Getting ready

Winter holidays mean lots of equipment, organising and researching. So to make life easier here is a reminder of things you will need to get ready.

Equipment

• First line of defence

  Underwear: board socks, thermal leggings, thermal top, fleece, sports bra (for the ladies or those that want to be), neck gaiter, beanie, padded pants (optional).

• Second line of defence

  Outerwear: Snowboard pants, snowboard jacket, mittens or gloves (mittens are warmer in really cold conditions), more beanies.

• Third line of defence

  Hardwear: boots, bindings, board, goggles. High quality equipment is available in resort.

Other essentials

Other important items to include in your bag are suncream, lip balm and sunglasses. When you’re outside all day and possibly at higher altitude than normal then you are at risk from burning.

Language

Morzine, for anyone that doesn’t know is in France and local residents really appreciate people making an attempt with the language.  So here’s some basics:

• Bonjour … hello
• Merci … thank you
• S’il vous plait … please
• Je m’appelle … My name is…
• Parlez-vous anglais … Do you speak English
• Je voudrais … I would like
• Je voudrais un grand biere s’il vous plait … I would like a pint please
• Pardon/desolé … Sorry
• Excuséz-moi … Excuse me
• Attention … Careful/Look out

Insurance

Unfortunately accidents do happen even on holidays,  so it is vital to make sure you have good insurance cover in case of an emergency. Check your cover thoroughly. Are you covered off-piste or in snow parks for helicopter recovery? These are all important factors depending on your ability and where you plan to ride.

Make sure your excess is reasonable, skimping on insurance can cost in the long run. When you go on holiday you need to have your insurance details with you so don’t leave them at home and it’s a good idea to have them in a safe pocket when you’re cruising, just in case.

The majority of doctors do not accept the E111, however you should carry this (or the new European Health Insurance Card) with you, since hospital costs can be very expensive, and the production of E111 or your EHIC can reduce the amount you have to pay directly to the health provider.

Carte Neige is available in resort which means transport off the mountain in an emergency is covered no matter where you are. This costs approximately 15€ but does not cover medical expenses.

Travel

Check arrangements for excess baggage if bringing your own winter kit,  as you can get stung at the airport because many airlines charge extra for board bags or heavy kit. Alternatively if you’re driving over be sure to inform your car insurance company and check your route. Remember that motorways in France work on a toll system so you’ll need some euros or your credit card.  To drive on Swiss motorways you need a vignette,  so it’s best to avoid them unless you plan to use them a lot.

Money

Make sure you’ve looked at your budget as people normally run out of money part-way through the season. There are casual jobs available in resort such as cleaning, bar work and babysitting for a bit of extra money. Paying for food in advance is often a good idea so at least you never go hungry (vital when snowboarding).

Lift Passes

Lift passes are available in resort for Morzine/ Les Gets, Avoriaz or Portes du Soleil and prices vary accordingly. If you’re spending a season in Morzine, then the Portes du Soleil pass is the way to go as it gives you access to the biggest area and you also get vouchers for other local resorts. Normally you need a passport photo for a season pass so it’s a good idea to bring one with you.