Preparing for your trip

PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP TIPS AND TRICKS TO ENJOY IT TO THE FULLEST!

PREPARING FOR A SKI VACATION?

How fun!

Taking your trip up a notch by adding some cat-skiing, heliskiing or alpine hiking? Even better! Here are a few tips to keep in mind when preparing for your ski vacation.

Sherri Harkin

Ian Houghton Benoit Bisson CHOK IMAGES

A few months before

Booking: If you plan on staying at a ski lodge, you have to reserve several months ahead of time, especially if you are vacationing with a group or hoping for specific dates. Get the training you need: Off-piste skiing can be risky, and you can never learn too much about avalanches or staying safe on this kind of terrain. Get your body ready: If you really want to make the most of your off-piste skiing days, you’ll want to be physically prepared and perhaps even go skiing for a couple of days in a row beforehand, especially if you plan on skiing in high altitude terrain or if you have to carry your skis to the top.

A few weeks before

Will you need a local guide, any sort of authorizations or permits, or extra equipment of any kind? Now’s the time to think about it. Check your insurance coverage: you might need additional coverage since standard policies don’t typically cover off-piste skiing accidents.

A few days before

If the equipment you need (fat skis, ARVA, beacon, shovel…) is provided for you at your destination, great! If not, make sure you have all of the right gear and try everything on before you go. You’ll want to get comfortable wearing your backpack, climbing skins, bindings, etc. When packing your bags, keep the weather and brightness in mind. You also need to remember that it can be quite windy at the top of the mountain, and that you’ll be dealing with snow squalls when the helicopter takes off and lands. If possible, dress in layers, opt for clothing with side openings and zippers, and always carry a neck warmer. You’ll also want to take different ski goggle lenses along so you can adapt to different conditions.

Ready, set, go!

An increasing number of airline carriers prohibit passengers from carrying batteries in their checked luggage. Make sure you keep the batteries for your ARVA or GoPro in your carry-on bags, but don’t forget to put them back in your devices before you hit the slopes!

Once you arrive

If you aren’t accustomed to skiing at high altitudes, take it slow on the first day. Remember to breathe properly and, ideally, drink less alcohol and coffee, and increase your water intake.

Above all, have a great time!