A ski vacation offers either an exhilarating or terrifying experience. The distinction depends on your understanding of the requirements of the sport, and your ability to anticipate unexpected events, such as sudden changes in temperature, collisions with snowboarders, other skiers, lift poles or trees and groomed runs that mysteriously turn into mogul fields. If you know what to expect, you know how to prepare.
Dress For The Weather
Alpine skiers require multiple layers of clothing, beginning with a base layer to wick moisture, an insulating layer to keep you warm and a wind and water resistant but breathable outer layer to protect you from the elements. Choose base layers made from silk or synthetic fabrics, insulating layers made from fleece or wool and ski pants and jackets made from special fabrics designed for skiing. Avoid cotton -- it absorbs moisture and keeps you wet and cold. Ski jackets have armpit zippers that open for ventilation. Nordic skiers generate more body heat because the lack of chairlifts requires them to be in a constant state of motion. Although they might also use a layered approach, lighter fabrics protect them from overheating.
Helmets, Goggles and Boots
Your ski boots, your ski goggles and your ski helmet are your most important ski-related items. Your ski helmet provides warmth and protects you from head injuries, and your goggles, which should fit with your helmet, protect your eyes from the damaging rays of the sun. Your feet and ankles initiate all cross-country and downhill skiing movements, thus making properly-fitting ski boots a priority. Purchase your ski boots before buying any other ski gear.
The Skier's Responsibility Code
The Skier's Responsibility Code may appear on the back of your lift ticket, on your napkin in the cafeteria, and in some resorts, on the chairlift security bar. The code states that the person downhill from you has the right of way, and you must avoid hitting her, but it also says that you must avoid stopping in the middle of the trail, especially in places where it is impossible for the uphill skier to see you. The ski patrol ropes off trails for safety reasons. If you ski past the ropes, the patrol is not obligated to rescue you in the event of an accident. The chairlifts at most resorts stop running at 4 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. Even if you are concerned about getting your money's worth, the late afternoon is potentially the most dangerous time to ski. At some resorts, skiers of all levels descend the same trails at the end of the day. Some realize that they spent too much time on the mountain, and race down at top speeds, often causing accidents.
Trail Ratings
Cross-country and downhill skiing both use a blue, green and black trail-rating system. Green designates the easiest trails, blues have intermediate terrain and black trails are the most challenging, Some resorts have blue/green and blue/black distinctions, while others have double black trails -- usually designating long, steep bump runs. While these trail ratings provide some guidelines, they are relative to the specific resort. Big Emma, a green trail at Snowbird in Utah, is so challenging that it might receive a blue rating elsewhere, but it is easy compared to the rest of the resort's terrain.
Altitude
Visitors arriving from sea level destinations may require acclimation at resorts with base elevations higher than 5,000 feet. Spend one day either exploring the surrounding ski town, or only skiing in the lower part of the mountain. Headache, nausea and disorientation characterize the typical symptoms of altitude sickness. Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol, which may cause dehydration. While staying at ski-in/ski-out resort has its advantages, lodging a few miles away at a slightly lower elevation enhances sleep and helps you acclimate.
The Cost
Skiing is an expensive sport. If you visit the destination resorts, such as Aspen (aspensnowmass.com), Deer Valley (deervalley.com), Breckenridge (breckenridge.com), Copper Mountain (coppercolorado.com) and Heavenly Valley (www.skiheavenly.com), for instance, expect to pay $80 to $100 for a lift ticket, with additional costs for rental equipment and meals. The less-commercial resorts, such as Brighton (brightonresort.com) in Utah, Mad River Glen (madriverglen.com) in Vermont, Mount Sunapee (mountsunapee.com) in New Hampshire and Loveland (skiloveland.com) in Colorado have lower overall costs. Some people actually prefer them for their less commercial and more authentic ambiance. If you're a novice, Alta (alta.com) in Utah offers free skiing in its beginner's area after 3 p.m. on weekdays. Cross-country skiing is even less expensive, especially if you ski in the park or a snowy field near your home.
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