First, let's get the big question out of the way. Do you even need to get fit before a ski holiday? Hmm. If you plan to make the most of your ski pass and hit the slopes for 4 - 6 hrs a day, you’ll need a good base level of skiing fitness and about 12 weeks of training before your trip. But if you’re aiming for just a couple of hours on the slopes, followed by long, lazy lunches, spa treatments and plenty of apres ski fun, you won’t need such a long build-up. Anything you can squeeze in before you go will help. Here at 

Get set for epic days out on the mountain by building your skiing endurance. 

One of the best ways to build this stamina is with cardio. Take inspiration from pro skiers and replicate the fitness needed for skiing or snowboarding with some time on the bike. Two-wheeled exercise will get your heart rate racing, preparing you for steep verticals and long marathon days on the slopes.

Ice skating or rollerblading are also great ways to train for endurance. Yes, we're serious. They mimic the balance, coordination and lateral movement of skiing. Plus, they’re good fun too. 

Targeting key muscle groups is the best way to strengthen your body for skiing.

Your legs will work flat out when you’re out on the slopes. So get your quads, glutes and calves carve-ready with repeated knee bends, downhill squats and lunges. 

Include sit-ups and planks to strengthen your core too. Not only will you find it easier to keep your balance, maintain a strong stance and turn at speed, but you’ll also help prevent injury. 

Simple right? Go on tiger, you can do it.

? If you're frustrated with typical package holiday restrictions, then we might just be what you're looking for.  

 than your typical ski package provider, but a lot 

 to put together than doing it all yourself. Choose where you want to go from 300+ ski resorts, travel the day you want, stay as long as you like.

Want to get ski-fit before your holiday? Here are our top tips and skiing exercises for getting your body ready before you hit the slopes. 


How to get fit for a ski holiday

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Many of us are tightening our belts, but we're still super keen for a ski holiday this season. The good news is, there are loads of ways to keep the budget down and still get your slope 'fix'.

 Of course, you can still go for seven days, but by going for five or six days instead, you can still get plenty of skiing in, but save on the trip. 

2. Check if avoiding Saturday flights makes it cheaper

Marcus' other major budget-saving tip is you don't have to travel on a Saturday (which is usually the most expensive day for flights) see if another day makes it cheaper: 

January is the skiing season's sweet spot for budget holidays. Frequent fresh dumps of snow mean it's possible to ski at a lower altitude, where you'll find cheaper resorts. And there are also fewer crowds on the slopes. Happy days! Alternatively, avoid the pricey February half-term and Easter school holiday frenzy with a ski trip in March. Soak up the sun on stunning bluebird days and make the most of peaceful slopes and warmer temperatures. Just remember to pack the sunscreen! 

4. Try our 'flexible date search' to find the cheapest dates

If you can be flexible on your dates, use our flexible date search to see the cheapest ski holidays in that date range. You can either pick a date and tick +1/2 days if you only have a little flexibility. Or toggle to the 'Flexible' tab on search, and find the cheapest dates to travel in a whole month.

Don't follow the herd; find somewhere off the beaten track for a super-budget ski holiday. Here are some of our top budget ski locations:

6. Book a small ski resort connected to a larger, well-known one

Ski lift passes usually eat up a lot of your budget. But you might not even need one. Many resorts don't charge for nursery slope draglifts, so newbies often get by without a ski pass – at least for the first few days. Alternatively, skip premium prices at the big ski resorts and choose a smaller one. If you're just starting out or skiing with littluns, you're less likely to need a large, expensive ski area. Some ski regions also offer mini passes with access to green and blue runs only. And some let kids ski for free! Want to know more? Give us a call at Heidi, and we'll point you in the right direction. 

Most people want to ski in the morning, so many ski schools offer discounts on afternoon sessions. Book your ski lessons after 2pm, and you might get a bargain. 

Save some money and do your bit for the environment by borrowing ski kit from friends and family or buy second-hand. Use apps like Preloved, Gumtree and eBay to find tip-top nearly-new gear. Some websites specialise in pre-owned kit too. Prefer to buy new? Check out discount stores like TK Maxx, Aldi, Sports Direct and Primark. 

Finding a good pair of ski boots is worth its weight in gold. Happy feet = happy days on the slopes! Look out for cut-price boots towards the end of the season. Or, if you really like a pair of hired boots, you might be able to negotiate a good deal and buy them at the end of the week. Ski boots can often be taken on planes as hand luggage, even with low-cost airlines. Whereas skis and boards usually cost extra, so it can be more cost effective to hire those in resort. 

Skiing on a budget? Just trying to get the best value from your holiday? Follow our top tips for saving money on your ski trip...

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How to save money on a ski holiday

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Planning your first ski holiday? Sweet. You’re gonna have an awesome time! But if you’re a bit overwhelmed by what you need to do before you hit the slopes and what you need to pack, here are some top tips from our super team here at 

Big isn’t always best! When clipping into your ski boots for the first time, you’ll only need a few gentle greens and easy-going blues to get you going. Our advice? Save a bit of cash and forgo a supersized resort for something smaller. You’ll still have heaps of fun. 

 give you access to the magnificent Three Valley ski area without the inflated price tag. They are chilled and laid back, too, so if you want all the fun of the largest ski area in the world without the hype, these resorts are ideal. 

 is also a great option for beginners, and if you're in a group with more experience skiers, they can hop on a bus to 

Get your ducks in a row and book your ski hire before you go. This will be lighter on your bank balance, and you’ll save heaps of time too. Simply rock up, collect your skis and lift pass, and make a beeline for the slopes. 

