Might as well jump

Ah, might as well jump (jump), Might as well jump, Go ahead and jump (jump). Go ahead and jump!” “Jump” by Van Halen is the first song on my ski playlist.

Planning a ski trip? Better get started now. Here are my suggestions to prepare for your first ski trip. The length of a Mountain West ski trip should ideally be six days. A travel day on both ends leaves three days for skiing and one goof-off day. Newbie skiers do best with two days of skiing, a day off, and then a third skiing day. Flying out Monday and back Saturday is best, as it avoids the weekend crowds.

When? NOT the two weeks at Christmas. It is just doubly expensive and absurdly crowded. January and February are the best months for snow. Schools can be so draconian about missing school, but all my kids managed just fine although they all went skiing. 

Where? Anywhere out west. All these places are great experiences, have dependable snow, and offer good ski schools. Preferences are Big Sky, MT (best open skiing but no town or ambiance to speak of, and not convenient to a major airport); Jackson Hole, MT (Jackson is 30 minutes from slopes but lots to do there); Vail, CO (great town, food, and slopes, but huge crowds that they handle well); Breckenridge, CO (quaint town, lots to see, but they whine about the very industry that put them on the map); and Park City, UT (biggest ski area in the U.S., 30 minutes from SLC airport, the town is really cool, can be crowded on weekends). 

Lodging? Condominium units, hotels, and AirBNB are all good. Closer to the lift is more expensive but sorta worth it. Vail, Breck, and Park City have lodging right up to the slopes. Big Sky and Jackson Hole not so much. Eating in saves money when you can.

Lessons? Expensive but worth it and includes your lift pass. Group lessons usually work out fine for adults and kids. Kids pick it up real fast because they have no fear. Adults take three days to get comfortable on skis and can usually do green slopes by the third day. But next year you pick right up from there. 

Your off day is for relaxing, shopping, or better yet, snowmobiling. That is where Jackson Hole and Big Sky excel, because from either you can go into Yellowstone and see wildlife, Old Faithful in the snow, hot springs, and it is a Winter Wonderland. 

Good gear is critical for skiing. The base layer, including socks, must be moderate or low temp, moisture-wicking gear. It is the foundation that makes everything work. Good pants (bibs are a favorite), a good jacket, great gloves, and make sure to rent quality skis/boots/helmet. Helmets are mandatory for kids and adults with an IQ over 100. Don’t let your feet hurt. If your feet hurt, go back and get different boots. They sell hand and feet warmer packets that work great and are cheap. If you are cold, it’s not as much fun. If you are wet and cold, you’ll pick the beach next time. 

Lessons start early and lifts open at 8:30 or 9 a.m. Lifts close at 4 p.m. A full day of skiing is a workout. You’ll be sore and tired, but nothing ibuprofen can’t fix. All these places are at high elevation, so start drinking a lot of water a week before to avoid altitude headaches and fatigue.

A healthy lifestyle is your best training but for beginners, I’d suggest squats, lunges, and planks in preparation for the trip.

Skiing is addictive, at least for skiers. Some try it, don’t care for it, and never go again. But I caught the fever at 13 and never looked back. My wife skis, all eight of our kids ski, our grandkids will all ski, and so on down the line. I suspect you will fall in love with it and you’ll be making a winter trip every year. Yes, it isn’t cheap. But what is? It is a sport with lifelong friendships, experiences, and healthy habits. Have a blast!

“Ridin’ the storm out, waitin’ for the thaw out. On a full moon night in the Rocky Mountain winter. My wine bottle’s low, watching for the snow … Ridin’ the storm out. Ridin’ the storm out.” “Ridin’ the Storm Out” by REO Speedwagon.

Kelly Burke, attorney, former district attorney and magistrate judge, writes about the law, rock’n’roll, and politics or anything that strikes him. Contact Kelly at dakellyburke@gmail.com to comment on this article or suggest articles that you’d like to see, and visit his website at www.kellyrburke.com to view prior columns.

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