Not really enjoying skiing, any tips?

[itsnotrocketscience]

On our first skiing holiday, I've skied once before as a teenager. Kids (teens) are loving it. I'm doing fine in terms of ability within my class, but not enjoying steep bits at all. At the bottom of a blue run, I feel tearful and shaky, even though I haven't fallen or anything.

Quite like a gentle undulating slope, but they never last! Even when I'm doing well, don't get a buzz from it.

I'm taking this afternoon off as needed a break, but any tips to actually enjoy the last 2 days of our trip rather than dreading getting back out there again tomorrow? Currently just looking forward to getting home, which seems a shame.

Don’t feel like you have to ski! I was away with family over new year and I happily ducked out after a couple of runs and a long lunch. I find a whole day quite dull and find I knacker myself out otherwise. Small bursts each day are much better for me. But I also found a couple of nice long green slopes from top to bottom which did me just fine.

If I feel nervous while skiing, I put a big smile on my face and sing a song to myself while I ski down. Sounds daft but it really helps you relax, which in turn makes you ski better as it’s harder when you’re tense. Keep trying and you’ll improve and feel more confident. It takes time to become competent at it and like lots of things, it becomes much more enjoyable once you’ve got past the initial beginner phase. Second the suggestions of some private lessons and Dutch courage!!

Where are you?
Cervinia has lots of very long sweepy blues. More like French greens or something in between.
The reds here are nice too, very, very wide

@dernt that's one of the places I want to try! Want super easy flat green runs but think Italy doesn't do green??

They’re not called ‘green’ but the blues here are super easy. Wide, with flat spots. You can ski them fairly fast, or do wide turns slowly.
Apparently an Italian ‘red’ is a French ‘blue’. Therefore an Italian ‘blue’ is a French ‘green’!

The logistics here are very ‘Italian’ though, I had to ask them to open the sodding ski room this morning!

@dernt bet the coffee is good though 😂

If I feel nervous while skiing, I put a big smile on my face and sing a song to myself while I ski down. Sounds daft but it really helps you relax, which in turn makes you ski better as it’s harder when you’re tense. Keep trying and you’ll improve and feel more confident. It takes time to become competent at it and like lots of things, it becomes much more enjoyable once you’ve got past the initial beginner phase. Second the suggestions of some private lessons and Dutch courage!!

I'm a keen skier, and I'm going to level with you OP. Being a beginner skier is just a bit crap. You're typically skiing on lower down runs where it's busy and the snow is often worse. You're probably skiing half in snow plough still, which is knackering on the legs, and you're going slowly so every run takes a long time. And that will probably be the case for your first 3-5 ski holidays! My husband learnt as an adult, and it wasn't until half way through ski holiday no 3(!) that he finally started to love it (and that was as a young man in his 20s).

You might take the view that it's not worth it and stick to spas and hot chocolate, and there's nothing wrong with that at all; but if you can stick with it and get to a decent intermediate level, the pay off is immense. Yeah, you still get days where the snow is icey and visibility poor and you're not enjoying it that much. But then you get sunny days with great snow, you lose all your fear and feel like you're flying. Its honestly one of the best feelings in the world.

Plus it's something you can do with the kids as they grow up. Several people have said to me that their adult kids still coming skiing with them, long after they've stopped coming on other family holidays.

I know it's hard, but you'll enjoy it more and get better quicker if you can find a way to reduce your fear. This lady has some really good tips on how to approach it: www.instagram.com/reel/DDum7N2y3gs/?igsh=aHZ6eWJhOTdjcmkz

I really didn't expect to get so many responses, very grateful for the tips, and appreciate the wide mix too, from "don't bother" through to "keep going"!

I'm also 48, to the person who asked my age.

Love the tip in that video staringatthewater shared about feeling excited rather than scared, and totally going to try thinking of a song.

I admire that you are persisting.

I probably give up too easily these days but my advice would have been to go and do something you actually enjoy.

I take myself off by myself in the afternoon and just done the same runs on a loop with plenty of stops during a run (just stop on one side or the other, out of the way and keep your wits about you). On my first or second run down, if it looks a bit steep or bumpy —or something other than perfect— I wait for someone who is good and is taking someone who isn’t so good out, let them go by and then follow their tracks. I also give myself lots of motivational pep talks.
DH and the teens laugh at me as they think I must get really bored but I’m quite happy as, by the third time, I know I can do it and so begin to enjoy it. Also, when it gets to the stage where I think “just one last run”, I don’t do that run but head home. Nothing good ever happened on the last run!

