Get SnowReady for the Northern Hemisphere

The countdown to Christmas has begun. Only 7 more weeks to go!

As the Australian winter has come to a close, some in our community are planning on heading to the Northern Hemisphere to get their snow fix, with many people travelling between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

If you are one of the lucky ones- the countdown is on to your snow escape! It is time to start getting organised for your trip- Whether you are chasing chest deep powder in Japan, exploring the cross-country trails in Silverstar Canada, or tackling the longest slopes in the world in Alpe d’Huez France (16km… I can feel the leg burn just thinking about it!!).

There are a few things you need to make sure you have in order before you jet off:

• Check your Passports: You need a valid passport to travel overseas (sometimes even with 6+ months before it expires!) visit www.smarttraveller.gov.au for the latest information.
• Get Insured: Travel doesn’t always go as planned, so having the appropriate level of travel insurance for the activities you are planning on enjoying is vital.
• Gear Up: Even if you enjoyed time on the slopes this winter, give any snow gear that you own the ‘once over’ before you get to your destination (I have arrived in Calgary to 18 only to find that my jacket’s zip was broken…doh!). Explore the options available at your destination- maybe it is time for a new pair of skis- you can Demo skis on your holiday, try out different brands and models and make an informed purchase should you wish!
• Map it out: Download the trail map of the resorts or trails you are visiting and get excited!
• Get Snow Ready: No matter how long until your snow adventure You always have time to get your body Snow Ready, thanks to our free Snow Ready training program. There are 8 weeks of programs available for you to complete, appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. We have even developed a Movement Toolkit for you to use anytime, anywhere Full of tips of daily pre fitness or snow Warmups, Mobility, Flexibility and Recovery strategies from Australia’s best snow athletes. To view these awesome resources, visit www.snow.org.au/snowready

Are you heading overseas for some skiing or snowboarding? We would love to see your holiday trips- Make sure you tag @snowaust in your posts on Instagram!

Maybe summer is calling you after a long Australian winter- Don’t forget that the Snow Ready program is there for you too! This is the first winter I will spend in Australia in almost 20 years, so I will be doing my Snow Ready sessions so that I feel ready for first lifts in June 2023!

Happy Skiing, Surfing (or packing!)

Sami Kennedy-Sim.