eStylista

ah.. Verbier!

Skiing is one of my favourite holidays. I have done it twice - the first trip was to Val d'Isre and now its Verbier. The reasons why I love it are endless:  the exercise - it whips you into amazing shape (especially if you exercise a bit of restraint on your food choices!), the fresh mountain air, the challenge of mastering a new sport, the awe-inspiring scenery...

As I write this I have just returned - I miss the mountains and the routine! Hitting the slopes at 9.30 am - skiing and stopping for an amazing lunch somewhere on the mountains and then skiing again till 5pm. The delicious cake and tea after a shower - being with the kids in the snow - a massage and then a lovely 4 course meal! And then doing it again the next day...

Verbier is beautiful. We stayed at Chalet Sagittaire - thanks to Oxford Ski and CK Verbier. Bono was staying in the same complex - :)

I was told that Verbier may not be the best resort for beginners - there is some truth in that - the leap from the nursery slopes to the blue runs is challenging, and there aren't that many blue runs, but itas a great all round resort once you get a bit more competent - which doesn't take very long (hopefully).

Perseverance and practice is the key - but once you master a particular run - it is incredibly satisfying...

While I procastinate about packing, I thought I would write!

The plan is to take my 5-year-old son skiing for the first time. As usual we have left it late - confirmed the chalet a few days prior to leaving! We are off to the lovely Verbier

 



(I can't wait – just have to get through the packing first!) By the end of this post you, my dear reader, will become an instant expert in what gear to take, because trust me, the choice and options are totally bewildering!

Have you read my ‘packing a suitcase’ thesis? I have learnt all this the hard way. Packing light is an art I have yet not fully mastered (unless it is for a weekend) – so I have learnt to pack better.

So coming back to my packing list.

The trick to being comfortable on the slopes, as it is in life is layering (second favorite word). Intelligent layering, if done with style will see you from flight to a day full of meetings and drinks, dinner and dancing (and more) if you do it right.  It will also make sure you don’t freeze on the slopes.

For one weeks skiing – here is MY packing list.

My travel documents, along with those of the entire family are all put together in this Smythson travel wallet.  That leaves my Kindle (never leave the house without it!), wallet, mobile phone, house keys, sunglasses, pen, notebook and the handbag organizer (I know it's naff, but when you are at the check-in counter rummaging around your massive bag for a passport or a pen, with hubby giving you “the look” - you learn to sacrifice a bit of style for convenience!)

How to… Pack for a ski trip

I really wish there was a post like this when I went skiing for the first time. 

"What do I need to take to a holiday where the temperature will be -10 degrees!" -  Packing was rather stressful, despite advise from our snow-mad friends - they were all male, so they could only help so much...

Most ski trips range from a long weekend to one week. the clothes you take are pretty much the same - it also depends in your commitment to doing laundry while on holiday. I don't - so I take one option per day and come home and do a few machine-fulls.

Adult or child - here is the basic gear you need:

Base layers: this is the first bit of clothing you wear - a thermal vest and long pants. Icebreaker or Spyder are both good brands - I prefer Icebreaker, its merino wool. Raj wears Spyder - totally synthetic - but also does the job well. I carry one per day of skiing - so for a week, that's 6 each.

Mid layer: Its either fleece or wool top - it goes over the base layer - again - Icebreaker or Spyder. 

Ski socks - get proper ski socks - 6 in all. 

S ki Jacket - the technical ones like Spyder trump the designer ones (it does pain me to say so! Having said that my jacket is by Pucci - but I need a new one with lots of pockets!) You need to carry basic things: High SPF tube, SPF lip balm, tissues, lozenges for the throat, lift pass, money and credit cards and mobile phone, plus camera.  One is plenty.  

Sallopettes, ski pants - go for the technical ones - again one is plenty.

Gloves - the best you can get. Find ones with a little compartment on top - so you can slip in some glove warmers. Also, try them to make sure your fingertips don't reach the very end - that prevents them from getting too cold. I also wear a thin pair of inner gloves, this prevents your fingers from freezing when you take out the outer ones to make a phone call. Be sure to try both together when you buy.

Neck muff - A bit naff but I love it - you can pull it up and it keeps your nose warm. I usually carry 4-5 as I sometimes get sniffly on the slopes!

Ski-goggles - go for proper ski goggles with a yellow-ish tinted lenses that works on all snow conditions.

