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Ski and snowboarding

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Original poster

Don't know if we'll ever go skiing again :(

36 replies

drspouse · 09/12/2021 22:13

I am mid 50s and DH mid 60s but he has some health problems and he has been worrying he won't be well enough to ski again.
I always relied on DH to give me the confidence for anything more than green runs as I grew up cross country skiing and then I'd go off and do that on my own as well.
Last time we went DD was 4 and DS was just 7. DS has ADHD and sensory issues and while he has good balance he was very hard to teach and also hated the clothes and boots. I've tried taking him to Chill Factore and he wouldn't put on his helmet (we didn't even try boots, we were just doing inner tubing).
We were booked to go to Norway in spring 2020.
Now DH says he doesn't think he'll be well enough to go again, and it was already really hard to get lessons for DS (he's 10 in Jan and would still be a beginner, and he's very hard to teach - and of course there's the issue of him wearing boots and a helmet - he was actually fine with these when he was younger - we went with Esprit and he loved the snow club, did some pretty good skiing for his age, he's just struggling a lot more now, and also all of the lessons are done by age - children aren't supposed to be 10 and beginners!)

So...anyone been in this situation? Older children who can't ski? Partners who are feeling a bit fragile to ski? SEN children?

OP posts:
Schulte · 10/12/2021 20:54

I’m sorry, I have no advice… are you keen to ski? You could find a resort where there are other activities too and then those who feel up to it can do a bit of skiing but there’s no pressure?

SynchroSwimmer · 10/12/2021 21:50

Would heartily recommend a day visit to a uk snow-dome - on a quiet midweek day, you will soon get your confidence and enthusiasm back.

Original poster
drspouse · 10/12/2021 22:11

@SynchroSwimmer

Would heartily recommend a day visit to a uk snow-dome - on a quiet midweek day, you will soon get your confidence and enthusiasm back.
It's not me - it's DH and DS. DH is worried about falling ill on the slopes on a long day. DS is just, well, DS.
OP posts:
Ihaventgottimeforthis · 10/12/2021 22:14

We've got a trip booked for 2023. DC, 10 & 12 now, have never skied.
I haven't, for 20 years.
I have long standing knee probs, I'm v nervous and sceptical whether I could ever ski again, but can't bring myself to accept missing out on this dream holiday.

Original poster
drspouse · 10/12/2021 22:16

@Schulte

I’m sorry, I have no advice… are you keen to ski? You could find a resort where there are other activities too and then those who feel up to it can do a bit of skiing but there’s no pressure?
This does sound like a good idea. DS is also quite good at skating (but also hates the boots). We did really like having the freedom of Esprit and the other children for our two to play with/club organisers. I think DS may be in theory too old for that now (he's too old for their beginner ski lessons). But he is quite young for his age.
OP posts:
Original poster
drspouse · 10/12/2021 22:18

Where are you going @Ihaventgottimeforthis?

OP posts:
Blinkingbatshit · 10/12/2021 22:23

I learnt to ski age 13 - there were kids and adults in my lessons, it was fine! I went with family friends - the Mum didn’t ski but would spend the days enjoying sunshine on the balcony with a book/hot tub etc…perhaps your dh could do the same? If you lack confidence without out him go with a guided group or take advanced lessons yourself?

Original poster
drspouse · 10/12/2021 22:37

Lessons for me would probably be a good idea.

OP posts:
ratussbaguss · 10/12/2021 22:42

Sounds like your DS has ASD to me... it's often misdiagnosed as "just" ADHD. Am wondering if there are any resorts that specialise in ski school for autistic kids/SEN?

Alpenguin · 10/12/2021 22:47

OP I really do understand. I loved skiing when I was younger but got a condition affecting my tendons in my late 30s meaning I no longer have the strength or ability to. I keep in the back of my mind that maybe one day they’ll discover a cure meaning I can feel the wind in my face and the smell of pure fresh air and adrenaline again but in reality I know i never will. I’m old, I’m fat and I’m disabled. I’m so sad my kids won’t get the opportunity to have a family skiing holiday but I’m sadder. I’ll never experience the top of a snowy mountain again 😭

Original poster
drspouse · 10/12/2021 23:05

@ratussbaguss

Sounds like your DS has ASD to me... it's often misdiagnosed as "just" ADHD. Am wondering if there are any resorts that specialise in ski school for autistic kids/SEN?
We've had multiple assessments that say he doesn't, but it's kind of irrelevant as he needs his difficulties catered for rather than a set of initials on a diagnosis IYSWIM.

@Alpenguin I went to the Jungfrau in the summer once. Would that be something you would like?

