Skiing for beginners: tips for planning your first ski holiday

Published June 2024 | 5 min read
Words by Donnay Torr

Never been skiing before? Here’s what you need to know to plan your first ski holiday in Australia. 

Australia – a “sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains, of ragged mountain ranges, of droughts and flooding rains…” And snow? If you’ve been dreaming of channelling your inner skier, you don’t have to travel all the way to Europe or the US to learn how to ski. Instead, start carving up the slopes in your own backyard at one of Australia’s five major ski resorts, all offering skiing for beginners.  

Choosing the best ski destination 

How far you have to travel, your budget and – of course – the snow conditions, are all factors to consider when planning your ideal ski destination. No snow, no skiing – so make sure you check out your chosen ski resort’s website for up-to-date info on conditions and weather forecasts.  

If you’ve only just decided to dip your toes into snow, the most important thing is to find a beginner-friendly ski resort. Look for the following factors.

• Plenty of green runs (beginner slopes) designed for slower skiers or novices, wide slopes and practice lifts near the base.
• ‘Moving carpets’ – a conveyor belt that transports you to the top of a small slope – are also helpful while you find your feet.
• Experienced ski instructors (one-on-one or group lessons) onsite for all ages of your travel group.
• Ski gear for hire: if you’re a novice skier, you probably don’t want to buy expensive gear at first, so check if the ski resort stocks what you need ahead of time, and only bring what they don’t offer.
• Non-ski activities for those days when your legs just won’t cooperate, like cafes, restaurants and spa facilities (for remedial massages). Or you could even try your hand at snowboarding, tubing or tobogganing.
• Snow play areas – especially if you have kids. And does the ski resort offer babysitting services?

Where to stay for your ski holiday

The type of ski accommodation you prefer (or can afford) also influences your choice of ski resort. There are two main types of ski accommodation.

• Ski-in/ski-out or on-mountain lodging is convenient as you can access the slopes directly from your doorstep. Getting your hands around that much-needed mug of hot chocolate after skiing also happens much faster. For beginner skiers, easy access is key, and staying closer to the action minimises travel time so that you can spend more time on the snow.
• Off-mountain accommodation can be more budget-friendly and may offer a wider range of activities in the surrounding areas. A good choice if you don’t see yourself spending all your time in the snow.

Whether you’re driving or flying to your ski resort, careful planning can make the journey much less stressful. Check road conditions and weather forecasts, especially if you’re travelling during the peak ski season. If flying, book your flights well in advance to secure the best deals, and consider renting a car or arranging shuttle services for transportation to and from the airport.  

Count the costs

Besides travel and accommodation costs, you should budget for equipment hire, ski lessons, lift tickets, park entry or parking fees and meals on the mountain. Consider borrowing ski gear from friends or family to save money. And don’t forget to take out ski holiday insurance – it may not be front of mind, but accidental injuries do happen, and those may not be fully covered by Medicare or private health insurance. Medical and associated out-of-pocket costs relating to an injury can really ruin your fun. Beginner skiers are at higher risk of getting injured, and some of the most common ski accidents include knee, shoulder, foot and ankle injuries – often requiring ambulance services.

It’s not just beginners who are at risk, either – 23-year-old sports fanatic and experienced snowboarder Casey^* suffered a severe shoulder injury after falling five metres from a chairlift. “I lost consciousness for a few minutes, and when I woke up, I had blood pouring out my nose and a very sore shoulder,” he says. “I got taken to hospital where I learned I had a broken shoulder. It is one of the worst feelings I’ve ever experienced.” Casey’s had major surgery and plenty of rehab in the four months since the accident happened, but, luckily, he had purchased Flip Insurance cover for his trip before he travelled. “It’s been enough to cover my treatment and rehab and took away the financial stress.”

Skiing for beginners: preparing your body 

Adding a few simple strength and conditioning exercises to your fitness routine in the months leading up to your ski holiday can help you build knee, core and muscle strength, increase cardiovascular fitness and improve your balance and agility – making it less likely that you’ll injure yourself. Try these exercises for beginner skiers.   

• Squats: these work the glutes, quads, hamstrings and knees, helping you to assume (and hold) the ski stance.
• Step-ups: these build strength and get your heart rate up, important in preparing you for the workout your legs, hips and butt muscles will get on the slopes. 
• Drop jumps: these target your lower body, improving explosive strength and refining your soft landing. 

Once at the ski resort, ease into things by:

• understanding difficulty ratings: as a rule of thumb, ski slopes in Australia are colour-coded as green (beginners), blue (intermediate) or black (expert) – it's not recommended to jump from green to blue (or black) or go wandering off-piste by yourself. Feeling overwhelmed by a slope’s difficulty grading or unsure about the trail map? Ask your ski instructor or resort personnel before making any sudden moves.
• limbering up: stretch to warm your muscles before you start your ski lessons.
• taking it easy: focus on learning the basics and having fun rather than pushing yourself too hard. When you get tired, rest.
• cooling down: stretch or go for a massage after skiing. If something hurts a lot, get it checked out by a medical professional.

What to pack for your ski holiday 

The key is not to pack too much, but the below list gives some idea of what you’ll need on your first ski trip. 

• Ski gear (jacket, trousers, gloves, helmet, poles, boots). Some items, like goggles and ski socks, are only available for purchase, so buy ahead of time to avoid paying higher prices at ski resorts. 
• Warm, waterproof clothing (gloves, hat, balaclava, scarf, long-sleeve T-shirts, jumpers). 
• Sunscreen and lip balm with high SPF – sunburn does happen on the slopes. 
• Sunglasses – when the ski goggles come off, the glare can be blinding. 
• A roomy backpack or ski bag. 
• Comfy off-slope clothes: jeans, tops, jumpers, outdoor shoes, indoor slippers. 
• Swimwear – check if there’s a hot tub, sauna or heated swimming pool onsite. 
• Important documents (Medicare card and ski holiday insurance details). 
• Basic first-aid items to soothe minor aches and pains like stiff muscles, bruises or blisters.  

Peace of mind on demand 

Whether you’re a first-timer or a pro, accidents happen on the slopes. If you want peace of mind in case things go wrong, check out Flip, Australia’s first on-demand injury insurance^{^}. Flip pays out cash on a range of injuries. For example, if you have your Flip cover when you tear your ACL on or off-piste and need surgery, you could get a $2,000 cash payout. On-demand means you can turn on your cover just for the week of your ski trip (one week for $25 or one day for just $7). You can sign up in minutes on your way to the slopes or schedule it a few months ahead. There are no waiting periods or lock-in contracts, and you can use it alongside your private health cover.