Cap - you don't really need one on the slopes as you will be wearing a helmet (not wearing a helmet is silly and dangerous - you would never dream of letting your kids ski without one!) But you will need one for walking around the resort.

Ski boots - they are instruments of torture if they don't fit well as they are big, hard and heavy. The first time I went skiing, I rented them - it's was a not very pleasant option. But its better to do so till you are sure you will ski a lot - then it's fine to buy a pair. It's best to buy them at the resort and get them fitted by a company like Surefoot - so if your boots hurt your feet on the slopes you can go back and get them adjusted whilst you are there. I made the mistake of buying mine and getting them fitted in London. The left foot was fine - the right foot hurt and there was nothing I could do about it all week!

That's it for the slopes - for the Apres ski wardrobe - it totally depends on how far you want to take it!
 
Moon boots or any other snow friendly boots - mine are grey ones by Dior and I love them. You don't really need any other shoes.

Regular wollen/cotton socks - 6 pairs

Outfits - I carry merino wool stockings by Falke in black, brown and grey and a few woollen dresses to go over them. a black skirt and a couple of jumpers - that is enough if I'm going out all week.  In my experience - the restaurants tend to be very warm, so I prefer to dress in layers and not have too much wool next to skin.

For men, its jeans and cardigans. One smart suit - if you are going to a resort where jackets may be required at restaurants.

One big jacket - mine's by Moncler - and you are set!

For staying inside the chalet/hotel- Juicy track pants are good enough - I usually carry 4 of those - along with 5-6 basic dark vests.

Underwear - It's best to wear a proper sports bra while skiing as opposed to a regular one. I carry 6 of each (but there is always the option to carry fewer and wash), the same with briefs

3-4 sets of nightwear

Remember to pack them in cubes - else trying to find your black base layer that is mixed up with hubby's black base layer becomes a challenge!!

Lessons: Book yours well in advance. We tend to go private - but if you are in a group, try and make sure it's an English speaking instructor and other people in the group are of similar abilities. Either ways it's much better if the instructor is enthusiastic and fun to be with! 

I love skiing - and I want my kids to learn when they are young - so they don't struggle like me. It is totally mortifying to see little babies whizzing past you as you stand at the top of a slope contemplating with slight dread its steepness!!

How to… Pack

Packing is an art - this is not something that can be stressed enough.

When I think back on my early holidays, before I got the packing thing right - I can vividly remember rummaging through a suitcase to find a top that was right at the bottom - messing up the entire suitcase in the process.

What you pack is a whole other post but here is how you do it.

Never put anything directly into a suitcase. Make piles of things you need according to type; edit them, try on clothes if you are unsure (how many times I have a dress, only to realise that it does not fit perfectly?!). 

Invest heavily in Eagle Creek packing tubes, cases and bags. Tumi makes the posher versions. They are made of mesh so you can see the contents, they are sturdy (trust me on that) and they stack neatly in a suitcase. While ordering it might be wise to color-code each member of the family. Remember to buy in bulk - you will need them. You also get packing folders - they are for bulkier items like jeans and also for shirts. For shoes - I use shoe bags by Tumi, ditto for the toiletries case.

The principle is simple - like goes with like. All socks go in one cube, underwear in another, tops, jeans, dresses - they all have their own mesh compartment. All you then need to do is place the various cubes in our suitcase and zip up. The suitcase looks neat - and there is a strange sense of satisfaction!

When I went on an extended family trip to the US with 8 suitcases, my parents, husband and son - packing properly saved my sanity - especially as we began the trip in LA, went to Hawaii, Vegas and ended up in New York. Each city had its own type of clothing requirement.

The beauty of this method is realized when you reach your destination. Each article of clothing is sectioned (which, by the way is one of my favorite words!)

Unpacking means placing the various tubes and cubes in the chest of drawers, hanging up what needs to be hung, remembering to keep the cubes tight below for ease of repacking.

Repacking is zipping up said cubes and putting them back in your suitcase! Voila – surviving a holiday 101. Especially with a baby!

Eagle creek also do a great case for wires etc - this comes into its own if your partner is like Raj - travelling with a whole collection of wires and chargers - they all stay put in their own case - and he can find them himself!  

Keep all your travel basics together at home - suitcase locks, adaptors, travel wallet, passports. If you are a frequent traveller - keep a toiletries case packed with basics, buy a spare tooth brush, hair brush etc and keep it in one place.