Latest posts for the topic "Absolute beginner - advice please"

Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:51:01 GMT

Hi,

I've never been skiing before (other than a few hours indoors), and we are thinking of going in March 2010 for our first ski holiday.

Any advice would be more than appreciated, but I have some specific questions that I'm interested in. Oh, we live in the UK, by the way.

1. We are thinking of going to Whistler, and it looks expensive, so any thoughts on where to stay and how to get a good deal would be great. We are a couple, so won't be able to get any group discounts or anything.

2. As the 2010 Olympics are on at this time, is it a good idea to go then, or will we be priced out of the market? We expect to go in the week in between the olympic and paralympic activity.

3. What kind of costs can we expect for eating out, or in, when we are there?

4. Can you point me to any good websites that can give me any information, thus saving you having to type it all out ;-)

Really, anything else you can think of would be great - I'm feeling a bit lost with all the things to consider.

Thanks in advance.

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:55:26 GMT

For your first trip, I'd suggest a short trip across to the Alps. i havent been to Canada but Europe is on your doorstep and there is so much to see before you think about venturing across the pond. You can ski for 6 days and only need a week off work and take a max 2 hour flight as well and it will cost you a hell of a lot less.
You're best off going somewhere higher up that time of year. I learned in Val Thorens in France. Personally I prefer Austria for the livelier apres ski.
I'd also think about going half board or chalet board for your first time so you can chill out after a long day and not have to think about walking around town to get dinner.

Skiworld do some great chalet deals.

Hope you enjoy it, welcome to the forum.

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:03:47 GMT

Welcome to the forum.
Have to agree with TonyH. I've been to Whistler and had an amazing holiday, but I don't think I would choose it for my "learn to ski" venue. Think it will cost you an arm and a leg because of the Olympics. Is there any particular reason you were thinking on going there rather than Europe?

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:05:25 GMT

Whistler wouldn't be my choice for learning (although I imagine with the Olympics there would be loads going on in and around town) but there are hundreds of other North American resorts to choose from should you still decide to go down that route! In March you should not be concerned with which North American resort you choose as it is generally the best month for the combination of snow conditions/temperature!

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:41:16 GMT

Eljay is right,I WOULD NOT go there in 2010. There have been stories on the news about how much more expensive it will be next year because of the olympics.Like 800% more!

Also because it is your first time I think I would stay close to home like the other said ,but there are many beautiful resorts here in BC and alberta
my local fav..and seems the local fav of the uk from the accents in the lift line is ) :

http://www.sunpeaksresort.com/

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:47:40 GMT

Thanks guys - much appreciated.

To be honest, I think its a bad idea to go when the olympics are on as well, but my other half has her heart set on it. She is already planning dog sled rides, snowmobiles and a Vancouver add-on, that you don't seem to be able to do in Europe (especially the Vancouver bit ;-) ).

On the other hand, if I point out that it will be around 800% more expensive at that time, perhaps I can change her mind. Wish me luck!

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:50:51 GMT

The Vancouver idea is cool but what about somewhere in Tahoe with a San Fransisco add on?

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:31:02 GMT

what about finland, Rose R is the lady too talkto that sounds like it would tick all the OH's boxes

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:33:31 GMT

The Vancouver add on would be lengthy and expensive from Finland.

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:34:44 GMT

Pablo behave i meant as a destination not as an add on :D

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:34:55 GMT

amanda n wrote:what about finland, Rose R is the lady too talkto that sounds like it would tick all the OH's boxes

Tis true, Finland would make a great first time ski holiday with the added bonus of all the extra activiies. Great ski school, uncrowded slopes, plenty of snow, no icey patches.

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:52:44 GMT

.....GBP25 a pint

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:54:39 GMT

where tony?

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:10:40 GMT

Paul2ski wrote:Thanks guys - much appreciated.

