Learning to ski as an adult is daunting, I get it… but it’s such a rewarding experience! It’s never too late, I learnt to ski during the 2019/2020 season, at 28 years old. This is something I’ve wanted to do for years. My main concerns were around cost and the potential to be awful at it and be in a class full of kids.
All I can say is that I wish I took the leap sooner, it has been such a cool process so I wanted to share my experience for anyone else feeling similarly. Skiing is such a unique blend of challenge and thrill. This guide will walk you through the ski gear you’ll need, adult ski lessons and tips for success on the slopes.

Why Learn to Ski as an Adult?
There’s no other activity that I do that makes me feel this alive and grateful as what skiing does. That being said, I didn’t realize how much I had a fear of heights prior to this so it can be a bit of a battle. The positives 100% outweigh the negatives though!
Skiing is often a social activity. From group lessons to après-ski, there are plenty of opportunities to meet new people and a great excuse for groups of friends to go away together. Having moved to Vancouver in 2018, I knew it was something I had to do. If you are planning on visiting and are looking for things to do, check out my Vancouver Travel Guide here. Vancouver has a few resorts locally and some others within reach for a long weekend getaway, which definitely helps!
Skiing is a sport that takes time to master, you’ll need some patience and positive mindset! The more time you can put into being out there, that more you’ll benefit. Make sure you are around people will who will help you and be a positive influence, having good people around you is essential.
How to Find the Right Ski Resort
Choosing a beginner-friendly ski resort is essential. Look for resorts with a few green runs so you can mix things up if you choose to. Ensure they offer ski schools and lessons for adults and how often they are. Is there the option to book onto private classes too if you want to? If you’re not ready to invest in your own gear, resorts with good rental shops are a must.
Should You Book Ski Lessons?
I would really recommend enrolling in a ski school. Instructors can teach you the fundamentals, from putting on your skis to mastering the ‘pizza’ needed to get you down the mountain (snowplow). Group lessons are a much more affordable way of learning with an expert. While private lessons provide personalized attention. I opted for a group ski lesson as it was such good value. I booked on for 6 week group lesson initially, which took place every Saturday on Mt Seymour in Vancouver. I appreciate that unless you’re within an hour’s drive of a mountain this won’t be possible for everyone. If you’re booking a ski holiday then a lot of the places will offer a daily morning lesson.
Beginner Ski Gear
I chose to rent my gear for the first two seasons of learning to ski to make sure it was a worthwhile investment. However if you’re wanting comfort from the get go it could be worth purchasing.
Ski Boots
Finding the right fit is super important. Boots that are too tight or too loose can be really uncomfortable and affect your control. Ensure you have enough time to try on your ski boots if you’re hiring ahead of a lesson! This was my most expensive purchase, I chose to get these brand new so they could be heat moulded to my feet for maximum comfort and though it was costly it was worth it. I chose the Atomic Hawx and the Superfeet liners to go in them.


Skis and Bindings
Beginners should opt for narrow, more flexible skis that will make it easier to grip the snow. I picked up my ski’s second hand off Facebook Marketplace and they’ve been great! You’ll need to get these waxed before you use them and possibly every season depending on how much you’re using them. Alternatively some of the local mountains in Vancouver let you rent them for the season which a lot of people do. Since I purchased my skis and bindings second hand, however these are very similar. Bindings are tricky if you’re not familiar with them. The ski rentals will adjust these for you accordingly, or if you purchase them in a shop they will fit them. If I were purchasing brand new I would opt for these Atomic Skis and Bindings so they are the same make as the boots I have.


Poles
Essential for balance and rhythm, make sure they are the correct height for your body. As a beginner skiier, it doesn’t matter too much what poles you use. These Salomon black ski poles are super similar to the ones I have.


