Page 12 | To not understand the snobbery around skiing?

Cappuccinowithonesugarplease · 2024-10-14T05:22:30+00:00

An actual conversation I overheard: "Virtually anyone can afford to go skiing these days" Do people really still think like this in 2024? It just seems so classist....

FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 24/10/2024 06:26

I have never understood the appeal of skiing

Yeah, but horses for courses innit? I'm rough as they come but I love skiing, surfing, running up mountains... anything that's uncomfortable, hard work, yet exciting.

I struggle in hot places as I find it too hot to run, and then get a bit restless. But I understand why others would like it.

wwjalme · 24/10/2024 09:56

Lorna55 · 24/10/2024 06:14

I have never understood the appeal of skiing. Never have, never will. I'm retired now and could afford to go if I fancied it, could possibly have afforded it when I was working, but why? Cold, wet, heavy layers of clothing. Risk of broken bones.
I fully understand that it's a signifier of class but skiing's not for me and never will be. Can't think of a worse way to spend a holiday.
Goa, Jamaica and the warmer climes all the way for me thanks!

Thank goodness lots of people can't understand the appeal. The ski resorts couldn't cope and would be hell on earth (some of them are bad enough as it is) if everyone loved skiing and wanted to go (and could afford it obviously).

I can't understand the appeal of hot places but we're all different.

I used to go snowboarding but I started cross-country skiing many years ago and I absolutely love it. It's a cheaper alternative to downhill skiing as the equipment is a lot cheaper to rent, you don't need to buy a lift pass and you can pick it up in just a few hours of lessons rather than the several weeks of ski school you need to become a competent skier.

Clickoclock · 02/01/2025 13:11

Muchtoomuchtodo · 14/10/2024 08:52

@Cappuccinowithonesugarplease the uk is an island so simply getting to the resort in the first place is a considerable expense before even starting the think about the skiing.

Transfer prices have become bonkers over the last few years. Driving can work out cheaper but you have to have a car big and reliable enough to do such a journey filled with people and equipment.

If the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) had reliable snow fall and a lift network, skiing would become more accessible for the folk from Merthyr Tydfil and Welsh valleys. It’s not rocket science!

Edited

The transfer & car hire costs are ludicrous especially from Gebeva & Grenoble.. it's cheaper now to book with a company like crystal or Inghams which have transfers, baggage etc included in the price.

TrickyD · 02/01/2025 13:58

Almost no one takes up skiing as an adult - I said "almost" not none to be clear for the pedants - because as an adult, it's a lot of money to spend on a holiday that you might not like and where there are few other options if you don't like it

Our first ski holiday was when DSs were 18 and 19. I was 44. We had to go somewhere pretty in case I didn’t like it, so chose a picturesque little village in Austria.

i, and the rest of the family loved it, so thereafter we tended to choose high altitude, snow-sure but less pretty, french resorts. We have had a family ski trip every year since then. I skied until I was 72. Now I am 80 but still go with the family which includes grandchildren because I love the whole atmosphere and we stay at ClubMed hotels where the food is great and all drinks included.

It is not a cheap holiday but a great family experience.

Tiredalwaystired · 03/01/2025 12:54

TrickyD · 02/01/2025 13:58

Almost no one takes up skiing as an adult - I said "almost" not none to be clear for the pedants - because as an adult, it's a lot of money to spend on a holiday that you might not like and where there are few other options if you don't like it

Our first ski holiday was when DSs were 18 and 19. I was 44. We had to go somewhere pretty in case I didn’t like it, so chose a picturesque little village in Austria.

i, and the rest of the family loved it, so thereafter we tended to choose high altitude, snow-sure but less pretty, french resorts. We have had a family ski trip every year since then. I skied until I was 72. Now I am 80 but still go with the family which includes grandchildren because I love the whole atmosphere and we stay at ClubMed hotels where the food is great and all drinks included.

It is not a cheap holiday but a great family experience.

You’re in the “almost” pile the previous poster mentioned.

