Ski Holiday for a beginner, worth it or not?
Discussion
On the other hand, a lot of skiing is experience and time on the snow, which is expensive if paying for lessons.
I was self taught to a reasonably good level, then had lessons when I had exhausted what I could learn from watching other people. Granted there was a lot of falling over, but by picking out good skiers on the mountain and watching where they put their weight, where their skis are, and a lot of 'what feels right' you can improve in a more enjoyable way.
Now lessons are more fun than skiing with friends, because lessons are off piste or in the park, or really looking to finesse a technique, rather than fighting with everyone else on a busy piste. Actually learning to go down a hill, turn, even once you get to carving, is not overly difficult. Once you can stand up and safely get about, experience with different conditions and knowing how to change your technique when the conditions change is important. Each time you hit the mountain the snow is different, the weather is different, the terrain is different, and that is half the fun and half the challenge.
I was self taught to a reasonably good level, then had lessons when I had exhausted what I could learn from watching other people. Granted there was a lot of falling over, but by picking out good skiers on the mountain and watching where they put their weight, where their skis are, and a lot of 'what feels right' you can improve in a more enjoyable way.
Now lessons are more fun than skiing with friends, because lessons are off piste or in the park, or really looking to finesse a technique, rather than fighting with everyone else on a busy piste. Actually learning to go down a hill, turn, even once you get to carving, is not overly difficult. Once you can stand up and safely get about, experience with different conditions and knowing how to change your technique when the conditions change is important. Each time you hit the mountain the snow is different, the weather is different, the terrain is different, and that is half the fun and half the challenge.
marcosgt said:
Like a lot of others here I started skiing about your age and loved it.
I think my first holiday was £199, including coach trip (to Austria!), half board and skiing lessons! Gives you an idea how long ago it was!
I've been every year since, except last year, and I still love it, but my wife's given up now after breaking her knee a few years back and I took up scuba diving about 10 years ago and I think I'll skip the skiing this year and go diving for a few days in March instead, but I'll definitely do some more some time.
No, it's not for everyone, but you'll only know if you try it - Also, it sounds a great way to spend New Year!
M
:-)I think my first holiday was £199, including coach trip (to Austria!), half board and skiing lessons! Gives you an idea how long ago it was!
I've been every year since, except last year, and I still love it, but my wife's given up now after breaking her knee a few years back and I took up scuba diving about 10 years ago and I think I'll skip the skiing this year and go diving for a few days in March instead, but I'll definitely do some more some time.
No, it's not for everyone, but you'll only know if you try it - Also, it sounds a great way to spend New Year!
M
20 or so years ago.. £139 full board , Serre Chevelier. Lift pass etc on top.
March 2020 £649 flights and hotel (B&B) Italy. Week will cost around £1000 all in, plus food and drink.
£549 for the same holiday last year. Just got a better deal then. Better timing.
gman88667733 said:
The only problem I have, is when I go faster, my turns become more skids than neat turns, I try hard to focus on more pressure on my turning foot, but I don’t seem to do enough and it skids and my non turning foot drags, when going a tad slower it is fine. Hopefully some time on the snow will improve that!
That’s it for my dry slope lessons now until we leave a week on Saturday
You'll find that a real slope, being that much longer than a dry slope, will allow you to get into a rhythm of turns.... also you'll start to go into turns flexing your knees slightly and then initiating the turn by planting a pole and standing up slightly. Your turns will then become a bit sharper. This 'down up down' way of initiating turns becomes second nature after a while.That’s it for my dry slope lessons now until we leave a week on Saturday
A skid means you're probably not edging and that will come with more feel developed on snow.
I was in Sainte-Foy for Christmas and the conditions were epic. We had 4 days' snowfall.
Forecast for NY week is warmer weather and no new snow, but there is a big snow base and there should be sun at times to soften the piste.
Sainte-Foy is tiny, and the internet is crap there, but I'd encourage the OP to report back with experience of their trip!
Forecast for NY week is warmer weather and no new snow, but there is a big snow base and there should be sun at times to soften the piste.
Sainte-Foy is tiny, and the internet is crap there, but I'd encourage the OP to report back with experience of their trip!
Hi all, mid trip report!
It started off on a bit of a bad note as my car had big issues on the way to meet our relatives the day before we flew out, needing about £600 of work and meant we had to get a train instead of driving.
However, looking past that...
First day of skiing was good, getting a better feel for parallel turns, lovely views, very warm though! It was roasting in the sun, I think it’ll be much the same all week.
Second day started off worse, it took me a good 30 minutes or so to get the hang of it again, which made me a bit frustrated, but it got better.
Towards the end of the day it got a bit trickier due to the sun making everything a lot softer.
