non-skiers using chairlift to come DOWN the mountain

RossF wrote:I am afraid your only option is divorce.

She is not afraid of heights she just hates skiing.

Oh, that's a bit drastic RossF!

Listen I suggest a late season (April) trip to Barcelona. You get the train to La Molina at 7am , or the bus to Andorra (or rent a small car) & you are on the slopes by 10. Meanwhile the OH is sunning on the beach, or enjoying the shops or museums while you pack up at 4pm and meet the hopefully happy OH for an evening meal and a night out! Repeat this prescription for a week, or until you have had enough snow for a while.

Peace and harmony (maybe...)

Or you can divorce!

Hi Guys,

Can I just take this opportunity to thank you all for the invaluable help and information you have all given,(Esp Ross!). You have no idea how much I appreciate it.

As you can probably tell from the total lack of "text speak" we are no spring chickens and this is the first time I've ever gone on to a chat forum. I'm overwhelmed at such kindness. It just goes to show what a super bunch of people skiers are.

Once again, many thanks guys.

Kind Regards

Mike

Late season city-break hybrid is a really good idea, I know someone who did it in Venice too - I think they went to Cortina for the mountain.

What a shame about her bad experience and about the unsympathetic liftie :/ Lots of places let pedestrians ride on the lifts, but I'd suggest going somewhere with a bit more going on for non-skiers. Chamonix comes immediately to my mind of course ;) having been there often with non-skiing relatives, partners of friends etc...here are some of my recommendations

http://www.chaletlaforet.com/chamonix/offtheslopes.html
http://www.chaletlaforet.com/winter/index.html

and I especially agree with the post about snowshoeing - that's really good fun for non-skiers (and for you!)
Zermatt in the spring is also pretty with nice railway connections - in fact springtime in general may be better as there's sun, nice cafes etc etc. Courmayeur could be another good one.

Also don't despair and keep her involved, she may try it again eventually. Maybe a day or two xc skiing? Everyone can do that, comfier gear, easy tracks etc etc.

Good luck!

mikeandangela wrote:Hi Guys,

Can I just take this opportunity to thank you all for the invaluable help and information you have all given,(Esp Ross!). You have no idea how much I appreciate it.

As you can probably tell from the total lack of "text speak" we are no spring chickens and this is the first time I've ever gone on to a chat forum. I'm overwhelmed at such kindness. It just goes to show what a super bunch of people skiers are.
Once again, many thanks guys.

Kind Regards

Mike

:cry:

oooh poor Tino :shock:

Everything will be okay, just walk towards the light, you know you want to really :D

Hi I had the same issue with my Mam in Andorra a few years ago - she didn't want to ski but couldn't go further than the main station at the gondola. But then my folks discovered Austria!!!.....
They go both summer and winter and certainly in the Dachstein region (http://en.winter.dachstein.at/) all chairs are open to non-skiers.
Great place by the way!! people lovely, no major queues for the Ski rental (mostly locals with their own gear), and fantastic facilities. so good we are going again 24th Feb.
Of course from a photography point of view great views too..
Enjoy whatever and wherever you choose.

perhaps if you convince her to every try skiing again she could have a private lesson on the mountain?

my girlfriend was a bit pannicky at first and we had a similar "walk down" moment on a steep part of a slope but the instructor managed to help her progress at the right rate and after 2x2hr lessons her confidence was through the roof (much to my delight!) even got her down a black run without falling or traversing too much!

I can't see the point of forcing someone to do something they don't want to do, not a good holiday. There's plenty of other things to do in the mountains, snow shoeing offers people the chance to get to places skiers don't see and is probably better exercise for many people. There's a lot of people getting dragged onto ski holidays they're not enjoying to keep a partner happy who'd enjoy trying something different if they had a chance.