Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
31 October 2013 10:25
It's snow joke: learning to ski can be a painful process, involving plenty of bumps and bans to both body and ego
Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh once said: "Fail to prepare, prepare to fail."
Many holiday-making novice skiers are failing to heed Waugh's maxim, a new survey suggests - and sometimes with painful consequences.
More than four in 10 (43%) beginners polled in Snozone's Ski Holiday Satisfaction Survey wished they had taken extra skiing lessons before hitting the pistes in the Alps or the Pyrenees.
Learning to ski can be a painful experience involving plenty of bumps and bangs to both body and ego.
But learning at a resort can also be expensive. Novice skiers lose up to three days of their holiday learning the fundamentals of the pastime and spend up to £300 on lessons, according to the poll undertaken by the indoor ski-slope company.
The figures are a reminder of the potential pitfalls of a skiing holiday, and offer a timely reminder of the importance of taking out sports travel insurance for extra peace of mind if you're hitting the slopes as a beginner - or even an intermediate - skier.
It questioned 2,220 UK residents who have been on a skiing holiday in the past five years.
The cost of resort lessons adds £200-£300, the poll found, in addition to the £750 to £1,000 that British travellers expect to spend on their skiing holiday.
More those half of those surveyed (55%) also admitted to novice nerves, claiming that skiing can be a frightening thought for people inexperienced in the sport.
Nearly half of people questioned (46%) claimed they go on a winter sports holiday every year.
A bit of ski practice before you board a plane to France can make all the difference, says Snozone's Elena Kale.
She said: "For complete beginners, learning to ski or snowboard can be an intimidating experience."
So, she advised, lessons before you leave should give confidence to make the first few days of your trip much more enjoyable.
15 February 2019
British Airways celebrated Valentine's Day with a special flight where all members of the cabin crew were couples who work for the airline.
[more...]
14 February 2019
The "concerning" level of stigma surrounding the human papilloma virus (HPV) could be putting some women off going for vital check-ups, campaigners are warning.
13 February 2019
Older people living with depression should be given better access to community activities and therapy instead of being prescribed antidepressants, researchers have urged.
12 February 2019
The Government has been criticised for failing to act on warnings about the link between processed meats and cancer, by the scientist who co-authored the original advice.
09 February 2019
A grandfather who has battled three types of cancer is cycling from Twickenham to Tokyo in time for the Rugby World Cup - all in aid of charity.
08 February 2019
Lovers of traditional fish and chips are embracing a more health-conscious version of their favourite food, a new study suggests.
07 February 2019
Two thirds of UK adults don't know they're able to lower their risk of developing dementia, new research has shown.
06 February 2019
More than 600 people a day are quitting their jobs to care for relatives, a charity has warned.
05 February 2019
Millennials in the US face an increasing risk of developing an obesity-related cancer, a new study has revealed.
02 February 2019
More than 100 people sought refuge at a pub high on Bodmin Moor overnight after heavy snowfall hit the A30, leading many stranded motorists to abandon their cars.
01 February 2019
Smokers are almost twice as likely to quit with the help of e-cigarettes than if they rely on nicotine patches or gum, a study has found.
31 January 2019
Britain is bracing for the coldest night of the winter so far, with "significant snowfall" likely to cause further travel delays and school closures.