How to prepare for your first ski or snowboarding trip

You have 4 main things to prepare for:

1. Transportation
2. Accommodations
3. Eats
4. Gear

 

Transportation

Are you driving or flying?

If you’re driving:

• Consider gas prices
• Consider storage for gear and luggage
• Consider travel time and possible overnight accommodations during travel – this comes to a surprise extra cost for some travellers

If you’re flying:

• Consider additional costs your airline will charge to check your luggage
• Bring a carry on bag to keep on you at all times. Recommended items to pack are a toothbrush and other daily hygiene items you use, a set of clothes top to bottom, a few pairs of underwear and a water bottle. If your checked luggage gets lost, you’re able to live comfortably until you get it back
• Download the booking.com app to help you plan your trip

 

TIP: Lots of people are placing an Apple Air Tag with their checked luggage to have the opportunity to track their belongings in case the airline misplaces them! Amazon has Air Tag dupes but I haven’t personally used them yet.

 

Accommodations

 

 

How many people are travelling? Here’s how to stay the most cost efficient:

1-3 people : consider booking hostels. Download the Hostelworld app to help you find the cheapest and best options

4-8 people : consider hotel rooms or renting condos

9+ people : consider renting a cabin – some areas have ski in, ski out cabins to save you from having to transport your riding gear to and from the mountain. Instead, you strap in right outside the cabin doors and you’re already on the hill!

 

 

TIP: Download the AllTrails app to help you find easy to advanced hiking trails in the area you’re exploring

Eats

Consider how many people need to be fed and what your budget is.

• Are you wanting hot meals or peanut butter sandwiches? If you need a fridge, a cabin, condo, or hotel is your best bet, hostels don’t provide fridge space. If you’re staying at a hotel, phone to confirm they provide a fridge in the room before booking
• Condos and cabins would provide both a fridge and a stovetop and oven to give you the tools needed to cook warm meals
• Staying in hostels or hotels might mean you will end up eating out for some or all meals. Consider this when you’re decided on accommodations. Paying a little more per night for a cabin and cooking meals in house might end up being more cost efficient than staying in a hostel or hotel and eating out
• Make a menu. If you are planning on cooking in house, make a menu of snack, lunch, and supper ideas to make grocery shopping simple and cost efficient

Gear

Is this your first ski or snowboarding trip? If so, you might not have your own gear, that’s okay! Resorts size you up and rent out equipment.

If you are wanting to go on a ski or snowboarding trip annually, consider buying gear as it will save you money in the long term and likely be better quality than what you would rent. Check out our other blog posts for the gear list for riders and skiers.

If you’re bringing your own gear, considering storage. Some riders use car tops to store riding gear and luggage. Be sure that the dimensions are long enough for your skis or boards!

 

Leave a comment if you have any tips for first time travellers or if you have any hot spot locations you suggest they check out!