First ski trip - advice

Sounds like you're fine. Usually just three layers on top - thermals, a fleece and Goretex shell and two layers on the bottom, including the shell. If it is really cold and/or windy add another thinnish layer on the top, and perhaps an extra layer of thermals on the bottom. NO COTTON (stays wet and cold). Wool or synthetics only.

Gloves need to be good, but it sounds like you have that covered. Consider thin, knitted poly-pro glove liners (cheap) under your gloves. Perhaps also get a few packets of those chemical hand-warmers just in case (you can buy them in ski and outdoor shops, and at the ski resorts). Have them in your pockets to break out if your fingers get cold. They work great! This will be cheaper than springing on some expensive cold weather gloves that you might not use again.

Synthetic or wool, fairly thin socks. Don't go for anything too bulky or they can be a problem in ski boots. Again, no cotton (Cold, and it rubs).

You might find the rental-boot fitters put you in something that is too big. Go with it unless it is obvious, but if you ever feel like you are floating around in the boot, or that you have to over-buckle it, go back and change for a smaller size. Ski-boot fitters ALWAYS try to put me in boots that are too big.

You sports glasses will be fine except if the weather is foul. Ski goggles are better. You don't have to pay a fortune, but don't skimp too much either. There is a lot of futzing about the tint of the lenses (colour and darkness). Just get something in the middle with good UV protection. Pretty much all mid-priced goggles will work fine.

A good hat (A "Toque" in these parts, A "Beanie" in others) is a must.

Best tip is to get in the best shape you can. Combine cycling and some squats and lunges. It makes the single biggest difference to your learning  If you're strong, you can ski longer and better - no matter what your skill. This then leads to faster improvements.

Good luck with it and have fun. The mountains here are open for skiing, and I can see snow on the Northshore peaks from my office. Yay!

Ok

i need to correct Winky. You will not need a hat, or touque, or beanie because you and your kids will be wearing helmets.  Unless you feel that the best thing to come between a rock and your head is a piece of soft wool.

sorry. Not trying to be a smart ass.  But it needs to be said

Sorry to disagree with both of you and be utterly unhelpful (and clearly too late) but I'd say just don't go.

Visit Ski resorts in summer to witness the environmental damage in all its glory. Subtract the grotesque developments, the ski lifts, the litter, the destroyed topsoil and vegetation underneath pisted areas, the random deforestation and subsequent lowland flooding each Spring and, if you squint carefully enough, you might still glimpse the beauty of the area.

If you want to experience peace and quiet away from great crowds of gaily coloured skiiers ploughing up and down the same stripe of dirty snow I'd suggest snowshoes, or even X country skiing.

The observant amongst you may observe a bee-in-bonnet here.

Anyway Jonathan, you have a nice time, and a safe one!

Bruce

Bruce - I think it depends on the region and the resort. As with all things some good, some indifferent and some bad.

Jonathan - if you are in Mürren, get across the valley to Wengen. It has iirc the longest run in Europe and is mostly blue, if not all the way blue, from the Eigerwand down to the valley floor. The view of the Ogre, the Monk and the Virgin is spectacular all year round.

You need a hat - can be worn under helmet or when de-helmed and standing for some après-ski. It should not be too cold in December, still quite mild at the moment, not much snow either 

Clearly you have already got lots of advise above (some conflicting).

Having been on many ski holidays, i would say they are the best holidays you can have. Very healthy and invigorating.

I agree entirely with the wear a helmet camp, I never used to, but learn the hard way, that not wearing one is just too risky, even if you are a competent skier, there are many on the slopes who are not, and will wipe you out!

The ski boots is a good point. Many holidays have een spoilt by poor fitting boots taht then make your feet / legs sore and diminish you holiday fun. Good option for first time is to take a couple of pieces of foam with you that you can insert in the shin area (if the boots are sore) when first used. makes all the difference (i know you should get perfect fitting boots, but first timers dont know what to expect).

The clothing you have is fine and you can mix and match. Its actually surprising how, once you start skiing, its not usually that cold and you end up sweating and removing layers

above all, enjoy the holiday, and lots of apres ski !!

paul

There is no doubt that all our human activities have a devastating effect on the landscape and natural world. Ski areas are trivial in comparison to the effects of agriculture and urbanisation. But perhaps gathering all the people in small areas serviced by lifts helps to preserve the wilderness, rather than having them spread out all over.

