Skiing for a total novice. Where to go?
Discussion
Myself and Mrs dino74 are going to turn 40 at the end of the year, and we are starting to think of what to do for a special short break without the kids.
Our first thought was New York, but I don't think I can be bothered with the flight for only a four or five day holiday.
I then thought what about skiing. It is something neither of us have ever done, so our knowledge is literally zero. Can you folks please suggest some good places to go? A few good restaurants and bars would be essential!
I am also a bit concerned about all the gear. Can it all be hired, or is there some essentials you should buy? We may hate it so would not want to go and buy everything.
Is it a good idea to have some lessons in the UK an a dry slope prior?
Sorry for all the questions, but any info would be great so I can then start planning!
Our first thought was New York, but I don't think I can be bothered with the flight for only a four or five day holiday.
I then thought what about skiing. It is something neither of us have ever done, so our knowledge is literally zero. Can you folks please suggest some good places to go? A few good restaurants and bars would be essential!
I am also a bit concerned about all the gear. Can it all be hired, or is there some essentials you should buy? We may hate it so would not want to go and buy everything.
Is it a good idea to have some lessons in the UK an a dry slope prior?
Sorry for all the questions, but any info would be great so I can then start planning!
i'd say to get the most enjoyment out of the holiday it would be best to get some lessons in this country before you. especially as this may make you and the mrs realise that you hate skiing and a holiday in the cold would be a dreadful/ expensive idea! but i'd say the best thing to do would maybe to book 'learn to ski in a day' at a snow dome, its a full on 8hour day, but should have you the basics to start. then if you go to resort maybe hire a private guide/ instructor for the two of you for the first day or two which should bring you on very quickly.
but i would say even the worst beginners couldnt fail to have a great trip to the snow. i would easily miss a summer beach holiday for a ski trip.
i cant think of any specific resorts off the top of my head that suit, but google 'beginner friendly resorts' and that sort of thing and plenty of ski forums and websites will bring up info. but if you pick a large resort there will be plenty other stuff to do, lots of mountain restaurants, snowmobiles, dog sled rides, even paragliding etc...... so even if you dont get on with skiing there should be plenty winter activities to keep you busy.
as for hiring stuff, all skis and boots can be hired in resort no problem. you can prob hire clothing, but really you only need a good out door jacket/ trousers (dont need to be ski specific) and layers are your friend for the rest. plenty of places to pick up cheap gear (TK Maxx, online sales, ebay, out of season sales etc....) so you could easily kit yourselves out on the cheap.
hope this helps, but i think you should go for it!
but i would say even the worst beginners couldnt fail to have a great trip to the snow. i would easily miss a summer beach holiday for a ski trip.
i cant think of any specific resorts off the top of my head that suit, but google 'beginner friendly resorts' and that sort of thing and plenty of ski forums and websites will bring up info. but if you pick a large resort there will be plenty other stuff to do, lots of mountain restaurants, snowmobiles, dog sled rides, even paragliding etc...... so even if you dont get on with skiing there should be plenty winter activities to keep you busy.
as for hiring stuff, all skis and boots can be hired in resort no problem. you can prob hire clothing, but really you only need a good out door jacket/ trousers (dont need to be ski specific) and layers are your friend for the rest. plenty of places to pick up cheap gear (TK Maxx, online sales, ebay, out of season sales etc....) so you could easily kit yourselves out on the cheap.
hope this helps, but i think you should go for it!
dino74 said:
Myself and Mrs dino74 are going to turn 40 at the end of the year, and we are starting to think of what to do for a special short break without the kids.
Our first thought was New York, but I don't think I can be bothered with the flight for only a four or five day holiday.
I then thought what about skiing. It is something neither of us have ever done, so our knowledge is literally zero. Can you folks please suggest some good places to go? A few good restaurants and bars would be essential!
I am also a bit concerned about all the gear. Can it all be hired, or is there some essentials you should buy? We may hate it so would not want to go and buy everything.
Is it a good idea to have some lessons in the UK an a dry slope prior?
Sorry for all the questions, but any info would be great so I can then start planning!
First of all put other plans on hold and get yourself to one of the many artifical slopes located around the UK. Dry slopes are a useful and far less expensive alternative and are certainly better than nothing.Our first thought was New York, but I don't think I can be bothered with the flight for only a four or five day holiday.
I then thought what about skiing. It is something neither of us have ever done, so our knowledge is literally zero. Can you folks please suggest some good places to go? A few good restaurants and bars would be essential!
I am also a bit concerned about all the gear. Can it all be hired, or is there some essentials you should buy? We may hate it so would not want to go and buy everything.
Is it a good idea to have some lessons in the UK an a dry slope prior?
