Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Cruise news
Get a taste of luxury at sea with Cunard’s new no-fly short breaks in 2022. The upscale line will offer fournight voyages on Queen Victoria, sailing from Southampton over a weekend to visit the likes of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and St Peter Port, Guernsey. From £549 per person.
Cunard’s newly released 2022 programme of 162 itineraries also includes Alaska voyages aboard
Queen Elizabeth, starting and finishing in Vancouver on the Pacific coast, from £1,399 per person for 10 nights, cruise only.
Meanwhile, besides transatlantic crossings to New York, flagship Queen
holiday, try exercises such as the plank, the bridge, leg raises and sit-ups three or four times a week to help strengthen this area.
Cardio care
Skiing and snowboarding require a lot of energy, so it’s a good idea to do a little cardio in advance to build your stamina. Try powerwalking, swimming, jogging or virtual Zumba classes
(look on Youtube).
On balance...
On the slopes, it’s important to centre your weight and not lean too far forward or back, so improving your balance will really help. One-leg stands, grapevines and heel-to-toe walking are good exercises to try.
Leg work
The core is important but of course your legs are too.
Get them in shape and flexible with squats, lunges and stretches.
Kit chat
You can get last season’s kit at reasonable prices either online or in discount stores.
You could borrow from friends and family, or hire before investing, in case skiing is not for you. You’ll need: thermals; warm, well-fitting socks; fleece or jumper ; jacket (make sure it has a zip pocket in the arm for your lift pass); salopettes and gloves (with clips to attach to your jacket, or link them with a long piece of elastic to feed through your sleeves).
Chair aware
Don’t be afraid to ask operators or instructors for advice about getting on and off chairs and button lifts, it can be tricky!
Rays awareness
Protecting your skin is just as important on a ski holiday as it is on a summer break as the sun’s UV rays reflect strongly off the snow.
Take a high SPF cream for your face, and remember the cold air will dry your lips, so pack a good lip balm.
When you fall, get up, dust yourself down and get back on those skis
Peak viewing
Winter sports holidays are meant to be fun. You will fall over when you’re learning, so get up, dust yourself down and get back on those skis!
When you have a pit stop at a mountain cafe, bar or restaurant, find time to drink in those glorious vistas.