So far so good though
It started off on a bit of a bad note as my car had big issues on the way to meet our relatives the day before we flew out, needing about £600 of work and meant we had to get a train instead of driving.
However, looking past that...
First day of skiing was good, getting a better feel for parallel turns, lovely views, very warm though! It was roasting in the sun, I think it’ll be much the same all week.
Second day started off worse, it took me a good 30 minutes or so to get the hang of it again, which made me a bit frustrated, but it got better.
Towards the end of the day it got a bit trickier due to the sun making everything a lot softer.
So far so good though
Had a cracking few runs today. Didn’t spend too long out as we are all a bit tired and want to spend the next few days out all day, so decided to take it easy today. It seems to feel easier as the days go on.
Can’t get over how warm it is in the sun though, I take my jacket off at any opportunity!
Can’t get over how warm it is in the sun though, I take my jacket off at any opportunity!
//j17 said:
Naa.
Ice is just where you find out if you're REALLY getting your skis up on their edges (and if your edges are sharp). When you do you come to love ice.
And slush is just poor man's powder. Or a perfect excuse for a long, late lunch.
I am a snowboarder - I hate ice and my board is always prepared as well as possibleIce is just where you find out if you're REALLY getting your skis up on their edges (and if your edges are sharp). When you do you come to love ice.
And slush is just poor man's powder. Or a perfect excuse for a long, late lunch.
blueg33 said:
I am a snowboarder - I hate ice and my board is always prepared as well as possible
Well you know where you're going wrong there don't you... 
Ice is a little less fun on board and gives your balance a real workout but get a slalom board and it shoud hook up as well as a pair of slalom skis. Try it on a general/park/powder board and not so much, just like ice on similar planks. It's all about having thr right tool for the job, which is the skiers way of justifying buying another board/pair of skis
montymoo said:
Long post incoming.
Just to add here, get it done, get lessons abroad, Private lessons and wear a helmet! Its a fantastic experience, one of the best things i have ever experienced in my life.
Here is how i entered skiing, in my 20s
........
That was one of the best stories I've read on here. Great work! Just to add here, get it done, get lessons abroad, Private lessons and wear a helmet! Its a fantastic experience, one of the best things i have ever experienced in my life.
Here is how i entered skiing, in my 20s
........
//j17 said:
blueg33 said:
I am a snowboarder - I hate ice and my board is always prepared as well as possible
Well you know where you're going wrong there don't you... Ice is a little less fun on board and gives your balance a real workout but get a slalom board and it shoud hook up as well as a pair of slalom skis. Try it on a general/park/powder board and not so much, just like ice on similar planks. It's all about having thr right tool for the job, which is the skiers way of justifying buying another board/pair of skis
My board is actually pretty old now (Palmer Honey Circle 2) but I love it. It’s pretty stiff and I use stiff boots again for more edge pressure.
Tempted to upgrade this year to the Honey Pro directional board.
Ice on a snowboard isn't too bad, just go straight! Turning is the enemy in icy conditions.
I usually ride park boards which have had their edges taken off with a rusty file or angle grinder, tend to wax them about once a season!
Need to decide which of my boards is the least beaten up to take away in March, my usual go-to mountain board is starting to look like someone has been at the base with a cheesegrater, no core shots or edge damage though.
I usually ride park boards which have had their edges taken off with a rusty file or angle grinder, tend to wax them about once a season!
Need to decide which of my boards is the least beaten up to take away in March, my usual go-to mountain board is starting to look like someone has been at the base with a cheesegrater, no core shots or edge damage though.
designforlife said:
Ice on a snowboard isn't too bad, just go straight! Turning is the enemy in icy conditions.
I usually ride park boards which have had their edges taken off with a rusty file or angle grinder, tend to wax them about once a season!
Need to decide which of my boards is the least beaten up to take away in March, my usual go-to mountain board is starting to look like someone has been at the base with a cheesegrater, no core shots or edge damage though.
Note - sometimes you have to turn on ice especially if its busy.I usually ride park boards which have had their edges taken off with a rusty file or angle grinder, tend to wax them about once a season!
Need to decide which of my boards is the least beaten up to take away in March, my usual go-to mountain board is starting to look like someone has been at the base with a cheesegrater, no core shots or edge damage though.
I always prep my base right down to sharpening and profiling the edges,detuning the tips and harder wax on the edge of the base than the wax in the middle. Any gouges I get fixed. I tend to ride with mates who are skiiers, god base prep means that on the flat bits where they push with poles I have half a chance of carrying speed through it and back to an incline.
Yeah tbh I used to be a lot more anal about gear maintenance and prep and boards for different conditions etc, it's a whole thing, and an interesting side to snowboarding if you aren't actually doing it all the time.
