6 Tips for a Successful First Day on the Slopes
Your first day on the slopes sets the mood for the rest of your trip. Early mishaps can derail the fun or cause unnecessary drama within your group. Weather delays and clogged infrastructure can prevent you from reaching your destination. Dozens of factors need to come together for the idealized image of the trip you’re harboring in your head to come true. Some elements are beyond your control, but getting your proverbial ducks in a row dramatically increases your chances of success and gives you the satisfaction of knowing you did everything right.
Table of Contents
Assemble Your Gear
Create a list of everything you need to get to the slopes and down the mountain. If renting skis and poles, make a reservation and research what type you need for the terrain. Bring your equipment out of storage and check for loose connections, rust and cracks. Whether renting or buying, use a half-face or full-face helmet to reduce injuries. Buy a Bluetooth ski helmet communication headset to talk hands-free with your friends. It mounts onto any helmet, so you can use it with whatever the resort has in stock.
Try on your winter clothing and safety gear to see if it fits. Look for holes and weak spots where moisture could seep through. Build an ensemble of sweat-wicking inner layers, removable tops and a waterproof outer layer based on expected temperature.
Assemble a ski pack with sunscreen, water, over-the-counter medications, high-protein snacks, lip balm and other handy items to stay out for hours at a time.
Prepare Your Body
Your first full day of skiing after a long hiatus will leave you sore unless you prepare your muscles for what can be a grueling workout. The average adult burns between 250 and 500 calories per hour of downhill skiing.
Even if you exercise regularly but only hit the slopes once or twice a year, the experience will push your body beyond your routine. Knee injuries are common among skiers, along with shoulder injuries, muscle sprains and head fractures.
Stretch your back, legs and core daily and commit to at least 20 minutes of high-intensity exercise three times a week to build endurance. Don’t overdo it in the days leading up to your trip to save energy for the main event.
Study the Route
Make the last leg of the journey as smooth as possible by planning for every possibility. If driving, leave before dawn to get a parking space and beat the rush. Research alternative routes in case of road closures and accidents.
Map your way through the park to quickly access the trails at the top of your to-do list. Use ski slope ratings to find runs suited to your skill level. Figure out how to get from the lot, hotel or rental stand to the correct lift.
Locate Amenities
If you’re visiting a resort for the first time, use the map and online reviews to learn the lay of the land beforehand. Find a convenient place to go to the bathroom, lunch spots or food stands to refuel quickly, places to sit down and rest and guest services if you have questions. Consider what you or one of your companions will do if you need a break while the others ski.
Coordinate with Your Crew
Plan your experience as a group and negotiate differences of opinion to keep everyone happy. Getting the gang on the same page beforehand saves you from debating the itinerary on the day so you can focus on enjoying yourselves.
Keep the conversation going on the slopes to coordinate your location in real-time, share tips and stop to rest without getting left behind. Use ski helmet headphones to communicate with up to 15 skiers wirelessly. Automatic syncing and natural-sounding audio create a seamless experience for the group. Just speak to the receiver to drop a line without changing your stance.
Know Your Limits
Temper your ambition for your first day back on the lift to avoid overexerting yourself. You may feel fine after a few hours before your muscles flare up the next day, benching you for the rest of the trip. Ease back into the sport, steadily increasing your time out each day until you can stay out from the moment the lift opens to the last ride.
Manifesting a Successful First Day on the Slopes
Returning to the game after a long off-season takes preparation, research and frequent communication with fellow travelers. You’ve been looking forward to this moment for months, so don’t let this sudden burst of activity get the better of you. Temper your expectations for the event in case uncontrollable events upset your plans while planning the day to a tee to reap the most from the experience.
