Making sure you\u2019re in shape, like this skier here, will help you progress as a skier or rider, and lessen the risk for serious injury.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In order to prepare for your first day of winter sports, the first way to set yourself up for success is something you can start doing right now: staying in shape. Skiing and snowboarding are first and foremost strenuous, full-body physical activities, and you\u2019ll get more out of your experience if your body is in good physical condition at the time of your visit. Having strong and flexible muscles will help you progress faster throughout day one\u2014and in the process, will likely increase the chances you enjoy your time on the slopes.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re watching this video and it\u2019s already close to the winter season, we do recognize that during this time of year it\u2019s easy to fall into winter hibernation mode. Don\u2019t fret if you haven\u2019t been exercising lately, but for the best experience, do give yourself a few weeks to do some leg and cardio exercises, some of which we\u2019ve linked in the description below. Being in shape will also help you stay resilient against on-slope injuries.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n One of the first decisions you\u2019ll have to make is between skiing and snowboarding.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The next question you might be asking is: out of skiing and snowboarding, which one should I try? Of course, answering this question comes down to personal preference, but here are a few rules of thumb. Some argue that skiing is a bit easier to learn at the beginning but harder to master down the road, while snowboarding is harder to learn up front, but easier to progress in. One major consideration is that it is much easier to traverse on flat terrain on skis than on a snowboard. On skis, you can propel yourself forward by skating and pushing off on your poles. On a snowboard, you\u2019ll have to release one foot from its binding to push along with. One last consideration: if you\u2019re traveling with other friends and family, it may be more fun, and you might learn more, if you participate in the same discipline as them.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Gear such as helmets and goggles will not only make your day on the slopes more enjoyable, but they can save you from major injury as well.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve figured out whether you\u2019re skiing or snowboarding, the next thing you\u2019ll want to figure out is gear. Unless you can borrow from a friend or family member, you will almost certainly be renting some gear for your first outing. If you\u2019re not experienced with winter weather, you\u2019ll probably have to buy some articles of clothing as well.<\/p>\n Typically, you\u2019ll rent 1) boots, 2) skis\/poles or a snowboard, and 3) a helmet. For your first outing, you will also need the following: a winter coat, snow pants, insulated top and bottom base layers, goggles, and waterproof gloves. If you\u2019re skiing out west, you\u2019ll definitely also want sunscreen for your face, which should be the only exposed area of your body. But under most circumstances, you\u2019ll want to cover up part or all of your face too to shield it from the cold; a balaclava or neck gaiter like the one shown here should get the job done\u2014just make sure that you get one that covers the forehead so it doesn\u2019t roll off your face in the middle of your ski day. But before buying most or all of the above, check with your ski shop, as some more locally-oriented shops also rent winter coats and snow pants.<\/p>\n Some resorts and rental shops still offer helmets as optional equipment, but we cannot stress enough how important wearing one is. Even on the easiest slopes, helmets can be life-saving contraptions, and while you might save a few bucks by skimping on one, the investment might be the best one you make on your entire trip.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re snowboarding for the first time, you may want to invest into some protective padded shorts and knee pads for your added comfort. One of the things you\u2019ll quickly realize is that you\u2019ll be spending more time falling than actually going down the hill, and if you don\u2019t want to be achy and miserable at the end of the day, these knee and butt pads will do absolute wonders. Trust us, there\u2019s an exponentially higher chance you\u2019ll want to snowboard for the second time if you wear these padded pieces of gear on your first visit.<\/p>\n Technically, you can also get started on the slopes without goggles, and use sunglasses with a retaining strap instead. However, we\u2019d highly advise against this too\u2014if it\u2019s snowing hard, very windy, or very sunny, you will be much more comfortable wearing goggles over any other eye protection. Snow, being white, reflects ultraviolet light very efficiently\u2014both into your eyes and onto your skin. So even if the ground doesn\u2019t look too bright on your drive up to the mountain, you\u2019ll quickly realize that tinted lenses are a must-have on any ski day, even if it\u2019s overcast. If you\u2019re looking to buy any of these items before your trip, you can check out our recommendations in the links below.