AIBU to give up skiing after 18 years...

[DoSomethingKirsty]

Two days into our family ski holiday and I just don't want to do it anymore.

Sick and tired of squeezing my feet into in comfy boots (that cost a bloody fortune to get custom fitted for extra comfort). Sick and tired of always being last and holding the group up. Sick and tired of being petrified that I'm going to be hit by a snowboarder.

I am a fairly competent skier if the conditions are perfect and the slopes are empty, but as soon as the the light goes, or the snow softens or little piles of powder appear I go to pieces.

I stropped off the slope after one run this morning, as I had no clue where the rest of the group had gone and DH wasn't answering his phone.

AIBU to never set foot on a slope again?

I did 2 weeks skiing a few years ago.

It broke me. I have no desire to attempt it again.

Cross country skiing is the work of the devil. It may be just because my local trails are chock full of Olympians, and the 'beginner' classes are stuffed full of 'oh I've only done it for a few seasons - I used to race but I need to brush up my technique' types, but I registered for 12 beginner classes and never went back after the second one. I'll take a private lesson at some point, once I can actually find an instructor whose idea of a beginner lesson isn't 'pop those on love and skate down and meet me at the other end of the biathlon range - we'll work on attacking hills today' when I actually don't even know how the bindings work and wasn't lying when I registered for the 'never-ever's, unlike everyone else in the class.

I told them I would in all likelihood die, and then they'd be sorry, but all they could do was laugh and dh asked if he could have my (expensive) gloves if I snuffed it.

Clam that evokes similar episodes from our own family trips. Last year I did say ' 'Never again' but when booking time came round I couldn't resist "OK just once more"'. However at the end of this year's trip I said I would definitely go next year, as I am determined to get my free ski pass. You have to be 72 or over to qualify for that in Les Arcs, though other resorts are less stingy.

My ability has declined over the recent years, I didn't start until I was 45 and have lost an ACL along the way, but as someone said upthread, there is nothing like a groomed blue on a sunny morning.

I only went skiing for the first time this year. It was OK but on the last day we went hiking instead and it was so much more enjoyable! Comfy feet, no sense of impending peril, and beautiful views you can actually enjoy.

I go mountain biking a lot with DP and am always slower than him. I get so pissed off when he disappears into the distance and I am on my own for ages. I just think, "what's the chuffing point?". It really gives me the rage.

I've not read the whole thread but I can sympathise with you OP. DH has always skied with his family, loves it, very confident. I've been probably about 6/7 times over a long period of time (first time 12YO on school trip). I've been with his family and stood the top of a piste with them all waiting at the bottom and me screaming 'I'm not going down there'. I like wide empty pistes, blue skies, and a promise of hot choc/vin chaud at the bottom.

We went when my boys were small DS1 skied aged 4 and still remembers the trauma of ski school. That was the last time we went as a family. DH has been on trips with his friends etc while I stay at home. It's so bloody expensive if you don't like it much, and taking children further bumps up the cost.

This year I'm considering next season, my boys are now 7 and 10 and I think would love it. I would do as much as I feel comfortable. One lovely trip I was 15 weeks pregnant, I skied in the morning and spent the afternoons pottering on my own in the town etc.

I hope you're surviving and have found a way to enjoy the holiday. Anyway my point is it's ok to not enjoy it but I hope you find a way to enjoy it and your DH cuts you some slack.

I had a thread last year about the recession of my skiing abilities www.mumsnet.com/Talk/skiing/2329796-My-skiing-is-gting-worse-not-better-what-should-I-do.
At the time I suggested a mumsnet ski holiday for those of us who enjoy more sedately skiing. Lets find a nice place with only big wide blue pistes and unlimited calorie free chocolat chaud where we can all take our time and enjoy the scenery .

I'm going in a couple of weeks with the kids, first time as a lp & im terrified! Ex used to do a lot of the ski-parenting while I snow ploughed behind!
One thing I really really hate is the boots. I have such wide calves that the inside becomes v sore

Yanbu

It's a hideous, expensive, overrated twattish past time 😬

Kimmy I noticed this year that Skiset have an option in their site for renting skiboots with wide calves.

I lost my nerve in my 30s & gave up completely at 40. DS was much better than me by then. I was awake int the night dreading going beforehand

DH & DS go without me, or I go too & don't ski - I have snowshoes. I might try cross-country skiing at some point.

I learnt to ski aged 40. After some years I realised I wasn't going to get faster, and that its not about the speed anyway, and I hate being on-piste with idiots tearing past me. So now we go off-piste and tour - boot or skin up the mountain, far from the madding crowds, and ski down in blissful peace at your own pace. That might solve your problem. You'll need some lessons in deeper, steeper, softer snow and on moguls, but I promise you its way better than the sort of skiing you've been doing.

Skins up? Is it really hard going though?

It's a pretty decent workout, yes .

Booting up Stairway to Heaven, Verbier.

Wow, that looks amazing.... and bloody hard work!