Skiing for the first time? Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Know what to wear. Don’t show up in jeans or sweatpants. Maybe those will keep you warm, but they won’t keep you dry. Invest in ski pants. Layers are good: something moisture-wicking and something such as a pullover or puffy under a waterproof jacket serving as a shell. A helmet and goggles are as important as quality socks and gloves.

2. Book a lesson. You can watch all the YouTube you want, but there’s no teacher like experience. And there’s no teacher like instructors who do this for a living, certified to make you a master of the “pizza” and “french fry” and get you quickly and safely from the bunny hill to the greens.

3. Consider your destination. Several resorts in recent years have poured big money into developing areas specifically for learning. Beaver Creek is an example with its Signature Parks Collection for families and newbies. Steamboat’s new Greenhorn Ranch is another example. Copper Mountain is highly regarded for how its terrain is arranged, the green, blue and black runs well separated. A much smaller ski area that might make sense: Ski Cooper, where you’ll also save money on a lift ticket.

4. Go in January. It’s Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. Be on the lookout as ski areas compete for your business with discounted lessons, lift tickets and gear rentals.

5. Plan ahead. Just as you save money by booking lodging in advance, you also save by buying lift tickets ahead of time. Several resorts offer “stay and play” packages that might fit your budget.

Speaking of saving, here are more tips that will ensure you don’t break the bank:

1. Rent gear wisely. It’s possible you’ll find a reasonable bundle option that includes gear, lesson and lift ticket. It’s also possible there’s a local shop near you that can offer skis and boots for much cheaper.

2. Again, consider your destination. We mentioned Ski Cooper. If you’re set on saving and less interested in frills and big terrain, that’s one example where the ticket will be comparatively cheaper. Other examples: Arapahoe Basin, Monarch, Loveland and Purgatory, the Durango resort that announced lift tickets starting at $29 this season.

3. Single ticket or a pass? If you’re thinking of coming back after the first day, you could save by looking at options other than a one-day ticket. A four-pack, for example, might offer four days for the price of two. A season pass for a specific mountain could make sense as well.

4. Opt for a half-day. Many ski areas sell half-day tickets for a reduced price. If you’re just starting out, eight hours of skiing might be daunting anyway.

5. Check out Colorado Ski Country’s Gems cards. For $48, the Gems Discount Card grants a pair of two-for-one tickets or a pair of 30% off tickets at 11 smaller ski areas. For $199, the Gems Teen Pass gets children ages 12 to 17 two days at each of those 11 ski areas. One parent can get the equivalent Gems Parent Pass for $299.

6. Ponder Colorado Ski Country’s Kids’ Ski Passport. That’s $65 for kids in third through sixth grade to get four days each at 20 ski areas, plus two free junior rental packages courtesy of Christy Sports.