Tips Archives - WhoSki.com

“I spent £1k on kit – most will never get used”

How much does it cost to kit your kids out for an expedition? And what if that kit never gets used?

The 2023 World Scout Jamboree – oh dear! We feel so sorry for those Scouts who had worked so hard for so long to get to South Korea, only for a series of organisational and climactic mishaps to make it a trip to remember for all the wrong reasons.

Costly kit lists

Here at WhoSki.com we were also struck by the words of one parent, who told The Times, “You get a big kit list… I spent about £1,000 in Decathlon. Most of it will never get used.”

If you’ve ever signed up a child for a Duke of Edinburgh expedition, an adventure trip or a Scout or Guide camp, you’ll sympathise.

Kitting out your kids with the necessary equipment for every eventuality – rain, wind, heat, insects, snow – is essential. The official kit list is lengthy. The cost is high.

But much of that expedition gear, which ranges from waterproof jackets to mosquito nets, Camelbak hydration carriers to gaiters, walking trousers to rucksack liners, barely gets used. Let’s face it, some of it never comes out of the bag.

Unused kit: perfect for re-sale

A lot of equipment is used only briefly because your teenage kids grow out of it before their next adventure. Which makes it perfect for secondhand re-sale. And WhoSki.com is the perfect place to sell it on.

We have expanded our categories beyond ski to include a wider range of pre-loved outdoor clothing and kit.

So rather than stuffing that outdoor gear in the loft, why not sell it on via our secondhand marketplace? It’s your chance to recoup some of your initial outlay and help make someone else’s DofE expedition a bit more affordable and sustainable.

Image by Freepik

What happens to old wellies?

I’ve lost count of the number of welly boots my family has churned through over the years. Which set me wondering: what happens to old wellies once you don’t want or need them any more?

We’ve all owned a pair of wellies. My current Hunter wellies have been going strong for about 15 years – and my daughter has inherited their predecessors.

Meanwhile, a cheapo Decathlon pair are doing sterling service as my rowing wellies, and shorty Joules wellies keep my feet dry while gardening.

Wellies are hard to recycle

Even when your wellies are made from certified eco-sourced rubber, mixing rubber with other materials during manufacture unfortunately makes them difficult to recycle when discarded.

It’s even worse for old wellies made from materials like PVC. Recycling of synthetics is still in its early days; they take hundreds of years to decompose in landfill and emit toxins when incinerated.

So choose carefully when you buy. Purchase pre-loved if you can, and never put old wellies in the bin: waste dumps are among the worst places they can end up. If there’s any life in them – no leaks, intact tread – try selling them via WhoSki.com or donate to a worthy cause.

Are your old wellies fit for re-sale?

If you are selling on or donating your unwanted old wellies, check that they are in good condition without cracks or damage that might leak. Make sure the soles are still in good shape, with tread robust enough to prevent slipping in mud or on wet surfaces.

When taking pics of your wellies for listing on WhoSki.com, photograph these details. If they are patterned, make sure the image is clear with no background clutter, to help bring your listing to life.

Eco-rubber boots

Remember: rubber comes from plants. Choosing wellies with FSC (Forest Stewardship Certification) means you can be certain the rubber comes from a sustainable source.

Wellington boot manufacturers which use FSC-certified natural rubber include Hunter Boots (which, sadly, went into administration earlier this year) and Lakeland.

Welly recycling options

If your wellies are too clapped-out to sell on, then check out local recycling point options. Try the recycle now site.

The French brand Aigle is a spendy option – warning, expensive! – but their boots are among the most sustainable you can buy and are guaranteed to last. Find out more.

Buy well to avoid welly waste

Keeping old wellies in active usage as long as they are fit for purpose is always the ‘greenest’ option. Recycling takes energy, and incineration produces toxic pollutants.

To reduce your environmental impact, consider investing in high-quality wellies that are made from sustainable materials and designed to last for many years. For kids, make sure their wellies are kept in active usage for as long as possible before they need to be thrown away. Sell them on via WhoSki.com or swap with friends and family to avoid buying new where possible.

Get creative with your old wellies

Once your wellies are really no longer wearable, perhaps you could repurpose them? Cut them down to use as shortie wellies, or transform them into planters.

Some schools and community groups use old wellies to plant up herbs and flowers, creating a fun and colourful display. It’s a good way for the kids to learn a bit about gardening as well as the impact of their wellies on the environment.

Got wellies you want to sell on? Visit the footwear section of the WhoSki.com marketplace to list your old wellies. Remember, we donate to charity on every sale.

