Encouragement needed- beginner adult skier!

[Isabella777]

So far DH has taken our kids skiing but this will be the first time as a family over the half term. I’ve only been skiing a couple times and it was over 20 years ago. I’ve been resistant thus far as I’m 45 and afraid of getting injured, but I’d like to be able to do this as a family holiday and set an example to the kids to try new things, even if they’re a bit scary. ;) But now that it’s almost here I’m terrified!! Signed up for 3 days of group lessons (can probably add another day if I like it). Am I nuts? Any words of wisdom from those who have BTDT?

I learnt as a teenager but my husband learnt as an adult. Not going to lie, he found it tough. There was much cursing and gritted teeth. But now he loves it - will probably never do black runs which is totally fine - but we can now all ski together as a family and it's brilliant and I'm so glad he perservered. Although your kids will almost certainly overtake you (because learning whilst being closer to the ground and no sense of mortality as a child is so much easier!) but either your husband can take them down the black runs or pay instructors to do it.

Definitely don't skimp on the lessons. They make a huge difference to confidence and skill.

I learnt as an adult.

I really enjoyed it.

Advice:

Stretch before you go to classes and again in the evening.
You will ache because it's a new sport - try ibuprofen.
Many resorts have a spa or similar close by with day trips there - if you need a break after two days a day if sitting in hot water can be very restorative

And stop frequently for hot chocolate!

You'll be fine OP! I learned as an adult and absolutely adore it now.. definitely yes to the group lessons . Enjoy!

I went for the first time in my 20s, before kids came along. We went to Sol in Austria but when we arrived, there was barely any snow. Each day they bused us to Scheffau, another Austrian resort and dumped us at the top of the mountain. I'd never skied before and the snow here was icy, so not great for complete beginners. I either had to have a go, or stay at the top of the mountain. I decided to go for it....and absolutely loved it. I was a lot slimmer and fitter then of course (60 now) but fuck me, my legs didn't want to know me at the end of the week!

In your situation, I'd definitely take advantage of the ski school for a few days and then find some easy runs to practice what you've learned.

From another point of view... I don't ski. I don't enjoy it.

DH and DDs ski. We enjoy our ski holidays together... I watch them while enjoying hot chocolate, I read a lit of books, go for nice walks. Spas aren't my thing, but there usually is one.

Me not skiing hasn't negatively affected outer holidays.

However... its great you want to try. My tip from my failed attempts is to have well fitting clothing and boots. Its more pleasant when you are warm and comfortable.

It’s not easy learning as an adult but is more than worth the effort! As many lessons as you can. Nice and comfortable gear especially goggle lens for bad weather days. And don’t push yourself too hard especially on poor vis days. Good luck!

Great that you’re giving it a go. I’d probably increase the lessons and my other piece of advice would be to stick to the easy slopes - blues and greens. If possible quieter runs. You want to avoid losing your confidence. Have fun!

My FIL and MIL started at 65!

Are you fit? If so take it easy and you’ll be fine. Don’t expect much from 1 week, do less rather than more.

From the other side.

By all means use family to have a practise run at putting skis and boots on.

Leave everything else to the instructor. Do not think it’s a good idea to have husband do some extra teaching.

You will be fine give it a go

And snow shoeing is a great alternative

Get your fitness as good as it can be before you go, it’s hard work on your body, particularly legs, there are some good pre skiing workouts online.
Can you go to an indoor slope and have a couple of lessons before you go? Will give you a couple of days bonus so the first time you put skis on isn’t the first day of the holiday.
The side stepping up the mountain and snow ploughing is quite intense and not much fun for the first couple of days, but once you get your balance it’s all worthwhile.
If your boots are agony, don’t battle on.. change them!
Radox for the post ski bath!

I haven't been for a few years now but really enjoyed even though I was a rubbish skier. I think it's good to get out of your comfort zone - think of the endorphins at the end of each lesson! My advice would be to wear a crash helmet and goggles and invest in some decent gloves - I found ones where you could get the inner layer out to dry them overnight the best ones! Enjoy your holiday😊⛷

Oh gosh OP, it's great that you are giving it a go, but ideally I'd recommend getting the basics nailed in the UK on an indoor slope and a good six to eight weeks of ski fitness in preparation.

But it's not the end of the world, and you can still have a great time! How many ski days will you have? Six? Personally as a novice I would do five or even six days of group lessons on a first trip and I'd be cautious when skiing with your DH and DCs. Experienced skiers tend to massively underestimate how challenging slopes can be for beginners, and it's really easy to find yourself being led way beyond your comfort zone and potentially putting yourself and other skiers at risk. Whereas the instructors will know the resort inside out and will know exactly where to take the group you so that you are making good progression while also staying safe, and this will give you the confidence to relax and actually enjoy yourself.

There is nothing worse than being pushed, no matter how well meaningly, into skiing beyond your capability, especially as a beginner.

Agree with PP about stretching, both before you head out, and again once you have your boots on but before you put your skis on. You can find simple stretching routines for both on YouTube. Don't be surprised if you get really thirsty so take a small bottle of water or a bladder in a small backpack, although you won't want to wear anything big on your back because it will make it tricky on charlifts.

