I've agreed to go but I'm terrified

[nameuseroriginal]

I've agreed to a last minute ski holiday with my DH.

He can ski.

I've been to an artificial slope for a lesson once about 3 years ago....and hated it. I was frightened of going too fast or getting hurt. The boots hurt and I just looked an idiot.

I can't back out now, he would be so disappointed.

I've booked a 2 hour lesson every day while we are there but I'm still anxious.

Can anyone please give me some tips to make my first holiday more enjoyable?

Thanks

[AlaskanOilBaron]

Ski with your guide on the bunny slope and you'll be fine. Honestly. By day 2 you'll be eyeing the blues.

Have fun!

[itbemay]

You'll be fine. I hated the thought of it and wouldn't do it again but I had 2 half days of lessons and could get up and down and stop etc and enjoyed the slopes.

[Atalune]

Mountains are so much more fun than a ski dome.

You’ll love it.

Day one- hard
Day two- getting easier
Day three- you’ll be away!

Stretch really well befor you ski and then have a lovely bath/steam or sauna later on.

Skiing is the BEST

[Tika77]

I also hated the indoor skiing, I was the crappezt in the group. But outside under the clear blue sky and fresh air is totally different, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

[nameuseroriginal]

Thank you for the encouragement, much needed and appreciated!

[Singlenotsingle]

You can go with him, but not necessarily go on the slopes if you don't want to. There is apparently loads to do apart from skiing!

[tinytemper66]

I love skiing but am afraid of heights! I am shit at it too. However the buzz on a lower slope is wow!!
I always go with school so to see the pupils progress is amazing.
I am sure once you have 1:1 lessons you will fly! Enjoy and have fun!

[thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter]

Does it have to be skiing? Might be worth trying snowboarding to see if you find that easier.

[Rodent01]

Dry slope skiing is nasty and nothing like the real thing!! The real thing is softer and much more controllable. You’ll have a ball, relax and enjoy it!

[Polestar50]

I think almost everyone is terrified at first. Totally normal and understandable. It soon passes and starts getting fun, I promise!

Also skiing on artificial slopes is completely different to real snow. Its a lot harder to control your skis and much more painful to fall on to an artificial slope.

It's great that you are getting lessons.

With a good teacher, you should learn to control your speed and stop yourself effectively (using the snowplough position) within a very short timeframe, possibly during the first lesson. They should also teach you how to get on and off the different types of ski lift safely. After that it's all just finessing and improvement.
It is brilliant when you find your feet. You feel like you're flying.
Ignore any twats on the slopes. There are always a few who are impatient and forget that they were beginners too at one point. I really hope you have a ball!

[nameuseroriginal]

Thanks all!

My DH has said it's a really different experience being out on the snow with the sun, air etc but I wasn't sure if he was just blagging me so I'd go.

I'm really glad to hear from others that real snow is better than artificial. That one lesson totally put me off.

[Handsoffmysweets]

Please do not get your hopes up via the posts stating you’ll be away by day 3. This may well be you, but it may not be. I’ve skiied for years and imo, a persons first skiing holiday tends to be ups and downs, highs and lows etc. Just try and enjoy it and don’t get ahead of yourself. Good luck (you will be fine)

[OnlyTeaForMe]

Do NOT, under any circumstances, let your DH convince you that you'll be 'fine' going up to the top of the mountain with him... stick with your instructor on the greens and blues.

Have fun! Am jealous, as we're not going this year :-(

[Ivegotthree]

Baby slopes are practically flat so honestly there's nothing to be scared of.

It is fun and exhilarating and bonding for the family all to be away up a mountain. And when you've had enough just take yourself off to a mountain restaurant for a vin chaud while you wait for the others.

I don't advise you try snowboarding though - bloody difficult, much more so than skiing.

You'll love it! PS also take books as you might have early nights - dunno how old you are but 20s was apres ski, now 40s we do big dinner, early night!

[Pantsomime]

Take spare gloves out with you as you’ll fall over a lot and soggy cold fingers are easily avoided with spare pair, take plastic bag for wet ones. Get fit or you’ll be worn out in 1st 2 hours, squats, lunges, get your bum and thighs moving- easy things at home, squat with back to wall and slide down wall & hold, few every day will wake your muscles up. Google other exercises. Take anti inflammatory creams as you’ll likely bruise your legs a lot when you fall over your skis. Sounds grim BUT it’s great- the first week is the hardest you just have to grind it out. Loo roll- France is awful for toilets having no loo roll on the slopes

[Florabritannica]

Don’t judge yourself or compare yourself to anyone else. There may well be moments when you are lying in the snow sobbing. You will get up, because you have to, and get down the slope, because you have to, but whether you go up again is completely up to you. Concentrate on enjoying the bits you can enjoy, whatever they are. And do not let anyone make you feel wimpy or inadequate or incompetent.

[LakeFlyPie]

Skiing on the snowy slopes is a world apart from nasty artificial ones.
Do some pre ski training at home, stock up on paracetamol and ibuprofen for the niggly aches and pains. Stick to the greens and blues to build up your confidence. Remember the occasional sense of humour failure is normal. If it strikes, take off your skis, go and drink a warm alcoholic beverage whilst enjoying the beauty of your surroundings and then get back to it.
Check out before you go.