A Women’s Guide to the Three Peaks Challenge

Thinking of signing up to the Three Peaks Challenge? You’re in luck. WhoSki.com’s Sally is freshly back with insider tips on conquering the UK’s three peaks in just 24 hours.

Read on for her women’s guide to the Three Peaks Challenge, with the low-down on those less-discussed issues you’re dying to know about but may feel a tad awkward in asking…

Sally writes: There were three topics that came up again and again among our eight-strong all-women group in the run-up to our Three Peaks Challenge:

Kit
Food
Loo stuff

Weirdly, these seemed to preoccupy us more than the training. Probably because they aren’t addressed on many blogs, which focus on how to prepare for the event through exercise, steps, hill walking and nutrition.

So here are my women-focused pointers for a Three Peaks Challenge newbie worried about what to wear and take, where you’re going to ‘go’ and what you need to eat to conquer a very challenging 2,957m of altitude over 26 miles in 24 hours.

Let’s start with kit

‘Pack light, don’t overthink it.’

Take walking poles and use them; you may sound like a clippy-clop horse on your gallop to the summit, but using them takes SOOOO much pressure off your knees. I borrowed walking poles from my sister and they were a godsend.
Pack a spare t-shirt and pair of knickers to change into for your final ascent. Simply swapping into a fresh top and pants was a massive mood and energy booster. Forget changing your trousers or shorts, though – it’s not necessary.
Carry some handy wipes (biodegradable, of course) and a small roll-on deodorant for a swift freshen-up during loo breaks.
Take a light blanket for the mini-bus. It was a hot weekend for our Three Peaks Challenge, so I pulled my blanket over my head to block out light while resting on the journey between ascents.
Glasses – a total pain in the backside. I kept misplacing mine on the dark minibus; take varifocals if possible and keep them in an easily accessible pocket.
If you want to take photos (bear in mind that if you’re taking your Three Peaks Challenge seriously, you won’t have time to stop during ascents and descents), keep your phone / camera in a pouch on your front so you can easily grab it for on-the-go photography.
Comfort is key when it comes to walking boots. Our final, relentless walk down Snowdon was the one that created the most foot problems – blisters on toes and bruised big toes (easily hidden using nail varnish). Socks are also so important: do not skimp on them.
Check your head torch at home before you set off on your Three Peaks Challenge. Wear it at night and in action to get the angle right to illuminate the path ahead of you.
Use a heel insert if you suffer any pain during training. I bought some Skechers Arch Fit trainers and wore them every day before the walk. They removed all my pain within 10 days, meaning the training played havoc with my feet, but the challenge didn’t!
Borrow kit or buy second-hand when you can – how often will you re-use walking poles or waterproof trousers? And clearly you should re-sell any kit after your event, if you’re not going to need them again. The WhoSki.com marketplace is a great place to do so!
We went with a Three Peaks Challenge company that provided a thorough kit list; make sure you take everything listed or you will not be allowed up those mountains.

food

I reckon I spent most of my time beforehand visualising what food I would be eating and when, and fretting about whether it would fit the mark to keep my blood sugar levels consistent. All our Three Peaks Challenge pre-meetings included long conversations about food.
Our guides provided snacks, but do supplement these with your own snack choices. Make sure they are easy to grab while you walk and avoid anything too dry as they will be hard to swallow. (My bag of Cheddars didn’t do it for me, as I discovered…)
The guides we went with didn’t supply bananas as they were concerned about the skins being discarded then decomposing too slowly and in the wrong place. I would have killed for a banana en route…
Experiment with different snacks before you set off. I visited Holland & Barrett for the first time in my life, and discovered that they had some great options for a non-nut eater like me.
Being unable to clean your teeth en route is horrid, especially with all that snacking. Chewing gum is the perfect mouth refresher during coach trips between peaks – also a good ice breaker to share with fellow walkers.
Disappointingly, there was no cup of tea or bacon butty for us at the end of the final mountain, so make sure you plan an early pit-stop on your journey home.

toilet stuff: we all have to do it…

If you are an all-women team, expect to queue. You literally cannot take a quick pee anywhere, on any of the mountains: there are basically ZERO trees and bushes to squat behind. Then, after you and everyone’s auntie have saved it up for hours, you will descend en masse for the paltry three public toilets – cross your legs, it can take a while.
Being on your period during your Three Peaks Challenge would be really tough. You may have to go for up to five hours without access to a loo. It is worth investigating whether there is any way you can manipulate your menstrual cycle to avoid having your period while you are walking. At the foot of Snowdon, our final peak, we ended up in a car park so early in the morning that no loos were open.
Farting: yes you will fart. You will all fart and you’ll smell other people’s farts. But you won’t care. The snacks play havoc with your gut as does the sleep deprivation, the altitude and the lack of sanitary arrangements on demand (see above). We all talked a lot about farting. Just make sure it’s not the only topic of conversation. We all do it but that doesn’t mean we all want to talk about it the whole time…
Pooing – make sure you carry your own loo roll as the car park loos are often lacking paper or the dispensers don’t work (as I found out. Big shout-out to my Three Peaks teamies who responded to my pleas for help…).

