To not want to go back for tomorrow’s ski lesson (second ever). Long and boring post!

[skiouch]

Just that really. Did my first ever day of skiing today, there were three in our beginners group. Me and a young couple who have never skied. The man was a natural and the woman was a more anxious beginner. I was sort of in the middle, confidence and ability wise. The instructor was very nice and seemed quite capable, but went a bit fast in terms of expectation re our progress and detail of instructions, the latter being more significant to me. It’s supposed to be a three day course. My boots were too big so the back rubbed, so I have tiny scabs on my ankles despite coming prepared with plasters and applying them mid-day. The skin was so sore I sat out the last hour of the lesson. The back of the boot is so big the whole heel lifts up about an inch when I walk, especially uphill. I went back to the ski rental place and the next size down all cramped my second toe so they advised to stick with these and buy a pair of thick socks which I have done. The rental place is associated with the ski school and they had three different brands for me to try in both the original size and the next size down and all of the next size down put pressure on my second toe.

Also I felt we were progressing a little quickly and we were moved onto a (very small by skiing standards) incline after lunch that crossed the path of the bottom of a ski run, and the path out from the chairlift. (We never did any runs, just little inclines near the runs). There was a kind of dip in the incline so you accelerated for a bit, and it was a bit icy by the afternoon. The instructor was trying to teach us to stop into a left turn say, then start off again and turn the other way etc. I picked up so much speed I think I panicked and fell backwards to try and stop myself (I think that’s what I was thinking at the time - that’s what she said I did!) rather than putting my weight onto my outside ski, and tumbled down and landed on my shoulder which got very sore, and is still a bit sore now. She told me I should’ve slowed down and demonstrated how, by pointing my toes inward, but she hadn’t told us that before! I knew only to stop that way, not control the pace of the skis. The other woman in the group and I asked to go back to the very gentle run after this, but my skin was too sore to do anything on it. The instructor’s original plan was to move us straight into the green slope after the bigger incline described above - I wouldn’t have stood a chance on that one.

I am just dreading tomorrow; picking up all the heavy gear, getting on the gondola in these unfamiliar boots which feel hard to balance on when walking in them alone, having the instructor have to split her attention (though this is of course fair enough as a group lesson is what I paid for!), and most of all I’m dreading my ankle skin being as sore as yesterday when i trudge back up inclines, and the snow surface being so hard as when I fell yesterday afternoon. Also the difficulty of the slope increasing more than I am prepared for.

Furthermore I don’t know if I can think and put together all the instructions when going fast - I’m not generally an adrenaline, think under pressure type person. It was basically a couple hours of instruction in the morning - how to stop in one direction by pointing toes inward, and how to turn or stop into a turn by putting weight on outside foot but inside blade - is that all most people need to attempt the first slope? I suspect it probably is - I don’t know how much my worry is clouding things.

Am I being a wuss? I mightn’t get the opportunity to ski again, but I am possibly overly scared of injuring myself. I feel if I had nice fitting boots and a one on one lesson (way out of my price range now - one afternoon of about 2.5h without rental or lift pass is 1.5x the cost of the whole three full day group course with rents and lift pass) I might stand a chance but for now I am so worried about my ankle skin being sore, the pain on the scabs from trudging back up the small inclines, and having the slope incline increase largely in difficulty and not being prepared for that, rather the increase in difficulty being incremental. I feel I’m being precious and don’t want to regret not going, but am worried about doing myself an injury and not feeling safe.

Should I muddle through or is it okay to just stop? As I say don’t know if I’m being a wuss.

Its meant to be fun.

If you aren't enjoying it and your body is hurting, then don't do it. Unless you HAVE to learn, then what does it matter if you stop now? It isn't for everyone, and at least you tried it. Or at least don't try it again until you can get boots that fit you properly.

Have you thought about cross country skiing? I did this instead and enjoyed it a whole lot more. It's less scary and harder work, but much more enjoyable. The boots are softer, the skiis more comfortable and, because you aren't tearing down slopes, you get to socialise with other people too.

There are 2 problems here:

1. your rental boots don't fit so you won't be able to transfer your weight and move the skis properly

1. You seem unmotivated to learn or you are expecting it to be easy

If you can sort out your boots that will help but fundamentally it is about how keen you are to go through the learning curve. As an adult its much harder as we are used to being proficient at many things. Think back to when you learnt to swim or ride a bike. How long did that take you? Did it hurt when you fell or was it scary when you couldn't touch the bottom? Did you give up after 1 day of trying? Did you want to persevere?

