5 Tips to Survive a Long-Haul Flight
Thankfully, flying has gotten easier over the years, with direct flights to Vancouver from cities like Sydney, London and Tokyo. That said, some things never change – like the numbness in your body after sitting in a plane for 14 hours straight, or laying wide awake in bed at 4:00 a.m. as you adjust to a new time zone.
Here are a few tips to help you survive a long-haul flight and ensure you arrive at Big White feeling fresh, happy and ready to enjoy the world-class champagne powder.
Stretch those legs
If you’re going to be sandwiched into economy, you may as well try and get the best seat. Whether you’re looking for a little extra leg room, a seat with a view, or easy access to a bathroom, the seating map plans on SeatGuru have epic tips to make your trip more comfortable. Once you’ve picked your ideal seat, check-in for your flight online as soon as you can and lock that spot down.
Get cozy
Depending on the airline, you may be able to carry an extra pillow or blanket onto the plane without it counting towards your carry-on bag limit. A $2 full-size pillow from Walmart or Kmart is a lot easier on your neck than one of those tiny, uncomfortable pillows provided to you by the airline. Don’t forget an eye mask, shoes that easily slip on and off, and comfortable clothing that layers easily once you get to your destination.
Prepare for jet lag
You know the drill: drink lots of water, avoid alcohol on the flight, and embrace some sort of outdoor activity upon arrival, even if it’s as simple as taking in the sights around Big White's Village.
Pack your carry-on appropriately
There’s nothing worse than an airline losing your luggage – especially when it’s ski gear. It steals precious time on the mountain, and, when you finally do hit the slopes, you might be stuck with sub-par gear.
To keep an unexpected hiccup like this from ruining your visit, we recommend packing all the things you’re really going to need into your carry-on. You can rent skis that will suit your needs quite easily, but boots are more difficult. We recommend carrying them on the plane, even if that means slinging them over your shoulder. Also pack goggles and gloves, as you won’t be able to rent them, extra warm layers, sunscreen, lip balm and any essential medications.
Sleep tight!
Our final piece of advice? Take full advantage of what Big White has to offer so you can fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow: Tire yourself out by pushing around powder; put yourself in a food coma at one of our over 20 on-mountain restaurants, cafes and pubs; and finally, get those airplane cramps and kinks worked out by booking a relaxing on-mountain massage at Elevation Spa.
