How to Prepare for Your First Ski Trip: Everything You Need to Know Before Hitting the Slopes

What do I actually need to buy vs. rent?

Skiing has a reputation for being expensive, and it’s partly earned. Lift tickets, lodging, travel, clothing and gear all add up. Before you spend thousands on equipment for a sport you’re still figuring out, here’s what’s worth owning and what’s better to rent. (And if you want to keep the whole trip in check, booking lodging, lift tickets and rentals together through Ski.com is one of the simplest ways to do it.)

Rent: Skis, boards, boots, poles, helmet

If you’re new, rent. It costs less up front, a rental tech will fit you properly, and you get to try a few setups before you commit to one.

You’ll usually have two options:

• Slopeside rental shops: Easy. Pick up your gear steps from the lift and store it overnight at the shop. Expect to pay a bit more.
• In-town shops: Usually cheaper, but you’ll carry your skis or board to the mountain each morning.

Either way, reserve ahead (this is where a Mountain Travel Expert makes your life so much easier). Shops at popular resorts book up on holiday weeks and powder weekends.

Buy: Clothing and accessories

Most rental shops don’t rent clothing that sits against your skin, for hygiene reasons. Jacket and pant rentals are getting easier to find at bigger resorts, so they’re worth a look if you’re not sure you’ll ski again. But there’s a good chance you’ll be back, and clothing you own works trip after trip. Secondhand shops and online resale sites are a good way to save on outerwear. Also, check out gear swaps in your own town. 

What to buy:

• Ski jacket: Waterproof and insulated
• Ski pants: Waterproof and insulated
• Gloves or mittens: Waterproof and insulated. Mittens run warmer.
• Base layers: Synthetic or merino wool. Skip cotton, which holds sweat and gets cold.
• Ski socks: One thin pair of wool or synthetic socks. Thick socks or two pairs make boots fit worse, not warmer.
• Goggles: Sunglasses are fine for a short bunny-hill day, but goggles handle wind, snow and flat light much better.
• Neck gaiter or balaclava: Not required, but you’ll want one on cold or windy days.
• Small backpack: Optional. Handy for carrying layers, water and snacks.

Read More: How Much Does a Ski Vacation Really Cost?

What should I wear while skiing? Will I be cold?

What you wear makes a big difference in how your day goes. The details depend on where and when you’re skiing, but the goal is the same everywhere: warm enough on the chairlift, not sweating through your clothes by lunch. Skiing is more of a workout than most people expect, and beginners tend to overdress.

The answer is layers.

Base Layer

This is the layer against your skin, and it matters most. A good base layer pulls sweat away from your body so you stay dry and warm. Look for merino wool or synthetics like polyester.

Skip cotton. It soaks up sweat and holds it against your skin, and once you’re damp, you get cold fast. Leave the hoodie and cotton tee at home.

Mid Layer

This is your insulation. A fleece or a light down or synthetic puffer works well. On cold days or at high elevation, don’t skip it. On warm spring afternoons, it’s the first layer you’ll take off, so pick something that packs down small.

Outer Layer

Your jacket and ski pants keep snow and wind out, so they need to be waterproof. Even on a dry day, you’ll be sitting on snowy lifts and probably falling a few times. Look for a waterproof rating of 10,000mm or higher and sealed seams. Most ski-specific outerwear meets that, but check the tag if you’re buying secondhand.

Hands, feet and face

These get cold first, so give them a little extra attention:

• Gloves or mittens: Mittens are warmer because your fingers share heat. Gloves make it easier to adjust boots, zip pockets and use your phone. Either works as long as they’re waterproof.
• One pair of socks: Two pairs make your boots tighter, which cuts circulation and makes your feet colder. One pair of thin wool or ski socks is enough.
• Face covering: A neck gaiter or balaclava helps a lot on windy days and long chairlift rides. It fits in a pocket when you don’t need it.

Pro tip: If you tend to run cold, it’s worth it to get some hand and feet warmers to stick in your gloves and boots (like Hothands). 

Check the Weather

Conditions change a lot by resort, elevation and month. A sunny March day in Colorado can feel like spring, while a January day in Vermont can be bitterly cold. Check the resort’s daily conditions report before you get dressed, and if you’re not sure, bring an extra mid-layer you can leave in your bag or the car.

Am I going to get run over by expert skiers?

Very unlikely. It’s one of the most common worries for first-timers, and resorts plan around it. Most mountains keep beginner terrain separate from the steeper runs, with learning areas, their own lifts and marked slow zones. You’ll spend your first days around other people learning, not dodging racers.

It also helps to know the basic rule of the slopes: the skier below you has the right of way. Anyone coming from above is responsible for avoiding you.

Some resorts are much better for beginners than others. Some have wide, gentle runs and good ski schools, while others are mostly steep, advanced terrain. Picking the right mountain for your first trip makes a big difference. A Ski.com travel agent can point you to resorts with the terrain and ski school setup that work best for beginners.

