Latest posts for the topic "What do you do on your first day?"

What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 11:54:57 GMT

Hello everyone :)

So, interesting to get everyone's view on this one. You arrive in resort for your first day skiing. Even if you have been to the resort before, what type of runs do you ski? One difficulty below your standard to get your legs back after a number of months off (eg red to blue, black to red, off piste expert to black, etc etc), or do you jump straight in where you were before?

I tend to drop one level for a day/half day and take from there. But I always wonder whether that is a wasted day.

What do you think? :roll:

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 13:11:15 GMT

Normally, if not having lessons, day one is careful (although I have been known to get too cocky and fall badly on day one, putting myself in jeopary for the rest of the week!)

On the first run, usually an easy blue, I feel like I have forgotten everything and it is a relief to get down it. It takes a while to get my skiing head on too.

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 13:24:12 GMT

I like to get some miles in on my first day whether I know the resort or not.
Like to get a feel for the conditions.
Won't push it technically though.

The big unknown for me comes with whether I can walk to breakfast on the next morning .....
:mrgreen:

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 13:46:56 GMT

Totally with you on that one OldAndy, I guess by the name you are not a young man - I am a young man and still have that problem. In fact, I have that problem every day - I tend to start getting fit on the Wednesday

As I generally ski alone, I am always a bit wary of getting the miles in on the first day as I will no doubt 'lose my bearings' (aka get lost)- despite piste maps with coloured lines on them, I have been known to think I can ski down a run and get there to find out it is actually uphill :oops:

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 16:09:07 GMT

donald-duck wrote:Totally with you on that one OldAndy, I guess by the name you are not a young man - I am a young man and still have that problem. In fact, I have that problem every day - I tend to start getting fit on the Wednesday

As I generally ski alone, I am always a bit wary of getting the miles in on the first day as I will no doubt 'lose my bearings' (aka get lost)- despite piste maps with coloured lines on them, I have been known to think I can ski down a run and get there to find out it is actually uphill :oops:

You really don't sound too young Donald, you sound about 40 …... :mrgreen:

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 16:24:02 GMT

Definately take it easy on the first day. I just tend to use it to get my bearings, find me ski legs and enjoy being in the mountains.
Gutted to hear that once you reach 40 there is a requirement to try and ski the pistes backwards. I'd better make the most of this year as I'm 39!

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 16:26:22 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

donald-duck wrote:Totally with you on that one OldAndy, I guess by the name you are not a young man - I am a young man and still have that problem. In fact, I have that problem every day - I tend to start getting fit on the Wednesday

As I generally ski alone, I am always a bit wary of getting the miles in on the first day as I will no doubt 'lose my bearings' (aka get lost)- despite piste maps with coloured lines on them, I have been known to think I can ski down a run and get there to find out it is actually uphill :oops:

You really don't sound too young Donald, you sound about 40 …... :mrgreen:

Sounds young to me. Age is relative.

Glad to see you are the same as me Jack!

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 17:29:14 GMT

It's not a bad idea to go easy on the first run or two of you holiday, though I am not sure it's worth doing for the whole day. You are likely to find out that you still remember how to ski and your skills haven't disappeared, so you will find yourself where you were before very soon. If you are a solid red run skier and in a decent physical shape why would you want to stick to blues for the whole day? Pointless IMHO.

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 17:52:38 GMT

when I only have 6 days skiing, losing one on Blue runs that are full of ski school can be frustrating.

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 17:59:13 GMT

Get on the snow as fast as possible and get the lifts up and up and just ski as much and as far and as fast as we can.
I am always so excited as it is always close to a year since my last time on snow and usually within a run or two I have realised that I like to ski fast and cover as many runs as possible.
Some day I might work on my technique and grow up a bit but probably not!
I am also 39 so am in good company here.

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 18:10:58 GMT

Skiing fast doesn't mean skiing well as speed helps to mask technique deficiencies, this is how many skiers pick up bad habits and eventually come undone in challenging conditions.

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 18:17:37 GMT

this year I will probably have a day of free skiing then maybe a private lesson to hone the skills a bit more. I say that every year, but then get too excited and just ski. But I am off again in March as a second trip, maybe use that as one to rack up the miles and January to skill up.

Must remember on the first night not to drink too much, otherwise a difficult walk to breakfast will be aching legs and head!

What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 18:28:20 GMT

donald-duck wrote:I tend to drop one level for a day/half day and take from there.

