News:


Beginner's Tips


A Beginner or ‘Improving’ Skier is generally regarded as a skier or boarder who has spent up to 4 weeks on the ski slopes.

The first time a complete beginner skis, the result is usually a feeling of complete exhilaration and then you’re hooked.

Our dedicated Ski-Direct consultants are no longer beginner skiers, however, they can all remember their first time skiing experiences. They all gain great satisfaction in sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm with beginners (and more experienced skiers alike) so that their first learn to ski experience is a memorable on.

Here’s a few tips to help beginner skiers make the right choice. For more info and to book your learn to ski holiday simply call a Ski-Direct consultant on 08700 171 935, or send an email by clicking the link at the top right hand corner of the screen.
They will recommend a resort and accommodation to suit your needs, whatever your level of skiing or snowboarding experience.

Learn to ski & snowboard packages

Many tour operators offer learn to ski or snowboard packages. These deals are ideal for first time skiing as they usually include all the extras that you need on a ski holiday - Ski/Board and Boot hire, Ski instruction and a lift pass sufficient for the nursery slopes for 6 days and generally offer a significant saving on the cost of purchasing these items in resort.

These Learn to ski packages are offered in resorts that are ideal for beginners skiing i.e. resorts with excellent nursery slopes and gentler pistes for you to progress to e.g. Andorra Ski resorts, Bulgaria Ski resorts as well as selected Ski Resorts in France, Austria, Italy and Switzerland.

Rest assured that you’ll be in good company on a learn to ski package. Part of the fun is falling over – and as a ski beginner you (and your fellow learners) will be doing plenty of it for the first couple of days!

Of course, you’ll have the chance to relive your most spectacular falls of the day with your fellow ski beginners in the bar once you’ve come in of the slopes – the après ski atmosphere is as much as part of a ski holiday as the skiing itself.

Top

The best time to learn to ski

The slopes are less crowded in the low season – January and March – a real bonus as you have plenty of time and space to work on your technique.

Of course, low season prices are cheaper than in high season – learn to ski packages are also generally cheaper at this time too.

Top

Great resorts for learning to ski

Some resorts are more attractive for beginner skiers than others. First time skiers and boarders should be looking at resorts with a good ski school and an inexpensive local beginner lift pass. The resort should have good nursery slopes and easy longer runs to progress to. A high proportion of Blue runs on the piste maps indicates a resort that is particularly well suited to inexperienced and first time skiers.

If you are a snowboarder, look out for resorts that have a Snowboard park & half-pipes.

Many ski beginners and improvers head for the friendly (and cheaper) slopes of Andorra, Austria and Bulgaria. Some examples of the best beginners resorts are shown below:

Andorra: Arinsal, Soldeu/El Tarter
Austria: Ellmau, Kitzbuhel, Mayrhofen, Niederau, Seefeld, Soll
Bulgaria: Borovets, Pamporovo
France: Alpe D’Huez, Flaine, La Plagne, Les Arcs, Morzine, Risoul, Valmorel
Italy: Bardonecchia, Cervinia, Passo Tonale, Sauze D’Oulx, Selva, Sestriere
Switzerland: Crans Montana, Grindelwald, Villars, Saas-Fee, Wengen

Click on the link above to see a wider range of resorts ideal for skiing beginners.

Of course, choosing the right resort is crucial to the overall success and enjoyment of you skiing holiday – let our Ski-Direct consultants help you by recommending ski resorts that suit both your beginner ski experience and your preference for après ski activity.

Speak to a consultant by calling 08700 171 935 or send an email by clicking the link at the top right hand corner of the screen.

Top

Fantastic Savings for beginner skiers

Ski-Direct work closely with all the major Ski Operators and always have deals available to reduce the cost of your ski holiday. The best savings are usually available to early bookers, who commit to their ski holiday between March and September for the following winter season.

Top

Ski Jargon for beginners

Ski Holiday brochures are packed with jargon. It’s fairly easy to understand what most o the terms mean, some are more difficult. We can’t hope to explain all the terms used here.

If you’re struggling to interpret what some of these expressions mean – don’t get frustrated or feel daft, simply give a Ski-Direct consultant a call on 08700 171 935 and we’ll quickly explain all to you.

Top

Beginners Ski Clothing & Equipment Hire

Setting yourself up with all the necessary ski clothing and equipment can be an expensive business, especially if you are a first time skier and you’re not sure yet if you’ll be hooked or not (we’re sure you will be!). Therefore hiring essential items like Jackets, Trousers/Pants, Fleeces and Helmets, even Hats, Goggles, Gloves & Socks can be a good idea.

Hiring ski clothing is a particularly good idea., if you have children that are quickly growing up.


Top