Read More: Best Ski Resorts for Beginners

Do I really need to pay for a ski lesson? Can I just have my partner or friend teach me?

We hear this a lot, and our answer is yes, take the lesson. Having a friend teach you seems like an easy way to save money, but it usually goes badly. Your friend wants to ski too, so you end up on runs that are too hard too soon. They also can’t explain something they learned years ago and now do without thinking. Most of the time, both of you are frustrated by lunch.

A ski instructor teaches beginners every day. They know what to teach first, how to explain it and when you’re ready for the next step. They’ll also show you how to get on and off the chairlift, which is the part a lot of first-timers worry about most.

Book the lesson. Your friend can join you once you’re comfortable on easier runs, and you’ll both have a better time.

A few things to know before you book:

• Group or private: Group lessons cost less, and learning with other beginners at your level can make it more fun. Private lessons cost more but give you the instructor’s full attention and go at your pace. If you’re nervous or traveling with kids, a private lesson can be worth the extra cost.
• Book early: Lessons at popular resorts book up during holiday weeks, Presidents’ Day weekend and spring break. Reserve when you book your trip, not the night before.

Do I need to be in peak shape to survive a ski weekend?

No. You don’t need to be an athlete to enjoy your first ski trip. You’ll feel it in your thighs and core, but a normal level of fitness is enough if you pace yourself.

For a lot of beginners, altitude is the bigger adjustment. Many Rocky Mountain resorts, especially in Colorado, have towns and base areas at 8,000 feet or higher. If you live near sea level, headaches, tiredness and shortness of breath are common for the first day or two. To help your body adjust:

• Drink more water than usual, starting the day you travel.
• Eat lighter meals.
• Get a full night of sleep.
• Go easy on alcohol, especially the first night. It can make altitude symptoms worse.

If symptoms are severe or get worse instead of better, talk to a doctor or the resort’s ski patrol.

Read More: 6 Tips for Preventing Altitude Sickness

Take breaks, and plan for après

Skiing tires you out faster than you’d expect. It’s normal to stop by early afternoon, and a half day or rest day in the middle of a longer trip is a good idea.

Ending early also means more time for après-ski. It’s French for “after ski,” and it means meeting up at a bar, lodge or restaurant at the base after the lifts close, often still in ski boots, to get a drink and talk about the day.

Read More: How to Get (& Stay) in Shape for Ski Season

What do the colors and symbols on ski runs mean?

Once you’re ready to leave the learning area, you’ll need to know how resorts rate their runs. Two things to keep in mind:

• Ratings are relative to each resort. A blue run at a small, mellow mountain can be much easier than a blue at a big, steep resort. Use the ratings as a starting point, and ask your instructor or a lift operator if you’re not sure a run fits your level.
• North America and Europe use different systems.

North American run ratings

• Green circle: Easiest. Where you’ll spend your first day or two.
• Blue square: Intermediate. Steeper and more varied, but still groomed on most runs.
• Black diamond: Advanced. Steep, and may include moguls or ungroomed snow.
• Double black diamond: Experts only. Not for your first trip.

European run ratings

• Green: Easiest. Mostly found in France. In Austria, Switzerland and Italy, blue is usually the easiest rating.
• Blue: Easy to intermediate. Usually similar to a North American green or easy blue.
• Red: Intermediate to advanced. Somewhere between a North American blue and black.
• Black: Advanced to expert. Steep and sometimes ungroomed.

Watch for yellow or orange runs in Austria and Switzerland, too. These are “ski routes,” which are marked but usually not groomed and, in some areas, not patrolled. Stay off them on your first trip.

Can I just show up and buy a lift ticket at the window?

Yes, most resorts still sell tickets at the ticket window. It’s usually the most expensive way to buy one, though, and sometimes by a lot. Many resorts now use dynamic pricing, so prices change with demand and tend to go up closer to the date. Buying online even a few days ahead can save you money. On busy holiday dates, some resorts limit how many day tickets they sell, so buying ahead also guarantees you a spot.

If you’re booking a full ski trip, adding lift tickets to your lodging and rentals through Ski.com keeps everything in one booking, and it often costs less than buying each piece separately.

Look at Epic and Ikon day passes

If you’ll ski more than a day or two, check whether your resort is on the Epic or Ikon pass. Both sell multi-day passes as well as full-season passes:

• Epic Day Pass: Pick from 1 to 7 days, valid at Vail Resorts mountains. You can save by leaving out holiday dates or by choosing a version with fewer resorts.
• Ikon Session Pass: A set number of days (usually 2 to 4) at Ikon partner resorts.

These usually cost less per day than lift tickets, but they’re sold before the season and sales typically close in early December. Not sure which one fits your trip? A Ski.com Mountain Travel Expert can tell you which pass covers the resort you’re looking at, how many days you need and whether a pass or regular lift tickets cost less for your dates. Then they can build your lodging and rentals around it.