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Ski and snowboarding

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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:
LuciferRising · 24/02/2023 06:43

How long does it take to manage parallel and control speed?

OP posts:
LuciferRising · 24/02/2023 06:46

As a fit 40 something.

OP posts:
LabradorEyes · 24/02/2023 06:59

I did 6 seasons, to the point I was able to do a black run with a guide.... and in spite of this, I never really enjoyed it. The boots hurt and the morning rush to get the boots, lift etc was a pain. I was always in ski in/out hotels, so not even like i had to get a bus, but I still didn't love it. These days I spend my money in other types of holidays

Lansonmaid · 24/02/2023 07:14

On my first ski holiday I was put on skis that were too long, we were in with a group of young fit army boys and our instructor could speak about 12 words of English.. stil managed too get hooked .... getting your own kit helps though, when you have properly fitted boots that have been moulded to your feet.

Just love mountains and the buzz that comes when you click into the skis and go off down a new run. My idea of hell is a holiday by the pool or just sat on a beach, would bore me rigid. But each to their own.

rookiemere · 24/02/2023 07:15

A lovely lady from our book club goes every half term with her family and doesn't ski.
She reads books, goes on walks and seems to have a lovely time.

Skiing isn't for everyone and it's not obligatory. You've tried it and that's fine.

Lansonmaid · 24/02/2023 07:25

LuciferRising · 24/02/2023 06:43

How long does it take to manage parallel and control speed?

I think I was third holiday in before I started to do parallel turns but the skis construction has changed since then and today's skis are shorter and easier to turn. Also had a few two weeks holidays and that really helped. I'm sort of stuck at advanced intermediate and at 64 I think I always will be, but I can do reds and some blacks, and that keeps me happy

RhubarbFairy · 24/02/2023 07:29

LuciferRising · 24/02/2023 06:43

How long does it take to manage parallel and control speed?

How long is a piece of string?
It comes with practice. I've only got two weeks on snow behind me, plus a year as a member of our dry slope in between. I can do parallel on gentler terrain, but when it becomes steeper. I revert back to slow, controlled snowplough turns.

My DH enjoys skiing but is the least confident in our group. On our holiday at Christmas, he was quite content to only ski half days and spend the other half relaxing by the pool or in the apartment. The DC and I skied considerably more (they were in full day ski school anyway).

I'd say day four of your very first holiday. You're about right, to be honest.

For us, it was day 3 that we felt as you do. We'd booked a private instructor for private lessons on the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday mornings, with DH and I sharing the tuition and practicing in the afternoons.

The Tuesday was the first day we ventured off the nursery slope. I cannot tell you how many times DH and I fell over. I remember texting my friend some photos that evening, whilst laid on the sofa with muscles I didn't know I had aching, and she asked if we'd completely fallen in love with it. I replied that I didn't know and that today had been HARD!

The next morning, I went down the first 'big' blue that I'd gone on with my instructor the day before, but this time on my own as DH had opted to have a rest morning and our lessons had finished. I made it from the top to the bottom of that blue without falling over once. Just taking my time and snowplough turning. I cried when I got to the bottom. I was so proud of myself.
That gave me such a boost, and my love of skiing was born.

My advice would be to practice repeatedly on a run you're comfortable on to build confidence and take lots of tea and cake breaks.

I wasn't parallel by the end of that first week, not even close, so that won't come this week, I'm afraid. But you should absolutely be able to control your speed in other ways by the end of the week. Forget parallel. Absolutely nothing wrong with snowplough turns whilst you build confidence to keep you safe and get you down in one piece. Parallel will come later.

StopFeckingFaffing · 24/02/2023 07:30

I love it now but I hated my first few trips and it took me a long time to get to the point where I am now

I persevered as DH & DC love it and I have a very patient cousin who stuck with me on the early trips when I was terrified and painfully slow

Kimberz · 24/02/2023 07:31

I have been 4/5 times and only really cracked it and enjoyed it the last time.

We will go again once the kiddies are old enough to learn but I will only ski for half a day, each day, as I get bored.

RhubarbFairy · 24/02/2023 07:39

RE your post about being too hot and sweating in minimal layers. Just take them off then.

DH and DS1 never wear base layers under their salopettes. They both run hot and say the salopettes are enough for them. At Christmas, DS1 also ditched his top base layers after Day 1 and just wore a football shirt under his jacket. DH just wears a base layer top and jacket on top.
DS2 and I were still layered top to bottom as we run colder, but no-one wore mid-layers.

People also sweat differently. I can take my helmet off and my hair is a mess, but dry. DH takes his off and his head is soaked.

