J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Badbark

Thanks for all the useful advice. I'm just back from the skiing holiday and both my parents did indeed give skiing a try. They didn't take any lessons but rented out skis for a couple of days. I spent some time with them showing them the basics and let them loose on the nursery slopes.

They both enjoyed it but my mum gave up after a few hours as she was feeling the strain physically. My dad however ended up taking the skis for longer and enjoyed messing around on the nursery slopes for about 4 days.

They loved the experience and said they want to take lessons the next time they go. Both said they would want to lose some weight before the next trip as well.

So to answer my own question – 65 isn't too old to try skiing but it would be better if you were fit for your age and you should also take lessons.

I'm just back from Soll on the 16th on my first ever skiing holiday and I absolutely loved it. I stayed at the Eggerwirt which was clean, pretty and the staff were very friendly. The hotel was about a 10 minute walk to the slopes and the three buses first stopped outside at 8.28, 8.35 and 8.45 so no problem getting there. The food was very good, even for me a vegetarian. The only issue was breakfast that rotated between offering sausages/bacon, scrambled eggs, boiled eggs and fried eggs sprinkled with bacon. So half the mornings I was down to a choice of cereal and/or bread and cheese.

I went on a 5 day skiing beginners course and got Hans Peter as my instructor. The course was great fun starting on the nursery slopes for 2 days then progressing to a few blues and finishing on reds on the last day. I got such a buzz when parallel skiing clicked on day four – I felt like a real skier!

There was only snow for a few days at the start of the week so by the last day of my holiday it had become a bit icy. I therefore didn't enjoying the skiing as much on the last day and stayed off the reds as our course was finished. I did enjoy a lovely 10-15 minute long blue down from the middle station to the nursery slopes several times. There was a lot of snow expected today however.

I was with my parent's and girlfriend so didn't venture out much at nights. From what I was told though there was plenty of partying going on to the wee small hours.

All in all, I'd certainly recommend both the Eggerwirt and Soll for any beginner or intermediate skiers.

Oh, and the top of the Hohe Salve mountain is a great place to propose to your girlfriend. She said yes!! :D

SkiGirl, I'm off to Soll and staying in the Eggerwirt this Saturday for a week. I'll report back the following week to let you know how I got on.

I'm going on my first skiing holiday this Saturday with my girlfriend and parents to Soll in Austria. My parents are both 65, slightly overweight and not sure if they want to try skiing or not. My mum also had key-hole surgery on her knee in October which makes her more apprehensive. I'm booked into a beginners ski school for 5 days and my parents are thinking about coming along for the first day and see how it works out. Is this advisable or is 65 to old to start skiing? Are they likely to injure themselves falling?

Any advice would be welcome.

Hi everyone, I hope someone can help give me some good advice. I intend to go skiing for the first time in January 2010. This is to celebrate my 40 birthday with my girlfriend and parents. I’ve been checking plenty of sites for advice and Morzine is now top of my list. Important points being that I can fly from Belfast to Geneva by Easyjet, its only 1 hour transfer and it usually has good snow.

Would Morzine be a good place for beginner skiers? Are there other activities for my parents to do if skiing proves to much? Can anyone recommend anywhere good in Morzine to stay or offer any other advice? Is there good food for a vegetarian?

Thanks for any replies.