Is it over for me?

[Chemenger]

I last skied in 1997 but we’re having a skiing holiday now with adult ex’s (I last skied when pregnant with dd1 - different times). Day 1 was great, felt quite easy (I was never better than a low intermediate). Day 2 tried a long cruising green in icier conditions and frankly couldn’t hack it. Scared to go fast, and worse fell and just could not get up due to poor upper body strength and stiff hips. I’m 57, is it worth trying to get fit properly for next year or is skiing over for me? I feel that never having been very good I don’t have skills to draw on and I just feel old and fat.

Are you taking lessons? If it’s your first time skiing since the 90s (presumably that was on the old style straight skis?!) and you were at best an intermediate then you definitely need some lessons. Can you book a few hours with an instructor during this holiday?

I think lessons are part of the answer, the new skis are so much easier though. In nice soft snow I felt I was skiing pretty much as in the old days but turning is so much less effort. I think my problem is lack of stamina and physical strength, it’s been a bit of a shock to feel so decrepit! Also I’ve always been scared of ice so that didn’t help. I think there are two ways to go now - give up or get fitter for next time. Obviously the second option would be better for me in general too! I feel disappointed in myself for not preparing better this time (although we only decided to come about a month ago).

Yes definitely. Fitness will make a huge difference (the older you get the more difference it makes I think and am no spring chicken either). And perhaps some snowdome lessons over the summer to build confidence if you are within striking distance of one? I know women who’ve learned to ski in their 50s so it’s definitely not over! Confidence is absolutely everything I think.

And just to echo about private lessons... I still have a lesson to kick off a week skiing; gets me in the right place and the right start even though I’m a passable standard now!

You’ll no doubt find it much less effort if an instructor can help you with your technique. It will also help your confidence too.
I’m going next week and am also panicking about fitness- squats in front of the TV tonight for sure! Otherwise I like to blame the altitude, claim to be admiring the view or have a medical need of a hot chocolate or wine (depending on the time of day) to warm up. So you are not alone in that regard!

We’re only here for four days so not really time to get organised with lessons, I will next time though. I’m going to lounge about nursing my bruised tailbone today and let the others ski without having to worry about me. I’m feeling a lot less sorry for myself than I did when I started this.

We’re in Norway so my old tactic of having a hot chocolate or wine after every run involves remortgaging the house!

My 59 year old DH has just returned from a skiing holiday but he did make a real effort to up his fitness levels for the previous six months, I am sure you can do it if you want to, my Dad was skiing in his late 70s.

Personally I can think of nothing worse .

I’m spending the day in an environment more natural to me today! DH is horrified by my idleness.

Oh, I am interested in skiing in Norway, is it very icy and very ££££?!

It is very icy at the moment because it keeps raining and freezing. The slopes aren’t too bad from later in the morning but the village is literally a sheet of ice. Getting on and off the bus is very tricky, especially in ski boots! I think this is unseasonable.

Actual skiing isn’t too expensive, in terms of ski passes and hire. Where we are is very good for intermediates, I would have loved it back in the day. DH is finding it lacking in challenge. Food and especially alcohol and very spendy indeed. A bowl of soup in the hotel is £12! A gin and tonic is £15. In the cafes on the slopes it’s a bit more reasonable - fish and chips is £12 or so, for example. Facilities are very good, best toilets I have ever seen in a ski cafe and not down hideous metal stairs. We’re in Geilo.

Thanks for the insider info!

In your shoes, I would try To make the most Of it, and next year work on your fitness? I started working on getting better stamina and strength last year, and it is a reward in itself imo

TheHumans you are right. I’m going to treat this as a wake-up call. As DH said yesterday I’m letting myself be old before my time.

....he did not need to say that out loud!

Enjoy your holiday. I love Norway, shame eating out is so Expensive there...

Off to Oslo for a couple of days tomorrow.

This could be me soon. I'm on a last minute get fit panic having not skied for 16 years. I'm doing ski school with the children though which I hope will help. My favourite place to ski is Norway

For me the worst thing was not being able to push myself up when I fell - no upper body strength (and too much weight). That made me worried about falling which made me more tentative, which made me fall.

I know how you feel, Chemenger. I started skiing when I was 46, and continued until I was 72. Then I hurt my hip, and, like you, found it hard to get up. Three years on, still struggling to get up if I sit on the floor.

But we are all off to the Club Med in Serre Chevalier on Sunday. DH, DSs plus a DP, and DGS. I feel really edgy when I see skiing videos or Ski Sunday. I am longing to have another go. Just need to hire skis.

If DH stays around me he will be able to haul me up. So tempted!