team spirit

I was lucky to be walking in a super-supportive Three Peaks Challenge group of women I regularly exercise with through FitState. We took it seriously, but not TOO seriously and felt able to admit ‘I could have thrown in the towel walking down Ben Nevis’ – ie our first peak – and still be picked up again by companions. Support and logistics would have been pretty difficult without doing the Three Peaks Challenge as part of an organised group.

The rest times en route between mountains really do re-energise you. Even when you pile onto the bus after a tough peak and think you can’t take another step, you’ll be surprised by how the journey puts things into perspective.

Lastly, I 100% recommend you share private transport – we had a mini-bus – on the way home. You’ll stink, be knackered and the public probably won’t want to be near you. But you can stop for a McDonald’s or a Greggs and not feel bad about it. And you can laugh to your heart’s content at your AMAZING shared experiences, however gruelling they felt at the time.

Now I’m back home, our achievement is still slowly sinking in – what we went through and how far we travelled together, with joyous flashbacks to some hilarious situations and memories of awe-inspiring scenery.

That will stay with me for a long, long time.

Sally walked the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of teenage mental health, raising money for WhoSki.com’s charity partner stem4. Visit her Just Giving page here if you wish to donate. We give a proportion of our commission on every sale via the WhoSki.com marketplace to stem4.

Green up your watersports habit

Outdoors, on the water, in the fresh air – we love marine activities. Simple steps will help you keep on the right side of the environment, to green up your watersports habit this summer.

CHOOSE BIO-FRIENDLY SUN SCREEN

It was established in the early 2000s that the chemicals in some sun screens are harmful to coral reefs. Further research indicates that protective sun creams can also damage other marine organisms including wildlife.

Oxybenzone and octinoxate are among the culprits, and sunscreen containing these chemicals is banned in certain sensitive marine environments and resorts. Check the ingredients in your sun cream: choose marine-friendly and biodegradable formulations.

Fresh water in lakes and rivers also suffer pollution by sunscreen, scientists now believe. Harmful side effects include the water surface ‘sun cream slick’ that can prevent aquatic insects from laying eggs, thus depriving other river and lake dwellers of food supply.

Chemicals in sunscreen can harm fish, mussels and algae too. Research continues, but in the meantime, opt for eco sun protection when you swim, surf, paddleboard – whatever your watersports habit.

LEAVE NO TRACE

Most of us are aware of the need to leave only footprints – but how about going one better, and heading home from the beach / riverbank / lakeside with MORE than you brought by doing a quick litter pick every trip?

Take a 10-minute walk up and down the waterside between paddleboard outings and gather whatever bits of rubbish or general manmade debris you find. Stick them in a bag and put them in the bin / recycling when you get home.

Look out for local clean-up initiatives while you are water-side and do your bit. Plastic Free North Devon, for example, runs a series of green action days to deal with the rubbish that is clogging our shores.

Surfers Against Sewage provides advice on organising a beach clean as well as listings for local beach clean up activities.

PASS IT ON

Look for secondhand watersports equipment before you buy new – and sell on any pre-loved outdoor activity items you no longer need.

For example, watersports kit like boogie or body boards, essentially a sheet of polystyrene wrapped in a thin layer of nylon decorated with a cartoon character or similar, are cheap to buy but an eco nightmare. Surfer Today calls them ‘a silent environmental disaster’.

Rather than buying a cheap single use board, bucket or spade for the kids that won’t even last the weekend, invest in quality equipment that you can use repeatedly, then pass it on to another family member or sell on via WhoSki.com.

Reducing consumption is key to reducing your carbon footprint, reducing air miles and preserving valuable resources.

RENT BEFORE YOU BUY

Not sure whether paddleboarding is really for you? Think you’ll only go surfing once a year? Maybe you don’t need to clutter up your shed / loft / garage with a large piece of watersports or outdoor activity equipment you’ll barely use.

However cheap it is to buy, it is much less costly to the environment to hire or rent your watersports gear where possible. Stuff like wetsuits, kayaks and canoes requires a lot in the way of (often unrecyclable) raw materials to create, and most are used very little.

