Picture it, stepping out of the lodge onto the snowy slopes, the crunch of snow under your feet and the fresh mountain air in your lungs. The holiday season is upon us, and just like that, your skiing holiday is over. You might be tempted to dash back to the lodge for a hot toddy or to exchange your skiing gear for a pair of flannel trousers and a red cardigan.
What if I told you there was a way to continue enjoying that luxury ski holiday – even after the last lift stopped running?
With a little planning and ingenuity, you can put together a ski swap in a way that works for everyone. Here’s how it goes:
Table of Contents
Swap Meetin’
The very first step of a ski swap is for everyone to meet up and exchange details and ski equipment. This is a time for everyone to get to know one another and to establish good, old-fashioned neighborhood relations. The host of the swap, usually the lodge owner or ski instructor, will make sure that everyone is comfortable and that no awkward social interactions occur. He will also do his best to prevent anyone from overindulging during the swap.
The organizer of the swap will create a wish list for each person. On this list, they should include things such as ski equipment, ski passes for other resorts, gift certificates for bars and restaurants, etc. The goal is for everyone to get something that they want and for the swap to be as smooth and luxurious as possible.
Skiing Is Backwards
After the meeting, guests will break up into groups. Depending on the number of people involved, this might be done in a relaxed and informal setting such as the lounge at the lodge or in a more structured manner at another location. In any event, at this point you will have a short time to get ready for your first ski run. Remember, the skiing will be backwards: You will be doing the driving and the looking after the kids while the adults get on with the skiing. This is something to keep in mind as you gear up for your day out.
When it comes to the actual skiing part of the holiday, you will do exactly what the name implies: Skiing will be done in a backwards manner. This is to allow the kids to have fun while their parents get some exercise. As a result, the skiing part of the holiday might end up being shorter than expected.
A Little Bit Of Everything
When you swap your ski gear, you will discover that not all of it fits perfectly. This is completely normal. Depending on the group you are in, you might end up with someone lending you their ski boots, for example, or your ski pants not fitting everyone. This is why it’s a good idea to bring a few pairs of each item of clothing.
What’s also normal is that your skiing experience might not match that of a professional skier. This is something you have to be prepared for and something that makes it all the more exciting!
No Stress
Finally, before we forget, let’s not forget about the most crucial part of this process: it’s very important to have a good time. You made it through the whole process, and that’s a major achievement. There should not be any stress associated with it, and everyone should remain relaxed and have fun. This is how you put a smile on the faces of your friends and family back home. As long as you keep all of this in mind, you are sure to have a good time and enjoy the process.
Skiing is a wonderful sport that can be enjoyed by anyone. With a little planning and ingenuity, you can make the most of any situation and have fun with friends and family. A successful ski swap will make everyone happy and let you continue enjoying that luxury ski holiday even after the last lift stopped running.