I know nothing, nothing at all about skiing but have said "yes" to ds going on the school trip

[JenaiMorris]

I'm rather hoping that the school will do a presentation evening or something and at least give us a kit list, but what else do I need to know?

Do I need to send him to the gym (he's "not the most athletic of boys" according to his PE teacher - he was being polite)?

Will he be terrified of the ski lifts? Can you fall out of ski lifts? I know there was a tragic accident earlier this year in the news - but thousands of children go on ski trips every year and they come back in one piece as a rule, don't they?

Is Sports Direct kit good enough?

What else haven't I thought of that I need to panic about?

[exoticfruits]

I expect he will love it!
There is ages to go and they are bound to give a kit list and ought to have a presentation.
Ski lifts are very safe. They also start on nursery slopes and get used to them gradually.
It helps to do some exercises- it just means that you are less stiff when you start.

[DontMeanToBeRudeBut]

Are you anywhere near an indoor ski slope? My school organised a few lessons at our near-ish one so the children who had never skied before could get used to the ski lifts and basic skiing. It was brilliant and really helped us make the most of the trip.

[newgirl]

Definitely get to an indoor slope and maybe get some lessons for him so he can try walking in ski boots, try easy lifts etc

You need a fair amount of kit (trousers, jacket, long sleeve tops, ski socks, flee e) so start looking on eBay and at outlet shops as it can be expensive to get reasonable stuff. Boots skis helmets they will hire at the resort.

[notnowImreading]

He will be fine. I have been on lots of school ski trips and children with limited fitness and coordination generally still have a good time. Cheap kit is fine, especially if it is late in the season as many school trips are. The chair lifts are lovely - it is magical to float quietly over everything - and school trips should be well supervised so made safe.

I would strongly, strongly recommend a helmet. Most school trips now will insist on these as a matter of course but if they don't, you should. This is from my own point of view when I as a fairly reasonable skier fell on my head on a easy-ish, flat-ish bit and knocked myself out. I fell again on the same bit a couple of years later (perhaps I should reconsider my evaluation of my skiing skills) wearing a helmet and didn't knock myself out. It was much better the second time around.

[exoticfruits]

I expect they will hire helmets in the resort- it is now very common and I wouldn't want to ski without one now.
A dry ski slope is a good idea- even if just the one visit.

[JenaiMorris]

Aw, this is brilliant everyone. Thank you :)

When we got the letter home and ds asked I said "yes!" straight away and then started thinking "OMG". I've always wanted to go skiing but it's not something we're likely to be able to do as a family and so I've been looking forward to being able to send ds.

The cost includes helmet hire I think.

I've looked at a few dry ski centres - there are a couple not too far away.

Arf @ 'limited fitness and coordination" notnow - that's ds down to a tee. I am HUGELY impressed by PE these days - had ds been at my school back in the 80s, where it was all being the last to be picked, gym knickers, sneaking off to smoke fags and getting yelled at for being rubbish, he'd have hated it, but it's one of his favourite subjects. The sporty ones still get to do county level stuff and so on - goodness knows how they manage to differentiate so effectively.

Right well I'm back to being excited for him now rather than terrified

[exoticfruits]

Great!

[CatherineofMumbles]

Lucky him, I'm sure he will love it! My own two DC have said that the ski trip were the highlight of the year, and neither is athletic.
What time of year will he be going? I have found the best place for cheap warm ski gear is Matalan and TKMaxx. As long as he has some layers (cheap thermal and fleeces from primarmi perfectly good), and he has decent gloves (eg from Mountain Warehouse, not expensive) he will be fine. The school will include helmet hire, and will insist he wears it.
He will have fun!!!

[EuroShaggleton]

Also take a look at Decathlon for cheap kit. This time of year you might catch the tail end of some sales of winter sports stuff!

[ExitPursuedByABear]

My DD went last year for the first time. The school provided a kit list and had an information evening.

DD is the biggest wuss going, she hates fairground rides etc so I was genuinely concerned about the lifts, but she absolutely loved it and is going again this year.

