How to choose the best ski resort: top 5 effective life hacks

Skiing or snowboarding in the mountains is one of the best winter vacation options. You should start preparing for such a trip a few months in advance: buy special clothes and equipment, choose a country, book tickets and a hotel, and pack your things.

OBOZREVATEL shares effective life hacks that will help you choose the best ski resort among hundreds of offers. You should pay attention to the following points:

Your skill level and the difficulty of the slopes

Ski slopes are usually classified into three levels of difficulty: easy, medium, and hard. There's no need to think too much about it: if you're going for the first time, low slopes with instructors and few people will suit you. If you are experienced in winter sports, you will not be interested in simple slopes at all. However, you shouldn't overestimate your abilities. Most resorts offer trails of varying length and difficulty, so you can gradually move from one level to another.

Before you go, consider:

• whether you have had any injuries in the last 6 months that could affect your safety while skiing or snowboarding;
• whether you have any medical conditions that are not recommended for skiing;
• whether you have any special requests that should be taken into account during your trip.

You can check the available difficulty levels on the official websites of the resorts. We recommend that you pay attention to the reviews of tourists, as there may be a lot of useful information there. Namely:

• how clean and comfortable the slopes are;
• how much snow is on the slopes and whether it is artificial or natural;
• how convenient it is to use the ski lifts;
• how long the queues are at the resort.

Number of people on the tracks

This may seem like an insignificant detail. If you have been spending time at ski resorts for many years, then a large number of vacationers on the slopes will not be a problem. However, for beginners, it will be difficult to master skiing or snowboarding on very popular slopes. The body is not yet accustomed to new loads and the reaction is not fast enough, which can lead to accidents and injuries. There are several ways to check how many people are actually going down the mountain at the same time:

• via an online broadcast, which many resorts do;
• by reading the comments;
• by asking the administration for directions by phone or through the website.

Air temperature

It seems that it is better to go down at a positive temperature. However, this is a misconception. The most comfortable temperature for winter sports is 10 degrees below zero. In such weather conditions, the snow does not stick to your equipment, but it is not too cold and you can feel comfortable.

Infrastructure

One of the main points when choosing a ski resort. No matter how convenient the slopes are, it will fade into the background when you have to travel 3 hours to get to them. The fact is that not all slopes are in popular locations. Sometimes there are no bus stops or accommodation facilities around. Thus, check:

• what hotels and guesthouses are located nearby;
• how many cafes and restaurants are in the resort and what the prices are;
• how to get to the nearest city;
• where the hospitals and emergency services are located;
• how public transportation runs;
• how far away are the train stations and airports.

Additional services

No matter how much you love skiing or snowboarding, it's unlikely that you'll spend your entire vacation on the slopes. Therefore, check whether the chosen city has other types of entertainment that would satisfy you.

This is not the whole list of important things to consider. Do not forget about your special needs that may arise during the trip. For example, if you are traveling with small children, you should pay attention to the quantity and quality of entertainment for them, the availability of animators and specialized trainers. Or, if you don't eat meat, you should check the selection of restaurants and cafes where you can dine.