Skiing is now a popular sport all over the world, you can feel the charm of skiing if you select a world-class ski resort.

After the first snowfall in the late Autumn, Hokkaido in Japan begin to enter winter and skiing gradually become the major outdoor activities in this season. Because of lots of mountains, there are many well-equipped ski resorts to meet different needs from different skiing enthusiasts. Additionally, a lot of skiing schools are at here for learners and rich experience trainers will teach you how to ski very well.

The most famous ski resorts in Hokkaido are recommended by authority organization is the club med Resort and Rusutsu Resort. Both of them are based on the resorts to show the characteristic of Hokkaido. It is a fantastic place to close to nature in summer while it becomes the paradise for ski lovers. the club med Resort in Sahoro, once host city of Winter Olympic Games, is designed by Delphine Leon, a famous French designers, and reopen in this winter to display another picture about the resort. The height of the mountains at here is at least 400 meters and up to 1100 meters, all the mountains are covered by snow and it would become a wonderful fairy tale world.

Another ski resort is Rusutsu Resort, which is called the best ski resort and the biggest resorts in Hokkaido. the spectacular ski resort consist of 37 skiing slopes formed by three mountains, Mt.West, Mt.East and Mt.Isola. The length of the longest trails for skiing is 3500 meters and the total distance for gliding is up to 42 kilometers.

Traffic condition: There are many airlines to Hokkaido, but most airlines need to transfer in Tokyo. Overall, it is very convenient.

Entertainment: The most wonderful characteristic of tourism in Hokkaido is mixing the skiing, hot spring and delicious food together. After a crazy day of skiing in snow, you would feel tired, so enjoying the hot spring may be your best choice for the next steps to relax both your body and soul. Finally, authentic Specialty of Hokkaido foods are offered to you and it won’t cost your excessive times and energies.

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Skiing is an interesting, fun and adventurous sport. It requires lot of dedication, passion and practice. Have you ever thought that it could also be career option for you? Do you dream of being a skiing instructor? There are many training institutes which offer recognized ski instructor courses. Some of these institutes also promise a job upon the successful completion of the course.

Being a skiing instructor is not difficult. If you are interested in being a skiing instructor you must enroll for ski instructor course. You could choose a course that can help you get a job in ski instructing in the best skiing places around the world. These courses could run from 5 days to up to 3 months. The 5 day course provides a basic qualification while the ones for a 3 month period are more comprehensive in nature. These courses are a good way of honing your skills in ski instructing. It is a formalized training course that follows proper teaching principles. Before you sign up for a course, ensure that you check the credentials of the ski training institute or the skiing instructors.

It is important to know that being a good skier alone is not a key criteria to become a skiing instructor since you may have the technical knowledge but you may not be able to communicate those skills to your students. It is not difficult to get a job in ski instructing as there is a worldwide shortage of skiing instructors. Please ensure that you choose a right course for yourself. There are some ski instructor courses which are recognized only at a national level and those that follow the standards recognized by the national organizations.

To know if your qualification is officially recognized, you must know about various organizations active in your country and internationally. The International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA) is the only association meant for professional ski instructors and it has about 30 nations affiliated with it. Similarly, there is British Association of Snowsports Instructors, The British Association of Ski Patrollers in the UK and the Canadian Ski and Snowboard Association in Canada. To know more about the member countries, you may check the ISIA website.

It is safe to assume that children just love the snow. If you grew up in a place where it snows every winter season then you must be one of those kids who look forward to playing in the snow. I even know kids who live in places where there is no snow wanting to travel to other places just for the snow and play in it. Of course, other than making snowballs, many activities can be done during the winter season. One of these is skiing, which is not only enjoyed by the kids but by the whole family as well.

Well if you decide to take yourself and your kids to skiing, you apparently need to get proper skiwear. This is especially for your kids who may be just starting out with skiing and who need better protection from cold, the blowing snow, and the rays of the sun reflecting off the snow. You would not want this activity to be less fun or be disastrous just because you failed to get the proper skiwear for your children.

Your kids can definitely not go skiing without ski boots, ski jackets and trousers as they are needed to keep your kids warm and dry against the wintry weather. Choose a pair of boots where there is enough space for your kid’s toes to wiggle. To make sure that the size of the boots is of proper fit, you can take the liner out the shell during try-on. Furthermore, what should come with the boots is a pair of light-weight or medium-weight socks.

