I've never been skiing a day in my life, until two days ago. That's what makes this a beginner's guide to skiing. I'm going to start slow and show you the things that long-time skiers forget to tell you. They've become used to it, they don't notice it anymore, or they just don't even think about it.
I'm a beginner.
Here's what you need to know about skiing before you go..
Baby It's Cold Outside!
When faced with the prospect of going out into all that snow, you may be scared that you will be too cold. I know that was one of my biggest concerns before hitting the slopes for the first time. Don't worry - this post will show you everything you'll need to wear in order to stay nice and cozy. With the proper gear, you'll be out of the lodge and flying down the mountain in no time!
Nothing will make you more miserable than cold feet, so let's start with the socks. I wore these thick wool socks. Not only were they incredibly comfortable, but they kept my feet warm throughout the entire day. There is one special feature you'll want to look for before picking your socks - check that the top of the sock is not ribbed. This is important because once you are strapped into your boots, the socks will press against your skin pretty tightly. If the socks are ribbed, you will end up with deep, painful ridges in your skin when you finally take your boots off. You probably won't even feel it until you de-boot, but trust me, the pain will come. Avoid ribbed socks.
Ladies, this one is for you. Wear a sports bra. You're going to be doing a lot of falling while you learn to ski, and a lot of bouncing once you are a little more adept. A sports bra will help keep you comfortable throughout the day. It will also let you avoid any potential chafing that all the bouncing and rubbing can cause. I learned that one the hard way and still have a heat rash 2 days later.
Here we've got *his* and *hers* pants. It's important to wear layers when skiing in order to stay warm and dry, so you'll want to start with a base layer. Ideally, this will be a thin pair of stretchy pants, like the yoga pants on the left. If stretchy pants aren't your style, you can go for track pants, but save room for more pants on top of your pants. If you can find moisture-wicking pants, you'll be even better off, but I'd recommend saving your money until you decide if you love skiing.
Just like you have a thin under-layer on the bottom, you'll want a thin under-layer on the top. For this one, it's important that your layer be tightly fitted. If you are comfortable with a turtleneck shirt, that's a great option as it will keep any hint of a draft from creeping into your clothing. If a turtleneck bothers you too much, skip it for now. We'll discuss an alternative option later in this post. The shirt on the left is designed for skiing - it has the turtleneck AND thumb holes in the sleeves which allow you to keep the sleeve pulled down despite any tumbles you might take.
We both opted for a t-shirt over our first layer the first time out. Any old t-shirt will do, but again, keep in mind that you will be putting more layers over it still. On the second day, we ditched the t-shirt entirely as it wasn't quite as cold as expected on the mountain top. The temperature hovered right around 30 F. both days. By the time you've struggled your way up the hills, you will be sweating and feeling quite warm!
On top of those shirts, slip on a thin hoodie. If it's got fitted cuffs, that's an added bonus! At this point, you want something a little bit looser so that you don't feel too tightly constricted. Matthew and I happen to have matching hoodies, so I figured I'd just show you the one. :-) The material doesn't make much of a difference at this point, as it's not going to be right next to your skin, but natural fibers are always a good idea. Think thin though, as too much bulk will make you feel extra fluffy.
Whew! Finally, on top of all those layers you will need a ski jacket. This is pretty different than a regular winter jacket. For one, it is misleadingly thin. It does not look like it will keep you warm at all. It will. It also has huge pockets that are perfect for stuffing your gloves into. Also, the cuffs will have a strap of some sort which allows you to cinch the wrist to keep the sold air and snow out.
Ski pants are going to make you feel like a badass, but also make you feel like you just gained 20 pounds. Don't worry - you still look awesome. Ski pants have some special features, including being water-proof which is quite helpful for the beginner. They also have zippered pockets so you won't lose anything when you fall down the mountain. Finally, they have an interior lining that cinches at the ankle - you guessed it - to keep snow and drafts out. If you are still concerned about being cold, slip on a pair of pajama pants under your ski pants. I did, Matthew didn't, and we were both quite comfortable.
At this point, you only need a few more items. A hat which covers your ears will be a great addition. I recommend this hat from SpiritHoods.com, and if you use the link provided you'll get 10% off your order and I'll get rewards points. Spirithoods have a button in the front so they function as a scarf, ear muffs, and hat all at once. They also have pawkets so you can stash your sunglasses and chap stick. I managed to fall at least 25 times without breaking my sunglasses!
Not Pictured - Gloves
I wore a thin pair of driving gloves with a thick pair of waterproof winter gloves over them. My hands stayed toasty warm for as long as I had both pair on. When I tried wearing just one or the other, I immediately got cold fingers. Matthew only wore the winter gloves and was just as warm as I was. I'd recommend thinking about how cold your hands normally get in the winter, and double up on layers if that's appropriate for you - or if it's your first time experiencing winter.
Rental Equipment
It doesn't matter what you wear on your feet when you arrive, because once you get to the lodge, you will rent boots and skis. The employees will help you with everything you need. The boots will feel too tight at first, but they are supposed to. You don't want your foot sliding around or bending inside the boot. Walking without bending your foot or ankle will be incredibly awkward, but you'll soon get used to it. Added bonus - you'll walk like a giant!
Well, that's about it folks! There will be lockers on site if you'd like to store your boots, purse, or anything else you may have brought with you.
For today, I'm staying off the mountain and nursing my bruises. A soak in the hot tub last night and ibuprofen today has made me feel almost mobile again - but I think I'll stay on the couch until tomorrow. Stay tuned for more tips from my upcoming lesson tomorrow!
Happy Travels!
Jennifer
Did you miss Day 2? Find it here: Take the Lesson
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