If you’re a regular reader of Must Do Canada, you’ve probably noticed that we love skiing. For anyone living in Canada, finding something to do in the winter should be a priority, otherwise, it’s going to be long, cold, and boring four to six months. For us, we love many things, but our favorite winter activity is hitting the slopes, especially those around Banff National Park. Not only is skiing very fun, it’s also a great way to get out and enjoy nature.

Whether you’re a Canadian spending a weekend at a ski resort or a foreigner coming to enjoy Canada’s winter wonderland, below are some tips for preparing for your next ski vacation.

If I had to choose the perfect ski vacation, it would involve ski-in-ski-out accommodation. It’s such a fantastic experience to be able to walk out of your door, strap on your skis, and be the first one on the chairlift. You save so much time and hassle by not having to drive every day. However, this type of accommodation is not available at all resorts and so if it’s not available, I would try to find something as close as possible to avoid long drives each day. If you’re trying to save money, I’d also recommend finding accommodation with a kitchen. Many hotels offer this in resort towns but you could also try renting someone’s home on sites such as Airbnb.

Most Canadians should know what to wear during the winter but if you’re not from here, you might need some tips. First of all, the Canadian winter is hard to predict. For sure, it’s going to be cold but how cold is the mystery. In Banff National Park, for example, you could visit in the month of February and get anything from 0-degree weather to -30 Celcius. This is why I recommend layers. You’ll definitely want a really good outer layer that protects you from getting wet. This would include both a good ski jacket and good snow pants. You’ll also want some good socks, gloves, and a thin balaclava that would fit under a ski helmet. If you’re not wearing a helmet (though I do recommend), you’ll want a warmer balaclava or touque. You’ll also want ski goggles to protect you from the sun and the winds. Next, I’d recommend some high-quality thermals to go against your skin. After this, it depends on the weather. I usually wear a shirt over the thermals, followed by a sweater and a vest. Then I throw on my ski jacket and I’m good to go. Another tip is to buy those little warming packs that you shake up and put inside your gloves and boots. These help keep you warm as well. It’s a lot of clothes but when you’re high in the mountains, better to be too hot than too cold! If you’re looking to save money, try asking the ski resort you’re visiting if they have clothes you can borrow or visit a local thrift shop and buy some used clothing for cheap!

Insurance is always a good thing to have when traveling but if you know you’ll be skiing, it’s a good idea to make sure it’s covered by your insurance policy. Some policies don’t cover extreme sports so make sure you’re covered before you go. Even for Canadians visiting another province, it can sometimes make sense to have additional coverage for things like an ambulance. Another thing is baggage insurance. If you’re bringing a fancy set of skis, you may want to be covered in case they go missing. You may even want comprehensive winter sports insurance in case you try other things like tobogganing or tubing. So whether you’re visiting another province or visiting Canada from another country, make sure you are getting the right travel insurance for your next ski vacation.