I went on several skiing holidays in my forties because my dc loved them. I was extremely unfit at that point. I still enjoyed it but lessons are a must . I didn’t improve much - mainly because I was too anxious to let go and ski properly - and I constantly worried about getting injured and how the family would cope. When I look back it’s ridiculous- everyone would have been fine.
I enjoyed the lessons and loved the lunch. I didn’t try to keep up with dh or dc. They were in lessons too and perfectly capable. If practice in the afternoon got too much I went back to our accommodation early and either read my book or went in the pool ( depending on what kind of accommodation we were in)
My dc see our skiing holidays as our best holidays - better than Disneyland and Florida . It was totally worth all the worry and expense

Bit late but try to do as many squats, lunges and long wall sits as you can before you go as your thighs will ache. Lots of stretching before and after will help with the soreness. As an absolute beginner I would say try to get lessons for all the time you're there, trying to ski with the DCs when you're still new to it can be very nerve wracking.

I went on my first ski holiday last year same age as you. I had a few one to one lessons there. And although my fitness is very good I found it very tough on my calves the next day so agree with PP re stretching. Unlike many sports where you want to be light, I was surprised how heavy the ski boots are and found it tiring walking in the boots from hotel to ski lift. We found lockers to hire at the bottom of the lift where you can leave boots and ski so i would recommend this if you dont have a ski in /ski out accomodation. There was a lot to enjoy aside from the skiing - the scenery , atmosphere, food etc There were nice shops and a bowling ally in the village so we had a snow free day one day. This year I'm having some more lessons at the indoor slope before hand and very very gradually I'm making improvements and feeling a bit more confident! Good luck 👍

Agree that visiting an indoor slope, or dry slope, before you go would be very sensible. Some of them do ‘learn to ski in a day’ style courses, which are really helpful with getting to grips with putting on skis etc.

be as fit as you can.

Ski boots are heavy, but they should be comfortable. If in the hire place they are digging in anywhere, ask for a different pair. You need socks and thermals that will not leave any wrinkles at the front of your leg, as correct ski position is with your shin touching the front of the boot. Getting ski boots on can be tricky. Someone holding the sides open can make a big difference.

take Two pairs of gloves. As a beginner you will fall, and wet hands will make you cold.

take sweets to eat on the lifts. Occasional sugar intake makes a big difference to stamina.

Accept that you will fall, but snow is usually pretty soft, and won’t hurt unless it is icy. As a beginner you won’t be skiing on ice with a teacher.

expect to finish skiing before the end of the day. If you start feeling very tired, stop. Avoid slopes going down into resorts at the end of the day. They will be very busy, and often very bumpy. Better to get the lift down.

Another tip is to drink a lot of water. You may not want to because it's an absolute faff going to the toilet, but keeping well hydrated really does help.

I first skied in my early 30s and have not progressed much beyond beginner, probably partly because of my age but also other factors.

I'm not a particularly talented sports person and don't pick up physical skills easily.

I have tight calves and ankles and found the boots tortuously painful, even when I bought my own.

I don't particularly enjoy going fast in any sport, like biking etc. and I'm fearful of falling.

So I guess what I'm saying is that it probably depends on a lot of other factors. Do try to get your fitness up and do some regular stretches. The instructors have told me the biggest frustration for them is people who simply aren't fit enough to withstand a whole morning lesson.

I tried for the first time this year, I did find it hard. But like you, I was asking it for the kids to create family holiday memories and they loved it.

biggest tip I have would be getting 121 lessons if you can afford, it really helped. Didn’t have to hang around watching others and personalised. They weren’t that much where we were (relative to rest of holiday!) and far more useful than the money spent on beginner session at indoor slope here. Good luck @Isabella777 !

This was me 3 years ago (except it was our DC's first ski holiday).

• do not believe your DH/well meaning friends who tell you it is like riding a bike and will all come rushing back to you. It might do for some but it didn't for me!
• don't be tempted to go for a lesson above your standard as it will make you miserable. Lots of shuffling of people between groups happens. If you start off in a group which is below your level, they can move you up after the first day (or, depending on where the other groups are, the first half hour or hour)
• remember that, when getting off a chair lift, you need to stand up yourself as you get off. For some reason, I seemed to think the chair sort of gently tipped you out. It doesn't and I promptly fell getting off the first lift!
• it's weird not being able to help your DC. Accept their help - and enjoy how much pleasure they get in being the teacher for once.
• it's a holiday. You do not need to ski all the time. Take some books or download some films. Have a day or an afternoon off.
• quit while you're ahead. If you're beginning to feel tired, stop.

I should also say, it will also be glorious! The views, the feeling when it all comes together, the exhilaration.
The points I just made were largely based on our holiday in 2022 and we've been as a family every year since and are off again soon which I'm really looking forward to

If you have never skiied before, stick to the lessons and then meet your family for lunch at the bottom of the main slope. All lessons return to the same meeting point, where there will be loads of flags denoting each group.

After lunch, take a maximum of one or two runs down the same beginners’ slopes where you have skiied that morning. You will be familiar with the slope and grow in confidence.That will be more than enough for the day! Enjoy a nice bath back at your accommodation.

Ignore any suggestions from experienced skiers that you all ‘…take chair A and Chair B up to point X to do a lovely cruisy blue’. They will probably overestimate what you can do, underestimate the distance or steepness and you will rapidly find yourself in a severe pickle.

Take a rest day if you need it, there is no shame and lots of people do!

Look at some video material on Youtube before you depart.

thank you all so much! I survived and managed not to injure myself!! I had tried to get more in shape beforehand but hadn’t even considered visiting an indoor slope, will keep that in mind for next time. Took 3 days of group lessons, then took a day off because I was so wiped/sore 😂, but went back to the practice slope for a couple hours on the last day. Overall I’d say I enjoyed myself but not sure how much I’ll progress beyond that! But I’m glad I gave it a try and would do it again next year. Thank you again for the encouragement 😀

Oh that's great news, it sounds like you did all the right things - especially the rest day!