What’s the highlight of a catered chalet ski trip? It’s got to be the afternoon tea, with a different, freshly-baked cake every afternoon to tuck into post-piste. Delicious and well-deserved after a day sweating the slopes.
Booked a self-catering chalet or apartment and want to recreate that sumptuous après ski afternoon-tea vibe? You’re in luck! Here at WhoSki.com, cakes are among our specialist subjects.
And we think your best ski chalet home bake options are:
Visit the local patisserie and buy one of those spectacular, to-die-for cakes.
Order from French Alps catering specialist Huski, who can deliver a selection of cakes ranging from flapjacks to chocolate gateau. (Remember to use our discount code WhoSki5 when ordering.)
DIY if you’re driving: bake in advance and pack a couple of home bakes for your trip.
As a keen home baker, I take the DIY route and always lob a couple of homemade cakes into the boot of the car. I make them in advance, freeze, then grab them as we go. It’s pretty low-effort and saves you LOADS of money.
My best ski chalet bakes are batch cakes or loaf cakes, which freeze well and are highly portable. Going with friends or other families? If everyone donates a bake, you’ll have a full week of afternoon teas covered.
Loaf cakes work well as ski chalet home bakes
My Top 5 Ski Bakes
Chocolate brownies. I like Nigella’s ‘Domestic Goddess’ recipe, and usually knock up a batch the day before we head off so no need to freeze. Swap nuts for chopped up milk chocolate for an uber sugar hit. Perfect snacking after a day on the blacks.
Lemon syrup loaf cake. Loaf cakes freeze and travel well if you make them in a paper liner (Lakeland offers a good selection). Try the ‘Domestic Goddess’ again, for a fail-safe lemon syrup cake recipe.
Tray bakes are perfect for a ski tea table
Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars. (see above: left and middle) Easy to make, robust and with a hint of cinnamon. A delicious flat bake that would pack well in your cold bag. Recipe from Edd Kimber’s great ‘Small Batch Bakes’ cookbook.
Flapjacks. I tend to use Delia Smith’s basic recipe, supplemented with whatever dried fruit I have in the cupboard. Chopped dried apricots, dates or raisins help liven things up, along with a spoonful of chia seeds for added benefits.
Fruitcakes and ginger loaf cakes also travel well – with the added bonus that you don’t need to freeze them in advance. A chocolate loaf cake could also double up as a pudding when heated up in the microwave and served with cream or ice cream.
Got a fave ski chalet home bake you always take for your ski trip? I’d love to know!
You’ve most likely been provided with a packing list, but what are the must-have warm wear essentials for your child’s school ski trip?
Also: what does that ski kit jargon mean? Is it all really necessary? And are some items ‘more essential’ than others?
Forget about skis and ski boots – trip organisers will sort those out. Your job is to make sure your child is warm, dry and comfortable on the slopes. Follow our expert school ski trip packing list tips to find out what ski wear your child simply cannot do without – and save time and money.
School ski trip packing list tip No 1 : Weather can change rapidly in the mountains. Conditions can change from clear blue skies and sunny slopes to falling snow and limited visibility within a matter of minutes. Ensuring your child is equipped for all eventualities is key for safety, fun and comfort: the makings of a successful ski trip.
School ski trip packing list tip No 2 : Buy second hand where you can. Kids grow out of clothes quickly, so odds are you will be able to fit out your child with good-as-new, preloved ski wear at a fraction of the price for new kit. Register at WhoSki.com and you will receive regular email updates as new items are listed on site.
Ski jacket: Your child’s essential ski outer layer, and usually the most costly item in your ski wardrobe. Choose a jacket that is large enough to fit multiple layers beneath ie a thin base layer, a thicker mid-layer and a microfleece to keep your child warm in the coldest conditions. They can add / remove these layers as necessary depending on weather, altitude and exertion levels.
