With the sudden plunge in temperature, it’s safe to say winter has well and truly started – making it the perfect time to book your next winter getaway.
Having recently enjoyed a trip to the slopes in eastern Victoria’s Mt Buller, Winter Olympian and Toyota ambassador Belle Brockhoff has shared ten tips for making the most out of your next winter trip.
Wear sunscreen
The cold doesn’t stop the UV rays – in fact, the snow actually reflects the sun’s rays, meaning double exposure when on the slopes. Using a sunscreen that’s designed for exercise will keep you protected while you master the snow.
Nappy protection
For beginner snowboarders who are more likely to fall back onto the snow, duct tape a couple of nappies down the backside of your pants. If you’ve ever been hit in the tailbone, you’ll know why this might be a good idea.
Road to the Snow
Consider the type of vehicle you’ll need to travel to the slopes. We might forget being in warmer climates for a majority of the year that the roads can get icy with snow settling, making it harder to drive. It’s best to drive a 4×4 vehicle, I always drive my Toyota Kluger up to the slopes – it fits all my friends and all our snow gear too.
Don’t forget the snacks!
Pack snacks in your jacket pockets. Time flies when you’re having fun, which is inevitable in the snow and hitting the slopes so make sure you’re stocked up for any emergency hunger situations.
Early Birds catch the fresh snow
It’s best to set the alarm as early as possible, this way there will be fresher snow and minimal queues for equipment hire and ski lifts.
Snowboarder and three-time Olympian Belle Brockhoff has shared some tips after taking her own trip to the slopes. Image: Supplied
Snap the Stacks
The funniest moments are the unexpected moments, and when mates (or you) have a blackmail-worthy stack on the slopes it’s a must to document the footage for eternity (or at least submitted to Jerry of the Day and/or Slalom Tokyo drift.) Or simply just take photos to remember the experience.
Mid-week tricks
While the slopes are fun at the weekend, travelling up and practising tricks during the week is even better. It’s the perfect time to grab a bunch of friends, hit the quiet slopes and enjoy fewer queues and wait times.
Remote access
Now that majority of workplaces are allowing a ‘work from anywhere’ policy, pack up the laptop and head to the snow. Most resorts have great Wi-Fi access and multiple quiet places to take meetings and calls.
Invest in (or borrow) a pair of waterproof snowboarding/skiing pants
This means your bum will stay dry and therefore a LOT warmer.
Keep an eye out for a clear night
Away from the metro city lights, there’s less light pollution, especially on the hill. There’s always a beautiful sunset to keep an eye out for and an amazing view of the stars. Always look up to admire our starry night sky when it’s a clear night.
Image: Supplied
This article first appeared on OverSixty.