beginners advice please
Login
To Create or Answer a Topic
Started by Ruby1 in Beginning Skiing 23-Apr-2008 - 20 Replies
Ruby1 posted Apr-2008
Hi, we are a family of 4, our children are 10 and 8, we would like to book a ski holiday for next year. We have had 3 x 1 hour lessons at an indoor real snow ski centre. I was very nervous during the lessons and found the instructor was keen to push on to the next thing and I really wanted to spend more time practising what I had learnt in order to gain confidence. As a result of him pushing me (not literally), I ended up careering down the larger slope having not mastered turning at all and the only way I stopped myself from crashing into the wall at the bottom was to sit down, this has now made me dread the thought of going on a skiing holiday. I am really keen to go skiing but I feel I need an instructor who is patient and will work at my level or I may get put off the whole thing. Is it better to go for private lessons as a whole family? We may also be going with another family with children of the same age who are also beginners so they could make our group larger. I welcome any advice and also any recommendations of the best places to go etc. Many Thanks
Dixielad_915
reply to 'beginners advice please' posted Apr-2008
Hi there,
I'm not very experienced in these matters as I have only been out skiing 5 times, however last year my girlfriend organised a group of 25 friends and family to go to Bulgaria. We were split up into different groups depending on our experience. This worked well as we were split up during the day but got to meet up after lessons were over and ski a few more runs together. You might prefer doing something like that, just so you are only concentrating on your own technique and not too busy worring about your family etc. Your family members might enjoy the experience of having lessons with new people and may meet new friends etc.
Don't let one bad experience put you off skiing as it is a sport that can cater for all levels of ability. Just ensure that you are placed in a group were you are of the same ability as everyone else. There is nothing worse than being the slowest member in the group as you feel under pressure all day to keep up. If you choose a destination with good quality instruction (other members of this site will be better placed to advise you on that) you will find the experience so much more enjoyable. Just ski to your level and don't worry about anybody else.
But most of all, have fun!
I'm not very experienced in these matters as I have only been out skiing 5 times, however last year my girlfriend organised a group of 25 friends and family to go to Bulgaria. We were split up into different groups depending on our experience. This worked well as we were split up during the day but got to meet up after lessons were over and ski a few more runs together. You might prefer doing something like that, just so you are only concentrating on your own technique and not too busy worring about your family etc. Your family members might enjoy the experience of having lessons with new people and may meet new friends etc.
Don't let one bad experience put you off skiing as it is a sport that can cater for all levels of ability. Just ensure that you are placed in a group were you are of the same ability as everyone else. There is nothing worse than being the slowest member in the group as you feel under pressure all day to keep up. If you choose a destination with good quality instruction (other members of this site will be better placed to advise you on that) you will find the experience so much more enjoyable. Just ski to your level and don't worry about anybody else.
But most of all, have fun!
Tony_H
reply to 'beginners advice please' posted Apr-2008
This might be a silly question, but why didnt you complain to the instructor at the time that you felt he/she was pushing you too fast? I would be tempted to go back to the indoor slope and discuss this with the manager, and see if you can get a free lesson as a result. Dont let this put you off however, indoor skiing in the UK is nothing like the real thing.
You need to book somewhere famed for good instruction, and probably have another 5 or 6 indoor lessons, provided these are better and you learn from them, before you go.
But I strongly suggest you avoid Bulgaria at all costs when it comes to going.
You need to book somewhere famed for good instruction, and probably have another 5 or 6 indoor lessons, provided these are better and you learn from them, before you go.
But I strongly suggest you avoid Bulgaria at all costs when it comes to going.
Dave Mac
reply to 'beginners advice please' posted Apr-2008
Hi Ruby,
I can understand why you wouldn't complain at the time, But I would reiterate Tony's other points. Go and explain to the manager what the issues are, and get a solution organised. You can even mention that the instructors performance is being discussed on J2SKI!
It is significantly advantageous to get in some practice of this nature. I would do some now, so that you don't carry your nervousness over the summer, and then get two or three a month prior to your trip.
You are going to fall from time to time, but that feeling of lack of control, when just starting skiing, is scary, can be very off putting.
Regarding a good place to start skiing, ccoincidentally, I have been seeking J2SKIers recommendations for an Austrian location, good for beginners and advanced skiers.
One suggestion was Filzmoos. Checking this out, it looked lousy for advanced skiers, due to the disparate locations of the mountains. But it looked very good for beginners.
Important points for you are: - a good ski school, gentle slopes, (green & blue runs), accomodation reasonable close to the slopes ~ skis weigh twice as much when you are not used to carrying them.
I also advocate Niederau, being as it is my second home. The red ski school is highly rated in European terms.
I always suggest Austria, because of the historic and local tirol buildings and atmosphere, good local costs, and great accomodation.
In France, Risoul seems to offer good slopes for starter skiers. But the accomodation... ??? and mountain costs in France are high compared with Austria.
Good luck!
