7 pro tips for planning a snow trip

So, you want to go to the snow? Have a snowball fight with your mates? Sit by the fire sipping on hot chocolate? Shred down the slopes?

We asked professional snowboarder Michaela Davis-Meehan for her top tips to help prepare you for your dream snow trip.

1. Choose a mountain 

First, you need to decide where you’ll go. In Australia and New Zealand (Flip now covers you in NZ), there are lots of resorts to choose from. Which mountain to go to depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want:

• A quiet lodge on snow? Perisher, Falls Creek or Cardrona are good choices
• Somewhere small to keep an eye on the kids? Charlotte’s Pass, Baw Baw or the Remarkables might be the go
• A bit of everything for your ski trip? Thredbo, Hotham or Queenstown could work
• My picks are Perisher in NSW or Buller in VIC or Whakapapa at Mt Ruapehu in NZ for the large terrain and variety.

2. Plan your travel

Will you be driving or getting the bus? It might depend on your group size and where you’re staying. For example, you probably need a car if you’re staying in Jindabyne, but if you’re going to stay on the mountain the whole time in Perisher, Thredbo, Falls, Hotham or Buller, you could get a bus and skip the driving (and the dreaded snow chains).

3. Decide where to stay

Accommodation fills up quickly, especially on school holidays and long weekends. Even the caravan parks book out fast, so make your reservations asap. You can camp if you have good gear, but it’s probably not advisable for your first trip (you might never want to go back again). If you’re going in a big group, you can share the cost. 

Anything ski-in ski-out will be pricey, but it can save loads of hassle. Or you could always call up that friend you were meant to catch up with that lives at the snow😉

4. What to take to the snow

Will you be buying or hiring gear? If you're planning a snow trip just for the weekend, hiring is an easy way to go. You can hire boots, boards or skis and outerwear at the resorts or towns. I’d also highly recommend a helmet. Searching for 2nd hand gear is an excellent option, especially if you think you’ll go more than once. 

You’ll need warm base and mid-layers so you can adjust depending on the weather and conditions. I like to wear my outerwear a bit loose for manoeuvring around the mountain, and of course, most importantly, you need to make sure it's waterproof. The two items I’d recommend not skimping on would be gloves and goggles. Cold hands and not being able to see never make for a fun time! Also consider good wool socks, a beanie and a neck gaiter. If you’re doing a day trip, pack a full change of clothes for a dry and cosy trip home. And whatever you do, don’t forget the sunscreen!

5. Think about lift passes and lessons

Do your research on lift pass prices. They vary between mountains, and you might find a promo that saves you big time. Depending on how long you’re going for, a season pass might be the way to go, and then you can make another trip because we all know you’re going to want to go back!

If it's your first time at the snow, getting a lesson is a great idea. Do it the first day before you teach yourself any bad habits. You’ll learn how to get started (and stop!), plus you’ll get the lay of the land from a local, all while skipping the lift queues. Even for the more experienced, a lesson is a great setup to improve your riding.

6. Plan and budget for food and drinks

Food is extra expensive on the mountain, so it’s a great idea to take a packed lunch. And don’t skip eating! You need food more than ever in a mountain environment. There are lots of great places to eat on the hill, so take time to rest and fuel up. Pro-tip - always carry emergency chocolate!

7. Flip on your insurance

Last but not least, have a think about insurance. Take it from me, injuring yourself on the mountain is not fun. It doesn't matter if you're the best rider around, accidents can happen. 

See you on the slopes!

And there you have it! Once the hard parts of planning are out of the way, all you need to do is have fun and enjoy the snow!! Get your mates together, go with family or even travel solo. My favourite thing about snow towns is the people you meet along the way, and you're bound to meet some new adventure buddies while you're there.