With the end of the ski season in sight, adventurer Jamie Ramsay shares his top tips for prepping for last minute ski trips – how to prepare, what to pack and where to go. 

With fresh snow in the Pyrenees and a good forecast on the horizon, I am excited to be able to squeeze in the utter joy of a last-minute ski trip this year. A wonderful bonus at the end of the ski season, a last minute trip requires planning and a great kit list – here’s some top tips to keep in mind when venturing into late season snow. 

• As the days get longer the closer we get to the summer, don’t worry about spending an extra hour in bed to avoid the icier snow or stopping early to avoid the softer snow.

• Make sure to pack sun cream and drink plenty of liquids throughout the day – adding some electrolytes could also be a good idea. 

• Be piste savvy and choose the right slopes – if the sun has been on a piste for a long time it will become slushy, so look for slopes on the other side of the mountain that may have just come out of the shade.

• Ensure you have the right gear for spring conditions (which can differ greatly to winter) – pack less heavy jackets and more layers, such as mid-layers, base-layers and fleeces.  

• Be prepared to change your plans – the mountains can experience sudden warmer weather so explore other activities you could do, such as ski touring or snowshoeing (both of which should be done with an experienced guide), trail running, hiking or mountain biking.   

For last minute ski trips, it’s best to head for resorts with access to higher pistes.

Europe

Val Thorens (France) 

Ischgl (Austria) 

Zermatt (Switzerland) 

Obergurgl (Austria), Are (Sweden) 

Geilo (Norway) 

International

Whistler (Canada)

Niseko (Japan)

• Skiing will always involve risk but with unpredictable weather conditions this is even more pertinent. Avalanches are a very real risk in the mountains and need to be considered each time you head out – especially if you plan on venturing off-piste. Make sure you adhere to all warnings and have the right kit for avalanche safety if you think you could be in a high-risk area. 

• Always wear a helmet – buy one that is made for skiing.  

• Tell people where you are going and when you expect to return so they can alert authorities if there is an emergency.  

• Respect other skiers – while some of us prefer to ski down the slopes as fast as possible, it’s important to be aware of other skiers. It is the responsibility of the more experienced skier to look out for those new to skiing. 

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