Green up your watersports habit. Try hiring on the spot from local providers and check their eco credentials. Or take a look at our circular economy friends KitUp who are building a UK-wide network of outdoors equipment owners willing to rent out their equipment on demand.

Why new neoprene is a no-no: what happens to our unwanted wetsuits

3 ways to beat the weeds

A weed is of course just a plant in the wrong place. And when that ‘wrong place’ is stinging your legs while you’re on the trails, weeds are a pest. So how to stop the stings and beat the weeds next time you’re out biking, hiking or walking?

Our three tips on ways to beat the weeds:

1 LEGS UP!

Ouch! Cyclists, mountain bikers and trail bike commuters know. When weeds are right on your leg and ankle level, brambles and stinging nettles can be mighty uncomfortable. The solution? Sit down – legs up: freewheel through the worst and hope for the best.

2 ZIP-OFF TROUSERS

Convertible zip-off trousers may just be the spring hiker’s best friend. Legs on while you are thigh deep in skin-irritating weeds and nettles, then zip them off for comfort once you’re clear of the undergrowth.

Zip-offs have numerous benefits, and are perfect for DofE expeditions as they are so versatile.

Visit the WhoSki.com shop to buy and sell secondhand walking trousers in all styles.

3 LONG SOCKS

Warm enough to wear shorts at last? Walkers know, this wet spring has been boom-time for weeds with cow parsley growing higher than your head and super-strong nettles just waiting to do their worst. How can you beat the weeds when you’re staying cool in cut-offs?

Cover up is your best option. If you can’t face long trousers as above, opt for long socks and roll them down when you’re out of the weeds and into the meadows.

Long socks will also help prevent ticks jumping aboard if you’re in an area when infestations have been reported, or livestock have been grazing.

PS Don’t get us wrong: we LOVE weeds at WhoSki.com. In fact, we would say they probably aren’t weeds at all. Wild flowers and plants are essential for the bugs and birds that make the great outdoors even greater.

We are just not such a fan when weeds are causing us aggro on the trails (says WhoSki.com co-founder Nicola, who slipped on a muddy hike recently and landed in a patch of super-strong stinging nettles. Skin was still a-tingle THREE DAYS later. Ouch.)

End of season ski kit storage tips

Ski lifts are closing across Europe as ski season ends, and it’s time to pack away the ski kit in storage for another year.

Most of us are saying au revoir to our ski jackets and salopettes, and packing them away for the summer. Smart skiers take time to put their ski kit into storage properly for an efficient return to the slopes next season.

Follow these end of season ski kit storage tips to make life simple when you’re preparing for your next ski trip.

SKI BOOTS:

Make sure ski boots and liners are thoroughly dry before putting them into storage at the end of the ski season. Damp liners will start to whiff and deteriorate over time. Remove liners and allow them to dry thoroughly for at least 48 hours before replacing them inside your ski boots for long-term storage.

Check ski boot casing for damage – any cracks or issues will need attention. Lightly fasten buckles to maintain shape of the plastic outer boot. Fold straps carefully so kinks don’t set in, then place ski boots safely in their storage bag.

Make sure you keep your ski boot bag in a mouse- and squirrel-free area, ideally in a location that does not suffer huge temperature fluctuations.

SKIS:

Check for damage before storing away for next season. Scratches and chips on the base may need filling, while damages and dents on the edges may require repairs.

Getting them fixed now by a specialist means they will be ready for an early start next ski season.

Ask your technician to apply a coat of storage wax too to protect base and edges. This will feed your skis while they are in storage and prevent them from drying out. Don’t forget: storage wax will need to be replaced with a performance wax before using your skis again. Loosen ski bindings completely to help them stay in best condition while out of use.

Store your skis somewhere cool, dry and ventilated that does not experience big changes in temperature as this can stress your skis as they expand and contract.

SKI CLOTHES:

Top tip: take the time to put away your specialist ski clothing clean and tidy now, and you will save yourself so much aggro when you need it again next season.

Wash ski jackets, salopettes and ski pants using specialist waterproofing detergents as necessary and – preferably – eco-friendly products. Air or line dry where possible – tumble drying not only consumes planet-killing amounts of energy, it is also a leading source of microplastic pollution.

Make sure you follow full washing instructions as per the detergent brand you choose. Grangers is a Peak District-based company that offers a wide range of eco-friendly, tried and tested detergent options perfect for outdoor wear.

Now is also the time to sort out any repairs required for your ski clothes.
Small holes are easily fixed either DIY or by a local repair specialist. The better you care for your ski clothes, the longer they will last – the easier they will be to sell secondhand at WhoSki.com – and the smaller their (and your) carbon footprint.