[JenaiMorris]

Oh that's good to know, Exit. TBH it's me who is scared of heights, not ds. I made a complete arse of myself aged 10, with a bunch of school friends on the big wheel at the fair - this has scarred me for life


Decathlon, TKMaxx, Primark and Matalan duly noted.

The trip is in February. I've been looking online and I am - looks amazing.

[badguider]

second Decathlon for stuff, it's dead cheap and pretty ok quality - it's what all the french wear.

And having at least one lesson before he goes (ideally on an indoor snow slope - tamworth, milton keynes, glasgow.. maybe others) but if not on snow then dry slope. He won't learn to ski in one lesson but will become familiar with the equipment which will help him get into it before his first lesson on the trip :)

Skiing is fantastic and really helps with balance and coordination etc and can be good for non-sporty people getting active.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Where is he going? Dd did not have any lessons before she went. I have looked at the chill factore for a refresher but find what is on offer so bloody confusing.

The instructors are prepared for complete beginners, and dd was skiing down impressive slopes by the end of the week.

[calamityjane]

My ds is going in February 2014 with school and we are going to book some lessons at Chill Factore for his birthday. We are also thinking of getting him some of the kit for Christmas and asking family to do the same so it cuts down the cost.

[BackforGood]

Aldi always have ski wear in, usually around Christmas I think, and theirs is EXCELLENT value, if you have one near you.
He's have a whale of a time. I just love the generosity of teachers who organise these trips, and give dc the opportunities to try things we'd never do as a family

[exoticfruits]

Lidl is good too.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Which lessons are you booking?

Going to do the same with kit. Last time we borrowed but she wants her own this time.

[Lilymaid]

I have a very non-athletic DS and he loves skiing. He'll never be a fantastic skier but is a confident intermediate.
A session or two on a dry ski slope (or better still at an indoor slope) will teach him the basics and make his holiday even better.

[BendyBusBuggy]

In terms of kit, here's my priority list:
-good socks (nothing worse than your big toe freezing into your boot)
-good gloves that fit
-a coat with a snow guard to avoid the snow riding up when he falls over
-decent sunglasses

• microfibre snood
  

-all the other stuff (ski trousers, ski underwear, hat, ...)

You could check out lands end too, some of their stuff is really good value in the sales

[BendyBusBuggy]

Oh and try to get layers, February can be really cold or very warm if the sun comes out

[calamityjane]

Don't know which lessons Exit as I have left dh in charge of booking them

What are the best socks Bendy?

We can also hire helmets from the school which is one less thing to worry about!

[CatherineofMumbles]

don't worry about the lessons - the school will take care of that - they will send you a letter and you will say whether he is beginner, intermediate etc... regardless of that, they will be assessed on the first day anyway.
Please don't worry too much, as long as he has a two or three thermals (tops and bottoms), 5 pair of warm socks, warm gloves, a ski jacket and trousers, he will be fine, will have a fantastic time.
I usually packi in the DC suitcase one of those mulitpacks of mini mars bars etc (£2 in Asda) to take one a day as a snack in their jacket pocket.

[JenaiMorris]

Yay! Thanks everyone :)

I have added Aldi to my list of shops to visit (I bloody love Aldi and Lidl - nearest ones are about 10 miles away, but any excuse).

I will send snacks, but wouldn't be surprised if they don't make it as far as Calais (or at least beyond the first night, assuming they can't get to their bags en route).

They're going to Zell am See.

[BendyBusBuggy]

Oh if you can get the socks at Aldi they'll be fine. I've had Aldi ones. My Parents got my dcs Falke ones. They're great but a bit dear www.socksfox.com/falke-sk1-kids-ski-socks-p-280.html

[WandaTheWalrus]

Our school had a kit evening where a specialist schools skiwear company came, and we could, if necessary, hire sallopettes and jackets before they went. They were selling inexpensive socks, gloves, base layers, goggles, pass holders etc on the night.

school also organised dry slope lessons.