The perfect ski jacket will be wind-resistant and waterproof, have multiple, zippable pockets, under-arm vents, a ski pass pocket on the sleeve and a powder skirt. A thinner jacket with layers beneath will make it easier to regulate temperatures. A hood is unnecessary as your child will be wearing a ski helmet while on the piste. Think safety: a bright-coloured ski jacket makes your child easier to spot on the slopes.
Preloved is the affordable option over new – and remember to sell it on after your child’s trip if that ski jacket won’t fit them again next year.
Ski pants / salopettes / trousers: Whatever you call it, your child needs specialist ski legwear. A belt or braces will ensure ski pants don’t slip, vents will help regulate temperature, while reinforced knees and ankles will aid longevity and flexibility of movement. Comfort is key, so make sure ski trousers are roomy enough to fit thermal underwear beneath. Salopettes generally sit higher than ski pants and may include a bib front: handy to help keep out snow when your child takes a tumble on the piste.
Ski pants will flare towards the ankles to allow for ski boots. Many boast an inner ‘skirt’ around the ankle: this sits over the ski boot to help keep out snow. If you’re buying second hand, the ankle area may show some damage – this is perfectly normal as ski trousers often get caught on boot clips and ski bindings. Minor damage will not impair usage.
It’s all about layers
Base layers: For a week-long school ski trip, you will ideally send your child away with a separate, long-sleeved, thermal base layer for every day of skiing. This item of ski wear will sit next to their skin, keep them warm and wick away sweat during a day of exertion on the slopes.
On warmer days, this may be the only layer required beneath your child’s outer ski jacket. In colder weather, they could wear up to two further layers. Namely…
Mid layers: Two sets of mid layers will be ample for a one-week school ski trip. Simply put, a ski mid layer is the piece of clothing that goes between their thermal, sweat-wicking base layer and their waterproof ski jacket. It will keep your child warm, without weighing them down or preventing ease of movement.
A mid layer with a neck zip will help your child regulate their temperature by allowing in a bit of air as they heat up, or letting them zip up to their chin when they are standing around or on a chair lift.
Merino is the crème de la crème material for a mid layer but merino mid layers are expensive and need careful laundering. A synthetic, polyester mid-layer will be fine for school-age skiers. Keep man-made fibres out of landfill by purchasing second hand – and as ever, sell ski wear on afterwards.
Cosy mid layers: slip on under a ski jacket
Fleece: A microfleece, thin puffer jacket or hoody plays a key role in your child’s ski wear layering system. They can slip it on as another heat-retaining layer beneath their ski jacket when temperatures are extremely low – and wear it around the hotel / hostel/ chalet when they get back from a day on the slopes. A padded gilet is another useful option to keep ski kids cosy.
Hands and feet…
Ski gloves: Specialist ski gloves are essential. Longer, gauntlet style ski gloves that cover wrists are best as they keep out draughts. Integral elastic wrist leashes help prevent them from getting lost eg when you remove them to check your phone / piste map etc. A pair of thin glove liners is also recommended.
Mittens and fingered ski gloves are interchangeable, depending on personal preference. Mittens are generally warmer in lowest temperatures. Urge your child to put gloves to dry on a radiator at night so they will be cosy and comfy for the next day.
Ski socks: Specialist ski socks are longer than normal socks with heat-retaining qualities and the right padding in the right places. Three pairs for a week-long school ski trip will be enough: one pair on, one pair in the drawer and a pair airing on the radiator. Or, more likely, screwed up on the floor. Oh well.
Snowboots: A chunky pair of cosy, waterproof snowboots is an absolute must-have for your child’s school ski trip. They make for warm feet whether they are playing in the snow or tramping around resort, and help prevent tumbles on icy surfaces. Get your child to wear snowboots for the journey to cut down on luggage weight. Trainers really don’t work in ski resorts as outdoors wear.
Buff: A buff is a thin, tubular neck scarf with multiple uses that will protect your child’s chin, neck, face, head and ears from the cold, including wind, snow and sleet. Much safer than a scarf (can’t get caught on anything or fly off) a buff is also easier to tuck into a pocket when not in use.
