Tuesday 18 March 2014

Searched Through Cheap Holidays On The Slopes, Found A Great Deal, Now, What To Pack?



So you are pretty happy with yourself. You have always wanted to go, but the sky high prices of ski holidays have always put you off. However, 2014 has started off well for you, as you have used a travel comparison website and managed to bag yourself a pretty amazingly low deal! Yes, cheap holidays on the slopes do exist! 

Seeing as this is your first ever snow holiday, you are undoubtedly worried about what to pack? If your answer is yes then read on. This article is also handy if you have just got back and planning your next break or you know someone who is a keen skier or snowboarder and their birthday is just around the corner…

Essentials

Cheap holidays for skiing and snowboarding are hard to come by. You may want to keep costs as low as possible and see where you save more money on leaving out some items from your suitcase. However, there are skiing and snowboarding essentials that you can’t go without. 

Everyone going on holiday will need a snow jacket and trousers (also known as salopettes), a microfleece mid-layer, a minimum of 2 sets of base layers, 2 pairs of cosy ski socks, a hat (which must cover the ears) and goggles. Yes, if the sun is shining you may end up with a strange tan line, but these are crucial especially if it’s snowing. Even though you will be surrounded by snow, sun cream is essential, how strong depends on your skin type. Skiing and snowboarding can end in dry lips, this is where lip balm will come in handy and soon become your best friend! Before you step out of the door make sure you have your passport, travel insurance (this should include winter sports cover), tickets, cash or credit card and your European Health Insurance Card. Without these important items, your dream skiing holiday can soon turn into a disaster. There are a few essential healthcare items that you need to make sure you have packed including Ibuprofen (to tackle the pain you get with bruises), Deep Heat/Tiger Balm (to soothe aching muscles) and a first aid kit (it’s always better to be safe than sorry). Last but by no means least; ensure you have at least one continental travel adaptor plug. 

Non-Essentials

So you have whittled down the vast amount of skiing cheap holidays you have found to a couple and after much deliberation have finally chosen the one for you. The last thing you want to end up doing is paying out for items that you believe are important, but you can actually do without. For example, a small rucksack can be handy when spending long days on the slopes, as you can ensure you always have snacks and water to keep you going. However, there are numerous cafes on ski resorts, where you can buy refreshments, so that you don’t have to carry them around with you. Secondly, many people think they will need sunglasses, but as long as you have goggles whilst on the slopes you should be fine. 

If you get cold easily, neck warmers, scarfs, snoods can keep you snug. However, you will soon be working up a sweat on the slopes, so you can do without these. If you only have an expensive watch and you don’t want to break it but always like to know what time it is, you could buy yourself a cheap one. However, when on holiday do we really need to know what time it is? To keep your holiday cheap, just don’t wear a watch! Go out and enjoy yourself, come off the slopes when you have had enough, don’t restrict yourself with time!
It’s hard to know what category to put chocolate bars, energy drinks, vitamin tablets and rehydration salts in as this all depends on the person. If you are not used to being active then these items are essential for either giving you a boost between lunch and dinner, if you start to feel lethargic and to get you going in the morning. However, is you are naturally energetic then these items are not a must!

Everyone gets a buzz from finding cheap holidays but we must remember that depending on the type of holiday, we need certain items. Hopefully, you now are armed with knowledge of what to take with you on ski holidays.

(Photo courtesy of Swedish Girls)

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