:lol: :lol:

I usually set out with the intention to take the first couple of runs gently... but once the legs have warmed up in the first 200 metres, I just want to get that buzz again... 8)

donald-duck wrote:But I always wonder whether that is a wasted day.

What do you think? :roll:

I think that's a wasted day...

Skiing has quite a steep learning curve, so most folk - if not ridiculously unfit - will pick up where they left off. Maybe take the first run easy to build confidence but no more than that.

Warming the legs up first will really help, and... prepare your legs before you go; cycle, run for the bus, take the stairs, run up the escalator the wrong way, drag the dog for a walk... it all helps to avoid wasting precious snow time.

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 19:07:43 GMT

Hi Donald, welcome to the forum :-)

I normally drop down to the level of the other members of my clan, i pretend to be slumming it with them as i am a good father and husband but in reality i am just warming up. Or plucking up the courage to say 'right I'm off'.

i suspect that in January this will mean gentle blues to start with and in March some baby greens.

What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 19:23:44 GMT

Admin wrote:

donald-duck wrote:I tend to drop one level for a day/half day and take from there.

:lol: :lol:

I usually set out with the intention to take the first couple of runs gently... but once the legs have warmed up in the first 200 metres, I just want to get that buzz again... 8)

donald-duck wrote:But I always wonder whether that is a wasted day.

What do you think? :roll:

I think that's a wasted day...

Skiing has quite a steep learning curve, so most folk - if not ridiculously unfit - will pick up where they left off. Maybe take the first run easy to build confidence but no more than that.

Warming the legs up first will really help, and... prepare your legs before you go; cycle, run for the bus, take the stairs, run up the escalator the wrong way, drag the dog for a walk... it all helps to avoid wasting precious snow time.

Now there's a man after my own heart

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 19:55:43 GMT

interesting thread. I tend jump straight in after I have remembered how put my skis on.:-)

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 20:24:36 GMT

Usually have an easy day after tearing the a**e out of it in the pub catching up with folk on the first night. I'll never learn!!! :oops:

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 20:24:59 GMT

I am usually in group lessons, so I do whatever the instructor asks us to do.
This is usually exercises on blue runs, like ski-ing on one leg, doing slow tight turns etc.
I think myself one of the reasons for this is so that the instructor can gauge the ability of the group, before he takes us down a black run.

And I usually ski very carefully to begin with, until I've got used to my hired skis and remembered how to ski!

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 21:12:14 GMT

verbier_ski_bum wrote:Skiing fast doesn't mean skiing well as speed helps to mask technique deficiencies, this is how many skiers pick up bad habits and eventually come undone in challenging conditions.

Agreed, this is why I need a lesson but tend to loose my patience and just not bother.
For one week a year it's hard not to just ski as much as possible and really make the most of it.

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 21:21:45 GMT

Some things happen every trip. Like going for a quick pint on arrival and ending up getting surrrrmashed.
And then wondering if you'll remember how to ski while riding the first lift up.
Then discussing with everyone how you'll have a nice easy warm up run and then skiing at about 60mph down a red first thing.
And staying out until its dark on the first day, going straight to the bar, and turning up for dinner in full ski gear.
I could go on.......

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 22:48:50 GMT

Always go out with the intention of having an easy day, but never do. Unless the weather is rubbish.
I do tend to stay clear of the moguls for the first day or two, my knees aren't as young as they used to be.

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 06:33:20 GMT

Tony_H wrote:Some things happen every trip. Like going for a quick pint on arrival and ending up getting surrrrmashed.
And then wondering if you'll remember how to ski while riding the first lift up.
Then discussing with everyone how you'll have a nice easy warm up run and then skiing at about 60mph down a red first thing.
And staying out until its dark on the first day, going straight to the bar, and turning up for dinner in full ski gear.
I could go on.......

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 09:48:13 GMT

My intention is always to ski two easy runs as a warm-up and usually I achieve this. However, on a recent trip, straight on the big lift, out at the first stage, into an area of steepish blacks. It focussed the mind, a little!

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 11:01:54 GMT

I try and get my "Ski Legs" before I hit the resort by doing a few trips to the Snowdome as the season starts (sort of Mid Nov). I go with a mate afterwork so its a bit of a laugh.

1st day on slopes gentle red runs a few black runs working upto lessons / off piste

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 12:12:08 GMT

good Idea, I find indoor snow places a bit of a rip off. Up and Down in no time.

