First Ski Holiday: What to Take with You and What to Rent?

You can spend holidays not only on beaches and pools, on city avenues and on historical excursions. In winter, you can and should ski!

And for this, you need to go to a ski resort. The key to success, in this case, is proper preparation.

Let's take a closer look at how to get prepared: what to take with you and what to rent in the resort.

Health issues

The first thing is insurance. It must cover the probable injuries sustained during extreme sports. You need to see if it covers medications, doctor visits, hospital stays.

You should also take your medicines with you. In addition to the standard hiking kit at a ski resort, the following items are relevant:

• anaesthetic;
• ointment for sprains;
• ointment with a warming effect;
• sunscreen SPF30 or more (you can take a special winter one);
• elastic bandage;
• plaster;
• frost-protecting hand cream from Neutrogena or another proven brand.

You can purchase some of these items in the MAKEUP online store.

Clothing

You can take some clothing items with you, while others can be rented. Clothes that you will definitely have to buy are the following:

• thermal underwear;
• knee-high socks;
• a jacket made of fleece or similar material;
• trousers and a jacket with a breathable membrane that evaporates sweat and prevents water from getting inside;
• a balaclava;
• gloves or mittens.

When choosing the upper clothes, pay attention to the following parameters:

• Water resistance should be no less than 5000 mm.
• Water vapour permeability should be no less than 5000 mm / m2x24h.

We strongly recommend you rent these items when you are skiing for the first time.

Ski equipment

Just like with the pieces of clothing listed above, we recommend taking the ski equipment for rent. Here are the items you will need:

• Ski boots. They should fit snugly around the leg, but not press or dangle. Also, make sure that the heel does not come off the insole when you stay on the toes. Rigidity also matters: for beginners, boots made of non-rigid plastic are suitable. When choosing boots, prefer models with metal fasteners: the chance that they will suffer from a fall is much lower than that of plastic ones.
• Skis. They are the thinnest and most personal element of all ski equipment. Aside from the brand (manufacturer), you need to choose a model. So, it is best to interview as many experts as possible and try several skis yourself in the rental. You will feel the difference not earlier than in 3-5 trips. There is, however, a universal rule: if you ski often, then you will want to change the entry-level skis (usually softer and shorter) quickly.
• Ski poles. Different types of skiing require different lengths of poles. Longer for carving, shorter for freeriding with its low ride. Take a ride, then decide on the length and model (and there are many of them).
• Ski helmet. The main thing is to try it on with a comforter. Otherwise, later, it may not fit. The helmet should sit tightly on the head, but not press or dangle. After 4 hours of riding in a helmet, any slightest discomfort will turn into pain.
• Ski goggles. Experienced skiers recommend choosing mirrored goggles. Mirrored coatings can block up to 50% of the light, which is what you need in sunny weather.

It is better to take bulky equipment right on the mountain. Yes, it is cheaper to take the equipment in cities remote from ski resorts, but there is a plus in renting on the mountain: you do not need to carry bulky and heavy equipment. Also, at the rental office, you can leave your stuff (boots, bag, etc.) in the storage room. It is better to choose a rental as close as possible to the lifts. This way, you will have to drag skis and poles less on yourself.