Mad Dog Ski: Ski Resort guidebooks for Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland

Top tips for beginners

 Ben Patterson
As anyone who has ever learned to ski or snowboard will tell you, it is definitely a painful yet joyful experience. Whether it's falling off the drag lifts, your boots strangling your feet or constantly falling over, every beginner has had his or her share of it. But once it starts to click, the highs begin to massively outweigh the lows. Read on for our Mad Dog tips to alleviating the lows...

Novice packages

If you are booking through a tour agency ask about packages for novices - often they do deals which include lessons, equipment hire and lift pass for a reduced price.

Lift passes

Check lift pass requirements, as often resorts have cheaper passes which just cover the nursery slopes. Many French resorts, such as Courchevel and Tignes, even have free access to a couple of lifts, so don't shell out unnecessarily.

Ski schools

Check out what ski and board schools are available in the resort. The national ski schools have improved dramatically with the competition provided by private schools, but class sizes can still be larger, and teaching style can veer towards the traditional. Some schools provide different approaches such as video analysis, so check out the options.

Ski boots

Putting ski boots on for the first time can feel pretty strange, but it shouldn't be painful. Spend time in the hire shop to make sure that you get a pair that fits, and remember to take ski socks with you.

Falling over

Falling over is inevitably going to happen - even good skiers fall - and most of the time isn't as bad as it looks. Get used to the concept, and that way you won't be so nervous.

Ski lifts

Ski lifts can be challenging at times!

Beginners usually encounter the worst variety, drag lifts; buttons, or pomas, go between the legs - keep your knees bent and relax, but don't try to sit down. They can sometimes take off with a bit of a jerk, so be prepared for this. On T-bars, pair up with someone approximately your own height and weight to make life easier. And if you do fall, get off the track as quickly as possible. Boarders especially will learn to hate drag lifts, as you have to twist sideways.

When getting on chairlifts, remember to take off rucksacks and put your ski poles in one hand. You can use your other hand to catch the chair so that it doesn't hit you on the back of the legs, which can be a bit painful if you're not expecting it.

Safety

Safety on the mountain is extremely important. Skiers can reach speeds of up to 40-50km an hour, so before launching onto the piste, remember to look uphill to check you aren't going into anyone's path.

Staying warm

Don't let something as simple as being cold ruin your day. Several thin layers which can be removed if you get hot are the best way to regulate your temperature. And decent skiing gloves, a hat and good quality goggles or glasses are essential. If you are worried about cost, there are some good rental options for kit.

Enjoy!

Remember to take the time to look around you and just enjoy the scenery - being up in the mountains is all part of the experience, so if you are getting caught up in the nitty-gritty of technical stuff, take a deep breath and appreciate where you are!

Top ten resorts for beginners

  1. Saas-Fee - many say that this resort has Switzerland's best nursery slopes.
  2. Courchevel - heaps of ski schools to choose from and free drag lifts so you don't have to spend too much on a ski pass.
  3. Les Arcs - loads of ski-in, ski-out accommodation, and plenty of easy, confidence-building runs within reach.
  4. Wengen - a charming, laid-back place with lovely long, gentle slopes, and nursery slopes in the centre of town, not to mention some good hot chocolate stops too.
  5. La Plagne - a great variety of easy slopes to choose from, meaning that even beginners can travel miles.
  6. Val d'Isere - good free nursery slopes in the village, plus a load of ski schools to choose from.
  7. Kitzbuhel - great, centrally located nursery slopes, and awesome apres-ski to soothe your aching muscles!
  8. Morzine - a great choice, with mile upon mile of easy slopes and good English-speaking schools, and the bonus of hardly any drag lifts.
  9. Verbier - beginners get the choice of slopes in the village, but also at the top of the cable car, so that they don't miss out on great views and snow conditions.
  10. Les Deux Alpes - with a vast proportion of suitable runs, plus skiing on the glacier, beginners won't get bored, and also have plenty of ski schools to choose from.