Hey ski lovers — the snow season is creeping in and if you want to make sure your trip isn’t full of surprises, here are a bunch of things to sort now so you’ll be totally ready when the lifts spin.
Area
Fitness & Body Prep
Gear & Clothing
Packing Smart
Weather & Snow Conditions
Booking & Logistics
Mental Preparation & Goals
Tip
Start light training: cardio (running, cycling), leg strength (squats, lunges), plus balance work (yoga, stability exercises).
Check your ski / snowboard gear early (boots fit, bindings working, edges sharp). Test layers: base & mid layers, waterproof jacket/pants. Don’t wait until you arrive.
Use a checklist that includes: helmet, goggles, extra lens, waterproof gloves, neck warmer, lip balm + sunscreen (high UV up top!), spare socks.
Keep tabs on glacier snow reports, snowmaking updates, average temps for Kaprun leading into opening.
If you need specialized equipment (powder skis, tech boots, etc.) or private coaching/lessons, reserve these in advance. Also, check transport & lodging: are shuttles running? What about parking?
Decide what you want from the season: “ski more powder,” “improve carving,” “master steeper reds,” etc. Maybe even do some dry-land ski-specific training (balance boards, flexibility).
Why it matters
Prevents injury, helps when you’re skiing many days in a row. A lot of soreness mid-week comes from under-preparation.
Snow & weather at glacier altitude can change fast. If your gear fails (wet gloves, bad goggles), it ruins your day.
The small annoyances matter. Being cold or having fogged goggles can be much worse than a tougher slope.
You’re farther ahead if you know from reliable sources whether early snow looks soft, firm, or patchy. Helps manage expectations.
The best options go fast. If you wait, you may end up with what’s left, which can be frustrating.
Having goals gives structure. You’ll get more out of camps/lessons, and track progress.
Hacks / Pro Tips
- Layer-ring is your friend. Warm on top of cool: early mornings might be freezing, midday sun intense, later chilling again.
- Sun safety counts double. At glacier altitudes, UV is intense. Sunglasses + goggles + SPF on face/lips = not optional.
- Hydrate + rest well. Cold + altitude + skiing = you burn through energy & water fast. Your performance & recovery depend on rest & hydration.
- Pack spares of small gear. Goggles lens, gloves, socks → losing one in the snow or having one get wet can kill a day.
- Watch for early-season bugs. Equipment that worked last year might be a bit off now. Bring it out for trial runs if possible.
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