All those snow ploughs will give your legs a proper workout when learning to ski. Feel the burn! So, get ahead of the curve with some training before hitting the bunny slopes. Still trying to figure out where to start? Check out YouTube for loads of ski-specific home workouts. 

up. If you think you’ll be able to blast down the slopes like Bode Miller or Lindsey Vonn on your first ski trip, let us stop you in your tracks. Lessons are legit the best way to progress quickly. Get started with a group lesson and progress to a 1-to-1 or 1-to-2 session as you improve. Want to be top of the class? Head to a ski dome before you go. From knowing how to put your ski boots on to clipping into the skis, it’ll give you a great head start. 

It may be cold when you set out in the morning, but once the sun rises above the mountains, it can get pretty toasty! Layers are the secret to staying comfortable all day. Start with a thermal base, then a fleece or thin down jacket, and top it off with a ski jacket. Top tip - if you don’t want to fork out for an expensive ski-specific coat, a good quality waterproof jacket is often enough for your first trip.

Ready to take the plunge? We're on-hand if you need any more advice. Have fun exploring!

Never been on a ski holiday? Or booking it yourself for the first time? Here's the advice from the friendly Heidi experts...

Top tips for booking your first ski holiday

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Beginner ski guide

 we understand that when picking that perfect resort for your first ski trip you want gentle and crowd free slopes. You also want to be able to access the mountain to meet friends and enjoy the views (and not be confined to ‘beginner only areas’). That means choosing a resort where the main network of runs are rated green or blue, especially the pistes back to the resort.

Often this means quieter resorts away from action, but as you’ll see from some of our suggestions below – not always! While the big mega-resorts can be intimidating for anyone setting out on their first ski trip, some are great for beginners. Also important, look for resorts where there’s a wide selection of other things to do, whether that’s good shopping, hiking trails or spas, just in case you don’t find your ski legs. 

The exception to the ‘go small’ rule.

 may be a mega resort – where multiple resorts and ski villages are linked together by lift systems – but it’s also a great option for beginners. There are excellent slopes right next to the resort and since it’s purpose built, most of the accommodation is super practical ski-in, ski-out, which means you don’t have to worry about the pain of carrying your skis far. With 600km of pistes and 30 snowparks, all on one pass, there’s no shortage of options. Head up the mountain when the weather’s great or stay below the tree line for better visibility when it’s snowy. There’s also no shortage of alternate activities either, from e-bikes to hiking to shopping and spas. 

 is an idyllic village in the heart of the Pyrenees offering great value for money and lots of wide, gentle tree-lined runs. It’s home to a small, family-friendly ski area. The resort also has a nice relaxed pace to it, so it’s not as intimidating as some of the bigger resorts in the Alps. Being Andorra, it’s kinder on the wallet – which is important to think about if you’re not sure if you’ll like skiing. From Arinsal, it’s also easy to get down to the town of Andorra La Vella for some shopping or the Caldea Spa for some spa time to get away from the slopes or just enjoy some me-time.

Norway is a very different vibe to the Alps. Their mountains are not as high or steep as their alpine counterparts and as result, they’re not as scary either for your first runs. The resorts are also smaller and quieter, which all adds to a welcoming and positive experience.

 is a great place to learn the basics, with two thirds of its pistes rated either green or blue. There are some great beginner zones on the mountain and wide open slopes above the treeline. It’s also home to a good ski school with instructors who speak perfect English. Norway also enjoys a good snow record so you’re much less likely to find yourself on challenging icy conditions. 

 doesn’t tick the “convenient” box, it’s a magical place for a first winter ski holiday. One of the biggest highlights is its mountain railway, which climbs to a lofty 3,454 metres, the highest train station in Europe! With stunning alpine panoramas, you get the romance of arriving by train to the beautiful traffic-free 

 while looking out over breathtaking views of mighty snowy peaks. Enjoy the convenience of fantastic beginner slopes right next to town. When you feel you've learned the basics, you can then take the traditional mountain railway to the top of the mountain for some more easy skiing options to descend your way back to the hotel bar.

With free lifts on its beginner slopes, an excellent ski school and childcare facilities,

 is naturally popular with beginners and families. It’s a super convenient resort, easy to get around with plenty of accommodation options where you can put on your skis just outside your hotel or apartment. It’s also situated close to Geneva airport so it makes for an ideal break if you only wanted to go away for a few days to give the sport a go without committing to a full week. On the slopes there’s a good selection of easy runs, while off the slopes you can also try ice driving and dog sledding – or spend the day in a spa. 

This charming Austrian resort has it all – good beginner slopes, lots of easy blue runs and a lack of crowds. But it also benefits from being linked to the

, one of the world’s largest ski areas. Much of the terrain across these Austrian hills is similarly benign and suitable for beginners and intermediates looking to explore the mountain. Add ski-in, ski-out accommodation, epic views across to the Wilder Kaiser mountains and all the Austrian traditions from glühwein to horse drawn carriage rides, and you have the makings of a great first time on the slopes. 

 is the perfect resort for those who may only want to give skiing a go as part of a wider winter experience. It does have some great beginner slopes, but it’s the variety of everything else you can do that makes it special. Here they love their cross-country skiing – there are more cross-country runs than there are regular pistes. There’s also ice skating, lots of spas, swimming, shopping and good restaurants. And if you fancy the bright lights, Innsbruck is a beautiful and historically fascinating city just down the road. 

Wondering where to book your first ski trip? Here are our tips on where to head for beginner-friendly ski resorts.


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How to get fit for a ski holiday

Plan Ahead

Increase Your Endurance

Build Your Strength

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