These days I seldom buy new gear and just crack on, you get used to making stuff work in all conditions after riding for so long, tools not jewels and all that. My bindings are made up of about 3 different pairs, and when something falls off or snaps I just raid the box of bits for a new strap.
That said, I'm primarily a park rider, if I was big on splitboarding/touring/hiking backcountry, then gear nerding would be far higher up my priority list.
You can pretty much recreationally snowboard on marked piste on just about any setup, it's 90% rider/10% equipment after you get past the learning stages. The best snowboarders I know run some of the sketchiest/worn out setups.
Top tip - carry some decent cable ties, if you blow a strap on the mountain or lose some hardware, they can be an absolute god send.
These days I seldom buy new gear and just crack on, you get used to making stuff work in all conditions after riding for so long, tools not jewels and all that. My bindings are made up of about 3 different pairs, and when something falls off or snaps I just raid the box of bits for a new strap.
That said, I'm primarily a park rider, if I was big on splitboarding/touring/hiking backcountry, then gear nerding would be far higher up my priority list.
You can pretty much recreationally snowboard on marked piste on just about any setup, it's 90% rider/10% equipment after you get past the learning stages. The best snowboarders I know run some of the sketchiest/worn out setups.
Top tip - carry some decent cable ties, if you blow a strap on the mountain or lose some hardware, they can be an absolute god send.
designforlife said:
Yeah tbh I used to be a lot more anal about gear maintenance and prep and boards for different conditions etc, it's a whole thing, and an interesting side to snowboarding if you aren't actually doing it all the time.
These days I seldom buy new gear and just crack on, you get used to making stuff work in all conditions after riding for so long, tools not jewels and all that. My bindings are made up of about 3 different pairs, and when something falls off or snaps I just raid the box of bits for a new strap.
That said, I'm primarily a park rider, if I was big on splitboarding/touring/hiking backcountry, then gear nerding would be far higher up my priority list.
You can pretty much recreationally snowboard on marked piste on just about any setup, it's 90% rider/10% equipment after you get past the learning stages. The best snowboarders I know run some of the sketchiest/worn out setups.
Top tip - carry some decent cable ties, if you blow a strap on the mountain or lose some hardware, they can be an absolute god send.
I carry spare ratchet straps after having a binding heel strap break on the Face at Val. It was not a pleasant trip to the bottom!These days I seldom buy new gear and just crack on, you get used to making stuff work in all conditions after riding for so long, tools not jewels and all that. My bindings are made up of about 3 different pairs, and when something falls off or snaps I just raid the box of bits for a new strap.
That said, I'm primarily a park rider, if I was big on splitboarding/touring/hiking backcountry, then gear nerding would be far higher up my priority list.
You can pretty much recreationally snowboard on marked piste on just about any setup, it's 90% rider/10% equipment after you get past the learning stages. The best snowboarders I know run some of the sketchiest/worn out setups.
Top tip - carry some decent cable ties, if you blow a strap on the mountain or lose some hardware, they can be an absolute god send.
Back home now.
Final update on this - we had a great time overall! I really did enjoy skiing, I improved a lot during the second half of the week and ended up doing most of the red runs and even one of the black runs!
Plan now is to do the same next year, assuming the budget it still there!
I liked it more than I could have imagined. If the food had been cheaper, it’d have been ideal!
Cheers for all the advice and tips
Final update on this - we had a great time overall! I really did enjoy skiing, I improved a lot during the second half of the week and ended up doing most of the red runs and even one of the black runs!
Plan now is to do the same next year, assuming the budget it still there!
I liked it more than I could have imagined. If the food had been cheaper, it’d have been ideal!
Cheers for all the advice and tips
gman88667733 said:
Back home now.
Final update on this - we had a great time overall! I really did enjoy skiing, I improved a lot during the second half of the week and ended up doing most of the red runs and even one of the black runs!
Plan now is to do the same next year, assuming the budget it still there!
I liked it more than I could have imagined. If the food had been cheaper, it’d have been ideal!
Cheers for all the advice and tips
Have a look at skiing in Slovenia if you want cheaper (but still good quality) food an accommodation. Also, lift passes are way cheaper than the French Alps. I go to Slovenia most years, I'm off there in February. It's great for beginner-to-intermediate skiers too. I didn't ski until my mid-30s, (I'll be 50 before I go in Feb), and still haven't advanced to black runs, so you've done very well. I think I'm too old to improve much now, and I just enjoy plodding down blues and reds.Final update on this - we had a great time overall! I really did enjoy skiing, I improved a lot during the second half of the week and ended up doing most of the red runs and even one of the black runs!
Plan now is to do the same next year, assuming the budget it still there!
I liked it more than I could have imagined. If the food had been cheaper, it’d have been ideal!
Cheers for all the advice and tips
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