slopes, it's crucial to follow the color-coded signs, such as the black symbol on a yellow background, which indicates a dangerous area. In other words, technical ski advice on the slopes is essential to ensure better safety.

...and the instructions.

Protection measures are in place on the slopes. If a skier enters these areas, the ski patrollers are no longer responsible for their safety. It’s important to follow ski advice, such as controlling your speed and being cautious of skiers below you.

Dress properly for winter sports

Technical ski advice recommends that skiers protect themselves from falls, temperature, and humidity. Sportswear should consist of three layers: moisture-wicking base layers, a thermal layer, and a waterproof outer layer.

Eat well

Ski advice also stresses the importance of a good breakfast. You should focus on foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as whole-grain bread, whole cereals, yogurt, or cheese. The goal is to have all the necessary nutrients before heading off to ski.

How to make the most of the benefits of skiing once you're back from your trip ?

Maintain your tan

After your ski trip, you can still maintain your tan. A cream rich in vitamins E and C, and full of antioxidants, can help protect the skin from free radicals and prevent premature aging.

Recover from a ski accident

Knee sprains, shoulder injuries, and head trauma are common accidents on the ski slopes. In the event of an accident or injury while skiing, it’s crucial to follow the proper treatment steps after the trauma, regardless of the type of injury.

Maintain your fitness

Of course, after your ski trip, maintaining physical activity is essential to keep fit. Ski advice encourages travellers to continue endurance exercises or consider joining a gym.