Must-have school ski trip accessories:
Goggles: A pair of goggles is more protective than sunglasses, less easy to lose, warmer for the face on a cold day or when it is snowing. An adjustable strap means goggles can live on your child’s helmet even when not in use. Sunglasses are an optional extra.
Goggles: a ski trip packing list essential
Slippers/Crocs/Birkenstocks: Outdoor footwear is banned in a lot of ski accommodation, so your child must take slip-ons to wear between boot room and chalet/hotel room. It’s good to give feet a break from restrictive ski boots, and without a robust pair of slippers that has a strong sole, your child’s socks will quickly get and stay soggy. Yuck.
Lip balm and high SPF sunscreen: The sun can be incredibly strong on the slopes. A pocket-friendly tube of high-factor 30-50 SPF sun cream means your child will be able to top up on protection when they get back on the slopes after lunch. Make sure your child packs a couple of lip balms too, as they are easily lost.
A small daypack: A light backpack where your child can stash a spare mid layer or fleece for days when the weather is variable, along with a water bottle, mobile phone and any other essentials, will be useful. Even if they don’t use it when skiing, it will be handy for après ski outings and activities.
Hat: Not necessary for skiing, as your child will be wearing a helmet (provided as part of the ski hire package) while on the slopes, but a hat is essential for off-piste, in-resort activities. A woollen beanie or similar will do the trick.
Looking for kit for your child’s school ski trip? Visit the WhoSki.com shop for good condition, affordable, second hand ski wear.
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.
Walking for teenage mental health
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.
Here’s what we learned about walking styles when we asked the AI chatbot ChatGPT to explain the difference between walking, hiking, rambling, trekking and forest bathing…
Walking: a low-intensity activity
ChatGPT says: Walking is generally considered to be a low-intensity form of exercise or activity that involves moving at a leisurely pace on flat or even ground. Walking can be done almost anywhere and at any time, and it can be a great way to get some fresh air, clear your mind, or simply get from point A to point B.
We say: get yourself a decent pair of socks, however short your walk. Your feet will thank you for it whether in wellies, trainers or walking boots.
Hiking: a more strenuous activity
ChatGPT says: Hiking is a more strenuous and challenging activity that involves walking on uneven terrain, often through wilderness areas or natural settings. Hiking can involve climbing steep hills, navigating rocky trails, crossing streams or rivers, and even scrambling over boulders. Hiking can be a great way to explore the outdoors, challenge yourself physically, and enjoy beautiful scenery.
We say: every hiker needs a robust pair of hiking boots, waterproof for winter and breathable for summer.
Rambling: longer distance walking
ChatGPT says: Rambling is a more leisurely form of walking that is done for the purpose of exploring the outdoors and enjoying nature. It often involves hiking on trails or through countryside areas, and it may require more specialized equipment such as hiking boots and maps. Rambling can also involve more challenging terrain and longer distances than regular walking.
We say: invest in a comfortable backpack and tuck a thermal flask into a handy pocket, for a refreshing cuppa while you are out rambling.
Trekking: a multi-day hike
ChatGPT says: Trekking is a form of outdoor recreation that involves walking or hiking for an extended period of time, usually on trails or paths in natural environments such as mountains, forests, or wilderness areas. It often involves multi-day trips, with hikers carrying backpacks and camping gear to stay overnight in remote locations.
Trekking is typically more challenging than a simple day hike, and may involve steep inclines, rugged terrain, and exposure to the elements. It requires physical endurance, good planning, and adequate equipment to ensure safety and comfort during the trip.
We say: sounds like a DofE expedition? Buy and sell the kit your kids need via WhoSki.com.
Forest bathing: a mindful wander
ChatGPT says: Forest bathing, also known as Shinrin-yoku, is a practice that originated in Japan and involves spending time in a forest or other natural environment to improve one’s health and wellbeing.
During forest bathing, individuals typically take a slow, leisurely walk in a forest or other natural setting, focusing on their senses and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the environment. This can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve mood, and boost the immune system.