If we were serious about the effects of humans on the natural world, we would not breed. I truly think that is an excellent idea, and that's what I did.

Actually, I wear a helmet all the time when skiing. Others can make their own choice. Ironically, the hardest I have ever hit my head was in the carpark, after removing it, when I slipped on ice.

In fairness there are not a lot of areas of the High Alps that remain a wilderness, untouched by winter sports development.

Bruce (childless by  choice, yet surely thoroughly hypocritical as an environmentalist like the rest of us).

True for the Alps. One reason I don't go there for skiing (that, and the increasingly woeful snow conditions). But it is an inevitable consequence of the high population density in Europe. Most of the lowland wilderness forests are gone, too. Long since cleared for farming and urban development. When everyone goes into the wilderness, it isn't wilderness anymore, regardless of permanent infrastructure. 

In other parts of the world it isn't quite as grim. Ski areas in BC, where I live, cover only a small fraction of the high alpine. There aren't (yet) enough people to support more development. A much bigger impact is forestry, where pretty much every accessible forest area in the whole province is clear-cut (or has already been cleared for farming). Only very steep terrain, the high peaks (where there are no trees) and the small protected parks escape. Look at Google earth to see what I mean.

I suppose you could wear a hat and helmet. Never have seen that here but it does not get as cold in the states. It would be a little hot for me but it may help in those parking lot falls

Winky is right. We share a little condo up at Silver Star. Unless you are actually on the site itself, you wouldn't know it existed. As for the wild-life and environmentalists, this summer it was the best place around Vernon/Kelowna to see black bears, so no long term damage.

Whistler is a bit more obvious, but even Banf/Lake Louise/Sunshine are virtually invisible.

Cheers

Don

Whistler/Blackcomb is obvious when you're there, but looking out from the summit with untouched mountains as far as you can see in every direction, it becomes clear that as a percentage of the Coast Mountains it is pretty small.

Lots of bears there too in the summer. I'm not sure if that is evidence of a small environmental footprint, or just of easier food.

The mountain bike trails are pretty ugly, but the surge in biking means resort gets year-round patronage. I guess while riders are riding the lifts on their downhill bikes, they're not off in the wilderness annoying hikers and wildlife.

-27 C in Austria last Jan with wind chill, very glad for the beanie under my helmet.

Winky, quite true,

Even whilst you are stood at the tops of Whistler and Blackcoombe (or even on the Peak 2 Peak) you are hardly aware of the entire Whistler complex - despite it being quite large.

Re the bears, yes it could be due to easier food at many of these sites.

The overall impact is pretty small compared to forestry, hydro, transport. But a world without Homo Sapiens just wouldn't be the same...............

Jonathan, enjoy your holiday.

Cheers

Don

I think you will have enough cold weather gear from what you say but if it is really your first skiing lesson then you might, if part of a larger group, get colder than you think. As i am sure you know it is better to wear more than you think you need and take of layers if necessary.

Hire skis and boots - as for the latter if they do not feel comfortable when first fitted, insist on trying more until you are comfortable.

As for helmets or not, that is a personal choice. I always wear one for cycling but have never worn one for skiing. That said I would recommend wearing a helmet.

Finally, from my own experience learning to ski, as I did aged 40, is one of the most frustrating but ultimately the most rewarding of activity.

Green issues - it is as green as any other sport, and more than most, and provides jobs for locals.

Some brilliant advice here - thank you so much folks.  It sounds like in terms of cold weather gear we're probably doing OK, I think I might invest in some padded ski trousers for each of us and then just use fleeces and Gore-tex cagoules on top.  Will definitely wear helmets though because I'm sure we'll all fall over a lot - I presume we can hire helmets with the skis and boots??

A friend of mine who is rather 'chunky' like me said that it's much harder to stop if you're heavy so looks like I'm on a diet until we go!

Thanks for all the good wishes - still a lot to plan!

Jonathan

You might want to spend a few quid on one of those tubular muff things. Great for keeping your neck warm, and can be pulled up over your face if it is cold. Helmet, yes. Biggest problem in my experience is the contrast between being warm when skiing and then the cold of standing in queues and on lifts. Probably best to dress a bit over warm and regulate temperature by unzipping fleeces/jackets.

/david