A helmet is also necessary. It must fit properly and make sure that your kid is still able to see to the sides and hear normally. A pair of goggles is also needed and make sure that it will securely fit over the helmets. A pair of ski gloves or mitten should also be part of the whole skiing attire; you would not want your kids’ hands to freeze, making it hard for them to ski properly. It is recommended that you get a pair of mittens with elastic or a drawstring cuff and that have inner mittens, giving more warmth minus the extra bulk.

Besides proper skiwear, your child, of course, needs a ski. There are skis that are shaped specifically for children, so get one of those. The length of the ski is also crucial, but besides your child’s height, when getting the right ski length, you should also take into consideration his or her weight and his or her aggressiveness and ability. With regard to the poles, children generally do not use poles as these poles tend to be distracting; children make use of their upper body for balance anyway.

If you have spare time and budget then you can take your kid or kids to a skiing school before taking your skiing trip. This way, they will be more ready during that trip and they can have fun showing off to you their skiing abilities.

Moreover, as much as you invest time and some money on your children’s skiwear, you would also want to invest on skiing or any outdoor clothing for yourself. We will always have that kid in us that enjoy the outdoors. Have one of those ladies’ waterproof jackets or men’s waterproof jackets that can come in handy when you and your family are going for some trip or outing. Indeed, you and your family need all the protection you can get from the unpredictable outbursts of nature while you are skiing, hiking, or any other outdoor activity you are having.

Jo is an author and publisher for ‘Great Outdoors’ (http://www.greatoutdoors.direct.co.uk), a major seller of the finest camping and outdoor paraphernalias in UK. If you intend to go on a ski outing and need some childrens skiwear or just in search of a high quality branded tent, outdoor outfits and footwear, and other camping paraphernalias to buy at affordable prices then have a look at Great Outdoors.

To get the best out of a ski holiday, it is important to choose the right destination to suit the level of your group. This is especially true for beginners.

Nothing can put a beginner off skiing quicker than a week spent trying to ski down unsuitable steep terrain, or have to travel for miles to get to the beginner ski slopes.

We have therefore compiled our “Top Ten Ski Resorts For Beginners” list:

1. Les Arcs, France – Why is it good?

• Excellent nursery slopes directly above each of the resort’s main villages.
• Free beginner’s lift.
• Good range of early intermediate slopes as you progress.

2. Bansko, Bulgaria – Why is it good?

• Beautiful World Heritage Site.
• Modern lift system.
• Good range of nursery slopes.
• Great value – skiing here won’t break the bank.
• As you progress there is an excellent 16km intermediate run from the top to the bottom of the mountain (2560 m to 935 m).

3. Cortina, Italy – Why is it good?

• Breathtaking views over the Dolomites.
• Widely regarded as being one of the world’s most beautiful ski resorts.
• Extensive nursery slopes in the Socrapes area.
• Instructors who are especially good with kids.

4. Killington, US – Why is it good?

• No language barriers.
• Ski schools are excellent.
• Large nursery slope areas.
• “Discovery Centre” for complete beginners showing how your equipment works before you start to ski.

5. Lech, Austria – Why is it good?

• A classic alpine resort.
• Picturesque village with fine hotels.
• Very well regarded ski schools with good English speaking instructors.
• Plenty of runs for intermediate and advanced as well, so a good option for mixed ability groups.

6. Poiana Brasov, Romania – Why is it good?

• An great place to try skiing without breaking the bank.
• Two nursery areas.
• Helpful and enthusiastic instructors.
• Excellent nearby excursions (such as Dracula’s castle).
• Cheap and cheerful food, wine and entertainment.

7. Soldeu, Andorra – Why is it good?

• Often named as being one of Europe’s best beginner resorts.
• Two extensive nursery areas.
• Excellent ski instructors who are native English speakers.
• Good number of intermediate runs to progress to.
• Usually good weather (Sldeu means “Sun God”).
• Excellent nightlife.
• Duty-free zone, so can be cheap.

8. Tignes, France – Why is it good?

• High and very “snowsure”.
• Good range of easy to access nursery slopes.
• Good range of intermediate/expert slopes so a good destination for mixed ability groups.
• Lots of accommodation to choose from.
• Lots of non-skiing activities and great après-ski.

9 Wengen, Switzerland – Why is it good?

• Spectacular location under the north face of the Eiger.
• A great destination for families, with a well renowned ski school.
• Lots of non-skiing activities.