Forest bathing is not a strenuous activity and does not involve hiking or exercise. Instead, it is a form of mindfulness meditation that encourages people to slow down, disconnect from technology, and connect with nature. Many people find that forest bathing helps them feel more relaxed and centred, and can be a useful tool for managing stress and improving mental and physical health.
We say: leave the electronics at home and breathe in that sweet forest air. Gorgeous!
Go properly equipped
Whatever your walking style, equipping yourself with the right kit, whether it’s a waterproof jacket, hiking boots, Nordic walking poles or a thermal tea flask, will help keep you safe and comfortable on the trails.
Boost your sustainability credentials by thinking secondhand before you buy new outdoor kit for your next trip. WhoSki.com: the secondhand marketplace for all kinds of outdoor clothing and equipment.
Racing to the slopes for a 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 during student ski trip that it’s probably best for parents 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
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.
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.
Welcoming specialist wintersports travel agent Ski Line as a new WhoSki.com partner – you may have spotted their logo on our Partners Page.
We have teamed up with them because of their commitment to sustainability. As the company explains: “Ski Line promises to highlight green initiatives being undertaken by our featured ski resorts”. They also promote more eco-friendly travel options like taking the train. Bravo!
So this is a quick welcome and well done to Ski Line as our latest partner in the #SkiGreen movement, plus a shout out to the 15,000 plus skiers that will be travelling with them this winter.
If just a fraction of those skiers think pre-loved ski clothing this season, we will be keeping A LOT of extra wintersports clothing in active usage and out of landfill. Which is of course what WhoSki.com is all about.
Signed up for the university ski trip? We got a bunch of student ski trip veterans to share their survival tips…
Travel: sURVIVE the bus trip
“It’s pretty brutal but I would highly recommend it for your first ski trip as it’s part of the experience. Lots of students choose to get the bus out but fly home at the end of the week.”
“Although flying is definitely the nicer option, as a first year student, taking the coach with everyone else is really fun and hypes you up for the trip. You have to do it once!”
TIP: Take a travel pillow… “30 hours on the bus without one IS NOT fun”
Be sure to pack…
A Bluetooth speaker. “Essential for pre- après in your room, on the slopes, on the bus.”
Although also: “Be quiet after 10:30ish in your room, the French police are far from friendly and there have been horror stories of confiscated speakers or phones controlling those speakers thrown from balconies. It might be tempting to keep the après going but hit the bar and save yourself a nightmare.”
Alcohol. “Take a bottle of spirits with you: MUCH cheaper than buying in a resort. Plus a small flask to sneak into après.”
“I definitely recommend taking caffeinated painkillers with you because waking up hungover, running on no sleep, with sore legs from the day before… these will resurrect you! You also may not be able to find them in the resort, so keep them handy.”
Ski clothing essentials (as well as the obvious…)
A roomy onesie to wear over your ski gear. “It’s really fun and also makes you and your friends easier to spot on the piste, in the lift queues etc”
Extra socks: “Bring way more socks than you think you’ll need (they always become disgusting and changing before après is an unlikely pleasure)”
“If you want to have style, bring a vintage ski suit with you. Also bring a backpack, ideally one that is older, because it will take a beating.”
“Customise your helmet! At après they all get dumped on the floor, you don’t want to be that guy who goes home empty-handed because of a helmet mix-up. Who doesn’t love a cool sticker?”
On the piste
“Try to go with / make a friend who’s at the same level as you. In my friendship groups we tend to split up into those who can ski well and those who can’t and then meet up for après.”
Lessons: “Everyone I know who did them recommended them. My advice: go in the afternoon if you can. There’s no way you’ll make a 9am ski lesson every day of the week after going out every night.”
“If you’re worried about safety have a buddy ski down with you after the après on the slopes because sometimes people get lost on the way home.”
survive the après
Comfy shoes for going out: “Snowboots are waaay too hot to wear in clubs / bars at night. Something like Converse/Van -style shoes have been the best compromise for me.”
“Try to drink tons of water. Also, try and drink alcohol in your room to save money. Watch yourself in the clubs, because it’s so easy to spend all your money. Don’t take it too far the first few days, it’s all about stamina!”
