Skiing virgin asking for help in planning her first skiing holiday

[KosmoKramer]

I've never skied. I've always imagined myself swooshing down the slopes but it's never transpired. I turn 50 in March 2022 and I'd like to plan a really lovely skiing holiday for a beginner. Where do I start please? How do I know what accommodation to get? And how do I book ski clothes and gear? And apres ski? I would love to be outside all day then come back to warmth, wine and outdoor hot pools. Any tips very welcome!

Adult learner here - it is addictive! It’s my second favourite thing to do after horse riding. Both give me a sense of exhilaration and the chance to spend all day in the fresh air. With the exception of 2020, and the years I was pregnant, I have skied at least 2 or 3 times every year. I wobbled around a lot to start with, and didn’t particularly enjoy my first 2 holidays with friends, but a relative moved to a ski resort, my 3rd ski experience was when I went to stay with them, and never looked back. I was in my late 20s by then. I spend a week with my family now, a long weekend with the girls, and am fortunate enough to have the occasional opportunity to do a trip to a ski resort with work. I’ve also met up in parts of the world with other family who ski. Over 2 decades as an adult learner I’ve gone from beginner to belting down black runs and floating through waist deep powder. I’ve skied in nearly 40 different resorts in 9 countries, and I’ve got a list of places I’d still like to go to yet. I’m desperately missing it this year and can’t wait to be allowed to go again. It’s possible to learn as an adult, and it’s possible to enjoy it and get good too. My dad never had a pair of skis on until his 50s, but loved it. I wouldn’t say he was a stylish skier, but he gave it a good shot, and a level of good pre-existing fitness meant he managed very well. My mum also started skiing in her 50s but refused to go to lessons for the first 20 years 🙄 and found it harder to ski well but has been addicted to her annual ski holiday nonetheless. So I would definitely recommend lessons but try to find an instructor sympathetic to the adult learner! I think you will have an awesome time OP!

I'm a massive fan of Andorra, especially a little resort called Arinsal. We've stayed in the Hotel Montane which is directly opposite the gondola up to the ski area. We've stayed there twice, the half board accommodation is warm, clean with a good varied breakfast, cake and coffee available in the afternoon and a good 3 course meal every night. I love how quiet and chilled the resorts are. The only time I've ever queued for a lift is when the local school kids turned up for their PE lessons!

Arinsal is linked to another ski area called Pal by cable car; the Vallnord ski school operates in both areas. All of the instructors speak really good English.

Arinsal is great for beginners with nice and wide green and blue runs. There are black, reds and blues from the top of the mountain and a snow Park if you're feeling adventurous. The majority of the runs end Inn the same area near a 6 man lift so it's quite difficult to lose friends! We've been in January, March and April and had good snow each time. They maintain the pistes well and have snow cannons on when it's cold enough.

There's a spa hotel called Princess Parc which is reported to be lovely. If you need a break from skiing, you can also get a bus to the capital of Andorra La Vella for some tax free shopping too!

We've been with Crystal and Neilson and loved the ease of booking a package including flights, accommodation, transfers, lift passes etc. We have our own equipment but there are shops in town and at the top of the gondola where you can hire equipment.

I'd definitely buy a helmet as you don't know how many times it's taken any knocks. As a snowboarder, I can confirm that by catching your heel edge and falling, your head takes a lot of impact. I got all of my clothes from Ebay, many items only worn for one holiday. Get some good socks and gloves!

Our last holiday there in January 2020 for two adults cost around £1600 for flights, half board accommodation, transfers and lift passes. I think we spent around another £200 on lunch, drinks, apres etc. It's a really cheap country. We got 2 pints of Estrella in happy hour for around €5!! An affordable holiday makes it even more enjoyable.

If you live in the NW I'd definitely book a 'learn to ski' package. I did a similar course and learnt to snowboard in a day at Castleford. Made things a bit easier, but don't underestimate the nerves that will kick in when you're going solo and venture off a loft for the first time on your own!

