 Poster: A snowHead
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I tend to agree with skanky. Until you're reasonably confident skiing parallel, group lessons offer better benefits than private lessons.
Private instructors give undivided attention thereby identifying immediately what you need to improve.
However:
1) Unless you can afford to retain your private instructor for more than 1 hour on a particular day of your holiday, what about the rest of your week when s/he's not around to correct/encourage you!?
2) At least while you get to grips with parallel skiing, you'll be too busy ingesting new information both mentally and physically to become too bored.
3) Bear in mind that, at your level, the "perceived" slower rate of learning in groups gives your body time to adjust to the new techniques. Incidentally for sports accelerating the rate of instruction doesn't necessarily lead to more proficent ability. Your mind might be up to it, but your body often needs more time repeating all the new actions for them to become embedded in your muscle memory. A lot of what you're doing is simply accustoming your body to the new stressors of moving on snow at high altitude, separate of the technique of skiing itself.
There's also a theory that a break from learning new information actually helps speed the learning process - so while you're still getting the hang of parallel skiing, the hanging around in groups over the course of a week might actually be working better for you than a short intensive private lesson. It's a theory.
Remember, EVERYONE in the group is going to be rubbish to some extent - otherwise they wouldn't be taking the lesson!!!!!!!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Im not even sure what 'skiing parallel' means! All I know is that I have been
told that I do parrallel turns, though I was never taught how.....
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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buns, skiing parallel = your skis are parallel with each other like this for the whole of your turn. Most learners are first taught the wedge position (or snowplough), for safety and control, and then are slowly encouraged to bring the backs of their skis into a parallel position.
You would've been "taught" to do this, but probably not in a glaring fashion.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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By the way, back to the gear question, I skied a few times at Lake Louise and Sunshine and never felt cold at all, except walking around town at night in Banff. The reason is my wonderful one piece ski suit, bought in High St. Kensington 1992. I cannot understand why everyone is so against them - I think they must be jealous. I get up in the morning, pull it on over my underwear and go. If it is really cold I wear a woolly jumper underneath. And the black and purple look is pretty cool too...
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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buns,
If you are feeling impoverished I would have a slightly different take on clothing.
Have you got a jacket for hillwalking? If you have this will be more than adequate for skiing. If not buy something cheap and windproof, you are unlikely to get wet skiing in Canada if it is cold, the snow will be frozen(snow). You can get wet sitting on snow eg on chairlifts Money invested in decent quality trousers is IMO better spent than in the jacket.
Likewise your hands and feet can easily get cold it is well worth buying decent quality socks and gloves. I cannot tell you where to buy them as I usually get them in resort at end of season sales. I have bought reasonable price socks in Canada in the resort and would probably advise you to do the same as they will be likelyto stock something appropriate for the climate.
As mentioned above the other important thing is decent quality thermals (No cotton)and a warm hat.
I am the last person to advise on boots as I seem to always get it wrong myself, so I wont give any advice other than to say well fitting ones will keep you warmer and more comfortable.
If I was impoverished I would also look at 2nd hand skis as this would quickly save money over renting or buying.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Sort of tongue-in-cheek.
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Hey again guys,
My parents are also looking at gear..... they are middle ground type skiers, they will gradually improve but probably they are at the sort of level they will stay. For them, is it worthwhile purchasing some lower end skis?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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buns, possibly, their best option would be to try some different skis in resort before buying, what suits one person may well not suit another.
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buns, ditto D G Orf re the skis. If your folks HAVE to buy something to satisfy their purchase craving, then maybe look at buying boots.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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It isnt so much HAVE to satisfy a purchase craving..... rather they spend a whole shed load on hire skis and seeing the price of skis, 2 holidays of hire would cover the purchase of a cheapish set of skis..... so by the 3rd trip they would be saving money..... They both already have boots
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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So get skis in resort where they can try them, usually the hire price of the skis will be refunded when you buy a pair also that way you only have to pay for ski carrige on the return journey
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Whistler should have a decent ski school where they group you according to ability - just be honest when asked how you ski! And if you are in the wrong group then they should find the group more suited to your ability (does that make sense?) - it's quite common for group lesson to be split even with in a level, especially at the busy times of the season.
As for clothing and equipment - I'd wait until you get there since N. America does have different brands, and sales are quite common. 
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You know it makes sense.
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- are u all being wound up folks ? 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Scrumpy wrote: |
| - are u all being wound up folks ? |
huh?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Im now just over a month away and have been doing my homework. I have planned that I am stopping over in Calgary so that I can get a load of stuff in MEC. Do MEC typically only do their own branded stuff? For general clothing I guess that is fine and it makes things quite easy. However, for some of the other bits it isnt so easy. Goggles for instance..... I want to be able to buy a pair which I can see a review on (after all they need to be good!) and have taken a fancy to Adidas Yodai..... Am I likely to be able to find another shop in Calgary (without too much running around!) who would do branded goggles/helmets etc?
thanks!
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Ps. I presume buying a helmet is a good idea for the long term (even though at the moment im only a low intermed)?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Buns,
Did you get to Lake Louise yet? I was there in early December
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Not yet..... 32 hours and I am on my way! It is looking very good over there right now..... Jasper first then LL, both having had almost 6 inches over the past 24 hours 
I am dying to get going!
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FAQ
