The most common mistakes beginners make before learning to ski or snowboard are really easy to fix with a little time and forethought. Hopefully this post will help at least one or two people fix this.
Before you leave home, check the weather at the mountain, even if it's the night before only! While trusting long term weather prediction is just plain crazy talk, weathermen are typically correct for a period of 12-24 hours. Have a good idea of what the temperature, wind, and precipitation will be like. If you can find it, check out where the snow level and free air freezing point will be as well. All of this information will help you decide what you should wear.
The Boy Scouts of America have a motto of "Be Prepared". Very simple in theory, but covering a vast amount of ground at the same time. The weather on the mountain changes rapidly, bringing a change of clothes or multiple layers is almost an essential. I've worked days that start off blistering cold only to find by lunch I'm in a t-shirt and fleece vest while teaching, and then back to bundled up by 4 pm.
Snow is wet. You will fall. More importantly this is exercise, so you will sweat. Showing up in blue jeans will just be uncomfortable once they get wet. Be it from falling or sweating. Invest in a pair of snow pants, it will make all the difference. Many resorts also rent them, check for that before you leave.
Gloves are good, gloves are great, gloves don't like their rope-tow fate. Knit gloves may look cute or stylish but really won't tolerate two runs on a rope tow. Your leather driving gloves will do better, but they will never look the same. Go to Costco or any sports store and buy a pair of cheap $20 gloves. Not only will they hold up better, they'll be better at keeping your hands warm and dry in spite of the rain and snow.
If you plan to rent and take a lesson, talk to the ski school first. Usually they have awesome package deals that you can work with. Going to rentals first while not bad, just creates a bigger cost headache for the two departments. Yep not your problem I realize that, but it will slow down your chance for getting to class.
Don't let your kids wear themselves out. In many cases, the parents will sign up kids for a class that won't start for a few hours. Let the kids play but start pulling them back within an hour of their class. Teaching exhausted kids just doesn't work well. They get nothing out of it, and the instructors have no energy which to feedback on.
Prepare yourself. Since you're paying for the time, it's best to make sure you're ready for it. Go take care of yourself before the class starts. Eat. Use the restroom. Make your calls to your friends. Take your pictures. Do whatever it is you need to do that way you can spend your class getting the maximum amount of class time. As an instructor, if you want to spend the class in the bathroom that's fine by us right up until you start making us late for our next class.
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Before you even worry about rentals or what skis or where to go skiing even, worry about what to wear. It is so critical. You don't want to be cold. The sport sucks when you are cold. Facemasks, good hats (even helmets which I prefer), good gloves, jackets (with a zip out liner if you can get it) and good ski pants are essential.
Now is the time to prepare for next season's ski trip. Most places are liquidating their inventories and places like Sports Authority, Sports Chalet, Gart Sports, etc., often have bibs and jackets for next to nothing as well as good quality gloves for under $25.
You don't want to miss half of the day sitting in the lodge because you are cold. And remember that very few of us are from places where it is even close to as cold as at a resort. Don't wait to buy winter gear at the resort. The prices are way more and the selection is not as good. Buy your gear in town before you go up or preferable at the end of the season sales that are happening now.
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