Latest posts for the topic "I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice. "

I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:23:26 GMT

Hi everyone

My name is David, I live in London, and I usually hang on the bass player forum, I'm assuming rules are more or less the same in any forumm, so if i'm posting this on the wrong place, moderators please remove at will.

I've been lurking a bit and now this is my first post.

I've booked a weeks holiday in Alpe D'Huez in April 2009 from 11th to 18th, at the Viking Chalet. I'm hopping to have a great time mostly because it will be my other half 30th, and I want to suprise her.

Has anyone been there?

Can i expect to have decent snow in that time of the year?

I'm going to Milton Keynes for a skiing course beforehand, we are going in september and after the course I plan on going back there to practice my skiing. Will this give me enough preparation for my holiday?

I read about carving turns and parallel turns what's that all about? Should I wait until the course and don't worry to much?

What kind of googles should I buy?

Any advice you may have for a newbie is more that welcome.

Thanks for your time.

Re:I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:46:44 GMT

Welcome.

I haven't been to Alpe d'Huez, but its a popular choice with Brits and from what I gather the snow shouldn't be a problem at that time of year. Indeed, there is a school of thought that due to climate change, the better conditions are to be had later on in the season. You should be fine.

A course at MK to get yourself started is not a bad idea at all. You will get the feel of boots on your feet and skis under them, which will be an advantage when you hit the slopes. Be prepared for some strange exercises!
Also, if you are planning on having lessons in resort (and I certainly would, as although you are prepared to practice you will inevitably develop bad habits) they will proabaly be very different to those you have at the Snowdome.

I wouldn't worry about "carving" or "paralleling" as you need the basics first, such as how to get up when you fall down!!

Goggles should be comfortable first and foremost. Get a pair that is "anti-fog" and I would suggest a yellow/orange lens which is something of an all-rounder. Will cut out glare and also improve flat light visibility. I wear them all the time to stop my eyes watering too.

Have fun!!

Re:I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:55:54 GMT

What he says, except only buy goggles which are "hugely stylish".
I went for some white North Face ones myself :mrgreen:

I strongly suggest you and your other half book in for ski school in Alpe d'Huez. Snow should be good out there, its high up and April has become a great month for snow in the main. However, be prepared for spring conditions, ie icy in the mornings and slushy by mid afternoon, which may also mean you need an insulated jacket and a thinner one depending on the weather, as it may get quite warm. Layering is the best option.

Try TK Maxx around October for ski clothing.

Hope you enjoy the forum and the skiing.

I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:00:40 GMT

Tony I was thinking about TK max or Decathlon, i'm from Portugal and in there they usually have lots of stuff for skiing.

Will it be a good choice.

I was thinking of booking a day or two when we get there instead on booking a whole week of lessons. Is this a mistake? Beacause the lessons are so expensive and I thought if I learned in the uk, maybe I can make the most of it when I get there. Of course i don't plan on running any red or black track.

Re:I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:12:55 GMT

Hi David welcome to j2ski, To be honest its not worth shelling out on top notch gear unless its a bargain for your first trip, Who knows you may not lke it ( god knows why you wont) But as Tony has said go to TK Maxx or have a look on here in the for sale section,Skiddle had some gear for sale not so long ago.
Or try www.skiwear4less.com.

AJ Adele

Re:I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:40:15 GMT

AJ wrote:Hi David welcome to j2ski, To be honest its not worth shelling out on top notch gear unless its a bargain for your first trip, Who knows you may not lke it ( god knows why you wont) But as Tony has said go to TK Maxx or have a look on here in the for sale section,Skiddle had some gear for sale not so long ago.
Or try www.skiwear4less.com.

AJ Adele

Re:I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:02:17 GMT

I've been to alpe d'huez and it's perfect for beginners but make sure you get well practised on the drag lifts at the snowdome as there's loads of them!

I would highly recommend that you have a full week of skiing lessons when you're there. I would also highly recommend that you don't use esf but we won't get started on that one again :evil:

(I like the name skiddle :D)

I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:14:03 GMT

What's EFS?

Caron I read about the danger of drag lifts some people seem to strugle with them. My other half is not tall at all in fact she's quite petit, will she have a problem with them?
A whole week of lessons after MK? But not lessons where i'm being teach the same basic steps again right?

Will I be able to ski on my own at some point while having lessons?

Re:I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:32:06 GMT

esf is the largest french ski school. nothing more to add!

Drag lifts aren't a problem, they can just be intimidating when you're learning. If you're having lessons at mk they'll get you confident on them so you'll be fine. My 7 year old uses them as well as me so height is not a factor.

As for [group] lessons, a beginners lesson will start with how to put skis on and walking around on one ski so you definitely won't be at that level. I've found that english companies tend to have more levels so you can fit into your bracket more easily. If you've got it wrong they'll move you into a more appropriate group. Also, in france, the groups lessons are always in the morning / private lessons in the afternoon so you'll have plenty of time to brush up on your skills and get moved up a group the next day!

Re:I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:03:30 GMT

The ESF is a syndicate of ski teachers. It's the largest in France, but fortunately there is not a monopoly. There are very good ESF teachers...and some who should hang up their boots...as in all walks of life.
As the ESF is a syndicate, a portion of the teachers' income goes to the organisation, for buying those nice red jackets that let the rain in so well )

Yes, you will be able to ski by yourself after having a few lessons. However it's a question of degree. How much do you want to struggle? I'm still having tuition after around 70 weeks on skis. The very best skiers have coaches, trainers, mentors. There is always more to learn :D

Re:I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:53:06 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

AJ wrote:Hi David welcome to j2ski, To be honest its not worth shelling out on top notch gear unless its a bargain for your first trip, Who knows you may not lke it ( god knows why you wont) But as Tony has said go to TK Maxx or have a look on here in the for sale section,Skiddle had some gear for sale not so long ago.
Or try www.skiwear4less.com.