[DeRigueurMortis]

Yes real snow is very different.

It's not unreasonable to be a bit apprehensive but honestly I'm sure you'll have a great time.

What's key however is having the right kit.

If you're cold it can be miserable.

I don't mean you have to go mad on top of the range gear, but do invest in some thermal leggings/polo neck top (I buy the M&S ones - don't need to expensive ski ones) and goggles that don't steam up.

Don't buy an all in one ski suit - as a woman they are a nightmare when you need the loo and the floor is wet from ski boots (and other unmentionables).

As for boots, they need to be supportive and your foot/ankle shouldn't be able to wriggle about, but they shouldn't hurt. That suggests you have the wrong size and/or they've been done up incorrectly.

I assume you're hiring boots so make you wear the socks you'll be skiing in when you go to the hire shop (and buy enough of the same socks to wear for the time you'll be there). Getting fitted with the wrong socks can make a big difference.

Also when you try the boots on you must try both feet and then if they feel uncomfortable/rubbing/squeezing try another pair.

When you find ones that seem comfortable wear them for at least 5 mins (ideally 10) and walk around (yes they are hard to walk in, but I just mean potter around the shop upright). Boots fit differently when you're sitting vs upright.

Imho good fitting boots are one of the most important things when skiing. Poorly fitting boots, aside from hurting can ruin your technique and make learning much harder.


Other advice - don't push yourself too hard. Try having morning lessons, meeting DH for lunch then maybe ski together on the beginners slopes for an hour and then go back (your DH can stay out if he wants obviously).

A lot of the ski resorts have other activities (a lot of hotels have pools and even spas - if yours doesn't there will be one on the resort). There's shopping centres, coffee shops, gyms, bowling, ice sports, cinemas etc etc

You'll be using muscles you possibly haven't before so take time out to get used to it by not skiing all day (unless you want too!).

Honestly it will be fun. The views are incredible and it's much easier to learn on proper snow and longer runs where you don't reach the bottom as soon as you feel you're about to "get it".

[DeRigueurMortis]

Oh and yes to to tip above about taking loo roll/tissues with you.

The restaurants can get very busy and it's very common to find they've run out.

I'd also buy the little tubes of sun cream that also have a lip balm on the end. Great to keep in your pocket and easy to keep applying to face/Lips.

[Colorbomb]

To suggest you can learn to ski competently in 3 2 hour lessons is frankly bollocks unless you are naturally gifted. it is really hard to learn as an adult (especially if you feel the fear as many adult women learners do!) but it is well worth the graft and there is fun along the way. But I wouldn’t want you to come home having tackled a few shaky blues by the end of the week and feeling that you had failed in some way by not mastering more!
If you can possibly do a couple of sessions at Hemel or MK to get the real basics done then you will get much more out of your time in the mountains.
Take some ibuprofen (unless you’re super fit your quads and hamstrings will be burning!) and my kit tip is excellent goggles as they make all the difference to a learner on a flat light day.
Skiing is glorious and challenging and keeps us all humble but there is no feeling like it once you find your feet! Good luck OP.

[Mumtothelittlefella]

I’m in your position op. Five weeks to go and I’m already thinking I might sack off the lessons and just spending the week building snowmen with DD. I’ve just purchased this dvd although I’ve not listened to it yet. Thought it might be good for over coming the fear while I’m out there www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0012IXHH2?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[nameuseroriginal]

Thank you everyone, some great tips and advice.

I've told my husband that if I get there and hate it I'm just going to sit in a spa or a bar all day

[niceberg]

You’ve got some good advice already. I second the importance of making sure your hire boots fit properly.

They can even feel ok for the first 5 minutes in the hire shop, but become uncomfortable or painful after a while skiing. If that happens don’t hesitate to take them back and try new ones. A good hire shop will be happy to do this (I’ve done this a few times for me and children).

My other top tip is, if you have poor circulation in hands or feet and are worried about the cold, take some of these hand and foot warmers (pic below hopefully!). I put the hand warmers in my gloves, between the glove and the back of my hand, and it stops even my extremely cold-prone fingers from becoming uncomfortable.

My eldest daughter also uses the foot warmers. She sticks them to her socks, under her toes/ball of her foot, before heading out for the day.

Hope you have a great time - definitely worth giving it a go as it can be exhilarating and the mountains are beautiful. Good luck!

[kittykarate]

It took me a few ski trips to get comfy with the idea of skiing - so don't be disheartened if it doesn't click by day 3. Some people are natural athletes or have a dancer's control of their body - they can pick it up really quickly.

I've told my husband that if I get there and hate it I'm just going to sit in a spa or a bar all day

That's a good plan ;)

Also - be cautious about your husband suggesting that you go out together to his choice of slope, without at least him skiing with you on the greens where you've been learning. People who can ski forget how hard it is as a beginner and I wouldn't want him to put you too far out of your comfort/competence.