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Ski and snowboarding

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Original poster

Anyone not enjoy skiing?

202 replies

LuciferRising · 23/02/2023 14:31

On a ski holiday. 4 days in. Lessons and then afternoons free. Had lessons before we left. Feel like I am just about tolerating it. First holiday.

Everyone you talk to seems to be passionate about it.

OP posts:
Rellywobble · 23/02/2023 14:33

I went once and never again…hated it ! Husband and sons love it so they go off for a week and I have a week to myself with the dog ..win-win!

BGL23 · 23/02/2023 14:36

I think it takes a little while to really enjoy it - the first skiing holiday is often wondering how the hell you walk with the clunky boots, falling over, aching, and getting annoyed at carrying skis. But the first time you have a proper go at a red run on fresh snow with sunlight pouring between the trees is pure bliss. And when you're proficient, you forget about the clunky boots and everything else.

hattie43 · 23/02/2023 14:38

I've been a few times but the last time I hated it . I just couldn't get into the rhythm of breakfast , traipse down to the shop to get the boots / skis , wait for the ski lift etc etc it just all seemed such a ball ache. Can't see me going again .

Makegoodchoices · 23/02/2023 14:38

Got concussion, hated it. Everyone else loved it so I guess we’re going again at some point.

Littleredbrickmammy · 23/02/2023 14:47

I went skiing enough to get proficient but I can’t get over the discomfort of the boots!
I really dislike it.
I am another one who stays home (and enjoys the peace) while the rest of my family go.

Littleredbrickmammy · 23/02/2023 14:49

Makegoodchoices · 23/02/2023 14:38

Got concussion, hated it. Everyone else loved it so I guess we’re going again at some point.

If you do go again go to Whistler as there is enough for non skiers to do if you don’t want to ski.

TokyoSushi · 23/02/2023 14:50

Yep, me, hate it. DH & the DC love it.

We go every year and have just come back from the most wonderful time in Austria. Beautiful sunshine & scenery, lovely little village to potter around, cafes, cake, lying in a deckchair in the sun reading my book, fab meals out, glorious.

LIZS · 23/02/2023 14:51

Learning is hard work and half day lessons probably not enough to build up your confidence. Can you take a private lesson?

Summerhillsquare · 23/02/2023 14:51

Totally pointless activity. Cold, wet, exhausting, boring.

Original poster
LuciferRising · 23/02/2023 14:52

hattie43 · 23/02/2023 14:38

I've been a few times but the last time I hated it . I just couldn't get into the rhythm of breakfast , traipse down to the shop to get the boots / skis , wait for the ski lift etc etc it just all seemed such a ball ache. Can't see me going again .

It feels like a faff for me. When its sunny I have sweat pouring down me, but people are still layed up.

We're doing blue runs, my instructor is absolutely excellent but I don't yet feel in control even though she says I am. I think it would be far better when the snow goes and people hike instead. I love hiking.

OP posts:
Original poster
LuciferRising · 23/02/2023 14:55

LIZS · 23/02/2023 14:51

Learning is hard work and half day lessons probably not enough to build up your confidence. Can you take a private lesson?

We practise after the lessons and the proficient skiers we came with take us out in the afternoon. I just don't feel that love.

OP posts:
Swimswam · 23/02/2023 14:56

Long time (but don’t love it) and basic skier here. with DH and dC who love and and are faster than me.
My tips: regular breaks for drinks/snacks and lunch. Leisurely breaks.
When you are done - be that after your lesson or after 30 minutes of skiing in the afternoon that’s ok.
try some of the other things in the resort - wellness/swimming, winter walk on the prepared path, any of the activities in the resort, if you have a sunny balcony or local sunny cafe sit there with a blanket and read a book/scroll. Go souvenir shopping etc.
It’s ok if it’s not your thing. 4 lessons in is early days. Once you can parallel ski, stop confidently and avoid people it gets much better.

