Going away next month to italy snowboarding first time on a snowboarding holiday - just wanting some advice from people that have been on what to take and any other tips!

thanks

My husband just shouted from the kitchen "get fit!" and he's not joking! You discover muscles you never knew you had when doing winter sports. It is totally exhilarating, but very energy intense.

Get yourself some arnica tablets from Wicker Herbal and start taking them two days before you go. YOu'll not regret it, but you won't realise why because you'll be getting the benefit from them, but take it from those who suffered then learned the lesson!

More later (dead jealous too :P)

Lizzmo'

make sure you have warm clothing, including waterproof trousers coat, proper gloves, wooly hat (with thinsulate lining) and either some thermals to go underneath it all, or some alternative underneath layer.

If you've not boarded/ski'd before, book 3 days of lessons (you can always book more if you want, but 3 days will give you a good grounding). If you are hiring kit, try to research the shops in advance on the net, and it might be cheaper to prebook.

If you are flying sleezyjet, take some food and drink, it costs a fortune on the plane.

Buy some board/ski socks, they'll make the boots much more comfortable.

I'm not convinced about the fitness thing, it's very hard to excercise the muscles that are used, and general cv fitness isn't all that important (IMO).

If you're a bit soft buy a bum pad or impact shorts, you will be falling over quite a bit when you start.

Before you buy a lift pass, check whether you will need one for the lessons, level 1 lessons may be conducted on beginner slopes with free lifts. So you might be able to avoid buying a pass for the full week (saving you maybe 60 Euros).

Get a few lessons in at the Ski Village. If you can ride snowflex, youll have no problems at all on real snow.