The Thrills and Spills of a Ski Holiday in La Tania

It is quite common for skiers and snowboarders to feel a tribal affinity with their chosen alpine sports. They pay a premium for the most fashionable winter clothing and spend considerable amounts of time reading up on snowboarding and skiing. La Tania, on the French Alps, is a favourite amongst die-hard skiers, and is filled with exuberant winter sports enthusiasts every year. Here are some experts' top tips when it comes to this popular pastime.

Alpine Equipment

Inexperienced skiers and snowboarders are often surprised by the many different categories of alpine equipment; among these are items like specialist powder skis for heading in to densely packed snow when skiing. La Tania has its fair share of shops selling specialised equipment (like the aforementioned) and adventurous visitors might be interested in purchasing freestyle skis or snowboards to enhance their holiday. It is also worth investing in winter sports gloves and salopettes as a means of guarding against the harsh winter cold.

Know the lingo

Many aficionados of the slopes differentiate themselves from traditional tourists with their colloquial language. They use phrases such as "shredding the gnar", to describe the act of skiing or snowboarding, and it is also common to hear adrenaline junkies commenting upon the enjoyable experience of "cruisin' the powder".

Awesome Tricks

The most experienced winter sportspeople may be able to execute a variety of highly impressive tricks, such as 360-degree turns and tail grabs. However, the Mctwist is one of the most spectacular tricks performed by expert snowboarders. It involves the execution of a 540-degree spin and an amazing front flip. There may also be an opportunity to see the most talented athletes perform tricks such as the kangaroo or pistol flip while skiing. La Tania attracts its own fair share of well-known winter sportspeople and celebrities, so keep a sharp eye out!

Different Kinds Of Slopes

It is worth pointing that there is considerable variation in the difficulty of alpine routes. Novice skiers and snowboarders are generally advised to develop the basic skills on runs that are assigned a green rating. They may be able to progress to the blue and red runs during the course of an extended holiday, however the black diamond runs are designed exclusively for very experienced skiers and snowboarders. There is also the option of leaving the designated runs and exploring the off-piste areas.

Special Activities

It is quite possible to have a wonderful experience and maintain high levels of safety while skiing - La Tania offers facilities for all levels of ability. However, people who are keen to push the boundaries and experience the ultimate excitement may opt to go heli-skiing. They'll be picked up by a helicopter and then transported to the alpine backcountry in preparation for a thrilling off-piste adventure. Be warned however: unfortunately the majority of insurers are unwilling to provide cover for this extreme activity.

Danielle Hodges is the Marketing Manager for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service offering bonded ski holidays. When it comes to skiing, La Tania is a superb destination, with excellent catered or self catered chalets. For a luxury or good-value break and the best catered chalets call Ski Amis.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.