In a few months, throngs of people will be heading to ski slopes across the country, all eager to have fun. However, right now, long before the first snowflakes fall, is the time to start planning to ensure smooth skiing later.
Health and Wellness
Well before considering gear or even a destination, schedule a physical exam and inform the physician of your upcoming plans to go skiing. Several months prior to travel is a good time to devise and then follow through on plans to lose a few extra pounds and build endurance. Remember, high altitudes take a toll on those who reside at or near sea level.
Where and When
The second step is to decide where to go. This simply allows you to move on to the next question: When to go? To get the best answer, consider when that area will be most crowded and when it will have fewer people vying for seats on the chairlift. If possible and practical, avoid holidays and weekends when any resort or ski area will experience peak traffic.
Transportation
Another question is how to get to the destination. If the resort is within driving distance, consider renting a vehicle with four-wheel drive. Renting avoids wear and tear on an owned or leased vehicle and is practical when the personal vehicle is compact, a convertible, or too nice to take up gravel roads that may have been treated with salt to deter ice.
Make rental arrangements now, even if the trip is months away; waiting to book a vehicle can result in a smaller group to choose from or possibly not being able to get one at all if the decision is left to the last minute.
If flying, the same rule applies: book now, not later. Another flying tip concerns bringing ski gear; consult the airline’s baggage policy to determine how many pieces of luggage can be checked without incurring extra fees. If you bring a bag for skis or snowboards and one for ski boots, plus a few roll-on bags, be prepared to incur extra charges. As was the case when deciding when to go, traveling during the week and avoiding holidays and weekends can make finding flights a bit less daunting and expensive.
Gear Up
Using one’s personal gear is usually preferred, but renting might be an option if only to avoid the challenges of traveling with multiple bulky bags and cases. Most ski areas and nearby towns or cities will have rental shops. The same trick of making car and/or flight arrangements early applies here, too.
Using the internet and phone calls to review available gear and then reserve it in advance streamlines the overall ski trip experience. Consider ratings from prior customers when choosing a shop, and if practical, opt for one located away from the slopes in order to secure a less expensive rate. Ski clothes can also be rented, which may be a good choice for those who do not ski often.
If the plan is to bring clothes from the last trip, take a moment sooner rather than later to try them on. Arriving at a ski resort only to discover that your chic suit is a wee bit too snug is not a great way to begin a vacation.
Tickets
Buy passes and lift tickets in advance, and do some research to see if a multi-resort pass might allow more variety in terms of ski runs. Consider skiing when fewer people are on the slopes, such as at night, if qualified to do so, or in the early morning hours, or simply during peak lunch hours when more people are seated at restaurants rather than on chair lifts.
Consider lifts that don’t go all the way to the top, as they tend to have shorter lines than those going to the summit. Another way to get more runs in is to bring lunch and stash it in a gear locker at the foot of the run. Time saved waiting to be served at a restaurant means it can be spent on the snow. Another trick is to use the singles line to get a lift sooner; if skiing as a group, simply meet at the top and then ski down together.
Great adventures begin with great plans.
Plan Ahead
Now is the time to arrange a ski adventure.
Get Fit
Make sure everyone is in top physical condition; high altitudes and the exertion of skiing can be hard on those who traveled from a sea-level location. Being overweight just makes it worse.
Make Reservations Now
From lodging to airfare, gear, or lift passes, the time to arrange for it is now, while there are more flights, hotels, and skis to choose from. Waiting until the last minute is a bad idea.
Avoid Peak Times
If possible, avoid holidays and weekends to take advantage of smaller crowds, lower prices, and more flight options.
