I've agreed to go but I'm terrified

[nameuseroriginal]

I've agreed to a last minute ski holiday with my DH.

He can ski.

I've been to an artificial slope for a lesson once about 3 years ago....and hated it. I was frightened of going too fast or getting hurt. The boots hurt and I just looked an idiot.

I can't back out now, he would be so disappointed.

I've booked a 2 hour lesson every day while we are there but I'm still anxious.

Can anyone please give me some tips to make my first holiday more enjoyable?

Thanks

[eponine8]

Sorry to hear that Wyclef. Hope all were unscathed (if shaken).

[MiniCooperLover]

Well doneOP, fab update. I'm going soon with a bunch of friends who are all very good skiers. I'm doing a 6 hour 'learn to ski in a day' on the dry slopes before we go and then lessons every morning we are there for 3 mornings. Hoping it'll give me some competency 😊👍

[WyclefJohn]

I posted too soon yesterday when I had just fully body crashed into someone on the slopes and then lost all confidence and almost had to be brought down the mountain on a rescue thing. Back on blue slopes and building up to reds and it’s not too bad

[PestoSnowissimos]

Yay!!!! Well done, it’ll be the start of your new obsession now!

[WyclefJohn]

Sorry, but it is terrifying, and quite frankly doesn’t get easier

[Polestar50]

Woo Hoo!!! Great update!
I'm so glad you loved it nameuser.
I was really crossing my fingers that you would and that you'd let us know. It is addictive isn't it?!
Hope you go back and enjoy many more mountain adventures in years to come.

[ovenchips]

Isn't that a brilliant update? Nice one OP!

[eponine8]

Bravo nameuser 👏🏽 so thrilled for you. The first step is the biggest!

[stringbean]

So glad you enjoyed it! I can still remember the thrill of learning to ski - I hadn't even stood up on a pair of skis until I put them on for my first lesson on arrival - but at the end of the week we skied down the mountain on a blue run. The feeling of achievement in the space of 6 days was phenomenal! Hopefully this will be the first of many ski holidays for you!

[nameuseroriginal]

Well I've just got back from my holiday and can honestly say that I LOVED it!

I had a couple of beers to calm my nerves before the lessons and it took a couple of days to relax but I'm go glad I went.

By day 4 I could get down a green confidently. Blues seemed too much to take on this time.

Can't wait to go back! Thanks for all your support

[rosebristol65]

skiing on snow is so much better, and falling over is all part of the fun, but just remember it is a holiday, and if you start to not enjoy it then stop, and just admire the lovely scenery, take a gondola up the mountain and meet your other half for lunch, get the sun cream out and just relax. when the suns out and the snow is deep its the best holiday you can have, but if its freezing cold blizzard conditions and your boots are hurting it can be a bit of a nightmare, but a good book and a bottle of wine will sort that out.

[NearlySchoolTimeAgain]

We went last Feb for two days.

We’d had 3 x 1 hour private lessons in a group of 4 on a dry ski slope. I hated it and was terrified.

We skied for two days and I was exhausted. My legs spasmed for days. I’d done no particular ski prep fitness wise but did do some regular fitness classes. I had lots of breaks.

We had two one hour private lessons on that holiday and I was skiing some blue runs at the end.

At Christmas we had 7 days. Bought my own boots. Less fit. More weight. No aches or spasming. Boots are important to get right!

I love it! I’m the one pestering my DH to get up so we can go!

Good luck :)

[PersonalTAgent]

That's funny you say that, I actually have high arches too!! I went to Physio through my GP and they made me a pair of Biomechanical insoles to wear (in all my shoes). That could be one way. The other is to buy some half inserts. They really work and make the difference. If I were you I'd buy them here before you go and practice wearing them in your normal shoes for a few weeks before you go and possibly practice 10 mins each night wearing them in your ski boots around the house. That way you can also figure out where your hotspots are in your boots and adjust too. The best inserts I found are made by 'Superfeet' and they sell them in all shapes and sizes. You can also get them pre-made for you in resort at many of the good ski shops. It might be worth checking online to see who does it in your resort and even email them in advance for advice or to make an appointment. I sell a lot of ski and I often say to my clients it's best to plan before than wait until you're there and find out it can't be done. And then I end up emailing and checking it all for them!
Out of interest which resort are you going to?

