Winter sports are intimidating because of their upfront expenses, needed gear, and require a bit of set up before actually getting on the mountain. Once you make it past those barriers, you will discover that the panoramic views of the mountains while flying down the slopes make it all worth it. After years of skiing, I finally developed a method to have a seamless day on the slopes.
Get a Good Sleep
Getting on the mountain first thing in the morning is best to take advantage of your day ski pass, but if you can’t swing it, then don’t. If your body is exhausted from skiing the day prior, don’t rush yourself back on to the mountain with a lack of sleep and a grumpy mood. This sounds so obvious but it is easy to feel pressured to be the first on the lift. Listen to your body and you will enjoy yourself so much more.
Pack the Essentials
A ski coat with tons of pockets is so important. In one pocket I have Aquaphor, corded headphones (AirPods will fall out), wallet and my phone. The other pocket holds my breakfast bars, GoPro, and buff. I like to have a thin buff on warmer days to wear around my neck and face or use as a headband.
Gear Up
Note: I linked the gear that I personally own and I am not in partnership with the brand.
The first layer should be long underwear. Leggings and moisture wicking long sleeve shirts work well as alternatives. You don’t want to wear sweatpants or anything cotton and baggy because they are cold when wet and uncomfortable if they get bunched up.
My second layer is a fleece jacket. I prefer a thin pullover from Eddie Bauer because again, I hate bunched up fabric. Some people wear sweatshirts and are just fine.
Lastly, you will want waterproof and insulating snow pants and a ski coat. The more pockets the better! I got my coat from Roxy and snow pants from North Face.
The coldest parts of your body will always be your feet, fingers, and face so make sure you come prepared. Moisture wicking wool socks are super important but only wear one pair or you will cut off circulation. I recommend wearing mittens rather than finger gloves so that your hands body heat gets trapped together rather than each finger being individually insulated. I’ve tried both and found mittens to be much warmer. On bluebird sunny days, I tend to get really hot so I like a thin Buff around my neck that I can pull up to my face. If the weather is really cold or has a strong wind, I’ll opt for a thicker knitted face mask and hat.
Of course, you will need a helmet, goggles, ski boots and skis. I own goggles but typically rent my helmet along with my skis and boots. If you ski at the same destination, I recommend establishing loyalty with a rentals vender because it makes the process so much easier.
It is so hard to remember all of this gear so I like to lay it all out the night before and then put it all on just before I get in the car. It’s hot, but so much better than trying to get dressed in the parking lot with freezing fingers struggling to buckle your boots.
Scout Out A Parking Spot Ahead of Time
I have skied Crested Butte Mountain five times now and am still trying to figure out the best place to park or get dropped off. It all depends where you are trying to go that day whether it is ski school, the rentals shop, or are you ready to head directly to base lift?
Take A Lesson
When I haven’t skied in a while, I like to take a lesson to refresh my memory. I like it when the instructors show me around the mountain and take me to slopes I have never seen before, away from the crowds on the face of the mountain. If you have never skied before, do not skip this!
Avoid the Face of the Mountain
As I mentioned before, avoiding the face of the mountain is important for a seamless day on the slopes. This is because everyone is getting on the lift by the base of the mountain from the lodge. We stood in line at the lift by the base for almost an hour. It wasted our precious ski time and led to a grumpy group. The runs feel super chaotic too, there isn’t much space for you to do your own thing.
Split Off From Your Group
Skiing with your friends and family is so much fun. I love the shared laughter when someone wipes out, the lift chats, and enjoying each other’s company down the run. With that said, breaking off from the group to ski on your own is a special feeling of its own. You gain freedom to go at any pace, choose the run that you want, meet new people, and stop for snacks. Pop an earbud into your ear, play your favorite song and jam out on your way down the mountain!
Plan To Eat Snacks or At Restaurants Away From the Base of the Mountain
Our first day skiing we planned to meet at the lodge for lunch and it was a nightmare. We had too big of a group to be seated in a timely manner and waited for an hour. Once we got to our table, the service was extremely slow. The burger was great, but not worth the two hours wasted from our ski day.
The next day I ate a big breakfast before skiing and packed two breakfast bars to eat on the lift. Skipping lunch is my new strategy because once you eat a full meal, you lose your stride and feel bloated. If you are going to stop for lunch, look at the map of the mountain to find a grab and go outdoor cafe on the mountain rather than the cafeteria in the lodge. It is much more efficient and is fun to sit at a picnic table outside watching people come down the runs.
Have An Open Mind
Easier said than done but if you are open to try new runs out of your comfort zone, you will grow as a skier and leave feeling a lot more confident once you’ve conquered it. This is part of where the thrill of winter sports comes from.
Make Sure You Have A Dinner Plan For When You Return Home
This is a MUST!! Whether it is a dinner reservation, frozen pizza, or a meal prepped dinner, make sure that you have something to eat when you get off the slopes. You will be starving for food and too exhausted to cook. Do yourself a favor ahead of time.
Having a seamless day on the slopes won’t happen every time, but if you follow these tips and go into it with a good attitude I guarantee you will have a better experience with winter sports.
Looking for a place to ski? Checked out Crested Butte, Colorado!