10. Chatel, France – Why is it good?

• Easy resort to reach either by flying into Geneva, or driving from Calais.
• Great range of beginners slopes, and good English speaking instructors.
• Part of the world’s biggest ski area (the Portes du Soleil) so plenty of runs for all abilities.
• Regularly receives on average the most snowfall in the alps, so one of the most snowsure non glacier resorts.
• Beautiful village with bags of charm and plenty to do off the slopes.

We also have some tips for beginner skiers, which should help make your first time all the more enjoyable:

1. Try and get some lessons in the UK before you leave, preferably in one of the real snow domes. This means that once you get to your resort, you already have an idea of the basics (how to put your skis on etc.).
2. When booking ask if there are any ‘Learn to Ski or Snowboard Packages’. This may include lessons, gear rental and a lift pass if needed.
3. Check to see if beginners can get away with buying a cheaper “local area” of “beginner” lift pass. There is no need to buy a pass for a huge area if you are only going to ski on beginner and early intermediate slopes.
4. If you want to learn snowboarding, check if the schools in your resort offer beginner courses for boarders.
5. Check that the accommodation is convenient for the pistes, the lifts and general amenities.
6. Rent gear to start with – it’s a lot cheaper.

Above all, remember that skiing is meant to be fun!

Ed Ockelton lives in the French Alps and runs White-Peak Ski Holidays France and All Mountain Ski Holidays.

You should not only run on skis with your legs, you must have your wits about you. In other words, you might easily run into a tree. Trees don’t step aside and are not to be considered as brakes. You must also be able to recognize bad snow. So take a good look at the terrain, the snow, etc. and consider how you propose to overcome this or that obstacle. Just as in business you have to prepare for all eventualities, the same applies in skiing. I have noticed, however, that the best business people with their agile minds are by no means the best ski runners.

Use Your Head

Everything has to be learned and mastered. Many ski-ing movements may reside in the blood, nevertheless you have to concentrate before every swing you make. While I have complete mastery of my skis, and can safely say that before each swing I am concentrating 100 per cent. I notice that I pass trees and obstacles whereas my pupils are apt to rush straight for them.

These big solid obstacles apparently have a particular attraction for beginners. In any case, the pupil has eyes in his head and he must learn to use these eyes to take in all the obstacles and to decide in a flash in which direction his swing must take place.

Just as important is the immediate recognition of different types of snow all of which need a different technique and get you into a host of troubles if you think that you can treat them all according to plan. So remember the precept, "Don’t run pigheadedly and heedlessly over the countryside but look round, reflect, make your decision at the right time and react as the occasion demands".

For Good Ski Runners and Those who will one day enter this Category

By and large, the ingredients which go to make an elegant skier who can run at speed are strong will, courage, agility, strength and endurance, keen eyes, a healthy heart and lungs, not to forget a sense for movement. The ambitious person who wants to develop into a crack skier must, apart from special talents, be endowed by nature.

Today the most intensive training and ambition are not enough to bring you into the foremost ranks of the game. But apart from talent, all those virtues which go to make up a good ski runner are to be found in a normal healthy man.

With time a feeling for the beauty of movement as you run will be born in you. This would go much more rapidly could the ski runner be able to see and observe himself. Unfortunately, it is impossible to surround the practice slopes with mirrors as is done in a riding school in order to check your position.

Many crazy shooting gallery figures would then disappear from the practice slopes and one danger would be removed from their fellow skiers. How many people feel that they have it in them to become racing skiers? Determination displays itself in ski runners above all in the fact that one is hard and uncompromising with oneself. You must never give up. Go on practising and practising and training even if it takes ages to learn the parallel swing. Practise your weaker side until you are as proficient as with the easier side.

It is a pity there is no comptometer that could show you how many falls could be avoided had the ski runner not given up the ghost. The fair sex, above all, but also the men should get into the habit of checking after each fall to see whether it could not actually have been avoided. All the figures in skiing demand a certain degree of courage and skill.

In this sport there are always dangerous surprises which on the slightest abandonment can entail a danger. One thing is certain, anyone who runs away from danger is at a disadvantage compared with the man who resolutely and calmly grapples with it.

With practice you will develop into the sort of skier you always wanted to be. Good luck!

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I took skiing lessons for six years, from the age of eleven until I was seventeen. During that time, some of my instructors were more memorable than others, but the one I will never forget was Stephan. The man was about 6′4″ with shoulders so broad they were appeared to stick straight out from his neck. When he skied, his skis were so close together that his body formed a perfect triangle. Needless to say, he was a very skilled athlete and an excellent teacher, but one of his methods for teaching (or torturing) his advanced students was to force us to ski down the hill on one ski WITHOUT poles.

