Going skiing for the first time? What to know before you go

There is no feeling on earth like whizzing down a snow-covered mountain on skis as you take in the stunning winter scenery before you. And for many in Hong Kong, skiing has become the ultimate activity of choice when the weather turns cold – particularly during the Lunar New Year holiday. Locations such as Japan, South Korea and even mainland China remain the most popular in the region, with each having resorts that offer something for all ability levels.

Yet, for some people who have never attempted the sport before, the prospect of going on a skiing holiday might seem a little daunting. While experienced enthusiasts may make the activity look effortless, there are certain skills that have to be learnt in order to stay safe. Also, ensuring you have access to the right equipment is a must if you want to make the most of your holiday.

Possibly the most important thing to consider is your clothing and equipment – the majority of which should be available to rent from the resort where you are staying. Basics include skis, poles, boots, goggles, gloves and a helmet – the last item being especially important for beginners as you can expect to fall over a lot! And because you’ll be in a tough mountainous environment, even on the lower slopes you should remember that the weather can change quickly from crisp blue skies to windy and misty conditions. Therefore, ensure you have sufficient layers of clothing, including thermal base layers, warm mid layers and a weatherproof outer shell to keep out the worst of the cold.

Secondly, if you are a complete novice then it is strongly recommended that you engage with an instructor who can show you the basics about how to control your skis and manoeuvre safely on the snow – because it can be much trickier than you might think.

When you first begin skiing, your instructor will likely show you how to control your speed on the snow by creating a “snowplough” or “pizza” formation with your skis. Imagine a “V” shape pointing in the direction of travel and you’ll get the basic idea. However, learning this and other basic techniques will give your leg and abdomen muscles a workout that you might not have been expecting, so be prepared for some aches after your first day or two. Once you have built up your confidence and fitness, you can get ready to tackle more challenges.

On that point, the different courses, or runs, you will generally fall into three or four categories: green runs are designed for beginners; red or blue runs are for those with more experience and confidence. Finally, black runs are best left to the seasoned experts as they can be fast, steep and very challenging. As a beginner, you want to enjoy your time on the slopes, so don’t try to attempt anything too ambitious at first.

Something else to watch out for is skiing-related injuries. These can happen at any time due to the fast-paced nature of the activity and the harsh winter environment in which it is performed. According to The Hong Kong College of Orthopaedic Surgeons, injuries from skiing are on the rise. The most common, comprising some 48% of reported cases, are to the cruciate ligament of the knee. Other regular skiing-related injuries are trauma to the forearm, wrist and ankle, bone fractures, dislocated joints and even spinal injuries.

If you are planning a skiing trip over the coming festive season, choose travel insurance that provides sufficient protection while overseas. MSIG’s iTravel Go plan provides coverage for amateur and dangerous sports and activities, including skiing, with coverage of up to HK$250,000 for both personal accident and medical expenses. Ultimately, you want to enjoy yourself fully and experience all the exhilaration skiing has to offer knowing you are protected financially if accidents happen.

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