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 12:42:56 GMT

Snapzzz, I will spend the first day of my next holiday hoping that my daughter takes it easy so that I can keep up with her. No chance.

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 13:27:44 GMT

As soon as I arrive wherever we're staying, I'll unpack my things, get the kit ready for first lifts the next morning and go a wander around the resort- grab a few beers!

As for the first day skiing, I'll start off on blue/red. First run is time to point the tips down and go hell for leather :D
Flying out to Geneva mid January, not sure on which resort yet! Buzzing though!

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 13:41:11 GMT

Nice and easy on day one for me, partly so that my better half can build up her confidence. In any case I don't sign up to the equation that says maximum speed = maximum enjoyment. Just love being up in the mountains again.

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 13:43:04 GMT

Iceman wrote:good Idea, I find indoor snow places a bit of a rip off. Up and Down in no time.

Depends on how much it costs \ time spent getting to indoor slope \ time you spend there etc.

I find it saves me a load of time in just getting my technique back to a point I'm comfy :)

Also means that once the holidays arrive I'm getting straight on the snow with less faff.
Always good :)

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:09:18 GMT

The answer to the question is ski and suffer the consequences the day after -)

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 20:00:08 GMT

We try and get an early flight so we can get onto the slopes after 3. we just spend an hour going down a few blues then we are ready to make the most of the first day proper. For some bizarre reason I always feel a little nervous first time even after years of skiing.

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 12:25:15 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:The answer to the question is ski and suffer the consequences the day after -)

You certainly did that in St Anton old bean ;-)

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 13:43:06 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:The answer to the question is ski and suffer the consequences the day after -)

You certainly did that in St Anton old bean ;-)

Totally geting fitter this year lost about 12 Kilo's exercising knees and legs …… looking forward to my skiing. 8)

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 16:42:18 GMT

12 kg??? you must have had a lot of spare timber!

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 16:57:37 GMT

2 stone off is a great effort

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 18:53:17 GMT

Particularly bearing in mind that, like me, Ian drives for a living!!! Well done mate

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Sat, 16 Nov 2013 08:39:41 GMT

I have managed it over the last year to 18 mths, as Tony says never had a problem with weight till I sat on my backside for a living,
I have had to make the effort due to dodgy knees and alround ski fitness, I have found myself packing up at three in the afternoon, where before I was a first last lift monkey ….. So I am hoping this season I shall be a lot fitter, well thats the plan anyway, 8)

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Sat, 16 Nov 2013 16:13:53 GMT

I think you've got it about right-ease yourself in. Alternatively, if you have access to a snow dome or dry slope spend a day there in the week before your ski holiday.

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Sat, 16 Nov 2013 16:40:24 GMT

I'm always a little wary of recommending someone go on a dry slope the week before a holiday. An injury would be a disaster.

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Sat, 16 Nov 2013 17:08:53 GMT

andyhull wrote:I'm always a little wary of recommending someone go on a dry slope the week before a holiday. An injury would be a disaster.

I would definitely agree with this one! I broke my shoulder on a dry ski slope 2 weeks before a ski holiday, and had to spend the holiday walking about the resort with my arm in a sling :(

These days I leave at least 6 weeks between going in a snow dome/going on a mini-ski holiday and my main ski holiday, just in case!

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Sat, 16 Nov 2013 17:16:28 GMT

In the time I've been arranging group ski holidays I've had two people have to drop out due to injuries sustained on the dry slope.

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Sat, 16 Nov 2013 18:47:58 GMT

Relatively easy first morning, try to get my bearings which is a massive task. I must be the most useless piste map reader on the world. I have absolutely no idea where I am most of the week. Thankfully my husband and daughter do not suffer with my affliction. :mrgreen:

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Sat, 16 Nov 2013 19:14:22 GMT

I usually think "take it easy" so do something fairly simple first, then about halfway down, I'm thinking "zzzzz" so next run I've got rid of the rustiness and take on something more challenging.

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Sat, 16 Nov 2013 19:23:39 GMT

andyhull wrote:I'm always a little wary of recommending someone go on a dry slope the week before a holiday. An injury would be a disaster.

Always much better to get the injury on holiday, at least that way you still get a holiday ;-)

Re:What do you do on your first day?

Mon, 18 Nov 2013 08:13:14 GMT

It's those silly dry slope injuries like damaged thumbs, caused by the matting. Those don't happen on soft snow.