To be honest, I think its a bad idea to go when the olympics are on as well, but my other half has her heart set on it. She is already planning dog sled rides, snowmobiles and a Vancouver add-on, that you don't seem to be able to do in Europe (especially the Vancouver bit ;-) ).

On the other hand, if I point out that it will be around 800% more expensive at that time, perhaps I can change her mind. Wish me luck!

You can do all that at sunpeaks. Check the website )
http://www.sunpeaksresort.com/activities/winter.aspx
Than you could rent a car and drive to Vancouver-only 4 hours away.

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:16:22 GMT

Hey
i would echo the comments above and def stick to europe-no need to spend GBP2-3k on a holiday to canada or the states when europe is as good in most resorts!
Try looking at Val Disere too

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:51:00 GMT

....GBP15 a pint

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:21:04 GMT

Wherever you go, get in some lessons and practice on a dry slope or indoor slope beforehand so that you are mobile when you get to your resort. Much better value for your money than to get there and then start to learn how to put your skis on.

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:18:42 GMT

Personally I would agree with the others on this forum and advise you to avoid going to Whistler. The prices will definitely be increased and you are likely to be facing a fight on the slopes. :(

Unlike others I wouldn't write off going to Canada as there are plenty of other resorts to choose from that will offer you fab skiing. Yes Europe is on your doorstep but then again you could say that about any holiday summer or winter one you take. Personally I have fallen in love with Canada having just spent the season out there so would thoroughly recommend it.

As for you being a complete beginner I am aware that there are conflicting views on this front however my personal stance is that you don't need to take any lessons before you get out to resort as what you learn on a course in the UK is what you will learn in your first day/s in resort without the added cost. I went skiing for the first time two years ago in Cervinia, Italy and had never put a pair of skis on before I arrived and by the end of the week I was happily skiing down red runs. Yes you have to appreciate that people learn at different rates but I do not think that having had a few lessons in the UK beforehand would have helped me and would only have lightened my pocket of a few GBP's. :roll:

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 08:23:21 GMT

Brimster wrote:Personally I would agree with the others on this forum and advise you to avoid going to Whistler. The prices will definitely be increased and you are likely to be facing a fight on the slopes. :(

Unlike others I wouldn't write off going to Canada as there are plenty of other resorts to choose from that will offer you fab skiing. Yes Europe is on your doorstep but then again you could say that about any holiday summer or winter one you take. Personally I have fallen in love with Canada having just spent the season out there so would thoroughly recommend it.

As for you being a complete beginner I am aware that there are conflicting views on this front however my personal stance is that you don't need to take any lessons before you get out to resort as what you learn on a course in the UK is what you will learn in your first day/s in resort without the added cost. I went skiing for the first time two years ago in Cervinia, Italy and had never put a pair of skis on before I arrived and by the end of the week I was happily skiing down red runs. Yes you have to appreciate that people learn at different rates but I do not think that having had a few lessons in the UK beforehand would have helped me and would only have lightened my pocket of a few GBP's. :roll:

Wrong, wrong, wrong my advice has always been is that if you have not skied before you will save a couple of days on the snow by having a couple of lessons back home, you may be the rare exception but to Mr and Mrs average this is defiantly the way to go. 8) 8)

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 08:57:23 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote: Wrong, wrong, wrong my advice has always been is that if you have not skied before you will save a couple of days on the snow by having a couple of lessons back home, you may be the rare exception but to Mr and Mrs average this is defiantly the way to go. 8) 8)

Hence why I said there are conflicting views and my personal stance is.....!!!! :wink: :twisted:

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 09:20:01 GMT

Brimster wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote: Wrong, wrong, wrong my advice has always been is that if you have not skied before you will save a couple of days on the snow by having a couple of lessons back home, you may be the rare exception but to Mr and Mrs average this is defiantly the way to go. 8) 8)

Hence why I said there are conflicting views and my personal stance is.....!!!! :wink: :twisted:

Just think a couple of lessons before you went might have led you to skiing blacks :wink:

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:54:17 GMT

My advice to get some lessons before going is based on many years of experience of dry slope and on-snow teaching. Being able to take a learner who has made a start on a dry or indoor slope (which includes learning how to use a tow) straight on to a green/blue slope instead of on to the nursery slope is to start the teaching/learning process at a more advanced stage. This as a general rule must be cost effective.

