new to this

I concure most of the above. Waiting to see how the snow is makes sense but just be aware that because it is over Xmas it can become booked up so don' t leave to long. I have been on budget ski hols over this period to both Le Corbier and Sauze D'oulx. There is usually enough snow for learners. I would also actively consider a day at a snow centre, that way you will have mastered most of the basic stuff which will probably allow you to explore the better bits of the mountains a little later in your week

LOTA wrote:Contrary to what the above poster says, the dry slope lessons are a good idea.

With respect, not sure I agree with that. A snow dome or equivalent place would be OK to get to know the equipment etc.. as you mention, but not a dry slope. Out of curiosity, I tried a dry slope a few years ago. I was more concerned about hurting myself than I would be on most expert runs in most resorts. I have no idea whether the statistics back up my impression of the danger of injury, but it seems to me that when you fall onto a thumb catching, net like, astroturf surface at any speed, you stand a good chance of hurting yourself quite badly.

I don't want to pour too much scorn on dry slopes. I'm sure there are loads of people who got into skiing because of dry slopes who wouldn't have otherwise. However, if you're off for a week on the proper stuff anyway, what's the point? It seems like a risky introduction that might put people off.

Well, we'll just have to disagree on that one. I've used a dry slope (actually it's quite 'wet' given the amount of water sprayed on it!) on a regular basis over many years and still do. There are surprisingly few injuries. I'm sorry to hear you you were concerned about hurting yourself on your outing a few years ago.

However, whatever your fears, the point here is the original posters are beginners. Novices on dry slopes do not ski quickly; it is all very well controlled and I repeat it is a beneficial way of familiarising themselves with the kit and basic manouevres in a benign environment.

LOTA wrote:There are surprisingly few injuries.

That's good to know. I have no idea of the safety stats, and they would probably be a bit meaningless anyway, but my perception was that it is a lot more intimidating than skiing on snow. Intimidation is a big factor when you're a novice, I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from skiing, but I would say that beginning on real snow is a far better introduction.

Without wishing to prolong this discussion too much further, let me tell you a true story.

Back in the late 1970s, I joined a trip from one of the UK's largest dry slopes to an Italian resort, not noted for its 'intimidating' skiing (in fact, it could be best described as terminally intermediate). There were four skiers who had learned on the dry slope over a number of months and were competent parallel skiers on the plastic. On morning one, I found them blundering around half-way down a pretty easy run. They all confessed to being overwhelmed and 'intimidated' by the sheer scale of the mountains, the lift system etc. They booked straight into lessons and by the end of the week were all-mountain heroes, thanks to the grounding they had acquired on the dry slope. It was the mountain not the plastic that they found intimidating.

Yes, real snow is best but sometimes you have to make the best of what's available. :)

LOTA wrote:Without wishing to prolong this discussion too much further, let me tell you a true story.

Back in the late 1970s, I joined a trip from one of the UK's largest dry slopes to an Italian resort, not noted for its 'intimidating' skiing (in fact, it could be best described as terminally intermediate). There were four skiers who had learned on the dry slope over a number of months and were competent parallel skiers on the plastic. On morning one, I found them blundering around half-way down a pretty easy run. They all confessed to being overwhelmed and 'intimidated' by the sheer scale of the mountains, the lift system etc. They booked straight into lessons and by the end of the week were all-mountain heroes, thanks to the grounding they had acquired on the dry slope. It was the mountain not the plastic that they found intimidating.

Yes, real snow is best but sometimes you have to make the best of what's available. :)

Ha ha. That's a good story. I guess it goes to show that people will always find new things intimidating to some extent and it's difficult to predict what aspect it will be.

sometimes you have to make the best of what's available.

Definitely agree with that. Especially after last season in the Rockies. Some of our most 'interesting' skiing days were working out how to get down a patchwork of ice and dirt.

I must admit that I'm quite curious about dry slope skiing. It sounds like you have a lot of experience of them. Did you learn on one? I wonder if there is any aspect of your skiing that you feel is stronger as a result?

My first ski experiences were on snow in Italy and Austria. Then I worked weekends at a dry slope and had lots of free coaching and tips from the senior instructors. Forty years on, it's difficult to say whether any aspect is stronger as a result of extensive artificial slope experience. However, I'm nearing the end of UK Snowsports Level 1 instructor training and that's definitely sharpening up and smoothing my skiing!

After some pause to reflect, I have to agree with LOTA. I'm a life long skier in Western Canada. When I was in Norwich last year, I tried the dry slope, mostly for giggles. Not only did I have fun, I did meet some local kids who learned there who I could take to my home resort and they would fit right in. Like any sport, it takes practice to get good, spend a few days at the dry hill.