If you’ve never attempted it, skiing on one ski is difficult, but if you add a no poles scenario to the equation, it becomes darn near impossible. Of course, the point of the exercise was to teach us balance, but for me, the unintentional upshot was an increased appreciation for my ski poles.

Most modern ski poles, as with most ski gear, fall into two categories: those intended for cross-country skiing and those intended for downhill. Although it is possible to use poles intended for one application in the other, I would not recommend it. Ski poles, while they appear simple in design, are specially designed to best aid the skier in specific situations.

For those of you who have never gone downhill skiing, first of all, you should. Second of all, when you do, you should make sure you get properly sized ski poles. When watching the speed skiers on the Olympics, it may not seem as though poles really serve much purpose. This, however, is not the case. Proper downhill skiing technique involves (among other things) carving turns into the snow with the edges of the skis. When the skier reaches the apex of the turn, he or she plants the inside pole and turns towards it, beginning a turn in the other direction.

The act of planting the pole may seem purely cosmetic, and in the case of an amateur skier it usually is. However, a well-planted pole can also go a long way towards establishing a good turning rhythm for an average or advanced skier. Consequentially, if the pole is too long or too short, the skier will find the act of planting it awkward and the rhythm will be thrown off. Additionally, a pole that is too short will result in an overly flexed stance, throwing the weight forward and increasing the risk of a fall.

There is a fairly simple method to determine if a downhill ski pole is the correct height. Turn the ski pole upside down, place the grip on the floor, and grasp the pole just below the basket (the found part at the bottom of the pole). Place your body, including your arms, in a skiing stance and put the grip in front of your feet. Ideally, the ski pole should force your arm to create a 90 degree angle. If it does, great. If not, try again until you find the right poles.

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Thanks to the state of the pound against the Euro, what was an expensive hobby has now become out of reach for many individuals and families. When skiing or snowboarding, it’s not just your accommodation and flights you have to consider; there’s lift pass, equipment hire, lunch on the mountain, lessons… add all that up and it comes to almost the same price as the accommodation!

When picking a ski resort, it’s often easier or more comfortable to pick a well know resort. At least you know people who have been there and the conditions are predictable. However this is where the cost of accommodation can sky-rocket. Some of the best know resorts are often the most expensive; Courchevel, Meribel, Zermatt, Verbier, St Anton, Chamonix to name a few. Here are some top tips for getting the best from your ski accommodation;

Accommodation

If you really want to ski these expensive areas then the top recommendation would be to go self catered. Particularly during peak weeks of Christmas, New Year, Easter and half-term. Seek out a nice big supermarket/hypermarket and stock up on the essentials and buy food to make a packed lunch. It’s often £10-£15 for a pizza in the mountain restaurants at the moment (not even the expensive ones!)

Chose a neighbouring resort. For example the top resorts in the Three Valleys are Courchevel, Meribel and Val Thorens. People often forget about little sister La Tania which is nestled inbetween Meribel and Val Thorens. Here you may be able to pick up a more reasonable catered chalet! In the Portes Du Soleil you could stay in Montriond or Ardent rather than Morzine itself. The lifts still link up to the same areas but you are often looking at £100-£150 pp difference in accommodation per week.

Choose a little known or smaller resort. Places like Nassfeld in Austria have had very little press coverage in the UK but offer fantastic skiing conditions. It is the biggest resort in Carinthia and right on the Italian border. They have recently built the the longest gondola ski lift and it benefits from having the longest floodlit run in the Alps, a section of the seven-mile Carnia run

Lift Passes

Depending on how good a skier you are and how good the snow is, you could save a packet by taking a "local area" pass rather than an "access all areas" one. In Portes Du Soleil, a full area pass for 6 days is £200. This covers 650km of piste! Unless you are super fast and planning to tour every day then you would have just as much fun picking a Morzine/Les Gets pass for £146. This covers two large ski areas with some excellent blues, reds and blacks. Most large ski areas; Espace Killy, Paradiski, Three Valleys and Chamonix Mont Blanc operate the same way. Check out the piste maps before you arrive to see if you really need that full area pass.

Equipment Hire

If you have your own boots and skis/snowboard then it will cost £30 return to take them on Easyjet. If you want to hire you are looking about £60 for skis only for a week, £90 including boots. So it would seem easier and cheaper to bring them if you have them. Or beg borrow steal. If you are travelling in a large group, negotiate with the hire shop to give them all your business in exchange for a 20% discount.