AJ Adele

:P

:oops: Trust you to notice i had a senior moment hawk eye,
One of many latley i must admit.

AJ Adele

I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:12:19 GMT

Have lessons, enjoy them and then ski together in the afternoons. I wouldn't buy goggles at all though. At that time of year, you will probably only need sun glasses and if the weather comes in then you can buy them in the resort very easily. Plus it'll be end of season and they'll be reduced bigtime. Here - good goggles can cost upwards of GBP50 each and you may never use them. Saying that I used my goggles last year that week only and not in Feb, but buy them there! Suggest you take just teeshirts for underneath ski stuff. Will be hot. and don't both with longjohns/thermals etc it'll be too warm at that time.

Enjoy it. you'll have a fab time.

I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:26:13 GMT

I just noticed that i've booked my first skiing trip on easter weekend, there's some good things with that, we get to pack up everything on good friday and leave early with a good night's sleep, and we don't need to use as many holidays because of the bank holiday monday. Bonus points :D

But now i'm concerned that we will find the resort completly packed. is that a possibility? :roll:

Re:I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:24:08 GMT

Yes, and full of kids too :shock:

I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:35:32 GMT

oh you serious Tony?

Doh, it was suppose to be a romantic holiday not a screaming contest. :(

Re:I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:37:26 GMT

I kid you not.

Re:I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:49:11 GMT

If it's busy season with kids, I do the following.

Up first thing,
Skip breakfast
First to lifts (7.45 they will usually let you up with staff if you get friendly)
Board whilst its quiet
Take breakfast at 10.30 whilst the slope fills out.
Board over lunch whilst everywhere is packed and the hill empty
Break for beer and cakes about 3pm
Board till last lift at highest point, longest run
Have a beer at top if possible
Have a long run home 45 mins after the last lift / no-one there perfect!!!
Few apres ski beers with the crowds
Nap
Late (and most importantly) large dinner when kids are all out of restaurant
Few more quiet beers
Bed

......and always carry at least 3 decent sized chocolate bars, I prefer Snickers cos thye release of energy from the nuts is slower than the chocolate :)

I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:56:45 GMT

Yeah I think that's great advice

I don't care much for having lunch, we will probably take something to eat with us on a back pack.

and as dinner goes i'm from Portugal so I usually dine later than everyone else, so hopefully the restaurants won't be full up, and i have my 4 course meal at the chalet paid for already.

Re:I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:27:08 GMT

1. My strong advice is to book into lessons for the full week. As long as the classes are not too full, and they shouldn't be at that time of year, they are usually good fun and very sociable. Even a very average instructor will bring you along much faster than you will manage yourself and will ensure that you keep out of trouble - there is nothing worse on a 1st holiday that finding yourself standing at the top of a steep slope utterly terrified and with no other way out than to ski it or slide down on your bum!!!

Most experienced skiers will continue to take lessons from time to time - otherwise you do not develop and bad habits become ingrained, habits that will let you down when faced with more challenging terrain.

2. Alpe D'Heuz is a great resort for beginners - there are extensive easy slopes within easy reach of the resort and it tends to be bright and sunny. The conditions at the time are really a matter of luck but there should still be plenty of snow. In any event, there is no point worrying about it.

3. Don't sweat the draglifts - they are intimidating at first but like everything else you will get used to them quickly enough.

4. You will be astonished at the amount of progress you will make in the first week, particularly if you do opt for lessons. Relax and enjoy it - 99% of people fall madly in love with the sport (and many become obsessional about it - be warned :twisted:).

I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:35:06 GMT

I've checked a school in Alpe D'huez and it seems like the lessons are only two hours a day, from 10 to 12, i don't know why i thought the lessons would be the whole day.

Can you please advise me of a good school in there?

Re:I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:41:48 GMT

tino_11 wrote:If it's busy season with kids, I do the following.

Up first thing,
Skip breakfast
First to lifts (7.45 they will usually let you up with staff if you get friendly)
Board whilst its quiet
Take breakfast at 10.30 whilst the slope fills out.
Board over lunch whilst everywhere is packed and the hill empty
Break for beer and cakes about 3pm
Board till last lift at highest point, longest run
Have a beer at top if possible
Have a long run home 45 mins after the last lift / no-one there perfect!!!
Few apres ski beers with the crowds
Nap
Late (and most importantly) large dinner when kids are all out of restaurant
Few more quiet beers
Bed

......and always carry at least 3 decent sized chocolate bars, I prefer Snickers cos thye release of energy from the nuts is slower than the chocolate :)

You and me need to ski/board together, Tino.

Re:I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:49:17 GMT

Sure that can be arranged, I wonder where we would do it? :?: :wink:

I missed out the 9.30am Gluhwein...how careless

Re:I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:12:39 GMT

tino_11 wrote:Sure that can be arranged, I wonder where we would do it? :?: :wink:

I missed out the 9.30am Gluhwein...how careless

Not got a trip to "The Hof" booked for next season yet, but I would consider it a distinct possibility that me and Mrs H will be there for a week at some stage. Lets see if the dates work. I have a feeling we would get on, that was all, nothing weird or dodgy )

Re:I've booked my first ski trip, now I need advice.

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:37:49 GMT

I agree and I should hope not as well :shock:

The Hof is easy for me at short notice, just hop on the overnight train about 1am, and boom in Mayrhofen first thing the following day refreshed and ready to go.

I love living in central Europe, it gives you a lot of flexibility!