“No matter how bad the hangover, aim to be on the slopes as early as you can most days. Being at the top of the mountain almost cures the hangover & you can do a week of drinking for free at home, don’t waste the experience.”
“Unless you’re made of stronger stuff than I am, give yourself one pass for the week not to go out drinking (it’s pretty much impossible to ski every day and make après and every night out)”
save money on your ski kit
“On the Uni ski trip, they offer a clothing rental service, but with the prices on WhoSki – it’s cheaper to buy secondhand than rent. Bonus: you get to keep them! For next time or to re-sell after. Genius!”
Here’s the deal. We’ve got FREE tickets to give away (limited supply!) so you can join us at The National Snow Show at the NEC, Birmingham, in October.
OK, the popping into our stand is not actually compulsory. But we are giving away free tickets. See below for how to get yours.
Perhaps you visited The National Snow Show last year? This year’s show, 15-16 October 2022, promises to be even bigger and better, so we reckon it’s definitely worth a trip.
The organisers are big supporters of the #SkiGreen message so expect a host of eco-ideas to inspire your next ski or snowboard holiday. Plus we are planning to have a rack of pre-loved clothing at the WhoSki.com stand to show off how ‘good-as-new’ is the new ‘new’. But of course, you knew that already.
Do pass by stand E70 and say hello – we always love to hear your feedback.
The importance of climate change to the younger generation is among the reasons why school ski trip operator Halsbury Ski is now working with WhoSki.com to manage and reduce the carbon footprint of its activities.
When your young clients are among the most enthusiastic supporters of the sustainability movement – and those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change – acting on their concerns makes good business sense. Call it the Greta Thunberg effect.
“Working together is a sustainability gain”
Halsbury’s Managing Director Hugues Raulet says: “Working with WhoSki.com is an instant sustainability gain. Encouraging our clients to purchase and dispose responsibly of the clothing they need for an enjoyable trip to the slopes with Halsbury is an important step on the way to reducing the carbon footprint of our activities.”
WhoSki.com Co-Founder Nicola Davenport explains: “Halsbury approached us with a view to working together. Lockdown delayed active collaboration, but we are so pleased that Halsbury will be recommending WhoSki.com as a source of good-as-new clothing for parents when they sign up their children for a Halsbury ski trip.
“By buying and selling through WhoSki.com, you are helping keep hard-to-recycle wintersports clothing in circulation and out of landfill.”
Halsbury: thinking green
Halsbury has sustainability strongly on its radar. It has installed solar panels and electric vehicle charging points at its offices. Electric bikes are provided for staff who want to use them to get to work.
MD Hugues Raulet is an eco-pioneer whose ventures outside Halsbury have included establishing a B Corp-certified recycling business in Argentina, researching and raising awareness about alternative sustainable fuels. He has ambitions for Halsbury to continually reduce its carbon footprint.
Hugues explains: “Our partnership with WhoSki.com is a proactive way to progress our sustainability journey. This is a positive step towards a greener business. We are doing the things that we can with a vision and an ambition to extend and expand our sustainability agenda.”
Student ski clothing: perfect for re-sale
Halsbury will include information about WhoSki.com to parents and students via the schools packs it provides for clients.
Children’s ski clothing is among the best sellers at the WhoSki.com online marketplace – remember – we donate 10% of our commission on every sale to the teen mental health charity stem4.
I am freshly back from my first ever cross-country ski experience, three days on the tracks in Kvitfjell, Norway, brilliantly organised by SkiSafari.com.
It was a short, try-out visit, but required an almost complete overhaul of my piste wardrobe. Ski clothing rental is becoming increasingly popular, thanks to our friends at ecoski.co.uk. However, cross-country, aka Nordic skiing, is still a minority interest for UK skiers. That meant no chance of hiring clothing for this ski mini-break.
Luckily, my husband and I both absolutely loved the sport and can’t wait to return, so our kit will be going back in the cupboard until we can get back to the trails.