OP posts:
Hophop26 · 10/12/2021 23:59

You could also do lessons together with your son? I would probably look at private instructors instead of the mass ski schools, they are used to families and mixed ability groups and they tend to charge the same fee for group of 1 - 4 people so can work our cost effective. You would also be able to go through with them in advance about your sons needs and they would be able to work with his abilities rather than a default lesson plan etc. Also bigger resort with lots of other things going on would be worth looking at

Kyliealwayshadthebestdisco · 11/12/2021 00:07

If it’s bad knees with your partner there is now some contraption lots of older men wear when skiing which basically takes about 70 percent of the work off your knees - like an exoskeleton kind of thing! Agre private ski lessons might be the way forward. If your DD isn’t worried about age then don’t sweat it that he’s older than other beginners, my son with suspected ADHD and autistic traits went skiing for the first time about age 11 with me on a single parent holiday and was totally unfazed by the fact that everyone else was about 3 lol. But trickier if they are upset by that of course! I know you aren’t a single parent but you could come on a single parent ski holiday and have company for skiing harder runs and for other kids for yours to hang out with if your husband really isn’t up to skiing any more? I would also say and I don’t mean this in a nasty way at all cos I love skiing too! - that in many ways you are fortunate if this is the worst problem you have in life so don’t forget to count your blessings!

Original poster
drspouse · 11/12/2021 09:43

It's not his knees, unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately!).
We do actually have bigger problems (like no school for DS) so this is more in the category of "things that are a bit upsetting".

OP posts:
JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 11/12/2021 11:18

Could you find a resort with other activities and hook up with another family of mixed skiers and nonskiers?

The skiers could go off together and the non skiers could do other stuff, snow shoeing, snow mobile tours, dog sledding etc. Or just sauna and hot tub. One of my friends did a trip where they traveled by dog sled, horse riding, reindeer sled and snow mobile.

ViceLikeBlip · 11/12/2021 11:22

@Alpenguin

OP I really do understand. I loved skiing when I was younger but got a condition affecting my tendons in my late 30s meaning I no longer have the strength or ability to. I keep in the back of my mind that maybe one day they’ll discover a cure meaning I can feel the wind in my face and the smell of pure fresh air and adrenaline again but in reality I know i never will. I’m old, I’m fat and I’m disabled. I’m so sad my kids won’t get the opportunity to have a family skiing holiday but I’m sadder. I’ll never experience the top of a snowy mountain again 😭
You need a horse......
Bunce1 · 11/12/2021 11:29

Ski boots-

Have you tied snowboarding for your DS as an alternative? Takes about a day to learn to do it to a get down the hill rudimentary fashion and the boots are just big soft squishy boots.

Original poster
drspouse · 11/12/2021 11:51

@JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon

Could you find a resort with other activities and hook up with another family of mixed skiers and nonskiers?

The skiers could go off together and the non skiers could do other stuff, snow shoeing, snow mobile tours, dog sledding etc. Or just sauna and hot tub. One of my friends did a trip where they traveled by dog sled, horse riding, reindeer sled and snow mobile.

Unfortunately we have no friends (owing to nobody wanting to be friends with a family with a DC with behaviour difficulties). We used to have a couple who were our friends who we went skiing with but they had two perfect children who excel at everything especially at being perfect and we have... DS that doesn't even have a school. Other friends are slightly more understanding but don't ski, or have no money (and don't ski) - you aren't allowed to work if you have a DC with SEN, you have to sit in a box at home waiting for them to be sent home from school.
OP posts:
Ihaventgottimeforthis · 11/12/2021 19:56

@drspouse off to Bulgaria somewhere, not sure.
My childhood was spent in Austria & France - alpbach, kitzbuhel, zauchensee places like that
Bulgaria not quite in the same league but I reckon I could get away with some lang laufing without fucking my knees up too badly Confused 😭

SkiRun0077 · 11/12/2021 21:12

I’d agreed it’s easier to learn snowboard and the boots are so much more comfy. And perfect for older kids to learn plus with a 1:1 instructor you can pick up the basics really fast
Lots of resorts do ski guides for different levels so you join an informal group for 1-2hrs to be shown different pistes so not really a lesson but good if you are skiing alone and want guided company.

stevalnamechanger · 11/12/2021 21:15

What about going alone or with friends ?

There are many trips for solo adults !

5zeds · 11/12/2021 21:21

Find a dry slope near you that has a weekly disabled/adaptive ski session. Some let siblings ski at the same time.

nomoneytreehere · 11/12/2021 21:21

See if you can find a group of girl friends you can go with op. To be honest you sound like you could do with the break. A long weekend is better than not going at all.

nomoneytreehere · 11/12/2021 21:23

Ps private lessons are the way to go.

Original poster
drspouse · 11/12/2021 23:23

I really don't have any friends who ski! I went with friends once in my 30s and nobody from that group still skis/is still in touch with me/is still talking to me (actually the only person in the last group is a self important ex of an old friend so he's no loss).

I could definitely do with some lessons myself though, or the guided tours sound like my kind of thing too.

OP posts:
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