Age is just a number, you're not too old! Have a look on YouTube for some ski fit exercises. Take some pain killers and a hot water bottle and it'll all be worth it! Enjoy!!

You are all fabulous! Thank you. I'm going to open a skiing spreadsheet and start to log all of your advice. I love planning and I'm so grateful you've given me the basics to start looking in to. Here's to whooshing and swooshing! ⛷

Thank you OP, been ages since we had a busy thread on this board that wasn’t a few of us hand wringing over cancellations this season good luck to you and come back and ask for more advice as you advance your planning!
As some may be able to tell from my user name I would recommend you look at the Portes du Soleil resorts (Les Gets/Avoriaz /Morzine perhaps) as a good place to start, quick transfer and not too pricey.

I can't tell you how excited I was to see a new thread on this board pop up in active. Like @backinthebox, I've missed talking about it. I've been watching the webcams at the resort we went to in February and are booked to go to next Christmas (apparently I like to torment myself) Today I saw people on the nursery slopes for the first time.

Like @stickssss, we’re a massive fan of Andorra, but head to Soldeu. Fly to Toulouse then take the transfer bus into Andorra.
When we started looking we liked the fact their resorts operate in a very joined up way. All the instructors work for exactly the same company, so it makes it all incredibly friendly, and easy to swap between groups if you’re not in the perfect group for you.
We’ve stayed in the Naudi and Himalaaia.
Also highly recommend an afternoon at the spa in the Sports Village hotel complex

It’s your thighs that really feel it - exercise in the next year to build them up (cycling? exercise bike?) would be a good investment.

Disclaimer... I'm apparently unteachable!
But have had four seasons of beginners lessons, from age of 30-33. There were people a lot younger, and people a lot older. The age didn't seem to affect how people got it or not. Just how coordinated they were.
First three years were Austria, booked by DH using his connections.. (one of the areas used by Army skiing). Last year was Italy using Crystal. I did a bit better with the Crystal lessons. But DH didn't rate the children's lessons (they watched the kids ski for 10secs and levelled them on that, despite DH telling them they were in race lessons in the UK... So funnily enough, they didn't engage with the beginners stuff!) But the resort we went to was great for beginners, as well as having fun blacks for him.
After last year, DH has finally agreed I no longer need to ski on skiing holidays... Just the bits I enjoy... Speed ski, hot chocolate, and snowy walks.
Next year, hopefully. I'm actually missing not skiing.

Resortwise... Look for glaciers. The snow lasts longer. But late in the season, resorts get busy as there are less of them. We went to the Stubai glacier in April, February and January. January was quietest, but we nearly got snowed in and there were closures due to too much snow. February was a good level of busy, but cafes too busy as too cold outside most days. April was manic.

Book a series of lessons here in the U.K. at an indoor slope as it is a waste of a week to learn in the mountains.
And you will then know how fit you need to get.
I go to two spin classes a Zumba and two Pilates a week for three months every year before we go. And I have skied for thirty years and have the muscle memory......

And get a helmet. Many places now insist on helmets.

@KosmoKramer we're also in the NW and first went as a family about 5 years ago. Children & husband had lessons at the Chill Factore - I think it was the Learn to Ski package - or Beginners - over the course of 3 weekends (I think it was 6 or 8 hours of lessons if I remember correctly). They could come down the main slope, quite proficiently, by the end of it. It made SUCH a difference to the holiday - meant they didn't need to waste time in a beautiful resort on the baby/nursery slopes and could actually explore the resort. My then 6 year old (and early 40s husband) were doing red runs (the runs are colour coded by difficulty - blue for beginners, red for intermediates and black for experts) by about day 3 or 4, and meant we really made the most of it.

My top tip resort wise would be Cervinia in Italy - nowhere is far from the slopes so no more than a 5 min walk even if you're not ski in / ski out, lots of cruisey blue runs, a range of accommodation from AirBnBs and apartments to more luxury hotels. Its also high so pretty much snow sure. The little town has lots of good bars and restaurants - including on the slopes - pizza & gelato which your teenager will enjoy no doubt!

