Guest post contributed by Savannah Wardle
Interested to try skiing for the first time? There’s no time like the present. Here are a just a few reasons why you should try skiing this winter:
It’s a Great Way to Get Fit
Skiing is an excellent calorie burner. You can burn up to 3000 calories in six hours just shooting down the slopes. It offers aerobic, cardio and strength training all in one. And it’s good for your mental health too. This is one the few holidays where you could return home lighter and fitter than when you left.
Beautiful Scenery
You have to be a pretty dedicated hiker to tackle the snowy peaks you see while skiing. However, with the handy help of a ski lift, skiers can enjoy all of that breath-taking scenery at the top of a mountain without the same monumental level of skill and effort. They also have the added bonus of an exhilarating ski back down before doing it all over again.
It’s a Great Winter Break
Rather than heading off for the far flung reaches of the other hemisphere for a little winter sun, enjoy the cold and the snow closer to home. If you tend to get bored on a standard beach holiday and yearn for something a little more exciting, skiing could be just the ticket. It’s exciting, challenging and something a little different from the ordinary.
Enjoy Other Snow Activities
Whilst you’re up a snowy mountain, you may as well make the most of it, right? There are tons of snow and ice based activities to enjoy in the majority of ski resorts. Go ice skating on a frozen lake, go tobogganing down a snowy hillside. Some resorts also offer exciting firsts like a huskie sleigh ride or a day of snowmobiling.
Enjoy Comfort Food
After a day on the slopes, burning all of those calories and pushing those muscles to the max, everyone deserves a delicious dinner. Ski resorts and chalets do excellent comfort food, perfect for snowy winter days – think rich beef stews and cheese fondue. Delicious!
There’s an Après Ski For Everyone
You may already have an image of what après ski entails. For some, its afternoons and evenings of drunken excess, dancing on tables and making friends from around the world. However, there’s another less-touted side to the après ski experience. Fine dining restaurants and authentic local eateries can also be found within or close by the resorts. Whatever après ski you’re looking for, there’s a resort where you can find it.
It’s a Good Excuse to Pamper Yourself
Working hard on the slopes all day, your body deserves a little TLC. Book a chalet with its own hot tub and let the bubbles massage your well-worked muscles. Or head off to a spa for a full day of pampering. Many of the bigger resorts feature excellent spa facilities, meaning a day off from the slopes has never been so relaxing.
Learn Something New
How many holidays allow you to learn something new? Learning to ski is like learning to ride a bike. You’ll never forget the basics and, wherever you find yourself in the world, it’s a skill you can put to use time and again. What’s more, you’ll return home from your first ski holiday feeling proud of all the skiing you did and all of the fears you overcame.
Many first time skiers fall head over heels in love with the sport. Your first time could be the start of a lifelong obsession with the scenery, the culture, the food and the exhilaration associated with this incredible winter activity.
