Many of us are in the middle of a very sweltering summer, so what better time to start dreaming about snow? If you’re already planning your next ski vacation, here are a few expert tips to steer you towards a successful trip!

First off, when will you be skiing? The time of the year can greatly affect your trip. If you go early, as in late November, early December, expect temperatures to be somewhat moderate. January and February are the cold months, with March and April being moderate to warm. Some spring days will get up to 50˚F! This is good to know so you will know what to pack!

Packing can be hectic. How many pairs of socks do I need? Should I bring more shoes? What will I wear at night? I will list some basic necessities that you should always have:

• Plenty of socks. Ski/snowboard socks, and regular around the house socks
• Long underwear (preferably a good brand like Hot Chilly’s or Under Armor)
• Sweaters and long sleeve t-shirts are nice to wear over thermals and under ski jacket
• Snow boots (something with good traction for walking around town)
• Hats (fleece or knit are good for warmth, make sure they cover your ears!)
• Scarf or turtle fur (fleece that goes around neck while skiing)
• Waterproof gloves (ones that are long enough to go over your jacket sleeve to prevent snow from getting in!)
• Goggles for on the mountain (with interchangeable lenses for the cloudy and sunny days)
• Jacket other than ski jacket (wool coat)
• Ski jacket (waterproof, removable fleece inside is nice, also get a lot of pockets!)
• Ski pants (waterproof as well, with multiple pockets)
• Camera or GoPro (waterproof video camera perfect for getting footage on the slopes)

Now that you are packed and ready, where will you go? If you are a beginner, New Mexico and Colorado are good choices. They are very family friendly and have a good percentage of beginner runs. More difficult skiing is in Utah, Lake Tahoe and Wyoming. The only downside to skiing in Colorado is the elevation. Colorado has some of the highest peaks in the US, and is home to the most 14ers (mountains with over 14,000 feet in elevation). If you think elevation may be an issue for you, go to Utah, where the peaks average around 10,000 feet.

Once you have decided on a location, make sure you stay in a place that is ski in ski out, or one that is on the bus route. Most ski towns have a free shuttle running to the base of the mountain. You do not want to get stuck driving every day and having to hike in your ski boots to the lifts! One of my favorite places to ski is Telluride, CO. We stayed at The Peaks Resort and Spa in Mountain Village. This ski in ski out property was perfect. They have ski valet (they take care of your skis for you and have them out and ready in the morning), a full service spa, a couple of restaurants, and is close in walking distance to the free gondola into town.

Overall, make sure you pick a destination that will make everyone happy. Travelling with people who would rather gamble then ski? Check out Lake Tahoe, on the Nevada side. What about being in a quaint small town with a lot of history, and amazing fried chicken? Try Crested Butte, Colorado. Have fun!

by Lauren Marinos