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Decided to have group lessons, which level should I book at?

7 replies

VivaLeBeaver · 29/11/2011 10:30

OK, Ive been skiing for 8 years but am fairly crap.

5 years ago I was skiing reds in Chamonix no problem, the year afetr that I was skiing reds and even did an easy black no problem. Then we went to La Plagne and it was horrible and icy and I think I lost my nerve and skiied blues all week. 2 years ago we went to La Rosiere and I did mainly blues and some reds.

Last year we went to Val d'isere which is apparantly known for the runs being harder than what they're graded. So the blues are actually reds, etc. I skiied blues and greens all week, the odd red. But I didn't take the blue run down into resort as everyone says its awful and really hard.

We're going back to Val d'isere in Jan.

Choices are;

?Level 2 (blue runs)
If you have between two and four weeks' experience, you're likely to be Level 2. In this class you'll grow in confidence, fine tuning your parallel turning and working on your style. By the end of the week, you'll have improved your skiing technique and grown in agility and fluidity on the slope.

?Level 3 (blue and red runs)
Choose Level 3 if you're already making parallel turns, and you can control your speed on blue runs. In this class, you'll start to master red runs, and to perfect your parallels on blues. You'll start to learn 'carving' turns.

If it was any other resort I'd pick Level 3. I am already making parallel turns but not very well. Because of a lack of technique I get tired very quickly and get major thigh burn. I feel that I should be at Lvl 3 as I've got more than 4 weeks experience. I don't want to be in a group which is bombing down hard reds and struggling to keep up. But I also think I ought to be pushing myself to improve. If I went in the easier group if I was a bit better than the others would I still learn stuff do you think?

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 29/11/2011 10:31

Oh and I haven't had any lessons for quite a few years. None for the last 2, I had a private lesson for one morning the year before that. Its 4 years since I had group lessons and I suspect I was in Lvl 2 then!

OP posts:
AlpinePony · 29/11/2011 10:35

Level 3. It sounds as though you don't have an ability problem but you have a confidence problem. I hear you. :)

My confidence has gone to pot the last couple of seasons and I've gone from skiing anything - i.e., not even bothering reading the piste map because I know I can ski anything from any lift - to a quivering wreck on blues. Yet I'll follow an instructor anywhere.

VivaLeBeaver · 29/11/2011 10:41

Yes I must admit I ski better with an instructor.

Wheras with DH I have a tendancy to revert to 7yo and sink down at the side of the piste in a sobbing ball of snot.

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 29/11/2011 10:43

I used to be fitter when I was skiing better. Though have started doing lots of squats, lunges, etc. I was doing 30 day shred until about 4 weeks ago when I got poorly. But am hoping to start that again next week.

OP posts:
Ungratefulchild · 29/11/2011 13:21

I think level 3, it's confidence really. Your technique will improve with the lessons I'm sure.

I ski much worse when I'm with the teenage son (brilliant skier but very gung ho so I worry about him) and Dp (who likes to offer me lots of 'useful' advice).

I'm going skiing on my own this year and having 2 1/2 days of intensive lessons :) I haven't had any instruction for years after a bad experience in Courcheval (skivolution) which destroyed my confidence

VivaLeBeaver · 29/11/2011 13:24

Thanks for the advice. Have just rung up and booked at level 3. They said they'd move me to a different group if need be so that sounds ok.

OP posts:
AlpinePony · 29/11/2011 16:22

Well done, you'd be bloody furious anyway if you were to be stuck in a group below your ability level. Eyes closed drills thrill no-one, you can ski sedately on your own!

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