Kate Morgan is a journalist in rural Pennsylvania whose work on science, adventure, food, and culture has appeared in the New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post, BBC, and many other publications.
Kate Morgan is a journalist in rural Pennsylvania whose work on science, adventure, food, and culture has appeared in the New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post, BBC, and many other publications.
Hi, I'm Kate!Kate Morgan is a journalist in rural Pennsylvania whose work on science, adventure, food, and culture has appeared in the New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post, BBC, and many other publications.
Hi, I'm Kate!Kate Morgan is a journalist in rural Pennsylvania whose work on science, adventure, food, and culture has appeared in the New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post, BBC, and many other publications.
There are close to 6,000 developed ski areas in 68 countries around the world, and millions of people hit those slopes every year. If you’ve never strapped on skis before, there’s no time like the present: learning to ski will open a whole world of travel destinations, and show you stunning places from new heights. If you’re planning your first ski trip this winter, follow these tips to make sure it all goes downhill—in a good way.
First, pick a region: the most famous and popular ski resorts are in Europe, Asia, and North America. In the Alps, there are resorts in France, Italy, and Switzerland. Japan’s Hokkaido region has big peaks, and the mountains in the Nagano prefecture were made famous by the 1998 Winter Olympics. In North America, there are hugely popular ski slopes in British Columbia, and throughout the US Rocky Mountains, especially in Wyoming and Colorado. The east coast, too, is known for its skiing. In other words, spin the globe and pick a spot.
If you’re new to the sport, make sure your mountain of choice has terrain for all skill levels, and enough beginner and intermediate slopes to keep the whole family entertained as you improve. If you want big downhills without battling crowds, smaller resorts can be hidden gems. At West Virginia’s Snowshoe and Timberline Mountains, for example, you’ll get snow totals that rival Breckenridge and Vail, without the long lift lines or the hefty price tag.
Related: The Best Ski Destinations in the US
Ski gear isn’t cheap, but the good news is you don’t necessarily have to buy it all: most mountains rent out skis, snowboards, poles, and more. As a beginner, it can be smart to rent skis your first few times out. The pros in the rental shop will set you up with skis that are just the right length and width for the snow conditions and your body type and skill level.
If you are going to invest in some gear though, make it a pair of ski boots. A good pair that fits your feet well—and keeps them comfortable all day—will drastically improve your experience. And not all resorts rent out helmets; if you want to wear one—and you should—you may need to bring your own.
Temperatures in the mountains can fluctuate throughout the day, so when it comes to clothing, layers are your friend. Make sure the one closest to your skin is made of a natural fiber, like wool; even if you get sweaty while skiing, it’ll keep you warm while you ride the chairlift back up.
The cold can kill batteries fast, too. If you plan to listen to music while you ski, or just want to make sure you’ve got enough juice to take some family photos, it’s a good idea to bring a portable charging pack.
For kids and adults alike, it’s wise to take a lesson or two before climbing on the lift. You certainly don’t want to get to the top and realize you can’t get yourself safely down. Reserve your ski school spot in advance; many mountains sell packages of lessons, lift tickets, and gear rentals.
Lessons are also a great way to occupy the kids for a few hours. If the family’s splitting up, plan your lessons for the morning so you can ski together in the afternoon, even if it’s just on the beginner slopes.
The “first chair,” or the first lift ride up the mountain, tends to be first thing in the morning. If you want to avoid long lift lines, that means getting there bright and early. At more popular resorts, parking lots can be busy and you might have a long trek to the lodge. Keep in mind that it’ll take a while to get geared up, especially if you need to get kids into boots, hats, and gloves.
Taking plenty of breaks during the day for snacks will help keep everybody happy, too. And skiing burns a ton of calories, so give into all your vacation cravings and plan for a big après-ski meal.
Skiing is deceptively tough on your body, especially if you’ve never done it before. It may be a ski trip, but plan to spend roughly half your time, well … not skiing. If you’re visiting an especially high-altitude destination, it’s a good idea to skip the slopes on the first day while your body acclimates, and adding an off day between long days on the lift will leave you refreshed and ready to get back in your boots.
The good news is, ski resorts tend to be located in beautiful, exciting places with plenty to do. Check out another winter sport, such as sledding or snowshoeing; enjoy the local culinary scene; or pay a visit to a local spa to work out those sore muscles. Once you’ve fallen in love with your first mountain town, you’ll be scouting ski destinations for tons of winters to come.