Also, when it gets to the stage where I think “just one last run”, I don’t do that run but head home. Nothing good ever happened on the last run!

That is a brilliant tip. You are so right.

I fear I also don’t like skiing. I liked it in my 20s, but kids and money meant I didn’t get to go again until my early 40s and it was tough- I got scared!

I’ve decided if we go out as a family again next year as planned, I’m going for beginner lessons again- mornings only and loading up the kindle for the afternoons.

Bit like I’m going to be “looking after the dog” again this summer when the kids and dh are surfing. I’m the scared, non-sporty person in a sporty and fearless family.

I like skiing, but only in the sun, and I stop after lunch. I sit in the sun with a gluhwein and my kindle, then slowly pootle back to the hotel and straight into the spa.

Have a slow start and get to the slopes late morning.
Up the lifts and straight for a hot chocolate and a croissant.
Aim to ski 12:30-2:30 when the slopes are much quieter as everyone is having lunch.
Have a late lunch yourself somewhere that doesn't require much skiing after!

I feel you OP! Similarly I went a couple times as a teen and then not again until the last couple years, I'm 46 now and it's scary! My first trip I took some group beginner lessons and the second I took a few private lessons and it did help, I was then able to go down the easiest blue on my own with something approaching confidence and enjoyment. It got busy though and that stresses me out. It also really took a lot out of me physically and I didn't push myself beyond a half day.

I think this is one of the reasons I give up on a lot of new hobbies/pursuits because it sucks to be a beginner and have low confidence. It takes away a lot of enjoyment.

I find it's fun when you're with an instructor and learning because at that point you know you're just learning so it's ok. However when you then go off alone and realise how terrible you are compared to others and how shit scared you are, you start wondering what's the point?

I do think the true fun comes once you push through, gain the necessary experience and then from that once the confidence comes, I bet it's the most fun and exhilarating experience.

For many, myself included, I think it's easier to do easy things and get the instant gratification for that. However then I start to feel a bit rubbish about myself for giving up.

Second the recommendation for cross country skiing! It's a lovely walk in the woods with snow.

We are skiing atm @itsnotrocketscienceDH is a good skier (skied from a small child) DS is 17, fit and fearless. I'm 56, a smidge overweight and not brave. I have accepted greens and blues are my level.
They ski with me in the morning, we have lunch and I go back to the accommodation, they go up the hill!
I swim or go for a walk or read in the afternoon. Sometimes in a nice bar with a fire.

Admit defeat. Find a nice cafe and curl up with a hot chocolate and a book, or watch the Winter Olympics.

I’m in my late 50s and love skiing - it’s the whole experience of being with family in beautiful settings and being active. Some tips from me…

Get fit and do pre ski workouts before your holiday - it makes a huge difference to stamina and confidence

find accommodation with spa facilities - great for winding down and sore muscles

hit the slopes early and finish early before these get all slushy or chopped up and busy with returning skiers.

book lessons - either small groups or 121. Red runs are much quieter so the more able you can progress the better able you can avoid crowded blue runs.

Oh and lessons mean you can ski parallels better without snowploughing which will ease your legs.

The only sensible comment! FFS all we need is pissed skiers to add to the mix.

I feel some of the posts are not being entirely fair OP in saying "get lessons" etc.

Ski-ing can take years to get to grips with it, and even when a good skier, as you approach peri it does even feel harder, and I say that as someone who skied at a very competent level having learned as a child.

As long as you are enjoying it, go for it! But I think it is slightly disingenuous to suggest that a few lessons with an instructor will suddenly make it all easy and great fun. Of course it may help: but I think the best thing is be honest about how much you are enjoying it because you DON'T HAVE TO! If you want to potter about a little then retreat to the mountain restaurant or back to the hotel for a massage, do that.

Realistically, I had decades of ski-ing under my belt before I hit my 40's and sometimes now don't really feel the joy the way I did in my teens and twenties if things are a bit overcast, my boots are hurting etc. Take the sense of obligation out of it and tell yourself it is fine to holiday in the mountains just to be in the mountains.

I’m late to this thread but just wanted to echo the PP who said that conditions this Feb half term were horrible. Poor visibility, unpredictable snow, crowded lifts and slopes due to usual half term crowds plus lots of weather related closures.

If you’re tied to school holidays I recommend Easter - especially if it falls early (like next year) so late March. Sunnier, cheaper, much less busy, much less chance of ice (may be slush but that’s not scary like ice). With the cost difference you could get private lessons which IMO are a game changer.

But it’s fine to accept it’s just not your bag.