TOP TIPS FOR EARLY SEASON SKIING

If you can't wait to get to the mountains, then why not consider booking an early-season trip? It’s possible to head to some Nordic resorts as early as October, while resorts in the Alps and Austria open up from November. Skiing early in the season offers several benefits; the slopes are quieter, which means no lift queues and more space on the slopes and you can often get great deals on accommodation. But arguably the best thing is that you can fit another skiing holiday in later in the season.

Before you rush off to book your trip, there are a few things you should think about. We've caught up with Betony Garner, an ambassador of Dynastar skis and Lange boots, based between the UK and the Alps, to discover her top tips for booking an early season skiing trip.

Follow the snow reports

It’s a good idea to start following the weather and where the snow has been falling, so you can build up an idea of where might have the most snow and best conditions which can help you decide whether it is worth booking a last-minute trip or not. Generally, higher altitude resorts tend to get good coverage earlier in the year, but they can be more exposed, so keeping an eye on the weather is important.

Webcams are also an invaluable tool to see real-time snow conditions.

Check resorts with special offers

Many resorts have promotional days in the early season, such as lift passes for a euro, and most resorts offer lower prices at the start of the season before all the lifts open. Check the official resort websites to see what promotions are running to get yourself a bargain.

Get your skis or snowboard serviced

In an ideal world, you would have had your skis or snowboard serviced ahead of storing them for the summer, so they are ready for the new season. However, if like me, you're a bit forgetful, it's worth digging your skis out a few weeks before you head to the slopes to ensure they are in working order, waxed and ready to go.

Taking them in for a full service before you hit the slopes is often cheaper than getting them done at a resort and ensures that you can head down the slopes as soon as you arrive.

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Think about your fitness

You also may want to consider your fitness level before booking your first trip. If you’ve not been doing much over the summer, you may find that you quickly tire when heading to the slopes. The best thing to do is maintain your activity level throughout the year. You could try running, hiking or climbing in the summer months or even try watersports like paddle boarding, which is great for building core strength.

Putting in the extra effort will be well worth it when you can spend more time on the slopes.

Think about where you ski

It’s easy to get carried away when you hit the slopes for the first time. Even if a lot of snow has fallen, there may be plenty of rocks still hiding under the fresh snow. Watch out for small holes or rocks on-piste and if you venture off the piste, be very careful of rocks, river beds and even covered fences.

Check your Kit

If like me, you get home from your ski trip and bundle everything back into the loft, you can easily forget about what needs repairing or replacing. So it’s a good idea to have a thorough check of all your ski gear before you head off on your next trip. That way, you can figure out if anything needs any TLC or you need anything new.

Remember you don’t need to buy new every season. With the right care, most of your skiing gear can last you many years. Snow+Rock know that keeping our gear in use for longer is one of the best things we can do to protect our planet, so they offer a Repair and Care service to take the hassle out of caring for your gear.

However, if you do need to add to your essentials, make sure you head to your local Snow+Rock where there in-store experts will be able to advise you on the best gear for your skiing trip.

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