PuttingDownRoots · 23/02/2023 14:57

I did 4 years of Absolute Beginner lessons. (1 week each year). DH then conceded I was unteachable. Now he and the kids ski (they were 4&5 when we started going) and I lounge around, read, go for walks, drink coffee and wine... its a lovely break.

VoluntaryWing · 23/02/2023 14:57

Summerhillsquare · 23/02/2023 14:51

Totally pointless activity. Cold, wet, exhausting, boring.

God, allllllll of this but with the possibility of injuring myself and the hell that is ski lifts added in.

Lindy2 · 23/02/2023 14:57

It's definitely not my thing.

The boots generally hurt like hell after a while.
Most of the holiday is spent trying to sooth aching muscles.
When I am skiing I'm generally too worried about falling to actually enjoy it especially as the last time I skied I got knocked flying by a snow boarder crashing into me from behind and got quite badly hurt.

I love the bars and restaurants. I love how pretty snow is. I even like a bit of tobogganing.

I will not however, ever again, go skiing.

HerRoyalNotness · 23/02/2023 15:00

It is a faff! I almost talked myself out of it at Xmas as we’d gone up from sea level and the altitude got me. Had to have a lie down in the snow after I got the kids off to their classes.

but I got there in the end and had a good week. Going again in March and dreading the getting there and getting organised again.

stick with it, do another trip before you write it off

Jessesgirl13 · 23/02/2023 15:01

Went once but it wasnt for me - mostly because other skiers shooting past me at high speed terrifies me! I've been taken out by a snowboarder once and once was enough!

Loved the scenery and resorts though! But im much happier sat enjoying food or in a hot tub! 😂

YukoandHiro · 23/02/2023 15:02

Me. Went once. Hated it. Cried on the nursery slopes. Never tried again.

Enjoyed apres ski though.

Original poster
LuciferRising · 23/02/2023 15:03

I can't even enjoy apres ski because one glass gives me a hangover. Maybe I'm in the wrong frame of mind.

OP posts:
YukoandHiro · 23/02/2023 15:03

Hiking for me too OP

PuttingDownRoots · 23/02/2023 15:05

LuciferRising · 23/02/2023 15:03

I can't even enjoy apres ski because one glass gives me a hangover. Maybe I'm in the wrong frame of mind.

You may be dehydrated. Salty chips, lots of soft drinks (juice and water, not coffee!).

bigbabycooker · 23/02/2023 15:05

OP, I totally get it. First time, it absolutely isn't a relaxing holiday. It is totally fine not to enjoy it. To stay at home or enjoy other mountain activities.

One thing I would say is that hanging out with proficient skiers trying to teach/encourage after lessons can be really off putting and soul destroying. Those who learned easily and have young will never understand what it is like learning as an adult and adulting around learning a really hard skill. For me, the best trips with DH (who is so good!) involve an acceptance that we won't ski together much for the first few days - he can bomb around and I get private lessons and ski with my beginner crowd on things that feel easy to me. Then I slack off and swim. Then something clicks and we do ski together in the final few days. I hate the pressure of trying to learn in order to spend time with others who can ski and I learn better without it.

ApolloandDaphne · 23/02/2023 15:05

I tried it once and hated it. DH was promoted to a better group after the first day and I had to stay with the children. After a week they were all whizzing down and I was still frozen in terror on the top of a terrifying steep slope (actually a gentle incline!). I refused to ski in the second week and enjoyed myself pottering around drinking hot chocolate and eating cake. I know where my skills lie!

MrsTerryPratchett · 23/02/2023 15:06

When its sunny I have sweat pouring down me, but people are still layed up.

That's because when you're good at something, and not stressed, it's much less effort. So you sweat less.

Skiing is one of those things, like diving and camping, that's just a total pain in the arse, with prep and equipment and carrying. You have to really love it to be bothered. I do, but I hate camping.

twilightcafe · 23/02/2023 15:08

Yep. Been three times. Never again.
I hate the cold, awkward lifts, feeling scared, toppling down steep slopes and the risk of injury.

Give me palm trees and a beach any day.

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