Have you ever heard of the term “all the gear, no idea”? There’s no need to buy before you ski for the first time. It’s most important to be comfortable and warm. Proper ski socks and gloves, snow-proof trousers and a jacket and some layers underneath so you can adjust your temperature. Good goggles or sunglasses and high factor sun cream are a must too. Rental skis, boots and helmets will do you just fine to get started with. But don’t forget a lesson for your first time on the snow; an instructor will help you get started safely and with confidence.

Learning anything new is all about breaking it down into achievable steps. As long as these steps aren’t skipped or rushed, skiing is possible for anyone. We tend to come across learning plateaus and eureka moments throughout our skiing careers. Everyone has these, enjoy the breakthroughs and with an instructor you will get through the plateaus and onto the next level. Learning and improving is a lifelong process in the mountains.

No doubt! Learning to ski isn’t just for kids. Plenty of people pick up the sport at all ages, and there’s no time limit on it. Here at European Snowsport, we have a variety of instructors who can cater for any learner, confident or nervous. We make sure you can learn at your pace in a way that suits you.

Three days worth of private lessons should get you off to a good start. It’s long enough that you can start to work on your skills and with your instructor’s help, hone that muscle memory so that you can stand on your skis with confidence. Depending on how you take to the sport you may be up and out of the beginner area and exploring the mountain in no time.

Dry ski slopes are a great way to get started when there’s no snow around. If it’s a concern of not enough snow out in resort then why not try some guaranteed snow resorts. Look for resorts that are high enough to maintain proper conditions and have artificial snowmaking facilities. Resorts like Zermatt have some of the highest slopes in Europe meaning great conditions throughout the winter months – there’s even skiing in summer on the glacier!

Certainly! A week of lessons is an excellent way to get started. By the end of the week, you will be away from the beginner area, trying out chairlifts and seeing the sights on your skis. Everyone learns differently and at varying speeds and this means private lessons are a great way to get going. Most people are delighted with how much they have achieved after their first week on the snow.