Do you have your own or a hire helmet? Do you have vents on it that you can open to cool down?

Agree with the comments about your boots too. They're clumpy, there's no getting away from that, but if you're in pain, go back to the hire shop and discuss it with them and exchange for other ones.

CleaningOutMyCloset · 24/02/2023 07:39

Me, I hate it, went twice, first time my dh (who has been skiing since a baby) taught me, it almost ended in divorce), the second time I had a private tutor who was brilliant and I could see how it might be enjoyable.

But to me a holiday is sipping cocktails on a white sandy beach, not hurtling down a mountain, on 2 bits of plastic at Mach 5.

I not have x days of leave from work and x amount of £ to spend on a holiday, and skiing isn't up there on things to spend those on

bluetongue · 24/02/2023 08:25

I’m obsessed and addicted and even I can see why some people hate skiing. It’s okay. Just think of the money you’ll save 😁

wonkylegs · 24/02/2023 08:26

I've been enjoying not skiing a lot this week

Anyone not enjoy skiing?
Bunce1 · 24/02/2023 09:14

Can you go to abirmore and do a 2 day intensive course? I would consider that.

a
Also. Yes to slightly shorter skis. Much easier to manoeuvre.

ToffeeNotCoffee · 24/02/2023 09:19

@wonkylegs

I've learned to enjoy the ski resort. I just don't ski ! As someone else remarked. It's not compulsory.

So why go ? For the reasons everyone else has remarked on. All of that, just minus the skiing.

Some people go to Greece for the history and architecture and are not that interested in the beaches and the bars.

Some people go to Spain or Italy for a city break. Hundreds of miles away from the beaches.

It is allowed you know !

ChateauMargaux · 24/02/2023 09:20

Me.... 12 years living near the alps / jura, surrounded by people who are obsessed with skiing.. I am still bemused. I am not a bad skier, I LOVE the mountains and I love exercise.. but I am at a total loss as to what all of the fuss, effort and expense is all about.

ToffeeNotCoffee · 24/02/2023 09:21

@ChateauMargaux

Thanks. Threads like this reminds me that it's ok not to like things other people like.

Even when it comes to skiing !

Sunnysideup999 · 24/02/2023 09:33

there’s only one thing worse than skiing and that’s sitting next to a ski bore at a party and have them tell you over and over how amazing it is.

wonkylegs · 24/02/2023 09:52

@ToffeeNotCoffee
The problem with online posts is I'm never sure if I'm reading the tone correctly so can't quite tell if you are agreeing with me or not.
I know skiing's not compulsory - I've been going on to ski resorts for 20yrs, not skiing and enjoying myself (as I am this week) as I said further up.

ToffeeNotCoffee · 24/02/2023 10:03

@wonkylegs

I was agreeing with you. You right about reading the tone of something written though.

Dzogchen · 24/02/2023 10:09

Sunnysideup999 · 24/02/2023 09:33

there’s only one thing worse than skiing and that’s sitting next to a ski bore at a party and have them tell you over and over how amazing it is.

This. I think they totally lack theory of mind, and need to be told, gently but firmly, ‘YOU like skiing. YOU are not ME. I DON’T like skiing. This is FINE’, repeatedly, if necessary.

Plitvice · 24/02/2023 10:12

I hate almost everything about it. When I was a teenager, my parents owned a number of luxury ski chalets which they let out. I loathed the merry, ruddy faces, the deep, sweet, sickly smell of alcohol mixed with middle-aged sweat.
The mess they would leave in the bathrooms after overindulging in foods which their digestive systems couldn't handle (like gallons of fondue and raclette cheese).
The younger, upwardly mobile British groups were the worst. Drunken arguments, loud shagging, constant complaining about aches and pains.

ToffeeNotCoffee · 24/02/2023 10:42

It's really just bragging about money.

I can't make up my mind whether to go skiing or to go on Beaujolais run.

This is the most bourgeois thing I've heard in my life. Still not heard anything to even draw level, never mind better it ! It was early 1980's when me and the acquaintance who said this were both at college !

Crikeyalmighty · 24/02/2023 11:40

@ToffeeNotCoffee quite! I'm that person too- I can see why others enjoy it but I can enjoy the vibe without the skiing

garlictwist · 24/02/2023 12:25

We went skiing for the first time as our mate had moved to a ski resort in Austria so we went for free.

Our friend took us up on a lift (terrifying if you've never skied) that we had to jump off straight on to a red run and that sort of set the tone for the next few days.

It was very mild so rainy and icy rather than snowy and very cold.

On our last day the sun came out and it had snowed and we went for a beautiful hike instead. That was so much more fun!

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