We asked you what ski tips and advice would you offer a beginner skier going for the first time. Yet again, we had a huge response from you.  Here's our choice of the best tips and advice for beginners:  

Winner of the £50 John Lewis Voucher - Steve Willetts

This is from a guy who at 51 first learnt to ski on a Le Ski holiday - and I am still having fun skiing at nearly 60! So this is what worked for me:

- I got fit to ski NOT skied to get fit
Skiing is a sport and you need to develop the skills. Fitness matters. I am not saying you need to be super fit or join a gym but regular exercise before the trip really helped the enjoyment and supported the progress.

- I practiced to make permanent
I had lessons, two hours per day for five days. The cost is small when you consider the overall cost of the holiday and my instructor had me up the mountain and having safe fun in no time. The five sessions made sure I properly got the hang of it. I talked to the school before I booked to check out how they worked, language issues and expectations.

- I set realistic expectations
Rather than thinking about skiing a particular colour run think about the pleasure in learning a new skill and having fun in a beautiful environment.

- And finally I hired the gear…
I hired boots, skis and not forgetting helmet for my first trip, and also even hired ski jacket and salopettes. The hire shop let me try different skis, and on day 2 I changed my boots following advice from the instructor. If you have get the taste for it, prioritise buying boots (properly fitted with inners moulded to your feet) and helmet. Comfort and safety were key for me and I did not buy skis until I was beyond beginner so they will now last.
 

And 28 more of the best tips for beginners that you also sent us...

 
1.     Anthea Green-Jones
Always book ski school. It's a must for beginners. You get expert instruction, make new friends and get to see the whole of your resort safely and have loads of fun!
 
2.     Sue Redford
If you possibly can have private lessons with New Generation Ski School in the first few days. It will enhance your enjoyment of the sport immeasurably. I know, because I did it age 60 and loved every minute!

3.     Hannah Gillies
I took my family skiing for the first time last year. They were given jackets, hats, gloves socks and goggles for Christmas and explained they would need it for skiing at Easter. The instructors were great and by the end of the week the children and husband were all skiing down reds. We can't wait to go skiing again as a family!
 
4.     Sarah Bunting
Remember you will probably hate it for at least the first few days, but don't give up & persevere and once you can do it there's nothing better!
 
5.     Andrew Down
Don’t buy any equipment - hire until you have done at least 3 weeks on the snow.

 
6.     Tara Carter
Join ski school with a close friend (me and my sister started skiing 20 years ago together and laughed all week in Serre Chevalier) still ski together now. 
 
7.     Tara Carter
Don't go when it’s busy (Feb half term), don't buy expensive gear and stop for an even earlier Vin Chaud on the third day – you’ll have an absolutely fabulous time.
 
8.     Dougal Johnston
Your holiday will be vastly improved if you have your own well-fitted ski boots - or alternatively do the sensible thing and snowboard instead (you'll always have comfortable feet even when dancing at après!!).
 
9.     Robert Ding
Indoor practice is invaluable as prep for your first trip. Chamonix will still be there when you’re ready.
 
10.   Brian Perry
Always wear a helmet, they might not be cool but they could save your life.


 

11.   Kathryn Edwards
Just remember it's a holiday and you are supposed to be enjoying it. So don't worry about taking half a day off if you’re feeling tired - as a beginner that’s natural. Reward yourself with a Vin Chaud, take in the views, enjoy the sun and relax.
 
12.   Mike Hill
Wear multiple layers - you can always unzip or take a layer off if you're too hot - you can't put it on if you don't have it.
 
13.   Jan Lever
If you're feeling really tired at the end of the day, don't do that new tough run just because everybody else wants to! I’ve seen so many people get injured or lose their confidence this way. Do that run tomorrow when you're fresh.
 
14.   Cherry Wyatt
Get a couple of lessons at the snow dome at Milton Keynes or Tamworth , so you have some idea how it goes , then you can crack on at ski school and get going a bit quicker
 
15.   Tracy Adams
Don't be embarrassed to take the lift down at the end of the day. If it's busy and slushy I do this and I have been skiing for 30+ years. It’s too easy to have a bad fall and ruin the rest of your holiday. 
 

16.   Tiffany Evans
If you have friends who ski already, borrow kit from them. You'll be more likely to end up in a technical jacket that will keep you properly warm and dry, rather than a cheap version that is all you could bear to buy. Invest in the good stuff once you've tried out skiing for the first time and know that you will be back.
 
17.   Dave Denny
Always remember you're there to enjoy yourself. Two very important words our wonderful first teacher used as we made our first turns were "And smile...!" We still remind ourselves of that when it gets steep!
 
18.   Sue Bevan
Learn the basics and gain confidence on a dry slope or in a snow dome in the UK well before you go. Otherwise you will be frustrated by pootling up and down the same piste whilst wishing you could explore the vast ski area you can see from the nursery slopes.
 
19.   Steven Caudle
Get a good night’s sleep and don't overdo the alcoholic drinks or you'll be fit for nothing.
 
20.   Angela Carson
Take goggles for sunny days and low light goggles for poor visibility -seeing the relief of the terrain boosts your confidence. 
 

21.   Marlyn Dickson
Prepare for a belly ache from laughing so much and a new worry: 'How can we afford that again next year?’ A snow break is a super fun trip for the whole family you will want to do again and again.
 
22.   Tiffany Evans
Try out a beginner’s session at one of the snow centres in the UK. It gets you through the initial bewilderment over how to put on your boots, what length skis you need, and gives you that crucial first experience of sliding on the slippery stuff. You'll have more confidence when you find yourself on real snow.
 
23.   Trevor Fowler
My tip is say goodbye to summer holidays!
 
24.   Steve Presdee
There’s nothing worse than being uncomfortable and cold so buy good quality core items: thermal (wool mix) baselayer set, good quality gloves, socks. Spend more on these and less on outer shell (jacket and trousers) which are the expensive bits anyway. Warm = Fun.
 
25.   Sue Bevan
Buy decent but inexpensive clothing. Apparently Aldi ski gear recently fared much better in tests than North Face.
 

26.   Mike Hill
Rent boots, skis/board & helmet in resort. Hire clothing, borrow it from friends/family or buy second hand. You may hate it (a few strange people do).

27.   Tiffany Evans
Go with another beginner friend. Ski school can be a great way to meet new skiing pals, but nothing beats sharing war wounds and recollections of spills and thrills with someone else who is sharing them with you in class.

28.   Martin Bulmer
Most first timers suffer with sore feet due to poorly fitted rental boots and then think skiing is not for them as its too painful. Invest in buying your own boots and you'll never look back. It’s not the cheapest option but at least you'll know it’s the sport you didn't like and not the comfort. 




Thanks to everyone who contributed to this.

If you're thinking about taking a ski hoilday for the first time, then please contact the Le Ski team on 01484 548996 and we'd be delighted to talk you through the options.