Flights

This is where you could either pick up a real bargain or be stung heavily. It would be my recommendation to get the cheapest flights to and from the airport and then find a chalet from there. If you only get 6 nights instead of 7 but you save 100’s of pounds on your flights then it would be the more economical choice. I like http://www.skyscanner.net to compare prices

Negotiate!

Book with independent chalets as they can offer a very tailored service. For example if you would prefer to stay only 6 nights to take advantage of much cheaper flights or a 4 night weekend break then this can all be arranged with the highest levels of service!

I specialise in bookings to owner run, independent chalets in the French Alps and can recommend the best chalet for your needs.

I also organise trips for solo skiers and snowboarders under the banner of Pistepals There are currently trips planned for Jan, Feb, March and April!

If you know a bit about the world of skiing, you might well think that the largest ski area in the world is the Three Valleys. You might also think that only glacier resorts such as Tignes are able to offer "snow sure" skiing. In both cases you would be wrong!

Currently, the largest linked ski area in the world is the Portes du Soleil area in the Northern French and Swiss Alps. The area has a string of impressive north facing slopes which when combined with the highest average snowfall in the Alps means that Avoriaz and Chatel tend to get some of the best snow conditions in Europe from the start to the end of the season. In fact, the Avoriaz ski domain keeps its lifts open well into May. Not bad for a resort with no glacier who’s lifts only go up to 2500 m!

Built on an impressive cliff top at 1800 m, Avoriaz is a striking purpose built resort. Its architecture evokes a mixed response. It is extremely convenient for skiing and is right at the centre of the Portes du Soleil.

Of course, purpose built resorts are not for everyone, and if you would prefer a more traditional chalet style resort, then Chatel might be for you.

Chatel is built on the side of a sunny south/west facing slope so visitors staying in the village get beautiful views up and down the picturesque Vallee d’Abondance. However, the strength of Chatel lies in its spectacular North facing ski slopes of Linga & Pre La Joux. These areas have some of the most exciting and interesting terrain in the whole of the Portes du Soleil, and two chairlifts will take you up to Avoriaz in about 10 minutes or so.

The area gets a phenomenal amount of snow on an annual basis, and because of its aspect, it keeps it well. The domain often gets slated for its low altitude (1200 – 2500 m) but those in the know have long since realised that a high altitude resort is no good if the area doesn’t generally get much snow!

Chatel itself is a beautiful place to stay. All the buildings are chalet style and there are a number of original old farms still full of cows to be found in and around the village centre. There is plenty other than skiing to keep holiday makers entertained – the village has two cinemas, an ice rink, a lake where you can go ice diving, lots of fantastic bars & restaurants, spa facilities in a number of hotels and a whole list of non-ski related activities such as dog sledding, snow shoeing and paragliding.

One of Chatel’s greatest attractions is that it is relatively undiscovered. It attracts "people in the know" who want to avoid the crowds and find the most extensive skiing in the best areas.

For more information on this beautiful resort, you can visit the Chatel tourist office site (http://www.chatel.com).

The village also makes a spectacular destination in summer, but that needs a separate article dedicating to summer in Chatel.

Ed Ockelton writes as a ski journalist for a number of ski related websites and runs ski chalets in Chatel

Located in west-central Colorado, Aspen can only be reached by traveling Highway 82 during most of the year. Otherwise, the best route during the warmest months is along Independence Pass, which offers breathtaking views all along the route.

Aspen, Colorado is home to some of the most magnificent views in the country. It is also home to one of the most prestigious and reputable skiing resorts. But, why would skiers choose this resort over the multitude of others that are famous throughout the United States?

Aspen, Colorado is a favourite resort town for year round fun and entertainment. Whether it is the middle of winter, or the warmest part of the summer months, it is the ideal vacation destination for many people. There is a wealth of history, culture, outdoor recreation and beautiful natural scenery to enjoy.

Most of all, the Aspen area is known worldwide for its fabulous downhill skiing and snowboarding opportunities at the local resort. Most of the public land is located within the White River National forest. All year long resort visitors can experience views of elk and mountain goats wandering freely through the wilderness.

Attractions

From the slopes of the local ski resort, Aspen visitors can experience incomparable views of the frequently photographed surrounding mountains. Restored historic buildings offer scenic outings with glimpses into the mining history and well preserved ghost towns of the area. Trout anglers can be seen year round wading in the chilly waters of the nearby river, which is fed by springtime mountain run off. Unpaved roads offer challenging off road experiences with spectacular scenery. The main roads are paved and are not lacking in their scenic attractions by any means.

