Plan to Improve

Hi all

I'm 60 and have skiied about eight times in the last 14 years I'm generally fit running 10K every so often. The issue I have is that I don't think I've progressed as quickly as I would like I can do blue runs and the odd easy red but not much more. My problem is I seem to lose control especially on the steeper slopes and struggle to stop. I've had private lessons in the past and group lessons last year.

My aim really is to improve on the reds as I feel I'm missing out as the wife and kids are comfortable on reds and blacks. For the group last year there wasn't any one to one tuition and though it was enjoyable I didn't feel I had improved much over the week and spent most of my time on two or three short blue runs. We are off to Zell am See for a week next January so I'm just wondering if I should take private lessons again but these are so expensive Ideally I'd like three 2 - 4 hour morning lessons which would be enough.

I've got an 8 week exercise regime planned for before I go and live close to a Snowdome and a synthetic ski slope so can get some practice in here but not sure which is better or even if its worth it. Ultimately I don't mind if I never make it onto a black run its really just a case of trying to improve, making the most of the experience and not feeling that after a week I haven't got any better.


I'm really looking for a plan of action so any help or advice regarding lessons, Snowdome or dry slope, exercise, Youtube videos would be much appreciated.

Pavb

Was poking around and saw this post from only a year ago . So? How did it go ? Did you get out ? Did you find a great instructor? Hope you're going out again this season !

Hi all

So last year I improved general fitness by running quite a few 10 km races didn't get a chance to go to the artificial slopes. We went to Zell am See and hired a private tutor for an hour and half hours for four days this worked really well. I don't think the group lessons worked for me as I learnt more from the private lessons.
We're going to Obergurgl/Hochgurgl in January which has much more cruising blues than Zell so will take private lessons again.

Fitness wise I've now got a half marathon under my belt and fortunate to get an entry in the London marathon next year.

I'm in my 60's, I completely understand the battle to stay fit.. it's important. The analogy I'd bring forward is, to train for your marathons, it was a gradual progression to eventually be good enough to complete the 1/2. Skiing is no different, the more effort and experience you gain , the better it gets. I'm just saying you are on the right path !


I'd add, don't undervalue what a dry slope can provide to conquer basics. I live in Canada and am fortunate to live easy driving distance from some of our best hills. I was in Norwich a few years back and tried the dry hill there , mostly because I'd never experienced one before . I was shocked how realistic it was . I didn't expect that .. it's an environment where basics can be easily learned!

I was at my local hill this last weekend and we had a dusting of white at the top ! Got me all giddy for the season !

Hi from another 60 year old...!

What you describe sounds like the same problem I had last year in the Three Valleys, on steeper and icy pistes, I found the skis running away from me and whilst I could steer to avoid people, I couldn't control my speed and ended up just dodging through other skiers until I got to a flatter section and could stop.

I got a private 1:1 lesson from an ESF tutor who helped me understand that the issues were:

1) I was sitting back instead of getting my knees pushed forwards

2) I wasn't getting my weight onto my downhill ski's edge because my natural reaction was to try to lean into the slope.

The solution was pretty simple, firstly concentrating on keeping my knees forward so I could push the knees and hips into the slope to engage the edges and, secondly, leaning the top of my body *down* the hill so my weight was over the downhill ski.

Once I got that, it because a lot easier to keep under control.