 Poster: A snowHead
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OK your replying to a COMPLETE beginner here [2 lessons on a dry slope so far]
I have booked the holiday,Les Arcs 1600 in March 2015 ,not booked lessons or passes yet, so any general top tips/advice would be welcome.I KNOW it's a silly question to most of you, BUT can I use the cable cars just to have a look round without having to ski back down[I'm thinking it might be too high /steep a run back and or knackered] Are there places to stop and have a drink literally half way up a mountain?As you can see I really need all the help I can get  Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I would advise booking into lessons. The instructor shouldn't take you anywhere that you can't get back from safely.
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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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@alandrover, If you have a full lift pass, then, yes, you can use the cable cars (these are things like a flying bus) and also the gondolas (a string of little cabins) to go up the big mountains to have a look, drink a coffee, say, and then come back down. If you have a few more lessons before you go you might be able to ski the red run down from the gondola that goes most of the way up the Aiguille Rouge.
Most of your early ski experience will be on slopes accessed by chair lifts.
As above, you will not be able to enjoy your holiday unless you book lessons. These are usually in groups and are a lot of fun.
Most people think you should be in ski-school until you can ski parallel. (This is the more efficient - non-beginner - style of skiing that takes between two and four weeks to learn.
Best of luck.
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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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Although if you are quite fit, listen to your instructor and practice hard after ski school, you could be parallel by the end of week one. Remember to stay in your comfort zone, and at a speed you can control.
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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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| Chris Bish wrote: |
@alandrover, If you have a full lift pass, then, yes, you can use the cable cars (these are things like a flying bus) and also the gondolas (a string of little cabins) to go up the big mountains to have a look, drink a coffee, say, and then come back down. If you have a few more lessons before you go you might be able to ski the red run down from the gondola that goes most of the way up the Aiguille Rouge.
Most of your early ski experience will be on slopes accessed by chair lifts.
As above, you will not be able to enjoy your holiday unless you book lessons. These are usually in groups and are a lot of fun.
Most people think you should be in ski-school until you can ski parallel. (This is the more efficient - non-beginner - style of skiing that takes between two and four weeks to learn.
Best of luck.
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Really is that the normal time?None of my group can ski very well but it took our group of 7 between two-four days to be able to do this.Are people still snow ploughing on their fourth holiday?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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There's parallel and proper parallel.
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| dobby wrote: |
| There's parallel and proper parallel. |
Indeed.I can't ski proper parallel but i can still go down red and and blacks comfortably.
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My general advice fwiw is:
- get a good instructor who speaks decent English and listen to him or her. Take it seriously, skiing is one of those things where you really do get out what you put in. I honestly think the first few weeks are like a job, but it becomes hugely more enjoyable later on.
- tell the truth about your weight in the hire shop and pay for the best skis you can afford.
- never stop in the middle of a piste, never ever stop in the middle of a piste on the underside of a lip, and always look uphill before you move back off.
- take the warnings seriously. Until you know what you're doing, don't even think of going through any kind of don't-ski-beyond-this-point sign.
- learn to stop.
- wear proper clothing (which I would say includes a helmet; others may disagree).
- don't drink during the day (at first).
- don't listen to music while skiing (at first).
- get travel insurance that includes skiing.
Yes, there are lots of restaurants halfway up the mountain, though not on every piste.
Have a good time!
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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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@northernsoulboy, spot on 
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Some people get it quickly, some don't. Like I said, if you listen (don't be afraid to ask if you don't understand something), work hard and practice outside ski school, it's amazing what you can do in a week, but if you have a long wine filled lunch after ski school then it will take longer.
If you do manage it, don't boast about it though. Some people who took longer get sniffy and say that you must be doing wrong and things like that.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@northernsoulboy, yeah, +1 all of that.
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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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Can I recommend staying away from ESF in 1600.
Nearly put my wife off for life!!!!!!'
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@kiteman69,was it not the one instructor rather than the whole of ESF?
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You know it makes sense.
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@northernsoulboy, Agree with all that and would add ""learn to side-slip"
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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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| northernsoulboy wrote: |
- don't drink during the day (at first). |
I agree with all of northernsoulboy's points, however I would say don't drink alcohol , but keep hydrated, drink lots.
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Poster: A snowHead
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One other point don't get hung up if others progress quicker than you.
IT'S NOT A RACE !
The main aim of your first holiday is to have fun and want to return either later in the season or next season. If you want to improve quickly get some more lessons before you go and continue when you get back at your local dryslope or fridge and at a pace that is comfortable for you.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@alandrover, How old are you - are you financiel ok to have lots of private lessons - go for it.
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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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Thanks for your replies.Why is ESF so bad what other ski schools are there @ 1600? not able to afford private lessons unfortunately
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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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@alandrover, I don't think they are, all ski schools will have some duff instructors, but we've never had a bad one from ESF. Most important is to listen, ask questions, and if they show you some drills, such as skiing without your poles or holding your poles horizontal in front of you, practice them in your own time too. Ski lesson two hours-ish. Pistes open 8 ish hours. Make the most of your time, you can go in a pub at home.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@alandrover, lessons are a big plus, you'll love it and get to know loads of places you'd not think to go for. I face planted for 95% of my first week and laughed so much I could not get out of the snow. Have a great time!