Sorry for all the questions, but any info would be great so I can then start planning!
The indoor slopes offer a varitation off learn to ski in half a day/full day. This as I see it serves 2 functions to beginners a) Figure out if you like it and b) IMO it's better to learn the basics before you travel than wasting holdiay time sliding around on one ski etc. If you get on with it you'd be surprised with a few indoor sessions just how much you can come along by time your holdiay comes around.
Chances are you'll fall a bit, have muscles ache that you never knew you had and have a bloody great time doing it and wondering why you waited this long to give it a go!
Once you get to this point then consider what country and resort may suit you best. A bit of a quick guide.
Main Alpine skiing countries, Austria, France, Switzerland, Italy. All offer a similar-ish their own twists of unique-ness. You can also ski in Scandanavia, Spain,and Eastern Europe but to name a few of the alternatives from the above. Sticking to the main countries-there are some sweeping generalisations here but it will give you an idea:
Austria, resorts tend to be 'real working towns' vs purpose built resorts. Many of these are picturesque straight off the front of a chocolate box cliche. Good standard of accomadation and good spa facilities. Generally the mountians are less rugged, great on mountian facilities. Food and drink are cheaper in comparrison to France but not cheap. Lively apres ski but equally places with non, no one does apres like the Austrians IMO.
France, Allot of purpose built resorts, rugged mountains great scenery. Many sprang up in the 70's and are pig ugly IMO, more thought given to the architecture in the more recent past. Home to several of the worlds largest interlinked and famous resorts-more than most can cover in a week, something for everyone. Food and drink prices take the pi@s a bit especially on mountain £6/£7 for a plate of chips and £7 for a beer not uncommon. I usually go on catered chalet board basis when in France to keep costs down. Apres ski not really on the same level as Austria although there are some exceptions. Generally I love the skiing in France but little else.
Italy, always seems more chilled out when skiing in Italy. Food is great and relatively inexpensive on the moutain, good facilites etc. Night life tends to be much more low key. Dolomites have some particulary unique/stunning scenery.
Switzerland, kind of mixes some all of the best elements of the above into one destination for me. But due to the exchanged rate it's more expensive than the other destinations and difficult to do on a budget.
Some people seem to stick to one ski country as it suits what they want. As an overall holdiay package I like Austria but also ski in Italy often.
You don't need a huge amoutn of pistes on your first trip so I'd recommend a smaller resort/area for a first trip.
Other stuff:
Like other holidays board basis is similar. You'll come across chalet board or chalet hotel. Chalet board ranges from having shared bathrooms etc to effectively being in a mini hotel. You tend to get you breakfast, and evening meal with wine included (staff tend to hav eone night off) you also get afternoon tea when you get in. It's not quite fullboard. It's a good way to meet other people, but not everyones cup of tea. Some Chalet hotels do Full Board/All Inclusive.
You can rent pretty much everything with some companies renting all the clothing etc too. You can pick up dencet gear in TK Maxx or 2nd hand on Ebay. In a past life I was a ski instructor, did a one off week agian recently with a UK based company called Interski. They're based souly in the Aosta Valley (Italy) and offer packages where everything is included-liftpasses, ski hire, clothing and lessons. Also get vouchers for lunch on the mountain.
Hope that's the basics covered for you anything specific give me a shout.
ETA there's also North America to consider potentially. Greater expense but can twin a ski trip with a city break easy enough-if you're gona do it do it right.......
Edited by a311 on Wednesday 6th March 21:29
Good write up Mr A311.
Not much to add other than to second that you wont 'need' a huge place so try and research the town first. My quick and dirty summary would also include the food
Italy = excellent
Switzerland = very good
France = very good
Austria = poor.
That might be unfair on Austria but when I went everything was deep fired and battered, no exceptions. I was gagging for a salad and some veg by day three.
If you want a Spa type experience with a bit of nice skiing and an amazing town you could look at Zermatt. Beautiful place but you need deep pockets. Tends to be hotels or apartments rather than chalets IME.
Not much to add other than to second that you wont 'need' a huge place so try and research the town first. My quick and dirty summary would also include the food
Italy = excellent
Switzerland = very good
France = very good
Austria = poor.
That might be unfair on Austria but when I went everything was deep fired and battered, no exceptions. I was gagging for a salad and some veg by day three.
If you want a Spa type experience with a bit of nice skiing and an amazing town you could look at Zermatt. Beautiful place but you need deep pockets. Tends to be hotels or apartments rather than chalets IME.
+1 to what the other have said in relation to trying before you book
Bit of exercise before going will help alot too - downhill skiing puts alot of strain through the knees.
