J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by silverflora

Yes - it was a bit "bumpier" than I thought it would be, but in spite of everything, all three of us are hooked and can't wait to go again.

Next trip - probably March 2011 : I was told by people at the hotel that skiing at the end of the season is nicer than when its bitterly cold. Being on the slopes in bright, warm sunlight was FANTASTIC!

Thanks to everyone for advice prior to our 1st ski trip - it was very useful.We were back yesterday, after a gruelling trip on a coach as the airports were still closed then.

Re the skis - they were left for an hour over lunch and disappeared then. I was the only English speaker in a group of 12, and the others were told what to do and went down the chair lift - he then told me in English how to get off the chairlift and I came down by myself. There was no one else around to copy what they did ( the beginners start later and finish later than all other groups), and I truly had no idea that I had to take my skis in - on the way up they were taken up for us and given to us individually at the top of the chairlift.

The ESF lessons weren't great : my instructor had poor English, and after the first 30 minutes hardly ever explained anything to me and I got fed up constantly having to ask. SO after 2 days, I had decided to just about give up. Everyone else was doing so much better than me. I did't ski on Day 3 - and decided ( on Jonah690's advice and Ally's encouragement ) as a last ditch effort to try a private lesson with the New Generation Ski school on Day 4.

This proved to be the best thing I could have done. In that 2 hours, I learned more than I had done in the previous 2 days, was constantly helped and reassured, and ended up after 2 hours taking the 3 km blue piste run back down to the hotel.

The next couple of days I spent practising by myself and with my daughter - it was fantastic! really enjoyed it and can't wait to go back next year.

Lots of the english people at the resort gave up with ESF, and most took private lessons - or did their own thing. We may have been unlucky - but I was amazed at how many people stayed at the hotel on Day 3 ( when I wasn't skiing) whom I had previously seen on the slopes.

And the skis? I was told after 4 days of worrying that I wouldn't have to pay the 300 Euros.

Thanks again
Silverflora

I have taken all your advice - and to give you an update, after day 1 I feel much more confident than I ever felt on the dry ski slope. The slopes are much less steep for us beginners, and the snow is much nicer to snow on. I can jsut about do a snowplough now - 100% better than before.


On the minus side I have had my skis taken ( stolen?) as no one told me to collect my skis from the bottom of the chair lift and LOCK THEM AWAY! I am the only English speaker in the group and an awful lot of the teaching goes on in French - hardly any translation for my benefit. So I had no idea about the chair lift protocol. And now they want to charge me 300 Euros for a replacement......

Thanks everyone for your encouraging words!

We're going to Peisey Vallandry and I think the lessons are with ESF. I will certainly give it a go - snow should be a lot softer to fall on!

Just as an aside, I read an article by John McCarthy from 2001
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/alps/717068/Les-Arcs-Once-more-from-the-top.html
- and he said he hated skiing until he tried the "Ski Evolutif" method. Is this a good way to learn - and do ski schools still offer it?

I shall report back on our return - hopefully with some good news!

We are going skiing in 2 days time and I thought it a good idea to have a couple of lessons prior to this as we are all total beginners.

The kids are fine - but I have been totally disouraged. I was so optimistic as I am fairly fit, and I thought I would get the hang of it, but I can't even do a snowplough, or turn the skis or ANYTHING!

Will it get better or am I one of those people who will never get on with skiing?

And if I can't, what else can I do for a week in a ski resort that isn't skiing?

Thanks
Silverflora

I want to take my 2 kids aged 10 and 12 for a skiing holiday next week. None of us has ever been or even tried on a pair of skis ! I have found 2 possible holidays - can anyone suggest which would be more suitable?

The first is with Club Med at Peissey vallandry - the second at Hotel Edelweiss at Obergurgl - the latter being much more expensive.

What's the quality of the ski tuition with either of these? Do we need lift passes? Shall I book the skis and tuition myself before we go - the Obergurgl one is non incluive of these.

Any help/suggestions would be really appreciated.
Thanks