first-time skier. what do I need to know?

[TaMereAPoilDevantPrisu]

Going skiing in the Alps in a month or so with a 5 yr old (lessons booked) and 2 yr old. DH has been before, I haven't. What do I need to know and what is the bare minimum of stuff I have to buy, in case I hate it and we never go again?

With dc that young you are unlikely to spend much time skiing yourself outside lessons. Take extra ski mitts and hat for the dc so you have a dry set for playing the snow. Snow boots not wellies (try Aldi/Lidl/Decathlon) . Getting ready to go out in the mornings will take much longer than you expect. Assuming 2 yo us in childcare they will need layers to strip off indoors, like thermals or joggers, over which you can add a fleece and snow suit/jacket and salopettes. Sunglasses for lo and both glasses and goggles for older dc(to wear over helmet).

thanks LIZS. We've booked lessons for the 5 yr old but not for me so far as we're not sure of the childcare situation for the 2 yr old, so not sure I'll get a chance for lessons at all. Do you just wear normal warm clothes under a snow suit? What can you hire on site, and do you need to book ahead? I'm completely clueless.

Thermal base layers, salopettes, ski jacket, ear warmer, gloves, socks, sunglasses, goggles. Try and borrow as much as you can. Book yourself lessons-your husband can look after the 2 year old while you have them

I think you definitely need to book lessons for yourself. Don’t let your husband try to “teach” you!

Of course you can have a lesson, your DH can look after the 2 yr old, can 't he?

You could have lessons in the morning, then DH skies afternoons

It's really good fun, I only skied twice, but even the baby slopes are fun

Chat to your DH about him doing his share!

Book the lessons for yourself now

My advice is bring some good books and a swimming costume but I'm biased.

Went once, hated it before we got on the ski lift, fell over as we got off the ski lift and damaged my knee which still hurts 20 year later then spent the rest of the week in the spa or reading in the cafe with baileys laced hot chocolate......

Generally you wear leggings/long-sleeve top or fleece underneath but it will depend on time of year and weather - thermals and extra layer if windy or bitter. It can be chilly if standing around and altitude can affect the temperature and intensity of the sun , so you need good sunscreen even in the cold. You can hire ski equipment, helmets and sleds through a local sports shop or some companies allow you to do reserve in advance online but you still spend time in resort getting fitted. You would usually buy clothing, the basics are not necessarily that expensive and sales will be starting later this month, although some companies will hire the outer layers.

Definately book lessons for yourself. Skiing isn’t something you can just pick up. If you have an indoor snow canter nearby, you could always do a few lessons in the U.K. so you have the basics. They have real snow so it’s quite realistic.

Decathlon is the cheapest place for good ski basics.

Yes book lessons for yourself otherwise it seems that DH gets to ski for the full day and you get to look after the DCs solo. If its France then most lessons are 2-3 hrs, or get a few private sessions.

Make sure everyone has good warm ski jacket and trousers- can be bought cheaply sometimes at Aldi or second hand through gumtree and warm base layers. Decent gloves and ski socks also needed.

Bring swimsuits as there is usually a public pool and also rent/buy a sledge as your DCs will probably enjoy that more than skiing.

I do want to take some lessons! DH is happy to share the kid wrangling, that's not an issue at all. He's not a big skier, hasn't been for about 20 years, but got a really cheap deal through work. I gather we're too late to book childcare through the resort but we can certainly share the load.

Definitely get some lessons for yourself if you want to give it a go. Your DH and 5 year old will probably need lift passes for the whole week, for you it may be cheaper to go day by day if you're only going to go out a couple of times.

You might find that your DD and even yourself will not need passes for the first couple of days, as there are usually free beginners' lifts, so wait until you get there before deciding. The ski school will tell you when and what to buy.

We always take hand warmers to go in our gloves. Just unwrap, give a good shake and they will keep you hands warm all day. I buy a box of 20 from Amazon.

Good tip about hand warmers - also, choose ski mittens rather than gloves (much warmer).

What resort are you going to? Maybe there are flexible nanny options which have worked well for us in the past.

As for clothes, best to have thermal layers rather than normal clothes under ski wear except maybe the 2 year old.

Look on EBay especially after half term or post on buy and sell groups and ask for anyone going at half term if they would like to sell them on afterwards...

I would book yourself a couple of private lessons if ski school is full

Skiing is great fun once you've learnt the basics but can be hard work (mentally and physically!) while you are learning

If there's a pool where you are staying then pack everyone's swimmers too

The only things you need are!:

• boots, skis, poles, helmet (hire in resort)
• ski jacket, salopettes
• thick socks
• plenty of layers (thermal long johns or leggings & long sleeve tops)
• fleece top
• goggles
• snood or balaclava

In some resorts you can share a lift pass if you are not going to be skiing together. There’s lots of threads on the skiing forum listing what to pack.

It's worth prebooking your boots and skis online you'll generally save about 20-30% if you shop around online.

Yes, rookiemere's advice is sound. We use Alpin Resorts website. But if you are staying at a resort where they offer several shops, have a good look at their location in relation to your accommodation, close is good, half a mile trek not so.

Remember to bring sun screen for any bits that aren't covered - it's surprisingly easy to get a sunburned face while skiing, and you don't think about it until it's too late because it's cold!

is there a skiing forum on here then? I'll go and investigate. we're going to valmeinier.

If you're not sure you will go again and don't do other activities that require base layers, I would recommend decathlon for cheap thermals. Layers are the way forwards for all of you and they don't all have to be specialist - I will wear a thermal long sleeved top but then just chuck a normal t-shirt or fleece over the top (depending on temperature). Do spend money on decent ski gloves as cold hands are horrible and get a fleece neck warmer thing that you can pull up over you mouth (it can be brisk up high). Also decent thick ski socks. Obviously ski jacket and trousers will be needed. TK maxx and Go Outdoors also stock ski stuff.

Google your resort to see what else there is - a lot of the larger ones will have swimming pool/ice rink/spa complexes so taking swimming stuff is a good idea. There is usually at least one mountain top bar you can get to and from without skiing (in a cable car) if you want to experience being up high.

Definitely book a lesson. Do NOT let anyone persuade you to "just have a go" at a proper run until you have had a lesson and are comfortable doing so.

Yy to sunglasses (and goggles for the skiers) and suncream.

Oh yes buy several tubes of Soltan or other spf50 face sun cream and lip balm before you go is mega pricey in resort

Oh and more than one pair of ski gloves for your DCs ( bitter voice of experience here) far better to buy two pairs from Decathlon at £3 a pop than £30 at the resort ( cheapest pair I could find) Has happened twice now

Decathlon is great, has everything and very reasonably priced.