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Where do you want to ski?

How to go on a ski holiday with beginners and non-skiers

Published: May 15, 2024

Content

1 Choose a Beginner-Friendly Ski Resort

2 Keep things easy

3 Avoid Overwhelming Resorts

4 Keep It Affordable

5 Simplify the Jargon

6 Rent your Ski Equipment

7 Set Realistic Goals

Everyone should have the chance to enjoy an amazing ski holiday, regardless of their skill level. If you're an advanced skier, you might be eager to share the slopes with your friends who are absolute beginners, an absolutely rewarding experience to share with friends and family.

But be warned: It requires some thoughtful preparation to ensure that everyone has a fun and positive experience. Here are some comprehensive tips on how to plan and organize a memorable ski holiday with your friends and family, that will cater to beginners and help them fall in love with the slopes just as much as you have.

Choose a Beginner-Friendly Ski Resort

When selecting a ski resort, it's crucial to opt for a beginner-friendly ski resort. While most resorts have designated beginner areas, some are better suited for novices due to the abundance of easy green and blue slopes. These slopes are gentler and less intimidating, allowing beginners to gain confidence gradually. Avoid resorts known for their challenging red or black runs, which can be daunting for those new to skiing. Additionally, look for smaller resorts where all the slopes converge into a central valley run. This setup makes it easier for everyone to navigate back to the base without getting lost, providing a sense of security and ease for your friends.

Keep things easy

When skiing with beginners, it's crucial to stay away from black slopes and high-speed runs. These can be dangerous and discouraging for novice skiers who are still mastering the basics. Instead, stick to green and blue runs where they can build their skills and confidence in a safe and supportive environment. Ensuring the experience is enjoyable rather than terrifying will significantly impact their enthusiasm for the sport. Take it slow and celebrate their progress, helping them to feel proud of their achievements and motivated to continue improving.

Avoid Overwhelming Resorts

It's tempting to choose a resort with extensive terrain and hundreds of kilometres of slopes, but for beginners, smaller resorts are ideal. Massive resorts can be overwhelming for novices, still getting the hang of basic skiing techniques. A smaller resort simplifies navigation and allows your friends to focus on learning without the stress of figuring out where they are or how to get back. This environment creates a more relaxed and enjoyable experience, helping them to concentrate on improving their skills without feeling overwhelmed by the sheer size of the resort. And how not to mention the fact that the ski pass in large ski resorts tends to be quite more expensive than in smaller and more modest ski resorts.

Keep It Affordable

For beginners, spending a significant amount on a ski pass for an expensive resort isn't practical, since they'll spend much of their time on easy slopes or sitting on their butt after falling over. Instead, choose a more affordable resort. These resorts often offer excellent facilities and well-maintained beginner slopes without the hefty price tag associated with high-end resorts. By keeping costs down, your friends can enjoy their time on the mountain without the pressure of making the most of an expensive pass. This can make the holiday more accessible and enjoyable, encouraging them to participate without worrying about the cost.

Simplify the Jargon

As an advanced skier, it’s easy to get caught up in technical jargon and detailed explanations. However, when teaching beginners, it's important to avoid overwhelming your friends with too many technicalities. Focus on making things simple and easy to understand. Start with the basics, such as how to put on their skis, how to stop, and how to make simple turns. Give them time to get acquainted with the basic equipment and their names without bombarding them with expert terminology. This approach helps build their confidence and allows them to grasp the essentials without feeling confused or intimidated.

Rent your Ski Equipment

Talking of Equipment: For absolute beginners, purchasing ski equipment of their own can be an unnecessary and significant expense. Encourage your friends to rent their equipment. Rental stores have knowledgeable staff who can help them select the right gear based on their skill level and physical attributes. Renting also allows beginners to try different equipment as they progress, ensuring they have the best fit for their current skill level. Moreover, rental shops often update their gear regularly, so your friends will have access to the latest technology without the high cost of ownership and maintenance.

Set Realistic Goals

Setting achievable goals is key to helping beginners progress without feeling overwhelmed. Encourage your friends to conquer new achievements step by step. Start with small, manageable objectives, such as mastering a specific type of turn or completing a beginner run without falling. Celebrate these milestones to boost their confidence and keep them motivated. Avoid setting unrealistic expectations that might lead to frustration and discouragement. By focusing on incremental progress, you can help your friends build their skills and enjoy the learning process.

Pace your ski days

Beginners don't need to ski 50km a day to have a fulfilling experience. Pace your ski days to avoid exhaustion and injury. Start with a few runs in the morning, take frequent breaks, and enjoy other activities the resort offers, such as après-ski events or scenic walks. Overdoing it can leave your friends with sore muscles and diminish their ability to learn and enjoy skiing. Aim for a gradual increase in skiing time as they become more comfortable on the slopes, ensuring they remain enthusiastic and eager to return to the mountain each day.

Skiing isn't everything

Truth be told, there isn't always a match and some people may not fall in love with skiing. But this doesn't mean they are excluded from your Ski Holiday! Most Ski resorts offer plenty of fun activities in the snow, away from the slopes, such as Tubbing, ice skating, Snowmobiles and others. Make sure to give it a try!

Honour the skiing traditions

So you've done your due diligence and spent a reasonable amount of time on the slopes, your acquaintances have learnt the basics and improved their ski skills quite a bit by learning the basics, but then what to do? Easy, honour the skiing tradition of Après-Ski and round off the day with some traditional Après-Ski food such as Fondue and Raclette. Or go big and opt for an evening of partying: Most Ski Resorts boast a lively clubbing scene and a healthy amount of pubs!

Following these tips, you can ensure a fantastic ski holiday with your beginner friends. Focus on their enjoyment and learning experience, and soon they'll share your passion for skiing. Now that you know how to approach your ski holiday with beginners, all that's left is finding the ideal ski deal. Why don't you take some time to browse our amazing ski deals? Surely there is the perfect offer for you!

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