J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by catford

Please please make sure if going to EU you get the European Health Insurance Card, can apply on line and comes through v quickly.

Take sun block if your nose goes red like mine.

I think opinions vary on this. I have been skiing twice and going for the third time in Feb 09. Before I went the first time I visited the local dry slope in Telford, was a family group lesson. I only really wanted to see what it was like to wear skis and boots, I think we managed to snow plow just about.

We had lessons in the resort and after the first one we could easily make our way down the nursery slopes and even ventured further up the mountain as the week went on. Last year I progressed further to some reds, again had lessons, and I hope to progress again this year, lessons booked, and also my own boots purchased which I hope will help. Hired boots before and didn't have any probs.

My own opinion is that I wouldn't spend my money on skiing lessons on a dry slope, it is nothing at all like skiing on snow, but I would recommend a one off trip to try out skis and boots if you havent worn them before.

Hi Ruby,

We are also a family of 4 (2 adults at 40+ and 2 kids, 10 & 15, who were 9 and 14 when we first went).

We have been skiing for the last 2 years, and hopefully again in 2009.

On both occasions we have had group lessons. It can be a bit of a rabble to begin with but I have found that it soon settles down and you find yourself in the appropriate group. Its easier if you're complete beginners as you would go straight into the beginners group. Our kids have left us behind now and are in different groups!! but they want to snowboard next year.

I had never skied before we went and my wife had been when she was at school. We went to a local dry slope for a family session but I just wanted to know what it felt like with skis and boots on. It was easier to learn on real snow in the resort.

Personally I wouldn't spend money on dry slope lessons

Enjoy it. Just ski within your capabilities, and don't worry if you feel others are making more progress, you will get there. I couldn't get the prallel turns last year but this year it clicked and I was fine and was able to ski red runs this time with confidence.

All the best to you.

AndyB,

Good point made about using the dry slope before you go, but I wouldn't waste my money if I were you on a load of dry slope lessons.

My Wife had been on a skiing holiday from school (checks over shoulder to make sure shes not looking - about 25 years ago), my daughter had been on a dry slope before from school but my son and I had never been, I had never even had a pair of skis on before.

We went to one open family lesson at the Telford dry ski slope, I just wanted to experience having skis on. We just learned how to snow plough, stop and sort of turn.

We had lessons every day when we went skiing (Livigno) and I found my one and only trip to the dry slope sufficient, it was much easier to ski on the real thing. However, my 9 year old son beat me in to second place in the slalom competition on the last day of lessons, pesky kids - but next year, revenge!!!

Hi Andy,

We went for the first time in 2007, me, wife and 2 kids 14 (G) & 9 (B).

We got most of our ski stuff from T K Maxx, my wife got hers from Aldi, they do decent ski wear (range is a little limited) but you need to be quick when it comes out. I tended to wear my ski-jacket with a running tee-shirt underneath most days plus a micro fleece if it was cold.

We took walking boots to wear when not skiing but trainers would have been OK since the roads where we stayed were kept clear.

If you have one near you Decathlon is very good for cheap fleeces and tee-shirts, they also do a wide range of ski clothing.

My experience was that in general people clearly had the same ski gear for years and kept wearing it year after year, I didn't get the impression of there being any designer snobs.

A neck warmer is also a good idea. We all preferred to ski in goggles

Thanks very much, it is Eisbaer.

Went skiing for the first time last week and really enjoyed it apart from the last day when my son ended up in hospital via helicopter, but we're back now (3 days late!) and he is fine.

Before the accident I had my eye on a v cool ski hat but I can't remember the brand. It was the type with the coloured fur on top with grey sides which came over the ears, I think they retailed for about 35 euro but I can't remember the brand name to search on the interweb. Does anyone know what I am on about?

Thanks.