What to Wear Skiing
Staying warm and dry on the mounts is essential to be able to enjoy yourself. You could be on a run for a good 30-40 minutes then queuing to get back up for a similar amount of time. Just like any other outdoor activity – layering is key.
Base layers
A marino wool is my base layer of choice, it’s a great fabric for being active and staying warm! Make sure yo check the labels of the products that say they are merino wool, as some might only be 30% and will be priced similarly to those that are 100%. I’ve recently purchased the Ice Breaker Merino long sleeve and the Ice Breaker Merino leggings.


Midlayers
Depending on the weather this can change slightly. If it’s not too cold, I’ll opt for a light long sleeve or hoody. If it’s super cold I add this Patagonia down jacket too.

Ski Jacket
If you’re just going to invest in one piece of clothing initially let it be a waterproof ski jacket or shell. It doesn’t have to be expensive but I understand buying all the gear is a lot! I have used the Mountain Warehouse Ski Jacket for 3 seasons now and it is great! On a spring ski day when the temperature isn’t so low I use my Patagonia Torrrentshell Rain Jacket.


Ski Pants
I’ve had a few different pairs of ski pants over the years and the Helly Hanson Insulated Ski Pants I have are the best for keeping me warm and dry.

Wool Socks
I’ve tried skiing with regular socks, and as much as I wanted it to work, it doesn’t. Getting some that will go over the top of the ski boot is best. The ones I have are also from Icebreaker and have been a staple for me.

Mittens / Gloves
This option depends on which glove type you prefer. Personally I much prefer mittens as my hands run super cold. I have the Helly Hansen Sift HT Mittens and wear their thin Merino Glove Liner underneath.


Helmet
Purchasing a helmet seems like a bit of an investment, however it is the one piece of equipment that is really important. Some resorts let you hire one but I would suggest getting your own. I have had two different Smith helmets and both have been super comfortable. You want to make sure there is a MIPS label on the helmet itself.

Ski Goggles
Not being able to see properly in a snowstorm is when I knew I need to upgrade my goggles. Initially I had a cheap pair to get me going however they didn’t last long. I decided to invest and now use the Oakley Flight Deck Snow Goggles which have interchangeable lenses depending on the conditions that day. I don’t have the other lenses yet but I will be soon as I’m super impressed with the goggles.

Balaclava
To avoid windburn, a balaclava will be your bestie in this instance. Since the moisture from your nose and mouth will get absorbed by your balaclava a merino wool fabric is ideal, versus fleece for example. I have the Unisex Merino Oasis Balaclava.

What To Pack For The Day
I would suggest taking a small backpack with you if you’re like me and want to have snacks on hand. If you have a jacket with lots of pockets however, you may not need one. For a day on the slopes I usually have on me:
Phone, ID, Lift pass, Water, Snacks, a warm hat for when your helmet is off, hand warmers to put inside my gloves if it gets cold.
In the car I have a bag for afterwards with spare clothes, more snacks and a cup of tea. Shout out to David’s Tea for making the best thermos that keep my tea hot for up to 8 hours! It best part about coming back to the car afterwards!
Challenges on the Slopes
A fear of falling is one of the things I really struggled with initially and still do sometimes. Falling onto snow is great for the most part and it really helps take the impact off. Once you’ve fallen a few times you’ll see it’s not as bad as it was in your head. Advice I’ve been given is to learn to fall sideways and essentially hug the mountain! Controlling your speed at the beginning will take a bit of work. The ‘pizza’ or snowplow technique, where you position your skis in a V-shape, is always a good way to slow down and stop. As you become more comfortable, you can progress to parallel turns. Chairlifts can be a bit intimidating at first but just takes some practice.
Final thoughts on learning to Ski as an Adult
Learning to ski as an adult is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but so worth it. With the right mindset, gear, and guidance, you can 100% go for it! If it hadn’t of been for moving to Vancouver I’m not sure I would have taken the plunge. If you’re also planning on moving to Vancouver, here are 10 things I wish I’d known Before Moving. Also feel free to check out What to Pack When Moving if it’s relevant. Happy Skiing!
Love, Chrissy x