Ice-Skating & Skiing - Possibly Daft Question

[StellaRae]

I absolutely hate ice-skating - I can't balance and hate the wobbly feeling. I'm starting to panic about my first ever ski-trip and wondering whether my lack of ice-skating prowess means learning to ski will be difficult?!!

Please tell me there is no link whatsoever! Actually, please just be honest. Thanks!

Decent skier, terrible ice skater here. No link in my head.

I can do both but I don't think they are particularly linked.

With learning to ski though, do remember that it's hard, bloody hard especially learning as an adult. Everyone cries at least once, often more. But once you've learnt it's awesome! Just keep going with the lessons and every trip you will improve and learn new stuff.

I used to be pretty OK at both. But an ice-skate blade is very very very narrow whilst the bottom of a ski is about the width of your foot. You will feel you're standing flat on a pair of skis.

I'm a terrible ice skater and a competent skier. And I've been ice skating much more than I've been skiing!

A good skater can ski better because of the balance and edges but you don’t need to know how to skate to ski. I doubt a good skier is better at skating though.

No correlation. Techniques are very different.

I'm quite good at both but agree that they're different.

Oh and dh is an excellent skier and fairly useless at skating.

I do think they're linked - all the sports I do require good balance - but yes, skiing will be easier although if you're generally a bit "wobbly" you may struggle. You could try blades rather than skis.

Terrible ice skater.

Very good skier.

.You could try blades rather than skis.

No. Do not do this.

suko why not? Must admit I've never tried blades but a ski-inept friend has embraced them.

Like lots of sports, your posture, alignment and physical condition will all work together to make physical activity easier if you are in good condition and alignment.

Classic exercise for skiing is to slide down a wall till your knees are bend st 90degrees (as if you are sitting in s chair ... but without the chair). Do not expect to ski for longer at a time than you can maintain that position. Sooner you start the faster you get better.

Another terrible ice skater but good skier here!

It doesn’t hurt as much to fall in snow, especially the powdery soft snow. It hurts like hell to fall on a ice rink.
You don’t need to be any good at skating to be able to ski. Promise.

Great, thanks everyone. Feeling like I have a fighting chance!

Watch ski Sunday from yesterday BBC2 (on iplayer about 50. Mins in) the end of the programme has some tips on how to at least look like you aren't a complete novice

Like how to walk down stairs in boots

Why is it that most ladies lavatories in ski resort cafés and restaurants are up or down a flight of stairs?

Stops you seizing up over lunch 😁

LBOCS2

Can you have a lesson on a dry slope or indoor slope before you go?

Thanks again all. Windyone - yes, I have a lesson on a dry slope in a few weeks. Looking forward to it and dreading it in equal measure!

@ZigZagZombie blades might look easier as they are smaller, but it’s a false ease.

Blades are a carving machine, their joy comes from being edge to edge. To ski them properly you need speed and good technique.

Your balance also needs to be much better on blades - people often feel like they will topple over on blades. Longer skis keep you upright, albeit sacrificing control/efficiency if your fire/aft balance isn’t spot on.

Dry slope is much less fun so don't be put off!

Can I ask another daft (ish) question on the subject of ice skating?

I used to skate regularly & could zoom round the rink fairly well. I haven't been skating for about 40 years & have wondered if it's like riding a bike? If I went on the ice would I just be able to glide off & skate again or would I fall flat on my arse?