We went for first time last year. All the advice above is great. Defo have a lesson before you go so that at the very least you can put your boots and skis on!
So exciting OP, we had a great time, despite being very slow!

I love Club Med all inc ski holidays with the family

Crystal are v good for ski holidays. I think perhaps best to book a package, so you have a rep who can advise on how everything works

Look for a small resort. No point paying £££ for a large resort when you won't benefit from 600km of piste

We had a great holiday at Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. Only 20 - 40km of piste, which is small, but perfect for beginners. And only 40 mins from the capital (Ljubljana)
www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/kranjska-gora/

Inghams are good, but tend to be more expensive than Crystal
www.inghams.co.uk/ski-holidays/ski-holiday-types/ski-holidays-for-beginners

If you go for ski-in-ski-out make sure it is accessible FOR BEGINNERS. Do not listen to anyone who says 'oh it's just a bit of a red, but it's not really that steep.'

If you are a reasonably small or medium sized person, consider trying children's sizes. I am 5 foot 5 and I have kids merino base layer tops, socks, goggles and gloves. They are much cheaper.

I'm a rubbish unadventurous skier, but I still love pottering round and round the same few runs I'm comfortable with, stopping every couple for hours for vin chaud and various carbohydrates!

Just a tip for when you’re there - once you’re all togged up, put your goggles on, make sure they fit snug and then do not move or fiddle with them for the entire time you’re on the slopes. This is good snowboarding (or skiing if that’s what you’re doing) discipline and the best way to prevent fogging up.

Same goes for your boots - take some time to ensure they fit correctly at the outset then don’t fiddle.

@Squirrel26

If you go for ski-in-ski-out make sure it is accessible FOR BEGINNERS. Do not listen to anyone who says 'oh it's just a bit of a red, but it's not really that steep.'

If you are a reasonably small or medium sized person, consider trying children's sizes. I am 5 foot 5 and I have kids merino base layer tops, socks, goggles and gloves. They are much cheaper.

I'm a rubbish unadventurous skier, but I still love pottering round and round the same few runs I'm comfortable with, stopping every couple for hours for vin chaud and various carbohydrates!

Hello @Squirrel26 . You and I would get along very well on a ski holidayvas you've just described my day on the slopes

Agree about the children's base layers. My merino layers were aged 12 from Amazon (I'm 5'0), though to go cheap, I had to go gaudy. Dane goes for my helmet (though I have decided that I hate it and want a more grown up one next time).

And YY to the run being suitable for beginners. In Austria the 'easiest' is a blue run, but I think in France and possibly Italy, they start at green. Sure someone will confirm shortly. Though we were told last year that some of the blues we were doing would be classed as red in France, so I think it can vary by country.

Your money will go much further if you go to a smaller ski area rather than one of the mega large areas. Save those ones for when your skiing is better! Take a look at Italy too - tends to be cheaper than France and Switzerland. (Austria is inbetween)

But aim for a village which is high up so that the snow is good, especially if you are going late season, as you'll be spending most of your time on the lower slopes when you're learning. Good snow is much easier to ski than poor snow (which tends to mean it's icey and hard first thing, then slushy later)

As others have mentioned, having a few lesson before you go will mean you get alot more out of it when you're there.

Skiing is awesome. So gutted that it's unlikely we'll get to go this year

Learned at 50
Definitely go for few learn in a,day sessions or series of lessons before at snow dome.

if you can join a class one up from very beginners out there you will get more out of it.

_ The first week of skiing is exhilarating, you start from barely being able to put your skis on at the beginning to whooshing down a red run by the end.

Hmm as cautious older more like blue by end of week and still prefer long easy blues
And vin chaud.

Serre chevalier has long easy greens and blues

Avoriaz for beginners was good