My skiing is gting worse not better - what should I do?

[rookiemere]

I started skiing late teens. Went a few times in my twenties and actually got to be fairly reasonable - able to do all Reds, be confident on the slopes etc.
Started going again when I was 40 and I just seem to be regressing Benjamin Button like every holiday.Last year when we were away I was ok on Reds, but this year on our ladies ski trip I actively avoided them and even found some oF THE Blues fairly challenging.

I'm frightened that next time I go I'll be stuck on the nursery runs. We met some older ladies in their late sixties I would have said, when we were away - i want to be like them in the future, but at this rate I won't be. What should I do to get better/be more confident?

Remember different resorts grade runs differently so what may be blue in one place could have been classed red in another. Other than that not sure what the solution is - I always find I need to work on my legs prior to going - doing squats / lunges etc for a few weeks beforehand as otherwise my legs aren't strong enough & the steeper the slope the more work on your leg muscles!
Maybe a couple of one to one lessons with an instructor next trip to boost your confidence & put right any bad habits that have crept in?

I have that problem and I think it is in the mind. I have lost confidence. I can do it but I try and avoid anything difficult. I think that next time I shall have lessons again and try and follow on without thinking. I find that not looking at the slope and concentrating on following the person in front helps.

I did a reasonable amount of fitness prep before I went, so ski DVD, legs bums and time class on top of normal exercise,yes instruction might help.

I think it is the mind- you have to believe that you can do it.

I think private lessons are the way to go. I have one now every trip and it's really helped improve my technique.

A private lesson every couple of years helps a lot.

Remember snow conditions make a big difference as well.

I usually get a private lesson (or two) every time I go out, near the start of the week but not until I've warmed up a bit first! If nothing else, the instructor is a pretty good guide, usually a booster of your confidence and there's always something more to learn.

Thanks - I'll definitely get a lesson at the start next time - I had planned to, but my friend didn't want to so I didn't go ahead with it, which was silly.

Also we were away with a friend who was better and although she kindly skiied on the same slopes as us, she was always faster and psychologically I'm not sure that always being at the back and feeling I needed to rush to catch up, was helpful for me. Next time I think I'll need to be a bit more assertive and say that I'd like to go on my own for a bit as I enjoyed it more when it was us two slowies - but I don't want to be rude and it was good to get lots of skiing done.

My thighs were incredibly sore despite doing some prep - usually we stay somewhere with a hot tub which really helps, but we didn't this year - will make that non negotiable for next year !

Hi rookie, I only learnt to ski in my 20s and have married a very good skiier (he was an instructor for 4 seasons) so know what it is like to be chasing at the back. I would second lessons while you are there and if it is for a confidence boost then one to one would be better than a group. I would also stress to the instructor that you need a confidence boost so that they don't spend the time picking your tecnique appart.

You could always find out how close the nearest snow dome to you is and go for a couple of sessions before your holliday so that you get used to being back on snow.

As for the hot tub, some resorts have thermal spas which are a perfect mid week evening. If not alot of resort hotels have spas where you can pay to use the facilities such as hot tubs or even a massage.

I find on the steeper slopes the best technique is not to look at the whole slope, but to look 5-10 metres ahead and focus on getting from here to there, then worry about the next 10 metres once I get there. The slopes are much less steep and intimidating if you look at them like that.

I am very jealous, I'm now in the baby producing years so skiing is on hold for practical (prenancy/small baby) and financial reasons for a few years.

I'd second lessons and skiing with people at the same level as you. How is your health generally? Were you skiing at a higher altitude than usual (loss of appetite and nausea are often first signs)? I skiied slightly unwell this year and it was bloody hard work. I refused to ski with DH as I knew I'd be struggling to keep up.

My thighs were incredibly sore despite doing some prep

In my very, very non-expert opinion, sore thighs on blues and easy reds probably indicate that your technique has slid at bit. Apparently sore upper leg muscles (at normal level skiing) tend to be a sign of poor weight distribution and, therefore, being more reliant on 'powering' yourself though turns sore calf muscles, sadly, seem to be par for the course though

Thanks for the additional replies. Mono - I appear to have been nursing a bit of a cold - I had a bad cough on the last two days which has got worse since I got home , so perhaps I can claim I was underpar. On previous trips I have paid for a massage mid way through, but didn't have one this time, so again that may well have helped.

Altitude wise I think we were fine.

In my defence I don't think the hire boots were great - they were a little bit slack, which didn't help with turning. I've asked DH for some of my own for my birthday which I will pick so that might help.

I agree with your views on boots. Before I bought my own I used to find that the length of time I could ski for without pain varied wildly from trip to trip. We were skiing twice a year, sometimes just weeks apart, and I could go from carefree skiing to only being able to do a couple of hundred metres before needing a rest.

Some of it is probably also mental. I don't feel like I'm improving but we have been back to the same resort for a short break for 5 years now and, as I am repeating runs each year, I can tell that I am more confident each time.

Have you had kids in between?
I only ask because I found that sub-consciously my self-preservation instinct kicked in once the kids were on the scene... Unfortunately said children are all now better skiers than I am!! (I didn't learn until my twenties, but went from being pretty gung ho to much more careful...) I'm now in my forties and live in a ski resort...

Anyhoo, totally agree with others - book a private or group lesson for the first two days of your holiday, and then see how you go. You should always aim to ski with people who are better than you are, otherwise your skill level will decrease, but ultimately, as long as you are having fun, it doesn't matter.