Recreation

Aspen is famous for her ski resort. But Aspen also offers other outdoor activities. These include:

• Backcountry skiing (cross country)
• Snowshoeing
• Snowmobiling
• Snow camping
• Hiking
• Backpacking
• Camping
• Mountain biking
• Kayaking
• White water rafting
• Horseback riding
• Fly and rod fishing
• Hunting
• Hang gliding/paragliding

Climate

The local climate of Aspen, Colorado is unique to mountainous regions. Deep in the valleys, the highest summer temperatures can reach the lower 80s during the day. Then, they will dive to the mid to low 30s in the evenings. Winter can bring chilling temperatures that do not rise above the 30s during the warmest part of the day. But, other days you may find skiers in light sports gear gliding down the slopes.

There is relatively little humidity any time of year, but the higher elevations receive the most precipitation. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent and often a sight to behold. Thunder rattles the windows of the residences and lightning offers a massive and spectacular show, especially after dusk. At such elevations, snow can be expected almost any time of year. Most of the higher roads and trails are not clear of snow until well into July.

Dining and Nightlife

A vast selection of restaurants make the dining and nightlife rise above all others in the area. Culinary offerings range from understated comfort foods to luxuriously elegant eateries. You will find something to please even the most discerning palette. Outdoor activities include fireworks, music, concerts and movies, providing entertainment for all ages and allowing quality family time for exploration and entertainment.

If you have never been to Aspen, Colorado you’re missing out on the experience of a lifetime. If you are a returning guest, you are well aware that you are about to enjoy an exciting and memorable visit to the land of the aspen covered mountains.

For ski holidays in North America see yourandorra.com’s Canada skiing details.
For skiing in Europe the site offers ski holidays information for Andorra skiing – plus Austria, Switzerland and the ever popular French ski holiday too.

When you hit the mountain on your first skiing or snowboarding trip there are a lot of things on your mind. Are you going to embarrass yourself out there? Will you learn quickly enough? Most of all, you’re likely excited over how much fun you’re about to have. However, it’s important to keep in mind that skiing and snowboarding are sports filled with equipment, starkly colder weather, and the spending of money. So, on your first trip up the mountain, be sure to have the right equipment with you to ensure you are ready.

Everything you wear should be waterproof. You might have decided at the last minute to go on that ski weekend with your classmates, but you need to pick up or borrow something to wear other than your cotton sweater and long johns. If you don’t wear the proper waterproofed gear you’re going to be very cold, very wet, and very unhappy by the end of your first afternoon on the slopes. Don’t get sick right away. It’s not a good way to commemorate your first skiing trip.

Food is very important when skiing or snowboarding. You’ll be using a lot of energy up very quickly and you likely will not notice as you have the time of your life doing it. You should have energy bars or trail mix on you while out on the slopes and remember to feed yourself every couple of hours. It’s likely that when you step out there, you won’t be back inside for a few hours. In that case you shouldn’t be starving when you return. Stay energized.

Right along with forgetting to feed yourself, you might forget to hydrate yourself. While it’s cold outside and you’re wet, you are still exerting a lot of energy and in the process dehydrating yourself. It’s good to have a source of hydration on you at all times when exercising and when on the slopes. It’s even more important if only because you’ll likely forget you need it.

Bring along some cash and your ID. It might upset you to consider that you’ll lose any of it while swapping clothes and sliding down a mountain. However, it’s always good to be prepared and unless you live in the mountains, you’re likely far from home. If anything goes wrong you should be ready to deal with it. The last thing you need is to get injured and not be identifiable because you left your ID back in the city.

Have your cell phone neatly tucked away on your person if you can manage it. Preferably you will have a nice ski jacket with enough packets to hold all of your cash, ID, food, water, and cell phone. But if not, convince a friend to carry their or your phone on them. Once again, you don’t want to think about it, but if something goes wrong it’s best to be prepared.

None of these things include the basic equipment you’ll need when skiing or snowboarding. These are the essentials that everyone tends to forget, whether it’s because they are too excited or simply because they were in a hurry. The important thing to remember is that when you step out on that mountain you need to be prepared for anything, including bad weather, hunger, and thirst. You’ll be having too much fun to pay attention to the details, so thinking ahead will go a long way in making sure you’re covered by the time the sun goes down.

Tony Brian is a freelance writer for outdoor sports magazines and a contributing writer for milsim gun stocks specializing in snowboarding,skiing, and paint ball pods.