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What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of skiing? Too difficult? Too scary? Not your thing? Well, funnily enough, you’re not alone.
We at Complex UK, in partnership with Crystal Ski Holidays, the UK’s number one ski holiday provider, conducted research into social perceptions of skiing and ski holidays amongst our audience, and the results told a fairly clear story: 70% of people couldn’t ski, and just under 60% said they’re not the type of person to hit the slopes. However, so much of what we think a ski holiday entails is based on misconception and far from the truth. Skiing is more than just a middle-class pastime—it has evolved into an inclusive winter activity far more exciting and memorable than your average holiday.
To explore this further, Complex and Crystal took Simisola Oke—founder of Mount Noire, a travel community dedicated to increasing diversity in winter sports, also a key aim for Crystal—and DJs Henrie Kuwashe and Mercedes Benson, on a ski trip to Borovets, a Crystal resort in Bulgaria.
You can read the story and watch the film we made of their trip, here.
“The trip was literally one of my favourite ski trips,” says Simi. “We did skiing and skidooing, which is very similar to being on a jet ski. It was so good! We also had some great nights out and used the spa. The whole experience was everything.” The trip showed how fun and how varied a ski holiday can be, breaking the myth that only certain people can enjoy them.
If you’re looking to ease yourself into a winter trip, then Crystal are an ideal choice to book with. They have over 100 resorts to choose from throughout Europe and North America, including a great choice of resorts for beginners. During the day, you can enjoy everything from sleigh rides and walking trails to spas and bowling—at night, it’s all about apres-ski: anything from a cocktail in a quiet lounge to a full-on disco. Not forgetting those picturesque backdrops fit for IG. There’s no need to stress about flights, transfers or accommodation either, because they are all included.
From the research we did with Crystal, we learned that a majority of people who don’t have someone in their immediate network who skis are likely to have some apprehensions about booking a ski holiday. This is where the rise and increasing visibility of networks/communities such as Mount Noire play an important role in spreading the word and bringing aspiring skiers together.
Simi first took to the slopes as a medical student on her university’s annual ski trip. “I was living with this girl who used to ski regularly, and she invited me to go,” she explains. “I was like, ‘Nope! It’s really not for me.’ But my flatmate insisted. So, me being me, I spent all of my student loan going on this trip and, to be honest, I had the best time. It was a life-changing experience. I never thought I’d be standing on two planks of wood skiing down a mountain, but I fell in love with it.”
Her newfound love of skiing had her going back for more snowy fun. However, Simi noticed a lack of diversity, which led to some uncomfortable experiences.
“I was having a great time on these ski trips, but I was very aware that I was often the only Black person on the trip,” she says. “People were normally well-intentioned, but sometimes they’d make comments like: ‘I can’t believe you’re here.’ There was another ski trip I went on, with one of my friends, and we had our Afros out. These girls came up to us and said, ‘Oh, we just love your hair’ while touching it. After that, I knew I wanted to change this.”
Simi rounded up a group of her friends to ski at Chamonix, France, and, of course, they all had a fantastic time leading to Mount Noire’s formation. “It’s not just a ski trip for us; I’m trying to bring a good vibe and energy,” she explains. “We’re trying to indoctrinate some of our cultures into the trip to have a fun time.” Her mission to bring colour to the mountains is essential as research suggests people see the sport as predominantly ‘white’, which turns them off trying it for themselves. It’s also a key priority for Crystal, which is why they have involved themselves in projects like this.
If you are thinking about booking a ski holiday for the first time then there’s a good chance you might have a few questions. Crystal have a Beginner’s page on their website which has some helpful tips and is a good place to start. Plus, we asked Simi to run through a few things we were keen to know, below.
Is skiing the only thing to do on a trip?
Simi: One of the things I love about skiing is that it’s not just an activity—it is a culture. After you finish skiing, you have ‘après ski’, which literally translates to ‘after ski’; it’s when you go to one of the lodges or the bar, and you get to have drinks and listen to music. It’s always so much fun; people get on the tables and start dancing. Skiing is only one part of a trip to the snowy slopes; it is an all-around escape from partying to spa packages; there is something for everyone to do on the slopes.
How do I dress for a ski trip?
Simi: First, you need your helmet—safety first. Then you’re going to need a Snow Snood; it’s a neck scarf you wear over your mouth to prevent you from getting too cold in your mouth. Finally, you’ll want to wear goggles to protect you from snow blindness and UV rays if it’s snowing. When thinking of what to wear, you need to have base layers, ideally made from merino wool, an insulating material that keeps you warm. It’s also good to have ski socks, pants and a good ski jacket.
How difficult is learning to ski?
Simi: Learning to ski is very person-specific, but I always say the people who are not scared to fall are the people who do the best. For a beginner, I think it’s better to go for a longer period, if you can, so you have more time to practice. My first ski trip was seven days, and by the fifth or fourth day, I was able to ski blues—which is the intermediate level of difficulty. At the end of the trip, I was on reds (the advanced level). It’s important to take your time and learn at your own pace. It should be fun.
When is the best time to ski, and where are the best locations?
Simi: The official ski season runs from November until the end of March/April. My skiing experience has been mainly in Europe, and my favourite places are Val Thorens—where we’re having a Mount Noire trip in March 2023—Val d’Isère, Austria, and the Dolomites in Italy. Bulgaria is amazing, too. On our trip with Crystal, I remember going up a mountain and seeing the trees covered in snow; it was absolutely stunning! Bulgaria is also a great place to go, especially if you’re new to skiing, as it’s quite affordable.
Crystal has a huge range of destinations—you can see them all here.
What should you expect as a first-time skier, and is there any way to prepare?
Simi: Unless they work out hardcore, everyone I know will be a bit sore the next day. So one of the things I would recommend—and something that we also do—is indoor ski slopes. They can be really helpful when it comes to getting used to skiing. We run a couple of trips up in Hemel Hempstead for people who want to practice and improve. It can be helpful to get used to the equipment because even putting on the equipment is quite a task.
How do you get better as a beginner?
Simi: At some point, you’re going to have to take the mountain by yourself, so lessons are important. I would encourage first-timers to do lessons because even stuff like putting the skis on your boots can be a bit of a task, and you need to get used to walking in the boots, carrying your skis—things like that. All of the resorts that Crystal work with have ski schools so that you can learn from scratch or brush up on your skills. Normally, ski resorts have nursery slopes in most locations, which are very flat slopes with a small gradient. They get you to walk up the hill and ski down slowly.
What is one thing everyone has to go through in their first time skiing?
Simi: Everyone has to go through getting off the chairlift for the first time. I’ll never forget my first time: the chair came in, I sat on the lift enjoying the views, and then I realised—I needed to get off the lift! I did everything late, my pole got stuck in the bar, and I ended up falling flat in the snow. It was awkward, but it was all a part of the experience. You get used to it, but the first time can be tough so be prepared!
If you’re interested to see more from Simi, Mercedes and Hernie’s ski trip with Crystal Ski Holidays, check out this video! And if you’re interested in learning more about ski holidays, head over to the Crystal Ski Holidays website.