I should state I'm extremely biased towards Switzerland
Hard to beat though for the that 'chocolate box' experience
Lots of different places with different characters
I can highly recommend Les Diablerets if you want traditional 'old school' alpine experience, excellent place for combining easy learner slopes (in particular the Isenau area), with beautiful scenery, narrow gauge mountain railway, high altitude cable car to glacier (very easy ski slopes on top of glacier too)
Not the right the place though if you want a louder more lively experience with lots of night life
Lots of Chalets if Les Diablerets, but you're looking at roughly chf 1600/week starting price for a chalet
Bit of exercise before going will help alot too - downhill skiing puts alot of strain through the knees.
I should state I'm extremely biased towards Switzerland
Hard to beat though for the that 'chocolate box' experience
Lots of different places with different characters
I can highly recommend Les Diablerets if you want traditional 'old school' alpine experience, excellent place for combining easy learner slopes (in particular the Isenau area), with beautiful scenery, narrow gauge mountain railway, high altitude cable car to glacier (very easy ski slopes on top of glacier too)
Not the right the place though if you want a louder more lively experience with lots of night life
Lots of Chalets if Les Diablerets, but you're looking at roughly chf 1600/week starting price for a chalet
We're off skiing in 3 weeks time.
My son had never been on skis before, so I booked him 10 lessons at Skiplex in Reading (http://www.skiplex.co.uk/), which is an indoor, squash court sized treadmill. He is now on his 7th lesson and has gone from being a total novice through learning his snowploughs and is now starting to learn parallel turns. He has 3 more lessons to go and I fully expect him to be pretty damned close to being fully parallel by the time we go. It has cost me about £150 for the lessons, but it means that we will be able to get to the resort and start playing straight away, rather than him going into ski school every day (he hates kids clubs and the like).
The downsides are that he hasn't learned how to do lifts yet, but I'll teach him that on the first day. The carpet is quite "edgy" (like skiing on ice), so once he gets on groomed pistes, he'll find turning significantly easier. He is also used to staying in one place while skiing, so he'll have to get used to the whole downhill motion thing, as well as bumps and changes in terrain. However, the way his confidence is now, he'll take to these like a duck to water.
In short, if you want to go skiing, go to a dry slope before you go to pick up the basics - you'll both enjoy it a lot more.
Skis, boots, poles can all be hired for the week. I think you can also hire outer layer clothes from some places. Otherwise, somewhere like Go Outdoors / TK Max have reasonable ranges of cheap ski gear (you might not not have all the right labels, but, frankly, who cares!)
My son had never been on skis before, so I booked him 10 lessons at Skiplex in Reading (http://www.skiplex.co.uk/), which is an indoor, squash court sized treadmill. He is now on his 7th lesson and has gone from being a total novice through learning his snowploughs and is now starting to learn parallel turns. He has 3 more lessons to go and I fully expect him to be pretty damned close to being fully parallel by the time we go. It has cost me about £150 for the lessons, but it means that we will be able to get to the resort and start playing straight away, rather than him going into ski school every day (he hates kids clubs and the like).
The downsides are that he hasn't learned how to do lifts yet, but I'll teach him that on the first day. The carpet is quite "edgy" (like skiing on ice), so once he gets on groomed pistes, he'll find turning significantly easier. He is also used to staying in one place while skiing, so he'll have to get used to the whole downhill motion thing, as well as bumps and changes in terrain. However, the way his confidence is now, he'll take to these like a duck to water.
In short, if you want to go skiing, go to a dry slope before you go to pick up the basics - you'll both enjoy it a lot more.
Skis, boots, poles can all be hired for the week. I think you can also hire outer layer clothes from some places. Otherwise, somewhere like Go Outdoors / TK Max have reasonable ranges of cheap ski gear (you might not not have all the right labels, but, frankly, who cares!)
dino74 said:
Is it a good idea to have some lessons in the UK an a dry slope prior?
Yes, try it in the UK first. But please go to a "snow dome" type place (which uses frozen water on the slope, i.e. artificially created snow). Don't bother with a "dry" ski slope, which uses "bristles" for want of a better word.Having been on real snow (mountains), artificial snow (snow dome) and bristles (dry slope) I can tell you categorically that the bristles are not much like real snow and are really hard to learn on due to the extra friction.
Snow dome is better than bristles because:
- It slides like real snow, because it is. (so lower friction than bristles, easier to learn technique on.)
- Technique more easily transferable to mountain snow
The snow dome is even better than a mountain for your first lesson. Reasons being:
- No bright sun
- Not overcast (hiding bumps)
- No wind/rain/sleet/snow
- Surface is flat and consistently smooth
- Snow quality is predictable and consistent
- Most people there are beginners so it's well set up to cater
- The one I went to had a travelator type lift (moving floor/conveyor belt) if you weren't comfortable with a drag lift/chair lift
NorthDave said:
I was gagging for a salad and some veg by day three.
