Today’s Culture with Travel post is by Katy Mairs 

When it comes to planning a skiing holiday, there is a great deal to consider, from getting the
right clothing and ski kit, to transporting it all to your destination, and perhaps most
importantly, choosing the perfect resort to suit your trip. For a first timer, it’s easy for the
planning process to quickly become overwhelming, understandably so.

Knowing where to start can be a head scratch. So, whether you’re yet to embark on your first skiing holiday or whether you’re eager to plan your next trip, these pointers should help with the process.

Choosing a ski holiday resort

Perhaps the most important aspect of planning your ski trip is choosing your resort, as such,
you may think it to be the most daunting. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be as complicated as
you might think. Essentially, the resort that you choose depends on a few things, but most
importantly – your budget, the time of year you plan to go and your level of skiing experience.
If you’re still at beginner level, you’ll want to research resorts that are best for first-timers, as they will generally have novice slopes closer to the resort. If you’re a bit more experienced, you can look into bigger name resorts with large ski areas that you’ll get full use out of.

You should also consider what else the resort has to offer. If you’d prefer not to be on the hill
all day every day, you might look into a resort that offers different activities such as ice
skating – or even a spa, because who wouldn’t want to hit the spa after a long day of skiing?
If you’re considering travelling with your family, it really goes without saying that you should
keep an eye out for resorts that are good for families. Generally, those that are family-
friendly will offer nursery slopes for children to learn. There may even be childcare options
on offer.

Choosing your accommodation type

Once you’ve settled on your resort, the next port of call is choosing your accommodation.
There are a few option, from catered chalets, to shared chalets, to self-catered apartments,
and hotels. What you choose will depend on a few things, such as the size of your group,
ski-in or ski-out, your budget and how much flexibility you want to have throughout your trip.
You’ll also want to check how close your accommodation is to the slopes (and the bars).

Getting the right clothing and ski kit

When it comes to packing up your ski kit for your trip, you’ll want to make a checklist just to
make sure you don’t leave anything behind. If it’s your first ski trip, you might want to
consider borrowing your kit from friends or family, or perhaps hiring your equipment so that
you can get some practice in before investing in your own kit. And, don’t forget the basics,
such as warm base layers and ski socks, as they could be your saving grace on your trip.

Transporting your ski kit

If you’re hiring your ski equipment (skis, poles, snowboards, helmets) when you arrive, you
won’t have to worry about transporting them there and back. However, if you’re hoping to bring your own or if you’re borrowing your kit from friends or family, you’ll need to consider
how to get them there and back in one piece. Whilst you can always carry them with you on
your flight, the oversized baggage fees could put a dampener on your trip. Luggage shipping
companies provide a welcomed alternative that could not only help you to save time, but
also money when it comes to transporting your ski equipment. You can simply ship your ski
kit ahead to your resort, allowing you to travel hands-free. It’s one less thing to worry about!

Booking lessons

If this is your first ski trip, you might want to consider booking lessons, even if just for your
first few days. Even if you do have a patient friend or partner willing to teach you, the last
thing you want to do is fall out with them during the trip. It’s always a good idea to allow a
professional instructor show you the ropes and help you to start skiing confidently.

Katy Mairs is the blog editor at UniBaggage.com.