This is how to prepare for your skiing holiday

Skiing or snowboarding with a face mask is not that obvious. You get a lot less oxygen and, as a result, will be out of breath much faster. Therefore, it is not compulsory to wear a mouth mask on the slopes, as long as you observe the distance rules (tip: check the specific corona measures in your ski area to know how much that safe distance actually is). While using the ski lifts, in the lift stations and in the queues, it is compulsory to wear a face mask. In most ski resorts, fewer people are allowed on the chairlift at the same time, so keeping the necessary distance should be no problem. You may also use a Buff or scarf, as long as both your mouth and nose are covered.

In short: very safe. The chances of you dangling from the edge of a lift or rolling down the mountain in a gondola are extremely low. Due to the strict safety checks and regular maintenance, accidents with ski lifts are rare. Austria and Switzerland especially are renowned for their state-of-the-art infrastructure, but the other Alpine countries are definitely not lagging behind on the safety front. When it comes to health in these corona times, it's always a better idea to take a chairlift instead of a closed gondola, where you're close together with ten to twenty people. A chairlift allows you to keep your distance, breathe fresh air and enjoy the sun on your face. If you get on a lift with people from outside your bubble, always wear a face mask.

In this day and age, the ski helmet has become part of the standard outfit for most winter sports aficionados. Safety first, right? As an adult you are not obliged to wear a helmet anywhere in the European ski resorts, but this does not count for children. Since the regulations vary from country to country and sometimes even from region to region, it is recommended to check the specific rules for your ski resort in advance. For example, in some Austrian and Italian regions children up to the age of 15 are required to wear a ski helmet. If they don't, mommy or daddy can expect a hefty fine and you can be held liable for the damage after a collision. Our advice? Don't wait for accidents to happen and just put on that helmet.

Yes, you always need a new helmet after a heavy fall. The inner shell of your helmet might be broken, and this is not always visible from the outside. In this case the helmet’s safety is no longer guaranteed, so it’s better to buy a new one. Reminder: even without a heavy fall it’s advised to replace your helmet every once in a while. After a certain period of time, the shock-absorbing components of your helmet start to degrade, either due to wear and tear or to sunlight exposure. Make sure to store it in a box or cover if you’re not using it and try to replace it once every five years.

The biggest risk of injury occurs when you hit the slopes untrained. If you only go skiing or snowboarding once a year, you don't use the specific muscle groups for skiing or snowboarding enough, resulting in muscle aches or strains. So start a few weeks (or preferably months) in advance with the necessary muscle exercises to get in shape. Also, a relaxed winter sports man will be less likely to injure himself, so make sure you're rested before taking on the slopes. Plan a visit to an indoor slope in your own country to freshen up your technique or book an extra lesson with an experienced ski instructor, so you can be confident when it’s time for the real thing.

Unfortunately, sliding on snow is not without risk. No matter how safe you are on the slopes, you can never 100% rule out injury during winter sports. A sprain is a common injury, but bone fractures are also typical for skiers and snowboarders. The so-called skier’s thumb is an injury involving partially or completely tearing the ulnar collateral ligament. If you get lost during an off-slope adventure, you run the risk of hypothermia when the body temperature drops below 35 °C. Finally, snow blindness occurs when you are not wearing ski goggles and your eyes are overexposed to UV rays, causing your cornea to become inflamed. Are you in trouble on or off the slopes? Call the emergency number 112 as soon as possible.

First of all, make sure to stay inside, keep an eye on the avalanche bulletin and wait until the danger has passed. Avalanches can occur and strike very unexpectedly. Even a real pro gets into trouble if they venture off-slope unprepared. A snow avalanche is always faster than a human being, even if it involves a professional skier. If you still want to ski or snowboard off slope, make sure you have the necessary avalanche knowledge or be accompanied by an experienced guide, who knows the weather conditions and terrain like the back of their hand. Without the right equipment - avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel - you don’t stand a chance when the snow starts rolling. Above all, don't take any unnecessary risks: if the weather suddenly changes and you have limited visibility, choose the ski lift to descend to the valley again.

Regular and correctly performed maintenance will significantly extend the life of your winter sports equipment. It's best to do this thoroughly before each skiing vacation. Are you a frequent skier or snowboarder? If so, it's best to give your equipment another brush-up at the end of the skiing season before putting it away until the next season.

Click your skis apart and store them out of the bag in a dry place. It's best to keep your skis or snowboard upright or on their side, not flat on the ground. This allows them to retain their resilience. Take the inner shoes out of your boots before storing them completely dry, with closed clasps or tied laces, in a dry, cool and dark place until the next winter season. 

A layer of wax on the base of your skis or board allows you to glide over the snow effortlessly. Unfortunately, that wax doesn't stay on forever ... Do you want to avoid the fresh snow sticking to the base of your skis or snowboard? in that case, it is best to apply a fresh layer of wax before you leave (do this yourself or call upon the Snow Atelier), but also after every day of skiing. Finally, waxing is also a good idea before storing your gear after the season, so they don't dry out.

If you want to do it thoroughly, then you need an electric wax iron, a wax scraper and brush and the right hot wax. Start by heating the wax against the electric wax iron until it starts to melt, then apply it to the base of the skis or snowboard. Has the wax cooled down? Remove the excessive wax with a plastic wax scraper. Afterwards, brush with the wax brush and then ... you're ready to slide down the mountain!

Due to hard snow or stones, the steel edges of your skis or board will lose their sharpness, making it impossible to steer smoothly and glide steadily on the slopes. With a hand polisher you can quickly polish the steel edges to the desired angle. The smaller the angle, the sharper the edges. A grindstone is useful for neatly removing small burrs and rust. With a diamond file you can perfectly smoothen the edges of your skis and snowboard.

Bring your skis or snowboard to your nearest A.S.Adventure Store about two weeks before departure. We will deliver your material carefully and safely to our own Snow Atelier for a thorough service. And after your vacation, such a wellness treatment is no sheer luxury: your skis and board will be protected against rust and ready for the next winter sports season.

If there is down in your clothes, you will need a special cleaning product. No down whatsoever? Then turn your ski trousers and jacket inside out and let them run in the washing machine on the synthetic washing program at 30 °C. Nikwax or Grangers‘ special cleaning products are always a safe bet! Letting the clothes dry slowly on a drying rack is ideal. Only put your skiing gear in the tumble dryer if the label says it’s OK to do so. Do not store your jacket and trousers until they are really dry.

TIP: After washing your ski trousers and jacket six to eight times, it is best to treat them with a special impregnating spray immediately after washing. This will restore the fabric's watertightness and breathability.