I quite like the unique foods on offer in the various ski destintations. Good hearty mountian food is usually stodgey in Austria I like the germknödel many people desribe it as not quite a desert or savoury choice but with vanilla sauce it's def a pudding to me and tasty! Tiroler Gröstl is another favourite of mine just what you need for lunch after some hard skiing, or some Gulash Suppe.
I'd say my fav mountain food is maybe Tarte Flette. I'm scratching my head to think of a unique dish like the ones mention to Italy and can't outside of the usual pasta etc. I did have a bowl of Gnocchi with mountain mushrooms when in Courmayeur this year and it was bloody fantastic.
Should have made this post after lunch though as now my mouth is watering.......
ETA
mrmr96 said:
Snow dome is better than bristles because:
- It slides like real snow, because it is. (so lower friction than bristles, easier to learn technique on.)
- Technique more easily transferable to mountain snow
The snow dome is even better than a mountain for your first lesson. Reasons being:
- No bright sun
- Not overcast (hiding bumps)
- No wind/rain/sleet/snow
- Surface is flat and consistently smooth
- Snow quality is predictable and consistent
- Most people there are beginners so it's well set up to cater
- The one I went to had a travelator type lift (moving floor/conveyor belt) if you weren't comfortable with a drag lift/chair lift
Would agree with this it's been 20 odd year since I've skied on carpet so wasn't sure if things had moved on much. I'm reminded of a time I went to the fridge in Glasgow and while planting poles or something they managed to puncture one of the cooling pipes slo patched of Glycol were visible and it was like skiing in a think soup......- It slides like real snow, because it is. (so lower friction than bristles, easier to learn technique on.)
- Technique more easily transferable to mountain snow
The snow dome is even better than a mountain for your first lesson. Reasons being:
- No bright sun
- Not overcast (hiding bumps)
- No wind/rain/sleet/snow
- Surface is flat and consistently smooth
- Snow quality is predictable and consistent
- Most people there are beginners so it's well set up to cater
- The one I went to had a travelator type lift (moving floor/conveyor belt) if you weren't comfortable with a drag lift/chair lift
Fitness wise it will help, the best way to get ski fit is to ski. Picking yourself up off the deck continually at altitude can be very tiring. Good cardio and strong core would be good to focus on.
Edited by a311 on Thursday 7th March 10:47
How fit are you both?
I find a day or 2 is plenty for myself and the GF we are both in our late 20's and i board and she ski's, after 2 days solid on the slopes were are worn out, i am fairly fit her not as much
. I would try lessons at the one of the Snow zone indoor type places first, very worth while. try a weekend break in Scotland? ( I was in Avimore boarding a few weeks ago great fun and fairly cheap) it will give you a feel before going abroad for sure and you will have a idea what kind of trip will suit your needs.
I find a day or 2 is plenty for myself and the GF we are both in our late 20's and i board and she ski's, after 2 days solid on the slopes were are worn out, i am fairly fit her not as much
. I would try lessons at the one of the Snow zone indoor type places first, very worth while. try a weekend break in Scotland? ( I was in Avimore boarding a few weeks ago great fun and fairly cheap) it will give you a feel before going abroad for sure and you will have a idea what kind of trip will suit your needs.
I'd say you need a week at a resort to make it worthwhile, and that is what most packages will be. However Interski do some good value break and learning packages (in Italy). Also Centerparcs de kempervennan, Holland, also has a good indoor snowdome and is usually much cheaper than the UK parcs (took my kids there for a skiing taster/lessons)
Thank you very much for all the help and advice, it is very much appreciated. I think my first step will be to get to the local dry ski slope for the day.
I am having a browse at destinations to see where I fancy and have found an apartment in Kitzbuhel. Has anyone been there and got any positives/negatives for first timers? It sounds quite a good town if we do not want to be skiing all the time with enough other things to keep you occupied.
I am having a browse at destinations to see where I fancy and have found an apartment in Kitzbuhel. Has anyone been there and got any positives/negatives for first timers? It sounds quite a good town if we do not want to be skiing all the time with enough other things to keep you occupied.
Kitzbuhel is lovely. It's got a real "chocolate box" feel to it. It is a little low, so can potentially suffer very early or late in the season. However, it more than makes up for that by being very pretty.
You can also ski the famous Hahnenkahm run (the pros do it in about 1'30". The last time I skied it, I took about 20 mins!)
You can also ski the famous Hahnenkahm run (the pros do it in about 1'30". The last time I skied it, I took about 20 mins!)
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