Once your ski kit is thoroughly dry, close all zips and fastenings. Store ski clothes in labelled, sealed bags somewhere dark and dry, and remember to add moth deterrent if you want to avoid annoying holes in your merino base layers.

Clearly lABEL your ski kit

My biggest ski kit storage tip is to pack away outfits for each member of your family in separate bags/boxes. Label them clearly. This saves so much time when you are getting ready for your next trip. It also makes it simple to grab the relevant kit if any family member is going on a ski trip without the rest of you.

Got clothes or equipment that will no longer fit next year? Pack them away separately (labelled, obviously) so you can easily remember what to sell on via WhoSki.com in the autumn.

If your clothing is multi-purpose – such as base layers, fleeces – list it on WhoSki.com under our outdoor clothing category so it can find a purchaser who needs it for year-round activities such as walking, hiking, expeditions or camping trips.

If you have multi-purpose clothing such as baselayers or mid-layers, already listed at WhoSki.com you might also like to re-categorise it as outdoor clothing for an out of season sale.

Image by Freepik

5 ways to stay safe on the slopes

High profile cases serve to put the risk of ski accidents front of mind, so what can you do to stay safe on the slopes for your next ski trip?

Firstly, think positive. The statistics show that your chances of hurting yourself while skiing are low. French injury rates stand at just over two injuries per 1,000 skier days: a tiny risk.

But there’s still a lot you can do to help keep yourself safe on the slopes.

Piste studies show that ski accidents are more common on days when temperatures are mild, snow consistency is less predictable and the slopes are busier. Take particular caution on relatively gentle blue pistes where you’re most likely to encounter skiers of mixed ability.

In addition to ‘be wary on the blue’, watch your speed, and always look up the slope before you set off, these 5 ways will help you avoid injury on your next ski trip:

1 Wear a helmet

Head injuries represent less than 4% of piste injuries, and wearing a helmet reduces your chance of head injury by 35%.

2 Get in shape before you go

The organisation Mėdecins de Montagne warns that the highest chance of injury comes on day 2 of your ski trip, the infamous “Second Day Syndrome”, with people who are unfit at highest risk.

Shape up before you go and stretch every day while you’re in the mountains, using video ski fit videos from our fitness partner My Life Tonic, at 50% discount using the code WHOSKI50.

3 Stick to the piste

The number of fatal accidents on marked slopes has declined in recent years. However, off-piste deaths have risen due to increased numbers of free-ride skiers combined with more unpredictable snow caused by greater variability in temperatures and conditions in mountain areas.

If off-piste or back-country skiing is your thing, the Swiss Centre for Accident Prevention advises you to take avalanche training, go out equipped with safety gear and – ideally – only head off-piste in the company of an expert local guide.

4 Swap downhill for cross country

XC skiing injuries represent just 1% of winter sports injuries and no, cross country skiing is not just for the oldies. GB Snowsport cross country athletes are enjoying unprecedented success, with Andrew Musgrave scoring a Top 10 World Cup performance in Lahti this month against an army of Norwegians.

Another advantage: cross country is cheaper than downhill skiing because you don’t need to buy a lift pass.

5 Leave sledging to the kids

‘Fun’ fact: more than two thirds of sledging injuries are suffered by adults. Stay sensible and step away from the sledge. Especially after you’ve spent an evening in Dick’s Tea Bar.

Most importantly, every piste user should know and follow the FIS Rules of Conduct, the ‘Highway Code’ of the slopes. Read them on the Ski Club of GB website here.

Ace your Easter ski trip

Racing to the slopes for an Easter ski trip? WhoSki.com is your best piste pal for snow tips for all the family, every step of the way.

Survive the drive:

From TAG to aire, 15 years-worth of tips to ease your experience of the autoroute to the Alps. Read more: Ski-drive tips

Offspring going on a Uni ski trip?

