Ski specialist shares packing tips
Brighton-based ski company Ski Beat has published a list of the most ridiculous things skiers take on holiday.
The specialist, which has been organising Alpine chalet holidays for 30 years, has also produced a list of the best things to pack.
Its list of ‘don’t take’ items include:
Skis: if you’re a beginner or once a year skier, don’t waste your time or money or energy taking skis from home to the resort. Ski technology changes so fast, rent, don’t buy, and you’ll always be ahead of the game.
Tea bags: come on, surely you can survive a week without your cuppa? Either way, don’t even think of bringing your own, Ski Beat chalets have plenty of English Breakfast and Earl Grey tea bags.
High heels: an absolute no-no. Chalet owners won’t appreciate stiletto holes in their wooden floors, flat boots are best for bars and it’s a definite snow-go outdoors, especially for the guys.
Ski Beat’s tips on what to take include:
A plug bank: the kind with six sockets and one plug. Then you’ll only need one travel adaptor and can use all your appliances with their UK plugs.
Duct tape: it was invented in WWII to keep ammunition dry. On a ski holiday it repairs rips and tears, seals luggage tightly closed, you can leave notes for friends (bring a Sharpie too), or tape keys, lift passes and money safely in jacket pockets.
External phone battery pack: cell phone batteries run out faster in the cold, take an external pack and a spare charger to avoid losing contact on the slopes.
Nail clippers: there’s never enough time to trim them at home and long talons are highly incompatible with ski boots and gloves. While you’re about it, bring a foot mask too. An hour in front of the fire in a Ski Beat chalet and you’re feet will be baby soft.
Slippers: highly nerdy, in fact the nerdier the better, but you’ll be the one laughing when others are clomping around the chalet in heels or rubbing their blisters when feet are throbbing from the day’s skiing.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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