Newbie to skiing - what should I remember to bring?

[custardlover]

We're going tomorrow to an apartment in a ski-in, ski-out resort in France. There's a Nespresso machine so bringing pods plus have borrowed a load of clothes (and it's a bit late now to get anything!) but what should I bring from home; corkscrew? Hot water bottle?

Oh and do you travel in your ski-jacket? Or bring another and pack it?

THANK YOU

We are tight so travel with hand luggage. Everywhere we have stayed provides kitchen cleaner as they expect the kitchen to be clean when you leave. We travel in ski jackets and snow boots. Solid stick sun cream is a must do pick up at the airport. Cream just doesn’t cut it on the slopes.

Depends how much room you have in your case- recently I have been travelling in my long padded coat and packing the ski jacket, but to be honest there is no reason to have 2 jackets unless you plan to go out in the evenings- we don’t do evenings out since we had a child, just eat in the hotel. Even if you do do it, ski jacket is fine. It should my get wet and need to dry overnight.

mare you staying in a hotel or chalet? Self catering or catered?

I’d say definitely take a swimsuit in case you get the chance to go to a jacuzzi/spa, lovely way to soothe the muscles after a day out.

A hip flask and some brandy is nice too for out on the slopes, if you like that sort of thing.

Sun screen
lip balm

Thank you! We are self-catered in an apartment in a hotel and have plenty of room in the cases so this is very helpful thank you. Solid stick suncream will be on the list for Boots in the airport! And antibacterial wipes for cleaning too!

Ah sorry just re read it’s an apt.

Teabags if you drink tea, French ones are awful.
Extra pants, you’ll want to change into clean stuff after you get home and have a shower.
A Board or card game for the evening?

Also spa gear - there is one in the hotel and my suspicion is that I will spend more time there than on the slopes!

Less normal clothes than you think. I have found 2 changes of clothes does me for the week. Most of the time you are in your ski gear.
Snow boots.
Paracetamol/ibuprofen
Sun glasses.
A Book if you want a day off from skiing.

Turtle neck jumper

And snacks

Painkillers. And non skiing activities (especially if it is a resort which doesn't have many non ski things to do) - as a newbie you will struggle to ski all day every day. Wear your ski jacket.

Slippers/flipflops if they are unlikely to be provided.

Swimsuit

Comfy clothes for après

I wouldn't travel in my ski jacket. It's far more expensive than my everyday winter puffa and i don't want to snag it or get an accidental fag burn in it.
Eye mask and ear plugs from the plane/coach.

A bag of mini mars bars. Stick a couple in your pocket each day.

Assume you have thermals, ski socks, gloves, helmets, goggles that fit your helmet, and ear muffs /snood,/whatever

Definitely travel in ski jacket, no need for another one. Take teabags and all casual clothes. Snow boots, sunglasses and goggles, change of gloves if possible. Ibuprofen.
Swim cap necessary in some places.

A book!

I wouldn't travel in my ski jacket. It's far more expensive than my everyday winter puffa and i don't want to snag it or get an accidental fag burn in it.

What weird travel route do you take that exposes you to lit cigarettes? They are banned in all transport and inside airports etc. I’d only worry about accidental fag burns if I was a smoker and hanging out with other smokers in the smoking areas.

I bring one of those washing clip things so we can hang all our gloves up on the towel rail to make sure they are dry. But we also drive so that is admittedly easier although I've also flown with it in my suitcase. Lip balm with suncream. Sports bra. Some kind of heavy moisturiser as it's always super dry and my skin always feels dry. Swimsuit for spa or hot tub. Waterproof rucksack to carry the hats, water and mars bars on the slopes.

Slip on shoes like crocs to walk to the boot room.

Breakfast cereal and biscuits if self catering... its expensive in resort.

Plasters

I really would not advise a beginner skier to try to ski with a rucksack on. You can carry basics in your pockets OP, including a little water bottle (think the small Evian types).

Paracetemol and muscle rub, you'll be sore! Also, blister plasters can be a lifesaver.

One jacket will be fine, it's super casual. The temps are pretty high at the moment in France, so you won't need many layers, perhaps just one. If you have a buff, bring that too.

Backpack to hold phone, purse, sun creams, fleeces etc during the day.

Water bottle - i take a chillys one and fill with hot water.

Carrabiner clips on your backpack to make carrying helmets etc easier.

Less clothes than you think. More pants and socks. Comfy clothes for evenings.

Speedos for any men wanting to use public pools / spa baths.

Mini chocolate bars / sweets in pockets, especially for any kids you are sending off to their lessons.

Gloves! Ideally 2 pairs each.

Seriously, backpacks are a nightmare if you are just getting used to using chairlifts as you have to remove them. They will also upset your balance and you don’t want to fall on to your backpack. They are fine for experienced skiers but not for beginners.

Lip and face moisturiser / Vaseline.

Calpol / other medicines. Plasters for blisters.

I could have taken 1/4 the non ski clothes as we just went straight to dinner from skiing. It was a 45min drive for us from ski hill into town. Different if you’re ski in/out and want to change before dinner but you’ll still need fewer clothes than you think

I've always worn a backpack and never taken it off on the chair lift. Many many years of skiing, always been fine

From the first time you ever went on skis? There are clear warning instructions on most chairs that say to remove them.