We all obsessively check the snow report to make sure there will be enough snow for our ski holidays. But, while this is totally out of our hands, there are so many other ways to guarantee successful ski holidays. Stay positive and focus on having fun, and you'll find that the 2019-20 ski season might just be your best one yet!
When planning your ski holidays, try to make sure you end up with like-minded people in your group. Negative vibes and complaints about the lift queues or the prices of the mountain restaurants have no place in your holiday! The good news is, there are loads of different styles of skiers and snowboarders and you're sure to find somebody who suits your style, whether you prefer to take it easy or ski hard all day.
While it's admirable to focus on improving your technique, don't let this come at the expense of having a good time. Okay, so you haven't quite mastered carving and you're still not totally comfortable on that black run, but focus on what you CAN do! Maybe you've conquered a difficult piste from last year, or made improvements to your stance. One step at a time and remember, you're here to have fun!
With so many smartphone apps nowadays that track your total number of kilometres skied and every other statistic under the sun, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of tracking yourself all day long. But skiing super fast isn't necessarily the best way to appreciate the beautiful setting. Better to enjoy three long, winding valley runs than do the same slope over and over again at top speed!
Just like every group has someone who skis slower than the rest, every skier was once that person. Dig deep into your memories and try to remember the feeling of huffing and puffing to catch up to your group as they wait for you - only to have them set off immediately again without even giving you the chance to catch your breath! You're not going for any World Cup medals during this holiday, so slow down, relax and concentrate on creating happy memories instead of speed records.
One of the reasons we go skiing in the winter and spend all day on the Snowplaza website in the summer is because we just can't get enough of those alpine views! So when you're on your ski holiday, you'd better be enjoying every last minute of it. Go to a viewpoint, sit a little longer on a mountain terrace and pause halfway down a slop to admire the spectacular Alps because before you know it, you'll be back in your office again with only the rain to keep you company.
Spice it up a bit and book yourself a holiday in a ski resort that you've never been to before. You'd be surprised how many amazing places there are to discover! To switch it up even more, try a new country or even a new continent. How does skiing in North America sound?
It's not just beginner skiers who benefit from ski lessons. Once we've got the basic technique down pat and we're able to tackle most slopes, we tend to forget about taking courses. But you can always learn something from a ski lesson, no matter how good you are. If you're already an expert skier, why not try a specialised freeriding lesson, or jump into freestyling? 8 signs it's time to take a ski lesson >
The time has finally come: this year, you ARE going to drag your non-skiing friend on a ski holiday! You've been nagging them for years and they're running out of excuses. As for your side of things, sure you won't be able to go on such difficult pistes, but you'll experience the warmhearted joy of introducing your friend to your favourite sport. In the end they'll be glad they came and you'll have a new skiing buddy!
From piste-basher drivers to lift attendants to restaurant servers to ski instructors, it would be impossible to run a ski resort without hundreds of helping hands. These hardworking people are out there at all hours, in all kinds of weather, making sure we have comfortable, safe conditions to ride in, so take a minute to smile at them, thank them or simply wish them a good morning. They deserve it!
Skiing and snowboarding are the best hobbies in the world, and we're lucky to have them! When it's windy or cloudy or the snow is icy, just ask yourself where you'd rather be: here, or anywhere else? Chances are the Alps are your favourite place in the world, so appreciate what you have and you'll see those weather conditions in a whole new light!
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
