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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I too fat for skiing?

46 replies

Toofatforskiing · 03/02/2022 12:20

I currently weight 158kg or 24st and most of the stone.

I really want to go skiing as I love skiing but I haven’t been for 6 years and I was about 20lbs lighter. I am definitely fitter though, I’ve been going to the gym 3-4 times a week for the past 10 months.

I’m just worried I’m too large for skiing. I don’t want to embarrass myself.

Can anyone reassure me, or should I just forget it?

OP posts:
Latara · 03/02/2022 12:21

I think that if you are fit enough to go to the gym so often then skiing is definitely an option.

Latara · 03/02/2022 12:21

Not that I know about skiing.

Pyri · 03/02/2022 12:23

The time I’ve been very best at skiing was when I was a bit heavier! The extra weight seemed to propel me and I didn’t mind falling over as I had a bit more padding.

Don’t be put off OP, I don’t know if skis have a weight limit (the bindings particularly), but if not, go for it. Nothing like the feeling of freedom of skiing!

Susu49 · 03/02/2022 12:24

Of course you're not! Go, have fun and enjoy yourself

Susu49 · 03/02/2022 12:25

(Not that I know about skiing either! But I don't see why it would be a problem!)

fluffiphlox · 03/02/2022 12:26

The only problem might be finding clothing. I’m a size 18 ish and I struggle.

Octomore · 03/02/2022 12:27

You'll need to get bindings set to suit your weight, but a hire shop will be able to do this.

Fitness is more of a barrier than size imo. If you are in good enough shape to do a day's exercise, you can ski.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 03/02/2022 12:28

How are your knees? It used to hurt mine and I was only 15st. I do have knee problems though.

randomsabreuse · 03/02/2022 12:28

Limiting factor is likely to be boots that fit you well if you carry weight on your calves - especially hire boots as those are most often shaped for men's calves with the bulk of the muscle up higher. I'm just under 80kg and size 5 ish on ski boots and couldn't deal with hire boots at all - had to buy - but there are things that can be done to lower the cuff. So I'd recommend looking into boots before committing to skiing - you'll probably want to try a "proper" boot fitter as they can do more to tweak the fit than the guys in Decathlon/snow and rock.

harriethoyle · 03/02/2022 12:29

Yes echoing what @fluffiphlox said - we went skiing recently with a friend carrying quite a bit of lockdown weight and he found his boots extremely uncomfortable because of the increased width of his calves and feet. Why don't you pop to somewhere like Snow and Rock and try on boots etc in store to see if they're comfy? (well as comfy as ski boots can be which is not at all imo!)

harriethoyle · 03/02/2022 12:29

@randomsabreuse snap!

thebakeoffwasntasgoodthisyear · 03/02/2022 12:29

No, but make sure to source some well fitting clothes as it’s harder to find nice ones as a fellow plus size person. I find the salopettes with braces more comfortable and don’t fall down.

itwasntaparty · 03/02/2022 12:30

As long as you've got enough upper body strength to get yourself up of the hill if you fall I don't see why you shouldn't.

womaninatightspot · 03/02/2022 12:33

If you're fit enough why not. I'd echo what previous posters said about finding gear to fit you though.

Redgreenbluehooray · 03/02/2022 12:34

It depends where you're going too. Older French and Italian resorts can have smaller seats on the chairlifts whereas Austria and Germany cater for (often) more strapping Austrians and Germans.
As someone else said, check the binding settings are suitable for you.
Having said all of that, and being brutally honest, you don't see many, if any, obese people ski-ing (no idea if you are obese OP, it depends on your height) so it depends how comfortable you'd be with that.

speedtalker · 03/02/2022 12:39

A bit more body weight might keep you cosier on the chairlifts!

Original poster
Toofatforskiing · 03/02/2022 12:54

Sorry I forgot to mention, I have my own skis and boots, skis are set for my weight and boots still fit, I tried them on.

We’re only going to glenshee (Scottish resort with limited snow lol 3 runs are open). But hopefully France in March.

OP posts:
Chemenger · 03/02/2022 12:57

@itwasntaparty

As long as you've got enough upper body strength to get yourself up of the hill if you fall I don't see why you shouldn't.
This is vital, I went skiing after more than 20 years and this was the thing I found most difficult.
Procrast · 03/02/2022 13:01

This reply has been withdrawn

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RandomQuest · 03/02/2022 13:01

A lot of skinny people are lacking in fitness and strength and no one would tell them they couldn’t ski!

Procrast · 03/02/2022 13:02

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

Octomore · 03/02/2022 13:14

@RandomQuest

A lot of skinny people are lacking in fitness and strength and no one would tell them they couldn’t ski!
I think it's important to acknowledge that carrying a lot of extra weight does present more of a fitness challenge though. The amount of strength needed to (e.g.) get up off the snow is significantly less if you are smaller, so slim people can get away with lack of fitness more easily.

OP - do you live near Glenshee? If you do, and you have the kit you need, just go and try. See how you find it before booking a longer trip.

Octomore · 03/02/2022 13:16

@redgreenbluehooray does make a good point about the chairlifts as well. The chairlifts at older French resorts can be tiny. Swiss and Austrian are often a bit larger ime.

Where in France were you planning to go OP?

moreshitandnofuckingredemption · 03/02/2022 13:19

I'm seconding the Short Ski Shop, they saved my bacon before a recent trip (I'm 5'3" and about 80kg) - hope you have a fab time

UpDownRound · 03/02/2022 13:19

FFS, why are people who have never been skiing before commenting? It's not like just going to the local pool or something. I hope you can manage OP, particularly as you own boots but getting up after a fall would be my concern. Glenshee is mostly pommas, not chairlifts so that should be okay.