First Class Fool

Winter sports look wonderfully simple from the sofa. Then somebody straps equipment to your feet, points at a lift, and expects you to know what happens next.

First Class Fool: All the Gear, No Grip is a practical, funny survival guide for first-time skiers, snowboarders and solo travellers who would rather learn the ropes without pretending they were born wearing goggles.

From choosing the right resort, accommodation and lessons to budgeting, hiring equipment, dressing properly, understanding lift passes and surviving the first nervous days on snow, Steve Barker cuts through the jargon with sharp British humour and useful common sense. You will also explore cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, skating, curling, sledging, snowmobiling, dog sledding, après-ski, changing weather and what to do when the mountain ignores your itinerary.

This is not a manual for becoming an Olympic athlete. It is a guide to becoming a better-prepared beginner: asking sensible questions, avoiding expensive mistakes, knowing your limits and enjoying the holiday you actually booked.

Travel Smart. Laugh Often. Panic Responsibly.