Dh and I started off with a group lesson and quickly realised a 121 was better. I’d really try to stick with it for a couple of dats moreThe views are amazing, it’s something quite spectacular. You don’t ever have to do the difficult runs. A lot of resorts have some great green runs.

I was far better than dh technique wise but he was the daredevil.

Where are you? Don’t double up on socks - makes it worse! If necessary try a different ski hire place for boots that fit!! They shouldn’t be telling you to wear too big. When you say they press on your toes sounds like you need a wider fitting boot and they’ve gone for bigger all round.

Your heel should not be lifting - use the lower leg clip to clamp your ankle in!

It is hard work learning - if you really want to carry on ditch the group and get a private lesson...you will do so much better!

thatmustbenigel I did actually laugh out loud at your post. Can't imagine your panic!

I 'treated' my DS for an intensive two-day snowboarding lesson.

BUT - he really hated the first day. the instructor had no patience with him and was irritated by his clumsiness when he struggled to 'get it'. When I collected him, he was slumped in a chair looking exhausted and he had fallen awkwardly so was in pain, his hair was plastered to his face with sweat from the helmet and his clothes were soaking. He had felt completely incompetent for the entire day so hated it and refused to go back for the second lesson.

I had pre-paid and I urged him to at least try the second lesson for an hour to see if it 'clicked', if not, he could just walk away.

The second lesson was a different story. He had a female instructor who had far more patience - a different style of encouragement and communication so a totally different rapport. In fact for the last couple of hours of that day, he really enjoyed it and was actually snowboarding.

I think it is one of those sports that looks easier than it is and it's normal to hate day one.

Good luck should you decide to go back.

As everyone else has said, skiing is always really hard to start. In a lot of ways once you get on to runs it’s easier because you just go down and dont have to trudge uphill as much (which does suck in ski boots!).

Also 3 hours is a long time - all my lessons I’ve ever had I bailed on half an hour before the end because I was just done with it and I actually like skiing! Just don’t like having to keep pace with the group and the instructor I think.

I hated skiing, couldn't move the second day because I had fallen that many times on the first . I was throughly miserable and and one point threw a ski - javelin style - at my then boyfriend (now husband) - skis travel well when thrown in anger, fortunately I am a terrible aim.

20 plus years we are still skiing, I am still the slowest in the group and will never do a black, but I am happy to potter on the blues and reds whilst my husband, and the now the children as well, race on ahead.

It was the second holiday before I really got to like skiing - great instructor with a bunch of ski-hating misfits to be miserable with - we had a ball!

I would say to keep going, it will get better. Take a break if you need to (I ski with a book in my pocket).

if your heel is riding up trying loosening the buckles around your toes and tightening the ones around your calfs (should that be calves?).

In addition to what the pp’s have said, I would advise you spend a bit of time on YouTube before your next lesson. Search ‘skiing beginner’ and you’ll find several short videos which will explain things that you might find easier to understand than when you’re on ski’s in a lesson
too worried about falling over to pay full attention!

Thanks all so much for your very informative, kind and supportive replies! I really appreciate both being advised that persistence will pay off, and also not to fight through it if I’m really hating it.

When cross country skiing was mentioned above, that suddenly hit a chord. I think I would much prefer that; I don’t particularly relish the prospect of going downhill - I didn’t really think this skiing thing through! Just looked on the resort website and the cross country trails are currently awaiting snow so would have to return another time to try that. Bizarre as it sounds I like the idea of being able to ski back and forth and not reliant on a chairlift, as I hate heights and fast moving things!

As for tomorrow. (Today now. Well spotted, I am currently in North America!) I think it is absolutely right re the 1 one 1, and the boots. I’m not sure how to solve either at this point. The smaller pairs put pressure on the toenail of my second toe and I was advised this is worse than boots that are too large? I’ve pulled the insoles and gel heel arches out of my ugg type boots so may try and pack them into the ski boots? I was also told multiple pairs of socks would create more rather than less friction so they sold me a pair of thick merino socks last night. I had normal plasters which made no difference so could try and get some blister ones.

