To ski or not to ski…

[Needtocleanmycar]

I have never been on a ski holiday, my husband has been on two or three. I am adamant that I would like it but my husband thinks I won’t like it?? Anyone been on a ski holiday and not enjoy it and why?

It really depends on what you enjoy doing, how fit you are, your approach to speed and risk, how quickly you pick up new things. I've taken lots of beginners skiing, some expected to love it but didn't, others were indifferent before but loved it once there. Some loved the buzz of going fast, others liked being in the mountains and nature, others liked skiing from cafe to cafe, enjoying coffee, long lunches and the views.

If you do book a ski holiday, I'd look at going somewhere that has other things to do, in case you don't like the skiing, but this depends on what you enjoy - reading, walking, swimming, spa, shopping, nice lunches, etc.
Go to a resort that has a good ski school. Make sure you get quality instruction, as the first time is a steep learning curve.
Convenience should be very important, there is nothing worse than long walks or ski buses as a beginner. Choose accommodation close to the beginner slopes.

If you do think you'd like to give it a go, check out the online forum Snowheads, to get advice on most suitable resort, etc.

If you think that you will like it, then by all means try it! Kindly ignore your husband's advice on this, and sign him up for beginner lessons, too (OK, maybe I'm evil in suggesting this). Perhaps he is aware that he doesn't like skiing, and therefore, you shouldn't either, in case you take it up for fun and start jetting off on skiing holidays!

Look at it this way, OP: do you really want to be sat in a chair in an old people's home, regretting the fact that you never tried skiing? Do it now, while you are fit and healthy enough to do it, rather than live with the regret of never trying it!

Shoop shoop shoop

Thanks everyone, great advice, thank you for taking the time to post! I’ll check out snow heads and definitely No regrets!!

You def need to try it for yourself to see if you’ll like it! Are you sure DH just doesn’t want you hooked because skiing is a bit spendy 🤣Also you can hedge your bets by going to a nice resort where you have good restaurants, walks, spa etc. so you can still enjoy the holiday even if you don’t take to the skiing.

I enjoyed it (or at least part of it) the first time, then I tried again 10 years later and absolutely hated it. The second time involved walking up a heart attack steep hill each afternoon which was awful. I also noticed I had a fear of heights that I didn’t have before. I enjoyed the snow and scenery but didn’t like the carrying skis etc.
If you go really research the location of your accommodation.

Why does your DH think you won’t like it? Are you nervous? Not outdoorsy? Or is he just being a dick?

What do you think you would enjoy about it?

Have you got DC to consider? It gets expensive fast when you go as a family.

I love skiing but I found it really rather stressful at times the first few times I went, there were tears! I still get the yips sometimes even after many ski holidays.

Not sure where you live but there are several snow domes in the uk. If you are close enough to one you could get a couple of lessons to see how you like it and give you a head start and a bit of confidence. Definitely do ski exercises before you go, book beginner lessons, do not be tempted to go skiing in the afternoon with your husband

Does he want to keep it as a him and his mates thing?!

More seriously, yes ski. Do not half arse it and spend the week on other things. Book a holiday, do ski school, take the falls and the bruises and celebrate the wins.
by the end of the week you’ll know who was right (and had some laughs along the way). But you will be right - skiing is the best.

Does he want to keep it as a him and his mates thing?!

More seriously, yes ski. Do not half arse it and spend the week on other things. Book a holiday, do ski school, take the falls and the bruises and celebrate the wins.
by the end of the week you’ll know who was right (and had some laughs along the way). But you will be right - skiing is the best.

I would always advise having lessons, if not all day then at least a few hours each morning. Another useful site is the https://www.skiclub.co.uk/
You can filter to find resorts which are aimed at beginners, more snow assured etc.
Ideally, you should started 'fit to ski' exercises many weeks beforehand. Even if you are otherwise fit, specific exercises really strengthen the muscles you never knew you had till you start skiing!

Remember that there is also cross country skiing, boarding and other winter sports if downhill skiing isn't you thing.

I'd always check reviews of specific hotels and resorts on tripadvisor. If there is a blizzard or you just don't fancy skiing that day, you either want things to do in the resort or back at your hotel.

My answer would be always yes to skiing.

If you like being active, being outdoors and also struggle to relax/ enjoy when doing nothing on holiday then it’s perfect. It’s by far my favourite type of holiday, so much fun.

Eating lunch and dinner is always great because your always hungry, a drink after a days skiing is always the best drink and you sleep amazingly well because you’re active and the mountain air makes you sleep (same happens in summer too). The views are spectacular, sometimes you will have a moment at the top of a mountain when you just can’t believe that you were looking at something that is real and so amazing.

My husband learned to ski in his 40s and got the bug after day 4 of a week holiday. The biggest recommendation as an adult learner would be to have 1-to-1 lessons for your first week. You learn so much quicker and get to ask all the questions etc. Group lessons have their place but it’s harder to learn.

Are you into sport and reasonably fit, the snow and cold and like a full holiday. If so you’ll love it.

From your OP I no assume he goes with his mates? He’ll be wanting to keep it this way (selfish), just go on one but don’t go self catered unless you’re going to eat out all the time.

As a matter of interest what sort of ski holiday does he go on?

Also, go for ski in/ ski accommodation out for your first holiday. I think having to walk to ski lessons/ski bus or the lift for any amount of time with all your gear on during your first trip could potentially put you off.

I would always rather a more basic place to stay that was ski in/ski out than having the better accommodation but having to walk with all the gear.

Thanks everyone for your advice - I’m already researching the ski holiday! DH would be a novice skier really has been on group ski holidays many years ago. I think he thinks I wouldn’t like the cable cars - the height. He thinks maybe go somewhere that we can ski but also do something else just in case. I am having such fun reading the replies to him 😂😂

Thanks everyone for your advice - I’m already researching the ski holiday! DH would be a novice skier really has been on group ski holidays many years ago. I think he thinks I wouldn’t like the cable cars - the height. He thinks maybe go somewhere that we can ski but also do something else just in case. I am having such fun reading the replies to him 😂😂

How bad is your fear of heights?

I wouldn’t have a specific fear of heights as such but I wouldn’t go on a mega rollercoaster

My only warning with ski-in/ski-out is that it is not always novice friendly - I’ve been to chalets which only link up with an intermediate runs and they aren’t always convenient for the nursery slopes.

We were at Montgenevere this year which had some ski-in/out right next to the nursery slopes and you could ski from the top to the bottom of the mountain along green runs. Not so much going on other than skiing but a good place to go if you want to just throw yourself into learning all week.

You’ll be fine then. I hate rollercoasters. Skiing is nothing like that. Even the lifts are quite gentle.

Ignore the ski in/ski out advice. You can’t ski in or out if you can’t actually ski yet. You want minimal walk to the ski school meeting point, or failing that an included driver service to take you.

You’ll be fine height wise.

Chair lifts are probably the worst if you are a bit wobbly about heights, thry can feel a bit intimidating. Especially when they randomly stop for ages in bad weather!

The private lessons suggestion is a really good one as it’s the first few days of beginners lessons that are the least enjoyable. Also try and have some lessons before you go.

I know sweet fa about skiing but I do know that my neighbour started at 40 and loves it and has been enjoying it for 20 years

To be honest, the only part of her I have seen her exercise is the arm that holds her wine glass. She wears heels most of the time and doesn't run or go to the gym. Not in the slightest bit outdoorsy but loves skiing

Why don’t you try a snow dome type place with fake snow before you fork out for a holiday?