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:36:00 GMT

Brimster wrote:

As for you being a complete beginner I am aware that there are conflicting views on this front however my personal stance is that you don't need to take any lessons before you get out to resort as what you learn on a course in the UK is what you will learn in your first day/s in resort without the added cost. I went skiing for the first time two years ago in Cervinia, Italy and had never put a pair of skis on before I arrived and by the end of the week I was happily skiing down red runs. Yes you have to appreciate that people learn at different rates but I do not think that having had a few lessons in the UK beforehand would have helped me and would only have lightened my pocket of a few GBP's. :roll:

I went to Val Thorens as a complete novice. I hadnt seen a pair of skis before, or tried on a pair of boots. However, I didnt enjoy my first week in lessons one bit, and with hindsight I would have gone and had a crash course for beginners at a snow dome or somewhere, just so that I knew a little bit about the equipment, how the boots should feel, how to stand up when I fell over, and the other little things that took up quite a lot of the first few days out on the snow. I think I would have progressed much faster in a week had I done that, and as such I would thoroughly recommend any newcomes seriously considers the same.

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:15:13 GMT

We are just back from our first week skiing, having had two lessons on a dry slope before we went. Whilst I agree that skiing on snow is very different, the dry-slope lessons were fun :D as well as giving us the confidence to put our boots on correctly and shuffle to the ski school meeting place without falling over :oops:. It was also boosting to start group lessons as one of the more capable members (even if I didn't finish the week that way!)

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:25:35 GMT

I felt a complete prat when I started boarding, never been on the slopes of in a dome or what have you. I am not convinced that doing so would have been good for me, I hate instruction full stop. A day at a snowdome would have probably put me off for life and I would not have spent many thousands on riding holidays, equipment and clothing in the last 28 months. I would not have found a true passion. If it was for for the fact I am a tight Scotsman and paid upfront for a weeks lift pass and equipment hire I would not be doing it now.

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:44:26 GMT

tino_11 wrote:I felt a complete prat when I started boarding

Then you really should have taken up skiing instead )

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:56:41 GMT

bandit wrote:

tino_11 wrote:I felt a complete prat when I started boarding

Then you really should have taken up skiing instead )

tino said, he felt a complete prat, not that he wanted to look a complete prat :lol:

Trencher

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:21:10 GMT

Trencher wrote:

bandit wrote:

tino_11 wrote:I felt a complete prat when I started boarding

Then you really should have taken up skiing instead )

tino said, he felt a complete prat, not that he wanted to look a complete prat :lol:

Trencher

He manages to pull that off in his Spyder formal dinner suit )

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:09:21 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

He manages to pull that off in his Spyder formal dinner suit )

How does he manage to achieve the snowboarder "baggy @rsed pants" look in that outfit?

:D

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:27:45 GMT

Hi ,

Welcome to the forum, I agree with the other reply's about trying some of the resorts closer to home in the alps, but if you're heart (the misses) on going to whistler try a company called Ski Miquel, they offer excellent value for money and also excellent service and staff.....but as the 2010 olympics is in town they may already be fully booked up.

All the best

jon.

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:57:04 GMT

bandit wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

He manages to pull that off in his Spyder formal dinner suit )

How does he manage to achieve the snowboarder "baggy @rsed pants" look in that outfit?

:D

He didnt. It was loose but it wasnt baggy arsed particularly. Strange material, like a suit as I said. I'll root out a photo if I can find one. Tino was well pleased with it though, bless him )

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 12:57:33 GMT

Wot, no baggy pants :shock: Is he not a proper hillfrog then? :P

Re:Absolute beginner - advice please

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 11:54:46 GMT

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