Snowblades for beginner, lacking confidence?

Blades were really popular a few years back, then skis got shorter, nimbler, and far easier to use. Now you rarely see blades at all, they are almost obsolete.
Short skis have all the advantages of blades but without any of the disadvantages. Can't see why anyone would want blades these days.

I agree, which is why next year i'm going for the short skis, I used some 145's this year and really enjoyed them, even managed a bit of off piste

numnuts wrote:I agree, which is why next year i'm going for the short skis, I used some 145's this year and really enjoyed them, even managed a bit of off piste

Was your forum name derived from the off piste skiing experience on short skis -)

Thanks all! My lack of confidence is really none of those things ... I didn't get off the nursery slope to deal with speed, I think I managed about half a mile an hour and that felt too quick! Balance was Ok. I have a fear of heights and steepness, so can't see me going anywhere near anything even near a red. I just want to have a bit of fun in the snow. I think the poster who said they are a good way to fast track getting around the mountain a bit had it pretty right for me. I have the choice anyway, I can have lessons on skis and will have the blades with me in case I prefer. I read something on here recently that said I'm going for a holiday and therefore to have fun. That rang really true for me, and the last time I tried skiing was so not fun in many ways that I'm keen to have a better experience this time, and if that means trying something new that isn't really skiing at all, so be it :)
I did a Power Pump class this morning, lots of squats and lunges so my legs are killing but hopefully its all good :)

hi brooksky, it came from a skiing accident but with normal skis, i managed to get my left leg inside my right, got the tail of ski caught...enough, you get the picture. The snow was my friend that day, hence the name

Advice for lack of confidence: some teachers have a knack of helping with this, from my experience of dealing with a nervousness in inline skating. Take it easy. Don't aim to do too much in a day. You can always try classic style cross country skiing. Spend time on nursery slope. There was a school promoting the teaching style recommended in Inner Game of Skiing a few years back and the reviews in the newspapers were good (journalists like a free holiday). Maybe they are still around. Being phyically well prepared will help. As for reds, blacks, etc. it is pretty much nonsense IMO, some blues are hard. Just go where you are comfortable and have a nice time.

Forget about blades.

BTW you can have a nice time going up on touring skis and taking the lift down. Touring skis do cost a bit more to rent. This is not a joke. There are people who will regard this idiotic, only because they have never tried climbing the piste on touring skis. It is great.