I can understand why you wouldn't complain at the time, But I would reiterate Tony's other points. Go and explain to the manager what the issues are, and get a solution organised. You can even mention that the instructors performance is being discussed on J2SKI!
It is significantly advantageous to get in some practice of this nature. I would do some now, so that you don't carry your nervousness over the summer, and then get two or three a month prior to your trip.
You are going to fall from time to time, but that feeling of lack of control, when just starting skiing, is scary, can be very off putting.
Regarding a good place to start skiing, ccoincidentally, I have been seeking J2SKIers recommendations for an Austrian location, good for beginners and advanced skiers.
One suggestion was Filzmoos. Checking this out, it looked lousy for advanced skiers, due to the disparate locations of the mountains. But it looked very good for beginners.
Important points for you are: - a good ski school, gentle slopes, (green & blue runs), accomodation reasonable close to the slopes ~ skis weigh twice as much when you are not used to carrying them.
I also advocate Niederau, being as it is my second home. The red ski school is highly rated in European terms.
I always suggest Austria, because of the historic and local tirol buildings and atmosphere, good local costs, and great accomodation.
In France, Risoul seems to offer good slopes for starter skiers. But the accomodation... ??? and mountain costs in France are high compared with Austria.
Good luck!
Trencher
reply to 'beginners advice please' posted Apr-2008
Ruby1
Another avenue to explore in your position, is what cross training can you do to ease ourselves into skiing. As Pav has said, "don't ski to get fit, get fit to ski". Skiing is very much about balance and movement. If you don't have already, find some other activities that will develope these attributes, I would definately recommend inline skating for skiing and skateboarding for snowboarding (both done with protective gear).
Every family should have a wobble board. Kids love them and adults should swallow thier pride and have some fun.
If you are fit, co-ordinated, and have a sense of balance, learning to ski will be much easier. You'll have fun whatever though.
Trencher
Another avenue to explore in your position, is what cross training can you do to ease ourselves into skiing. As Pav has said, "don't ski to get fit, get fit to ski". Skiing is very much about balance and movement. If you don't have already, find some other activities that will develope these attributes, I would definately recommend inline skating for skiing and skateboarding for snowboarding (both done with protective gear).
Every family should have a wobble board. Kids love them and adults should swallow thier pride and have some fun.
If you are fit, co-ordinated, and have a sense of balance, learning to ski will be much easier. You'll have fun whatever though.
Trencher
because I'm so inclined .....
Edited 1 time. Last update at 24-Apr-2008
Caron-a
reply to 'beginners advice please' posted Apr-2008
Hi Ruby1
The one good piece of advice I would offer you is not to learn with your children. As wonderful as it sounds it would benefit you the least. From experience, the children progress much faster than their mother(!) and the instructors do generally tend to push the pace more towards the middle to top end of the group rather than bring it down the to slower end of the group. this would be very unnerving and could put you off for life, I've seen it happen.
You must make sure your lessons are at a pace you're happy with whether it be with a private instructor or in a group where you could easily be moved around if the pace was too fast or too slow.
Go for it and enjoy it!
Caron
The one good piece of advice I would offer you is not to learn with your children. As wonderful as it sounds it would benefit you the least. From experience, the children progress much faster than their mother(!) and the instructors do generally tend to push the pace more towards the middle to top end of the group rather than bring it down the to slower end of the group. this would be very unnerving and could put you off for life, I've seen it happen.
You must make sure your lessons are at a pace you're happy with whether it be with a private instructor or in a group where you could easily be moved around if the pace was too fast or too slow.
Go for it and enjoy it!
Caron
Ruby1
reply to 'beginners advice please' posted Apr-2008
Thank you so much for all your advice. Regarding complaining about the lesson I had, it was not in this country, it was my last lesson and we were going home that day. I do have a dry ski slope local to me but any indoor snow slopes are too far away. Would you recommend having some dry slope ski lessons? Thanks again
Dave Mac
reply to 'beginners advice please' posted Apr-2008
Yes Ruby, go on the dry slope. It will let you continue to get used to the awkwardness of ski equipment, and also, should enable you to gain confidence and control.
Then when you go to the snow, it's sooooo much easier.
Also, adding to my earlier answer, when you choose a resort, there are advantages for choosing a smallish resort. You won't need extensive skiing anyway, and the likehood is that there will be fewer hotshot skiers getting in your way.
And the other thing, is that Inghams do good ski school/ski hire deals. Some include passes where appropriate.
Tony H is your man for wringing deals out of Inghams.
Then when you go to the snow, it's sooooo much easier.
Also, adding to my earlier answer, when you choose a resort, there are advantages for choosing a smallish resort. You won't need extensive skiing anyway, and the likehood is that there will be fewer hotshot skiers getting in your way.
And the other thing, is that Inghams do good ski school/ski hire deals. Some include passes where appropriate.
Tony H is your man for wringing deals out of Inghams.
Topic last updated on 04-June-2008 at 04:36