Buy pre-loved if you can
I am certain that in future it will be possible to buy pre-loved cross-country ski clothes here at WhoSki.com, but these are early days for our peer-to-peer marketplace, so on this occasion, off to the (online) shops we went.
For downhill skiing, clothing needs to both breathe and keep you warm on ski lifts. The way most of us ski makes for short periods of extreme exertion followed by longer stretches of trying to avoid getting cold hands, feet etc.
In contrast, cross-country skiing is physically much tougher, especially for a beginner with poor technique. Bear in mind that you are likely to work up a sweat pretty quickly, so you would roast in your downhill ski jacket and pants. You do, however, need to stay warm while stopped or in bad weather. Yup: we are talking layers.
Lower body
Go for two layers on your legs: a pair of thermals with over-trousers on top. The thickness of your thermal base layer will depend on the outside temperature: thick for colder winter weather, thinner for spring-like temperatures. In late spring you might even drop the thermal layer, or choose a shorter three-quarter-length / Capri style pair of tights or thermals. These will allow more air to circulate and help prevent you from over-heating.
I wore the same thin base layer leggings which I also wear under my usual downhill ski pants, and they were just fine.
If you’re looking for a higher-intensity cross-country ski workout, ski tights alone – similar to running leggings – will suit. Those aiming for gentler touring on skis will also need a pair of shell-type Nordic ski pants to wear over your base layer.
I bought mine from Daehlie, a well-known Norwegian brand, and was very pleased with their performance; wind-resistant micro-fibre material at the front and stretch material at back with tailored legs, elasticated ankles and a small zip pocket. Warm and cool and comfortable.
Upper body
Think three layers, with a thin base layer next to your skin that will wick away sweat, a fleece on top of that and a lightweight over-jacket designed specifically for cross-country skiing. Odds are the fleece will come off as soon as you start working harder on an uphill stretch, so it’s as well to wear a small backpack for your trip out on the trails.
Your over-jacket needs to be windproof, and you might appreciate having a micro-down jacket that weighs light and packs small in your backpack too. You can slip this on for extra warmth on a cold day if you find yourself taking a chairlift or stopping for a prolonged rest.
I found a half-zipped base layer was perfect under my jacket: the zip allowed for extra air circulation when working hard on climbs. It’s the same top I use when downhill skiing, so that was one less item to buy.
Day one began with me wearing a mid-layer fleece – which came off very quickly – and I only wore it again to keep the wind off when we took a chair-lift to the start of a more distant trail. My Halti soft shell jacket also performed beautifully and looked good.
Accessories
Many cross-country skiers wear a headband/ buff to keep their ears warm yet allow heat to escape – a thick hat will be too hot for most of us. However, a thin beanie or cap with ear-flaps that fold up will also suffice.
Your downhill ski gloves are likely to be far too thick / insulated for cross-country skiing, so you might want to invest in specific cross-country touring gloves. Thicker running gloves would also do the job on warmer days. Mittens are recommended for those who suffer from cold hands. I do, but suffered no chills in my new cross-country gloves on this trip (bright spring sunshine, temperatures hovering around zero).
Regarding socks, alpine ski socks are fine although of course you don’t really need the padding or length. My husband was happy in good quality woollen socks. Cross-country ski boots are light yet warm and windproof – and so easy to walk in compared with their alpine equivalents. Heavenly.
As for all skiing, good quality sunglasses are essential (not goggles – too hot for cross-country) as snow glare can cause optical damage.
Make sure you carry a water bottle – cross-country skiing is energetic work. And the little Nordic ski straps provided by our hire shop were genius for holding together the skis when carrying them (which is a joy – they are so light).
A very useful online resource for information about cross country skiing is the website goXski.com which offers regularly updated reports on Nordic ski equipment, resorts and trips. Thoroughly recommended.
Get in Touch
If you’re thinking about trying out cross-country skiing, do drop us a message on social media : @WeWhoSki on Twitter and Instagram. I’d be happy to share tips from our experience. Nicola