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@c44rver, +1. BOOTS. That is the best piece of advice on this thread. Take your time choosing rental boots. Walk around in them A LOT. They must hold your feet uncomfortably closely (as it will feel to you) without rubbing or pressing or pinching in any way at all. Take your time, it's really important. After 3 days in my first set of rental boots, I became aware that they rubbed the outside of my right foot. I now have a little bony lump just there, and a matching place in my ski boots to accomodate this lump.
But, whatever happens, it'll be brilliant, just go n have fun!
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Do it with a smile.
Remember this is a holiday.
Laugh (especially at yourself).
Have fun.
Everything else will just happen for you.
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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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Lots of really good advice here. Re: just going up for a look around, if you have to take your skis off to get on the lift (cable car/gondola/bubble) then you can come back down on the lift. If you keep your skis on when getting on the lift (chairlift/drag) then you cannot come back down on the lift and WILL have to ski back [there are one or two exceptions to this, but they are very few and far between].
The on-mountain eateries should all be marked on the piste map. This is a map showing the layout of lifts and runs of the resort. You should never leave your lodging without every member of your party carrying their own map.
Enjoy.
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@alandrover, have a great time
Advice re Arc 1600 specifically - if you stand facing up the main slope, there is a restaurant at the far right hand end which, although lovely, was eye-waterinlgy expensive.
There was a mention about equipment earlier - I don't know how much you have bought and how much you are borrowing, but because you will probably fall a lot, a decent pair of gloves is essential - which are both waterproof (because of the snow) but breathe well (because there will be times when you are sweating with the exertion.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Skiing is enjoyable at every stage, but it gets much more enjoyable - and less tiring - as your skills improve, so definitely get lessons and practice. Don't get too impatient and have fun with it!
As a side note, if you're anything like me you may become obsessed, which can lead to a serious haemorrhaging of money. The upside is you won't care because it'll be the best money you ever spent!
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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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BTW, forgot to say - you have shown that you are not a "real idiot" by not feeling too embarassed to ask basic questions to a forum of people that should between them know the answers!
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Book instruction with a British Ski School. Only foreign instructors qualified to the top level can work in France and having a native speaker will be so much easier. Although some ESF can be good you could get a stagiere which is a trainee.
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You know it makes sense.
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OK, it's New Year's eve, I'm meant to be working but ran out of things to do at lunchtime yesterday so here goes 10 to 15 minutes... 
Before You Go
Personally I wouldn't go over-board on jackets and trousers - the budget stuff from Decathlon/Lidi/TKMax/and now it seems Sainsburys will do the job just fine. Where to spend the money is on base layers - good quality tops (I prefer Merino wool as they are soft, warm, and can do a couple of days without getting ripe) and proper, quality ski socks. March shouldn't be too cold so just one pair of thermal long-johns just in case should be fine.
Also weigh yourself in Kg and make a note of your european shoe size. Be honest about your weight - you're not being asked for vanity reasons, it's to set the bindings on the skis so they pop off when you fall.
I'd also recommend watching these beginner videos on YouTube. For parallel turns instructors love to just say "Just put the weight on the downhill ski and the ski will turn" but it never made sence in my head. In one of the videos the guy shows you WHY the ski is going to turn, and once it made sence in my head it was easier to do.
Before You Ski
As a beginner you don't tend to get much advice on skis and boots, and the whole hire process can be a bit in one door/out another in a blur.
All standard hire skis are much the same when it comes down to it, but the more expensive ones tend to be newer and slightly better looked after to justify the extra money. If you can go for more expensive ones and tell them you're a beginner when asked you should be fine.
Boots are about the most important piece of kit, as it's the link between you and the ski/snow. Make sure you take/wear a pair of your ski socks when you go to the hire shop as there's no point trying them with 'street' socks - and you don't want to be putting the shop 'I forgot my socks' ski socks on!
Putting on/doing-up/taking off ski boots again isn't something people tend to tell you about (until you buy boots from a specialist like ProFeet/Solutions4Feet/etc). To put them on open all the buckels and pull up on the tongue as you slide your foot in. Pulling the tongue also pulls the toe section open. Next stand up and try to get your foot as far back in the boot as possible - there should be a little pocket for your heal in the boot. At this point you should ideally be able to feel the tips of your toes brushing the front of the boot but you should still be able to wiggle your toes. If they are either too big or too small ask to try a different make of boot first, rather than going for a bigger/smaller size. Once you have a reasonable fit and are in the back of the boots do up the 2 toe buckels first. These are really just there to stop snow getting in and don't need to be that tight - you should be able to open them with a single finger. If you over-tighten all you do is 'pinch' your foot and at best limit blood flow and get cold toes but probably make your feet hurt. Next up are the ankle buckles. Do these up a bit at a time aiming to have them snugly-tight, then do up the power strap (crap name but does make a difference). Now, and without falling over, try to step out of your boots. You might be able to use a chair/friend to stop the boot moving, or have to wait till you're on the snow and can put the skis on to do this test but what DON'T want is for your heal to be moving up and down inside the boot - or as little movement as you can get as you have more control of the skis if it's your whole foot working through the boots rather than ending up with just the balls of your feet.
