‘Don’t drink alcohol on the first day’ – 10 expert tips for your ski holiday

Buy or rent your ski boots on site

“Many people have pain in their feet while skiing, and that's a real shame,” says Michel Van de Vyver, technical director of the Ecole du Ski Français (ESF) in Val Thorens.

“Renting ski boots at home is fine and sometimes cheaper, but then you don't have the option to change them if they don't fit properly. I would advise anyone who goes skiing every year to buy shoes at a ski station. After two to three days on the slopes, you can have things adjusted: for example, they can warm up the shoe and you can make the pinch points a little wider. And a good pair will last you for at least five to ten years.”

Don't be blinded by the colours

Boasting about red or black runs is something many skiers like to do. “Or put it on Instagram,” laughs ski monitor Hugo, who also teaches at the ESF. “But what you don't see is 'la galère' (the hassle or pain). Some have great difficulty getting to the bottom. Is that fun? And it is unsafe for yourself and other skiers if you no longer have control? So don't look at the colour, do slopes that you can enjoy. My favourite slope here is a blue one, La Moraine.” Speed ​​should also never be a goal. “Technology and control are much more important.”

Cover everything

Nowadays you can find ski clothing at reasonable prices in chains such as Decathlon, online sites or even the middle aisles of Lidl and Aldi.

“Make sure you have enough on and that it is of high quality,” says Van de Vyver. “Work in layers, so you can always take something off if you get too hot.”

On windy days, it is best to cover every bit of skin. And while long scarves may be trendy, the pros wouldn't wear them. “It's dangerous because you can get stuck on the elevator with it. You really shouldn't wear a scarf, especially on children. A buff is ideal.”

You should dress the little ones carefully, adds Hugo: “They do not yet experience the cold properly, they take off their gloves and do not realise that it is dangerous. So emphasise that they must remain covered.”

“There are mittens on the market that you can unzip completely,” Van de Vyver says. Handy, because you can no longer wear classic mittens if they have become wet on the inside.”

Leave stress at home

“At the beginning of the week, families sometimes arrive here arguing or stressed,” Van de Vyver laughs. “They are late, they couldn't find the gloves, they have the wrong lift tickets…

I always say: 'Don't forget that you are on holiday'. Be zen, try to enjoy. Prepare your clothes the night before and make sure you don't have to worry in the morning so you can start skiing without stress.”

You can also make a difference in advance, he says. “Nowadays you can arrange everything online: ski passes, parking, equipment, lessons,... Having to queue for everything is not fun, so if you can avoid that, do so.”

Remember, skiing is a sport

“Skiing is and remains something physical,” Van de Vyver says. “You have to do the same things as if you were walking or cycling: take good care of your body. Have a good breakfast in the morning: an egg, bread, fruit, especially slow sugars... So that you have enough energy for the morning.

"Warming up is also often forgotten. If you do ski-in, ski-out - like in Val Thorens - you don't have to walk very far with your equipment and you are therefore not really warmed up when you start. Warming up reduces the risk of injury.”

Beware of ice!

Ice is the biggest fear of many skiers and boarders. You can avoid slippery sections of slopes by planning your route wisely.

“In places that are in full sun and not high up, the snow thaws in the afternoon and freezes back at night. Result: ice cream,” says Hugo. “So be careful in places where you have previously skied on soft snow.”

If you end up on icy areas, it is best to keep a cool head. Although it seems unnatural, lean forward in your shoes (always a good tip!) and try to rotate your upper body towards the valley.

Unsure about your technique? Then a number of lessons are really worth it. You will also get to know the ski station and the best slopes for your level. Make sure to book in advance, because there isn’t always availability during the school holidays.

Think about the altitude

At 2,300 meters, Val Thorens is the highest ski station in Europe.

“And you feel that,” says Van de Vyver. “The air is thinner and drier, your body needs some time to get used to that altitude. I advise people not to drink alcohol on the first day because it worsens the effects. So don't start your leave with a bottle of wine," he laughs.

Another tip for those who get a dry mouth at night: wet a towel and hang it over a chair close to your bed. “Or water on the radiator. This promotes humidity and helps you sleep better.”

Don't be part of the 15 percent

An estimated 85 percent of skiers in Val Thorens wear a helmet.

“We cannot emphasise enough how important it is,” says Hugo. “You don't want to get into anything without it.”

Helmets can be rented in almost all ski shops. In France, wearing a helmet is not mandatory, but in certain parts of Austria and Italy it is mandatory for children. “But here at the ESF, children are no longer allowed in without a helmet,” says Van de Vyver.

Important to note: it is best to choose a helmet that fits well and is not too loose, and you do not wear a hat underneath. You can put your ski goggles over your helmet, or you can opt for a pair with a built-in visor.

Technology for cold temperatures

There is no bigger mood killer than extreme cold on the slopes. Fortunately, there are technological solutions today. “I have a heater on rechargeable batteries in my soles,” says Van de Vyver. “I can control this via an app. Ideal to keep the cold out when it is really freezing. The same applies to gloves.”

How young is too young?

If you are considering ski lessons for your toddler, know that 5 years is the “magic limit”.

“Then they understand everything much better and they have more muscle power,” says Van de Vyver. “At three and four years old, it is mainly about getting used to snow and having fun.”

Group lessons are recommended for the little ones, because they learn a lot from each other. “And if there are tears, it's best for mom and dad to disappear. Because they often forget that goodbye and have a lot of fun on the slopes.”