These days I am quite happy - the rest of the family always tell me I am not pushing myself hard enough as I never fall over lol, but I just smile and send them off to the double blacks to out-push each other, while I find a nice long run with some scenery. I'll take some lessons again at some point, but I'm confident enough to get myself out of any trouble and not frighten myself!

Hi yes I had DS madwoman - took a few years break before and after having him and restarted (without him) when he was about 4.

He's had a number of ski lessons on the dry slope and one ski holiday and is roughly the same level as me (although a lot more gung ho). We're hoping to go as a family next year and I'd like to be still able to ski the same slopes as him, although I find it very hard to concentrate when he goe "Mum look at me" then pops out of a scary looking off piste jump run !

I dug out my old ski boots that I bought about 15 years ago to chuck out as they have always been too big so I only wore them once. Turns out they have a ski and comfort walk setting - and guess which I had them on . Am going to give them a go at the dry slope and see how I get on at some point before buying a new pair.

I learnt to ski as a teenager and have had a few big gaps away from skiing so know what it's like to pick up the pieces! I am confident on blacks but have never got to grips with off piste. I am quite a slow skier though, having has an accident the first time I was out. Lots of people ski far far too fast for their ability; you might be the one that has it right at the back.

I always have instruction when getting back into it, and a private lesson or 3 day coaching course seems to work the best. We also seek out resorts with very good native English speaking tuition if we're after lessons that year. My private lesson with the development centre in Val d'Isere this year was very good and I've had good lessons from New Generation before.

As you've alluded to, boots are vital. Boots that are comfortable when you buy them will be too big after a few weeks skiing as the liners pack out. Snow and rock have sold me two dud pairs in the past and I would look on snow heads for boot fitting recs if I were in the market for more. I have never had a good fitting pair of rental boots- blue run only territory, it's like skiing in buckets! I have very narrow feet though.

Lastly and expensively... If you really want to improve, ski for more than one week every winter (something I've only managed twice!).

It is the other people that scare me SarahBeeny. Never really noticed them before, but now when I hear the whoosh of a snowboard behind me, I'm petrified with fear.
When we were away another family were saying that the BF was going on Red slopes without ever having had ski lessons on the second day of his ski holiday. People like that terrify me.

I guess the thing is that pre DS if I'd had an accident it would have been a jolly few weeks off work with a broken arm or leg or whatever. Now our family would grind to a halt within days if I couldn't drive or somehow transport DS around.

DS had his lessons with New Gen last year, we were very impressed with them.

One thing that the instructor pointed out to me this year is that you're safer when being overtaken if you ski predictably. So no weaving all over the slope looking for the softest patch of snow or the smallest mogul, which is something I've been guilty of in the past . But I agree, some other skiers are just crazy. The States are better for properly patrolled slow skiing zones- ski tranquille seems to mean nothing in France.

It is other skiers who scare me!
I actually like to ski with someone worse - this year I was the worst and that is off putting.
I had decided, before reading the advice here, that some lessons at the start would be the way to go.
I think that the depressing thing is that now I am over 60 I am past my peak- whatever I do. I prefer wide slopes now. My main problem is that I don't get up so easily after a fall.
Boots make a huge difference.
I do best if I follow a good skier, keep in their tracks and don't look down the slope.

Mehita, mil transitioned to snow blades in her mid sixties, as she found them easier to handle (and get up). She's into her seventies now and will occasionally have a day or two on long skis, but prefers the blades for general use. They aren't as good if you have a lot of flat to skate, so it depends where you ski, but might be worth a shot...

Thanks - might be something to consider. I have no intention of stopping skiing any time in the near future, but I do prefer the wide open blues. I don't mind steep- just hate steep and narrow these days.
I am glad helmets are the norm these days- feel much happier in one.

Don't know where you are in the world OP but if you are anywhere near Hemel Hempstead or I think Braehead give these guys a shout

www.insideoutskiing.com

They do a building confidence clinic (I think now re-named improver clinic) which I've been on and was really good at improving my core skills. Took me from a confident blue run but nervous of reds skier to a confident black run skier, obviously combined with practice in the mountains. I do their skills and performance clinics now which are great for individual techniques as you become a better skier.

By being in the UK you don't waste precious holiday time standing in a line in ski school.

Thanks lampygirl, that looks exactly what I am looking for (although I must profess to having zero desire to ever ski down a black run !)

I'm about an hours drive from Braehead - been there a couple of times - so it's totally doable to sign up to one of their courses, which sounds like a great plan priot to the next holiday.

I'm very close to a dry ski slope and had been going to ladies mornings there occasionally, plus one session of coaching, but it hasn't made much of a difference. Hopefully being on real snow would be a lot more beneficial.

Is it Hillend you're near Rookiemere? The ladies instructor there is talking about teaching a ski course with particular emphasis on confidence/ psychology. Might be worth a go if you're nearby.

I'm a very nervous skier and go to the ladies morning there weekly. I've found regular attendance is really helping me- familiarity making it that bit easier.

Another recommendation for Inside Out - they are great! Really talented instructors who are very nice with it as well. I have a fantasy about doing their "Italian skiing and food" course (paraphrased!) which seems to involve a week in Italy having ski tuition, free time and then eating fabulous food the rest of the time. But it's not to be whilst the DC are young, sadly.