First Time Skiing in Austria? Insider Tips You Will Not Want to Miss Part 2

Day one at ski school can feel daunting, heavy boots, oversized skis, and faces like they are waiting at the dentist. Within an hour though, most are grinning on the nursery slopes.

Trust your instructors. Austrian ski teachers are not just professionals, they are some of the best trained anywhere in the world. They combine serious expertise with a friendly, down-to-earth style that makes learning feel fun and safe.

And once you are on the slopes, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and crisp mountain air, there is nothing like it. The satisfaction of mastering your first turns by the end of the week is huge. It is a confidence boost that stays with you!

This is why ski school is so important. It gives you the best possible start, builds your confidence step by step, and makes sure you are learning safely. It also frees up parents from trying to instruct their own kids ,which rarely ends well!

TIPS FROM MY HUSBAND, A QUALIFIED AUSTRIAN SKI INSTRUCTOR:

Get fit before your holiday. Strong legs really do make a difference. If you are not particularly fit, consider booking half-day ski school instead of full days. You will still make progress, but without exhausting yourself and hating every minute.

Try a dry slope or indoor snow centre before you go. Even one session helps you get used to the boots, skis, and that sliding sensation. It means you’ll start ski school with the basics and progress much faster.

Lessons are not just for beginners, even experienced skiers pick up bad habits. Instructors can spot things you would never notice yourself.

Group lessons are fun and social, private ones however mean faster progress but cost more.

Choose a resort where beginners are taught up on the mountain. It is much nicer for everyone when you can join family and friends for lunch, instead of being stuck at the bottom of the valley on your own.

Do not expect to be in the same group as your children. This is one that many parents do not realise. Kids and adults are taught differently, and children usually learn much faster when they are with other kids. Trying to learn alongside them often ends in frustration for everyone, far better to let them enjoy it with their own group.

Pack both goggles and sunglasses. Sunglasses are fine on bright days, but goggles make life much easier when it’s snowing or the light is flat.

Après ski is fun, but skiing hungover the next morning is not. Save the shots for after ski school, and avoid the just one more at lunchtime, you might feel confident skiing then but its dangerous.

TIPS FROM MY DAUGHTER, GEORGIA, WHO TAUGHT IN SKI KINDERGARTEN (ages 2–4)

Make it fun before you go. Let little ones try on their ski gloves and helmet around the house, stomp about in their snow boots, and practise zipping up jackets. It sounds simple, but if they are already comfortable with the gear, it will not all hit them at once on the ski slope which is when meltdowns usually happen, and she has seen many!

Do not forget sun cream. Even on cold or cloudy days, the sun reflects off the snow and the cold can burn delicate skin. A quick layer in the morning really helps avoid sore red cheeks.

Pre-book ski school, equipment, and lunch tickets before you travel. It saves queues with tired toddlers on day one.

Check ski school age limits in advance. Not every school accepts very young children, and the minimum age varies by resort. Always double-check to avoid disappointment when you arrive.

And perhaps the best bit, enjoy your adult time once they are settled! Ski kindergarten gives children a brilliant experience, but it also gives parents a few hours to ski for themselves, relax, or simply enjoy a quiet coffee. Everybody wins.

AND FINALLY TIPS FROM ME! LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

It is often the small details that shape your ski holiday. A few essentials worth knowing:

Layer up. Do not bring a big bulky puffer jacket. Skiing is all about breathable layers you can add or remove as the weather changes.

Take sturdy snow boots for walking around resort , pavements are icy, and you’ll thank me when you’re not sliding to dinner!”

Know your details. Rental shops will need your height, weight, and shoe size. Better to have them ready than be hopping on the scales in front of everyone on day one!

Lift passes. Check before you buy, many beginner areas do not require a pass, so you might not need one for the first couple of days.

Use lockers. Handy for leaving shoes and storing gear at the lift station.

Get kids involved. Do not leave it all to Mum and Dad. From day one, let children carry their own skis and be responsible for their lift pass. It gives them a sense of independence and makes them feel part of it all.

Pick up gear the night before. If your arrival time allows, it makes mornings so much easier.

Wear one good pair of ski socks (not two) . Do not tuck your salopettes or ski trousers into your boots either. It creates pressure points and can rub your legs sore.

Carry some cash. Not every mountain hut or ski school lunch stop takes cards.

Listen to your resort rep. Speaking from experience, they often share really valuable tips during your transfer.

Make sure your travel insurance includes winter sports cover. It is essential for skiing and gives you peace of mind.

It is also worth making a simple “head-out” checklist for mornings. You would be amazed how often things like gloves, goggles, or even the all-important lift pass get left behind. A quick check before you step out saves you running back to the room and keeps the morning calm.

IS IT ALL WORTH IT? IT ABSOLUTELY IS.

I hope you have picked up some useful tips here. These are not just things I have read they come from living and working in Austrian ski resorts for over 18 years, from my husband’s years of teaching on the slopes, and from my daughter’s experience with little ones in ski kindergarten.

Do not be daunted by the planning, THAT’S WHAT I AM HERE FOR, with the right advice, everything falls into place. And when it does, skiing is truly unforgettable. By the end of the week, the confidence you gain and the memories you make are something you carry home with you long after the snow has melted.

And those memories really do last, from the thrill of your first turns to the moment your child proudly displays their ski school medal at the end of the week.

The mountains are waiting, give me a call.