Les Gets in January - complete beginner

[MiniCooperLover]

I am off to Les Gets in January with 3 friends who are all very competent skiers for 3 days. I’ve never ski’d and to be honest my plan was to just lounge, relax and enjoy the surroundings but they are worried I’ll be bored (I’m not 😊) and are encouraging me to have a days lessons. I’m not against the idea but I’m worried about the cost to be honest. Would people suggest it for one day? We will probably never do a ski holiday as a family as neither DS nor DH are massive snow fans so this is my chance ....

Unless you land in the 'gifted' camp, or you are fearless, athletic and have great balance, you might find it a bit of a frustrating day. Most people will stand up and begin to slide, make pizza, stop and go up a magic carpet, at most. Learning to get down a slope usually takes a week, or at least the first 3 days of morning lessons. Why not have daily lessons and at least do as much as you can to learn? You might love it. You may even be gifted!

Do 2 hours a day for 5 or 6 days...by the end you will be skiing gentle slopes and going on ski lifts. One day lessons w/on t get you v far. I say as an older first timer last time.

Do a couple of hours of private lessons and see where you get to. Then meet friends for lunch/coffee. You should be able to find skischool prices online but will also need to rent equipment and possibly a limited lift pass. Alternatively there should be cleared footpaths and maybe cross country ski tracks , which is easier to pick up with minimal instruction.

Or do snow showing
No experience needed book on a group walk each day it s fabulous

Called raquettes in France.
EsF do group walks each day

We’ve used 360 international for private lessons in LesGets and they were good - had my 5yr old skiing down the front slope after 3days

I agree - book yourself into morning lessons - the afternoons on your own will be plenty and your friends are right - you will be bored just hanging around waiting for them to finish skiing every day. In the afternoons you could try snow shoeing, go skating (there is a rink in LG), read, wander, shop, etc. Les Gets is a lovely little town, but there isn't a huge amount to do. Take this chance to try skiing if it's the only one you're likely to get. You might surprise yourself how much you like it.

If you're only going away for 3 days and don't plan to go again, I probably wouldn't bother with ski lessons as it's unlikely you'll get the hang of it so quickly

I appreciate the suggestions, though I can’t really afford the lessons. Am definitely looking into the ground walking that’s mentioned, love the sound of that. Thanks all.

Hope you're not there today. Most of that area closed due to storm Eleanor!

Thankfully not though a friend was higher up and said it was a bit rough. Heading off in a couple of weeks 👍

Why don’t you have dry slope lesson? It’ll get you skiing before you go. You may even be able to ski with your friends for a small part of the day.

What do people wear bar ski clothes? A friend said to layer clothes so I’m buying some thermals to go under jumpers. Is that right? With some thermal socks? It isn’t looking freezing cold over there at the minute so I might be lucky it’s not too cold?

Thermal layer including leggings is useful under both skiwear and regular clothes although bars will get hot and there may be open fires so ideally have layers you can remove. Dress is usually pretty casual, take a few items to mix and match. Good footwear a must, especially after recent heavy snowfalls.

Base layer eg long sleeve top then Zip up fleece you can easily undo or take off under ski type jacket . Ski trousers with or without leggings or sports leggings.
Snow boots.
People in "normal" clothes e.g. fashion parka will stand out.