I also remembered that the baby slope we were supposed to be on, nearer the bottom of the mountain, couldnt be used due to lack of snow. The instructor said that part had ‘carpet’ somethings - like a travelator to get you back to the top of your little run. I realised that not having the travelator or the lift is the part I’m dreading most tomorrow - the exhaustion and boot pain of clambering back up the incline. The skiing part was fine (till it got too fast too quickly!) (Thank you also for the advice to request to concentrate on control). I thought about taking my trainers and buying some waterproof socks, so every time I’ve skied down the small incline, I can take my boots off, and put my trainers on to clamber back up? Is this silly?

My fitness isn’t all that good right now, but not terrible. I used to be very sporty and know the feeling of having the correct-fitting equipment and just how transformative that can be.

Good question - why am I doing it. I’m here by myself. The resort is lovely and I was just planning to wander about and read, but then thought what an opportunity to try skiing.

Agh, still not sure what to do. I almost feel even a one to one lesson would be a waste with the poorly fitting boots. If I ask for a day’s break today (Weds) from the lessons to go to other rental places and get new boots I suppose I could then rejoin a different group on Thursday and Friday as I’m leaving on Friday. Or, I could see if I could transfer my payment for the group lessons toward one half day private lesson on Thursday or Fridays afternoon. I love the area and hope to be back but can only afford the accommodation this week as it is pre season. I may be able to afford to return in late January so could pack it all in and return then. Or, muddle through with the boots and the group tomorrow! The other option they have is afternoon-only group lessons for level 1. But the instructor advised me that repeating level 1 wouldn’t be much use as it is so basic. Technically our group is going to now all be at ‘level 2’ officially tomorrow. Currently the lessons are 10-12, break for lunch, then 1-3.

I hated, hated, hated my first few days of skiing. Cold, uncomfortable, terrifying. (I was 13). After my first year I couldn't get enough of it. It's like flying, there's no feeling on earth like zooming down a perfect empty slope, fast but in control, and I'm otherwise not a sporty person. I haven't been able to afford to go as an adult, except for once 15 years ago. I still dream of that feeling! So - stick with it!

Your boots are too big. Your instructor sounds a bit rubbish as you should be snow ploughing everywhere on your first time on skis so you know how to stop. Watch a bit of YouTube. Have a hot bath. It will be easier tomorrow.

Swap to snowboarding - soft boots.

Nordic skiing?

You really will find it better if you tighten the calf buckles - I have had massive issues with boots in the past and this really helps.

Ski boots - you're supposed to feel them touching your toes when standing up straight. Then when you bend your knees they shouldn't touch your toes. I bet you need the smaller size! YY to proper blister plasters and to pain killers pre lesson. Ask your instructor to find another place to take you with some kind of lift back up. No way you should be trekking back up the hill each time without a carpet or pull rope, that's torture! Good luck x

Neither the boot hire place not the instructor sound great, although the instructor is probably hampered by lack of places with snow from what you've said. Your boots sound too big but also you don't sound as though you're doing the buckles up properly. Your feet should not be slopping around in them and you won't be able to ski like that. Go back to the boot hire place and insist that they take another look. Are you in a very small resort?

Ah North America! Some resorts donthis weird thing where the ski hire is owned by the resort so they only have one type of ski/boot that everyone gets. You need to find an independent shop and get boots/skis from them. You might see them listed as demo skis...

Plus ski boots are really not designed for walking in which is not helping your blisters

Keep at it. I had my first skiing holiday last year at aged 39yrs. I was terrified but made pals with the people in my group lesson. Honestly it was them who kept me going. I was awful but we just kept going back and practising the things we had done in the morning so it felt a smidgeon less petrifying. We are going again in Feb and I am already nervous. I think I am going to do group lessons in the morning and then 1:1 in the afternoon. I am such an awful skier but actually I really enjoy doing something I will never be great at, it takes th pressure off . You’ll be really chuffed with yourself if you keep at it.

Well done OP for trying. When you get home see if you can find an indoor ski slope (or ski dome) to have lessons on. You can also get the feel of what size boots you need and how to fit them. You'll be able to master the basics for a lot less money and you'll be more relaxed.

I never got on with downhill. Hated it. You can always try cross country which is exhilarating in an entirely different way.

I've been skiing twice, the first time aged 47. I muddled along the first time but had a week of lessons the second and the difference was amazing.
Yes, the lessons moved at a fast pace but I wouldn't have done even half the slopes without being pushed along outside my comfort zone.
I've accepted that I'll never be a natural skier, DH looks at me like but I give it a go and I'm resigned to falling over, falling off the button lifts and falling in a heap off the ski lifts. Despite all that I enjoy it but if you're not then you might be wasting your time.