There’s a lot that goes on that it’s probably best NOT to know. Ever. We persuaded some students to spill the beans and share their tips. Read more: Secrets of the student ski trip

Sell your ski stuff now:

Have you ever tried finding ski clothing in shops after February half-term? Our top tip – don’t bother! The shelves are full of summer sports gear already, making this the perfect time to list your good as new ski clothing at WhoSki.com for a quick sale. Read more: Five simple steps to selling your ski clothes

Dealing with reluctant skiers:

What can you do if your child – or grandchild – doesn’t like ski school? My daughter hated her ski lessons, for YEARS. Here’s what I tried, with varying levels of success… Read more: Help! My child doesn’t like ski school

Must-haves for a school ski trip:

Still looking for kit for a school ski trip child? The WhoSki.com shop is the best place to buy good quality ski clothes at great prices. Check our school ski trip essentials checklist to make sure you’ve got everything you need. Read more: School ski trip packing list

Cross country ski essentials:

If you’re hitting the trails rather than the downhills, we can help. It’s hard work – but super-fun. Here’s exactly what you should be wearing to stay warm, look good and avoid overheating when cross country skiing. Read more: Dress right for XC skiing

Shop sustainably. Buy and sell at WhoSki.com: we donate 25% of our commission to teen mental health charity stem4 on EVERY sale.

Image by derich on Freepik

Help! My child doesn’t like going to ski school

Having a child who doesn’t like going to ski school can ruin your ski holiday as well as theirs. Is there anything you can do?

Of my two children, one was a ‘Ski-Do’ at ski school from day one, aged five. He went off happily every day, eventually progressing to avalanche drill and schussing the scariest of couloirs with his cool dude instructors.

Child No2, however, was a classic ‘Ski-Don’t’. Didn’t like the ski school experience, was always the one hanging off the back of the ski tiddlers-snake, terrified of getting lost on the mountain, anxiety-induced tummy aches. To her credit, she did try her best not to cry until we’d dropped her at ski school, but it was stressful for all. Even now, a keen late-teens skier, she reckons she’s got ski-school-induced PTSD: “It’s not the skiing I disliked, mum, it was the lessons.”

Parental guilt, moi? Big time.

So, is there anything you can do to help your child who doesn’t like going to ski school? Here’s what I tried and how successful it was…

1 COMFORT:

Make sure your child is comfortable in their ski kit. Clothes should be warm and easy to take on and off. Snip out any scratchy labels. Let them help choose their outfit – wanting to wear the ski suit they specially selected for ski school might act as an incentive to join in with enthusiasm.
Success rate: 3/5 (On day 1, at least. Enthusiasm subsequently plummeted)

“I love my Barbie ski suit – but I still don’t like ski school”

2 A COMFORTER:

One year, my daughter spent her time on the slopes with a favourite doll tucked down her front, securely zipped inside her all-in-one. Did it help? Somewhat, although there were still PLENTY of tears. This was also the year she caught Norovirus and scarlet fever while in resort. Note to self: perhaps it’s NOT ski school that’s the problem?
Success rate: 2/5 (Slightly happier but no silver bullet. Feeling like c**p probs didn’t help)

3 SNACKS:

A little packet of sweets tucked into a safe pocket for break time is a good incentive, especially if your child isn’t normally allowed much in the way of ‘naughties’.
Success rate: 0/5 (No kidding my girl, who knew life would have been happier with us, slurping a chocolat chaud avec Chantilly in a cosy cafe)

Hot chocolate with Chantilly cream — You can see the appeal of a chocolat chaud

4 ANXIETY REMEDY:

I used to send my quivering child off to ski school sucking on a ‘braveness sweetie’, with a couple more zipped into a pocket. Braveness sweeties = fruit flavoured Rescue Remedy pastilles. Did they work? Well, research suggests that Rescue Remedies can help reduce anxiety. They at least gave my little girl something to focus on mentally to help manage her worries.
Success rate: 3/5 (Recommend. Pack enough so all the kids in your group can enjoy the braveness bonus)

5 THROW MONEY AT THE PROBLEM:

The year we abandoned group lessons in favour of a private instructor was the first year EVER my daughter did not hate learning to ski. We shared the cost across two families and guess what? It was worth EVERY PENNY.
Success rate: 5/5 (Happy child = happy parent. Daughter only required private tuition for a few years before she was able to ski en famille. Bingo!)

6 DIY aka ‘DO A SALLY’:

My WhoSki co-founder Sally gave up on ski school, and she and her partner taught the kids themselves. As she puts it: “Sometimes this was bonding and at other times very, very hard work!”
Success rate: 3/ 5 on a good day (but 5/5 for affordability)

To be honest, perhaps my daughter’s aversion to group lessons stemmed from a bad experience on a dry ski slope aged four, where she got hit in the head by a rogue button lift seat. Not a great start…

Have you managed to solve the ‘Ski-Don’t’ problem? Let us know on the WhoSki social media channels.

Huski delivers – the perfect NY’s Eve

Thinking about trying a Huski food delivery for your ski stay? WhoSki’s Sally reviews the Huski food ordering service for her New Year’s Eve arrival.

The worst thing about self-catering on a ski trip? Being tied to the kitchen every evening.