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Unless you can borrow from a friend that has similar sized feet, you\u2019ll need to rent a few things from a ski shop or the resort itself. <\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The process of securing your ski or snowboard rentals may look complicated and stressful at first, but there are a few ways you can set yourself up for the smoothest experience possible. The first way is easy with a bit of forethought: rather than waiting until the day of, book your rental equipment online in advance. Not only can you save money, but you can also save time in many rental shops by skipping the walk-in line. Make sure you rent the right size ski or snowboard equipment for your height, weight, and ability level. In today\u2019s world, the best shops replace their rental skis, boards, bindings, boots, and poles as often as once per year. Plus, the equipment gets checked nightly, so you can rest knowing it\u2019s kept in proper working condition. Even so, it\u2019s always worth it to make sure the ski or snowboard equipment you rent is in good condition and fits properly.<\/p>\n There are a few ways to rent equipment. The most common options include either renting directly with the ski resort or renting from a nearby independent shop. In many cases, independent ski and snowboard shops offer better deals on rentals than the resorts themselves. If you didn\u2019t book your equipment in advance, renting from these local shops can also allow you to avoid ski resort rental lines during peak times.<\/p>\n However, renting from the resorts typically takes less effort, and it\u2019s often easy to pair lesson bookings with equipment rentals in the same transaction. Bundle deals at some resorts mean that the cost savings from renting locally can be negligible, especially for first timers. In addition, many resorts offer free day and overnight storage services for rental equipment\u2014this benefit is difficult to come by at independent shops, which are nearly always located off the resort premises.<\/p>\n Some rental places, both local and resort-owned, allow you to drop your gear off outside the rental shop in the snow. This service is a great added convenience.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ski and snowboard instructors are trained to make sure your learning experience is as enjoyable as possible.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n You may have a friend, significant other, or relative who is excited to show you how to ski or ride, but even if they are expert on the slopes, we strongly recommend taking a lesson with a certified instructor for your first time out on the snow. There\u2019s a difference between knowing how to ski and knowing how to teach skiing, and you\u2019ll set yourself up for much greater success and enjoyment in the long term, not to mention managing your risk of injury, learning from a skilled teacher.<\/p>\n If you are fortunate enough to live within driving distance of a ski resort, likely the most cost-effective outing will be to make a day trip to take a lesson there\u2014but if you happen to already be locked into a destination trip, you\u2019ll have plenty of options as well. But if you have a choice between a destination or a local hill for your first day, you\u2019ll probably want to go with the latter; at most resorts, learning zones are located at the bottom of the mountain, meaning that most beginners visiting a premier destination resort will not have access to most of the full mountain experience that they will be paying top dollar to travel to. The good news is that many of these massive mountains offer special beginner lift tickets that cost a fraction of the multi-hundred regular ticket prices.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Group lessons are much cheaper than private lessons, though private lessons can provide more tailored experiences.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n But before you actually book your lesson, you\u2019ll have to make a big decision\u2014should you opt for a private lesson, or should you go for a group lesson with strangers?<\/p>\n There are important distinctions between the two, but it\u2019s not exactly a clear-cut decision on which to go for, even on your first day. Private lessons allow for more personalized instruction, more one-on-one attention, and a lesson that can be tailored to the individual\u2019s needs, goals, and skill level. At many resorts, private lessons can be scheduled at any time. On the other hand, group lessons cost less than private lessons. They can also be more fun and social than private lessons.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mypaytril.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/BeginnerStayinShape.png\")
Arrive in Shape<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mypaytril.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/BeginnerSkivsSnowboard.png\")
Skiing or Snowboarding: Which One Should You Try?<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mypaytril.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/BeginnerHelmetGear.png\")
Gear<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mypaytril.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/kimberleyrentalshoppost.jpeg\")
Rent the Right Equipment<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mypaytril.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/BeginnerLessons.png\")
Take a Lesson<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mypaytril.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/BeginnerGroupLessons.png\")
Private vs. Group: What Kind of Lesson Is Right for You?<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mypaytril.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/BeginnerWarmGear.png\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mypaytril.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/BeginnerSnackBag.jpg\")