WaneyEdge · 03/01/2025 12:59

My ex used to go with his GF before me. He was a huge snob and thought it made him look middle/upper class. His GF had gone to private school and he mentioned it to everyone (I knew him a few years before we got together). I always just think he didn’t really like it but thought it made him look ‘better’ in other people’s eyes 🙄

LookingforMaryPoppins · 03/01/2025 13:03

YourLastNerve · 14/10/2024 06:50

See I didn't think it was much more expensive than say an all inclusive somewhere

A week in the alps for a family of four in Feb half term is going to set you back ten grand and change. Plus you need money for clothing & food when there. Its pretty inaccessible unless you have a high income and to become competent you need to have gone a few times, not just a one off holiday that year mum got a windfall win on the pools.

If you do a package tour yes, it doesn't have to. We are a family of 5 and have done two weeks in the three Valleys for @ 5k

Neurodiversitydoctor · 03/01/2025 13:20

DH & DS are there now for 5 days:
Flights : £550
Accomadation: £330
Car hire £120
Lift passes : £300

So total £1300 ish for 2 for 5 days.
I reckon a family of 4 you could do it for £2500, not cheap but not 5 figures.

Original poster

Cappuccinowithonesugarplease · 03/01/2025 13:24

We are going next week for the first time and I'm really excited! Always wanted to try skiing, I used to figure skate back in the day. Our 7 year old has a 2 hour lesson booked. Any tips for newbie skiiers?

OP posts:

TeresaCrowd · 03/01/2025 13:40

@Cappuccinowithonesugarplease lessons! Lots of them. We are competent skiers (will ski almost any marked run in decent general conditions) but still get occasional morning or afternoon lessons especially in new resorts.

As you are going so soon I guess snowdome/indoor Uk lessons are not an option so I’d say book everyone at least mornings for the first couple of days (if you are happy with just repeating practice on the same slopes) or every day if you want to venture further afield. Instructors can recommend suitable slopes for you to go on that will be within your ability.

I learnt as an adult from a strong ice skating background, and it does help but it’s also frustrating at times as skis are nowhere near as manoeuvreable as a pair of skates.

It will be tiring so take some off, possibly mid week, and do sledging/snowshoeing etc.

Do not be ashamed of taking the lift down. Home runs can be the Wild West of crowded pistes full of people without the skill to ski them in crowded end of ski conditions.

Have fun, have hot chocolate and plenty of food. Enjoy!

Original poster

Cappuccinowithonesugarplease · 03/01/2025 13:46

TeresaCrowd · 03/01/2025 13:40

@Cappuccinowithonesugarplease lessons! Lots of them. We are competent skiers (will ski almost any marked run in decent general conditions) but still get occasional morning or afternoon lessons especially in new resorts.

As you are going so soon I guess snowdome/indoor Uk lessons are not an option so I’d say book everyone at least mornings for the first couple of days (if you are happy with just repeating practice on the same slopes) or every day if you want to venture further afield. Instructors can recommend suitable slopes for you to go on that will be within your ability.

I learnt as an adult from a strong ice skating background, and it does help but it’s also frustrating at times as skis are nowhere near as manoeuvreable as a pair of skates.

It will be tiring so take some off, possibly mid week, and do sledging/snowshoeing etc.

Do not be ashamed of taking the lift down. Home runs can be the Wild West of crowded pistes full of people without the skill to ski them in crowded end of ski conditions.

Have fun, have hot chocolate and plenty of food. Enjoy!

Thankyou 😊

OP posts:

BuzzieLittleBee · 04/01/2025 13:48

@Cappuccinowithonesugarplease Have a great time - we're just back and missing the mountains already.

1 2hr lesson won't be enough for your 7yo though. And you'll need some form of tuition too if you've never been before. You'll progress more quickly with a few private lessons, but 2 newbies (with no lessons) won't be able to do anything with a 7yo!)

We had an 11 year old with us, who has skied 3 times before (but not for 3 years) and it took them until day 3 to be happy on skis (and they were pretty good at the end of the last trip). Kids do pick it up more quickly than adults, but 2hrs is nowhere near enough! You've shelled out all the money for the ski trip, so it's worth paying a bit more so you can actually ski (rather than go up and down the nursery slope all week).