Arriving at your apartment after a long journey and immediately having to head for the supermarket (along with every other skier who’s just landed – this is arrival day, remember) can be a real downer to the beginning of your ski week.

So this year, we decided for the first time ever to go easy on ourselves and placed an order with Huski to cover our family of four for food on arrival night. Here’s how we got on.

PRE-DEPARTURE:

Huski’s website is easy to use, with plenty of options for all needs. My veggie son had ample choice, my other son chose Chicken Tikka Masala while we went for a more traditional French option of pork and rabbit. Click and order: simple. You can add wine and a range of puddings to your order for a 100% guarantee that whatever time you arrive, you’ll be catered for. We took our own rice to go with the meals.

We added details of our ski apartment provider and received swift confirmation from Huski that meals would be waiting for us on arrival, ready to cook – so no worries if we were delayed.

ON ARRIVAL:

A bit of congestion and far too many loo stops meant we arrived later than expected. We just about had time to drop our luggage and make a dash to the ski hire shop. It was New Year’s Eve, and we hadn’t booked a restaurant in advance so a freezer full of Huski goodies, exactly as detailed in the confirmation message we’d received earlier, meant we could relax and watch La Plagne’s New Year’s Eve firework display from our balcony in comfort.

THE FOOD:

All dishes were labelled with cooking times; we simply turned the oven on, opened a bottle of wine and played a game of cards. All the Huski food was really good and tasted like home cooking. I made one slip up with a pudding – my bad – from not reading the instructions properly, but we ate it anyway! Delicious.

VERDICT:

Huski offers a great selection of food including for vegetarians. High quality. Easy to choose and really easy to organise. Some portions were slightly small for my tall, ravenous teenage boys – but tbh that applies to almost every meal placed in front of them. Communications were clear, regular and reassuring, in fact far more so than the company we rented our apartment from. Containers were all recycled after we finished.

Would I use Huski again? Yes, definitely – and would also love a first night firework display every time I go skiing, if they can organise that too?

My Huski meal was ordered and paid for as a regular customer.

WhoSki.com has since negotiated an exclusive discount code WhoSki5 with Huski – use it for your next trip.

Survive the Drive: tips on driving to the ski slopes

With 15 years’ experience of driving to the Alps, WhoSki founders Sally and Nicola share their top tips to ease your next car journey to the ski slopes.

Motoring Essentials:

Paperwork: Take copies of your insurance and vehicle registration documents and an up-to-date driving licence.

In the car: In France, you’ll need reflective jackets for everyone / warning triangle in case of breakdown / replacement headlamp bulb.

For the mountains: Snow chains, plus a tough pair of gloves for fitting them. Check WhoSki.com for secondhand snow chains before you buy new, then sell them on after your trip. Or try renting them out via KitUp.

On the car: Headlamp beam converters if your vehicle doesn’t auto-adjust / UK sticker displayed on your vehicle / a Crit’Air vignette if you will be entering a clean-air city or area.

Speed things up: A windscreen TAG to fast-track your way through auto-route toll gates.

Family Essentials:

Set off with full water bottles and plenty of snacks.

Pre-pack name-coded bags of goodies for each passenger. If your kids are old enough to manage their own food intake, this will save considerable hassle for whoever is in the front passenger seat – as well as time and money at service stations en route.

Tuck a sick bag into seat-back pockets: zig-zag mountain roads can cause havoc with little tummies.

A blanket and a pillow never go amiss on a long car journey.

Keep snowboots accessible – you will need them if you have to stop and fit snowchains, plus you may need them when you arrive in resort.

The Overnight Stop:

Pack an overnight grab bag to avoid unloading the car. Make sure you’ve eaten before you check in – or take food to eat in your accommodation. Looking for somewhere to eat late at night when you’ve got a car full of tired travellers is predictably awful.

If driving at February half-term, set off on the second leg of your journey as early as you can bear. Hitting the road at 5am rather than 6.30am can make the difference between arriving in your ski resort in time for lunch – or just about making it for a bad-tempered supper after a long, slow slog up the mountain in a traffic jam.

Let the kids travel in their pyjamas and pack everyone their own ‘breakfast grab bag’ to stave off hunger until your driver needs a coffee and a croissant stop.

Tips for an Easier Journey:

Print out / download all your arrival details in advance so you know where you’re staying / how to get there / where to park. WiFi can be annoyingly sporadic in the mountains so don’t rely on Google Maps to help you out.

Toilet stop required? Aim for one of the simpler ‘aire de repos’ picnic areas rather than a service station to avoid queues for the toilet.