[Epiphany52]

Another nervous skier here 👋. Op my advice would be

1. tell your instructor you are nervous
   
2. don’t let your DH push you into things you are not sure about.
   

3 Don’t do a last run of the Day. You will know when you are done!
Have fun, take your time. Enjoy the apres 😊

[LIZS]

You can get inserts made in stores like Snow and Rock but best done in a branch at the snow slope so you can try them out.

[Magicaljelly]

Rental boots in indoor slopes are notoriously old and knackered.
Likely they will be much better in resort.
If your feet are going numb, change your boots!

[nameuseroriginal]

Thanks for the advice re boots @PersonalTAgent

The instructor recommended getting insoles made as my high arches were killing after 2 hours. Can I get these made in resort?

[PersonalTAgent]

Fab!! I've been watching the answers with interest! All very good. I'm glad your lesson went well. If I would add to some of the suggestions I'd say:
Take Compeed. I never go anywhere without a pack as I often do some walking or hiking and when Skiing I always have them just in case. Blisters are horrendous and Compeed just makes you not have any, they work like magic!
Try and warm your boots overnight. I'm not sure where you are skiing as you didn't say but a lot of places have a warm or dry equipment storage room and if you're really lucky they will have boot warmers that you can place your boots over and it will dry and warm them ready for the next day. Ensure you have spare socks in your luggage. Starting the day with damp socks or even damp boots can really make you miserable as cold feet means you're all cold. If you don't have a boot warmer room, remove the inners of the boots at night and keep them and the boots near a warm radiator to help dry them out and remove moisture.
This might be a difficult one if you plan to enjoy the apres ski! But try not to drink too much alcohol as this will not help in keeping your core warm if you have a hangover the next day!
Play about with the settings on your boots. If you feel your feet hurt or are going numb in parts, stop and loosen the clip at that area. That should help the blood flow back in there. There's no point in taking the boot off to get your circulation back only to put them back on at the same settings and you may have to play around with them before you are happy. Then again you may get it right first time! It all sounds like a lot to think about but when you're out there it'll all just come to you like second nature and you'll wonder why you were worried! Have a great holiday! You're going to love it, I'm sure! Winter can be a cold miserable time for some. Once you've learned to ski, you'll be looking forward to it :-)

[turkeyboots]

Glad lesson went well, hopefully you'll love skiing!

My top tip is to bring decent snow boots for walking round when not skiing. It'll be cold and slippery underfoot and being able to get about and amuse yourself is important.

Also many ski lifts will take foot passengers, so if you don't want to ski, but do want to meet for lunch up high, there is usually a route you can take.

[nameuseroriginal]

I went and had a private lesson at Chill Factore yesterday.

I felt I could burst into tears while I was waiting for my instructor but by the end of 2 hours I'd managed to get down the beginner slope! I didn't get a 'thrill' out of it as such, just a huge relief I hadn't broken anything.

I suppose I'll just have to wait and see how I get on on holiday.

[yakari]

Sod skiing, I find it very meh. But snow walking on rackets I love, love, love!
You will like it - or you won't, but the one thing about ski holidays is there is usually a host of other options to try. So go for the lessons but honestly if you don't love it, try some other stuff. We go for a week each year - I ski maybe 4 or 5 mornings, I snow walk in the afternoons, lounge about a couple of mornings. Work out what works for you.

[ForgivenessIsDivine]

I ski and I live near the Alps. I have had some awesome days but honestly. .. I still don't get the passion and hype abut skiing.
I love the mountains, hiking, snow shoeing and swimming in mountain lakes (summer only!!) but do enjoy the company of my skiing friends and spent last weekend skiing a bit, hanging out in nice places, doing a headstand at 2,000m facing mont blanc and three hours in a truly blissful mountain spa, hot pools outdoors looking at the mountains. It's not all like that but that was as good as it gets for me!!

[EvaHarknessRose]

I’m facing this prospect too - DH has always refused to go (I did a bit when young) and now I’m 47 he suddenly wants to . At least he’s a beginner too though.

[Buttercupsandaisies]

Most adults to be fair can ski easy blues by day 3.Unless totally uncoordinated! An you get to chill factor? They do beginners course over a day - some adults and kids did this before we went and were skiing in blues on their first day in resort

[BlueUggs]

@Colorbomb it was fear!!!!