Get the kids to download a heap of TV shows / movies to their devices in advance. A long car journey is not the time to get fussy about screen-time limits. Invest in dual chargers to avoid anyone running out of juice.

Last-Minute Planning:

FOOD on arrival: If you’re self catering, ordering a meal for the day you arrive is a no-brainer. The convenience of not having to shoot off to the supermarket the minute you ‘land’ cannot be underestimated, and leaves you more time to pick up your ski equipment from the hire shop.

Huski delivers throughout the French Alps, with plenty of tasty choices for all needs (veggie, vegan, gluten-free etc). Let them know where you’re staying and they will deliver in advance right into the freezer of your ski apartment. Sally can confirm: the food is great.
Use our Huski discount code WhoSki5 for money off your order.

THE auto-route TAG: If you haven’t already got one (mentioned above), you can order a speedy delivery windscreen TAG to fast-track your way through auto-route toll gates. It is seriously worth it.

Driving Home:

The journey home is much easier to do in one go if you can share the driving. Always take breaks and do not drive if tired. Overnight accommodation on the way home can make for a more relaxing experience, though the time difference is in your favour for getting it over with in one go.

Sell like a pro: price it right for a successful sale

Are you new to secondhand marketplace selling? Take our advice to create the most effective listing and help your ski clothes sell FAST!

Part 3 : Pricing your item right will help it fly out of WhoSki.com and into the hands of another skier. If your goal is to sell quickly and your motivation is to keep ski clothes out of landfill and in active usage: our secondhand selling tips should help.

Perhaps your pre-loved ski kit has been on sale for a while but still not been snapped up? A price reduction might help… Read on for more secondhand sales pricing tips.

Part 1: Our tips on how to post images that will help sell your ski clothes

Part 2: Our tips on how to write the best description for a successful sale

1 Get the pricing right

Experienced skiers know that a new designer ski jacket could come with a £500+ price tag. But let’s face it, most of us would not dream of paying jaw-dropping prices like that.

Be realistic when you are pricing your pre-loved garment for re-sale. Think affordable. However, be wary of pricing it too cheap unless you really want a fast sale – buyers may suspect it is damaged or of poor quality.

Top tip: Use the description box to mention the as-new RRP of your item to make it clear what kind of deal your buyer is getting.

2 What is a realistic price?

Bear in mind that secondhand items rarely sell for even half the original price, unless they are pristine ie unused, with the original labels still attached.

Selling on your pre-loved clothing helps reduce its (and your) carbon footprint. It is a way of recouping some of your outlay but we advise that you set your sights realistically. Think about the eco benefits of ensuring your clothes get maximum wear – and remember we donate to charity on every sale.

Top tip: High Street brands sell quickly – they are affordable and your customer is familiar with them, so do price accordingly. People will spend more on designer brand ski clothes, but remember affordability is key in the secondhand sector.

3 Check the competition

Browse the WhoSki.com shop on a regular basis. You will start to learn what sells, at what price, and what seems to shift more slowly. Make sure you are signed up to receive our emails which announce new listings so you can keep an eye on the competition. (If you’re not already a WhoSki.com member, register here for email updates.)

When pricing your pre-loved outfit, check what else is on offer at WhoSki.com. If you spot something similar, check the cost and think ‘Would I pay that?’ to give you a steer on your price point.

Top tip: Selling items affordably as a set rather than individually may help attract a buyer eg a pack of ski socks, a selection of base layers or matching ski jacket and salopettes. If they don’t sell, split and re-list them individually.

4 Be prepared to drop your price

We are a fixed-price marketplace, not an auction site, but it is easy to adjust the pricing of your items if you find they are not selling. Simply log in, visit your account and edit your listing. You can also re-write the description to make it clear you have reduced the price, if you wish.

Top tip: Think about timing when trying to sell your pre-loved ski clothes. The pre-Christmas period is buzzing as is half-term for kids’ stuff. Towards the end of the ski season, there is generally little ski clothing left in the shops so you may well clinch a last-minute sale at WhoSki.com.

One extra point to bear in mind: the ski season for UK skiers is relatively short. Most transactions in our marketplace take place between October and April, but you can leave your items on sale at WhoSki.com for as long as you like. If they don’t sell this season, they may well be snapped up next.

Read full WhoSki.com listing rules here

Remember to let your audience know via social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok) that when they buy your item through WhoSki.com, we donate ££ to charity, PLUS they are helping keep valuable textiles out of landfill.

Happy selling!

Read Part 1: Our tips on how to post the best images to help sell your ski clothes

Read Part 2: Our tips on how to write the best description for a successful sale