Don't have any hesitation in going back to the hire shop during the week either and asking to swap boots. The staff are often stood around looking bored once the Sat/Sun crush is over!
Lessons
Private are better but expensive. Group lessons are a good alternative though and what most people go for. The down side is you can have a lot of time standing around getting cold, while each member of the group takes their turn skiing a bit while the instructor watches/gives them tips. This is more true at the start of the week though and once everyone has started to get the idea there's a lot more skiing in a snake, usually to shouts of "bend your knees", "don't sit on the skis, get up and forward" from the instructor The up side of group lessons is you have a load of people going through the same experiences to chat to on the chair lifts and laugh at when they fall/be laughed at by when you fall.
Speaking of falling - do it early! Almost everyone is worried about falling as a beginner, with visions of broken arms and legs. When you have your first fall you realise it's snow and while it's cold and has an amazing ability to get inside your gloves it's not that hard and doesn't kill you if you look at it wrong.
Here's a hi-res image of the Paradiski (Les Arcs and La Plagne) region, which I find useful to get a general feel for what's where. It also shows the on-mountain restaurants, though there will also be ones in the different Les Arcs 'villages' that you can generally ski to as well.
Is it lunch time yet?
Is there actually anyone else in the office today...?
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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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@alandrover, As you have had 2 dry slope lessons you are not going to be a complete beginner. If you keep up weekly lessons at the dry slope until March, by then you should be Ok to take a lift to the top of the mountain and ski down a blue run on your own. I would still recommend lessons out there as well though. Personally I would go with a school with native English speaking instructors if possible (my learning style needs explanations and discussion, and despite having some very good French and Italian instructors I have got on better with native English speakers - even Scots!).
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Poster: A snowHead
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I'm in work @Mjit, albeit only until 12:30pm. Been in all week and ran out of stuff to do on Monday afternoon!!
Cracking advice on all of the above posts, I hasten to add.
My best bit of advice - learn to laugh at yourself. If I didn't laugh at some of the things I did as a beginner or not-so beginner (ploughing into the orange netting stuff near a lift queue becasue I didn't think I could stop, knocking the entire class over in the style of Domino Rally, sledging down a slope on my bum with a ski under each arm as I'd ended up in soft snow and couldn't for the life of me stand up), I'd cry. Seriously.
And remember, you are on holiday. If you're tired, and want to call it quits one day at 2:30pm, do it - chill, walk round resort, see what else is on offer. It's sometimes the days where you think "just one more run" when you're knackered where you come unstuck.
Have fun!!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| c44rver wrote: |
Also, if you don't have your own boots, DO NOT leave the rental shop until you find a pair that fit really well (boots should hold your foot tightly all round , without pinching or squashing) - it'll be the best 15 minutes spent to get it right!!!
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I second this. I used rental boots on my first two ski holidays and thought that all ski boots hurt. It was only when I bought my own and got a fitting at Snow and Rock did I realise how comfy they can be. Don't be afraid to say no these aren't right if the ones they bring you aren't perfect. The guys who work there will have an idea what you need, but they don't know your foot inside out! Take the extra time, it will stop you being miserable from having to take a break after every run!
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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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oh and one more thing, the first day could be the most frustrating day of your life, stick with it!!
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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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My second day on my first ski holiday, in rental boots, felt physically sick! Needless to say, we went again the following year with our own boots! Along with lessons, the best two things you can purchase at the start of your skiing.
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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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Lots of good tips here, except for the occasional ESF bashing -- which gets tiring! All ski schools have good and less good instructors -- ESF instructors are highly trained and the vast majority have been skiing all of their lives. Some of the negative comments are -- IMO, based more on peoples' own frustrations at their ability/progress rather than the quality of the instruction -- and frequently the blame is (wrongly) attributed to the language skills of certain instructors. The English spoken by many ESF instructors is better quite frankly than that spoken by some from British-based ski schools!!! It is like reading the Daily Mail on here sometimes. Very uncool.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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If you do go to the top of a chair, and find it a bit hairy coming back down, you can always get back on the chair and come back down, so yes you can go to the top and have a look. Enjoy your holiday, enjoy your lessons, and I second the boots advice and good socks, nothing worse than rumpled socks in your ski boots.
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| Quote: |
If you keep your skis on when getting on the lift (chairlift/drag) then you cannot come back down on the lift and WILL have to ski back [there are one or two exceptions to this, but they are very few and far between].
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I think the lifts above Arc 1600 allow downloading, skis are put on the chair behind for you. Certainly seen people doing this across a lot of Arc lifts
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They will let you back down if you discover you are unable to ski the area, you might have to remove the skis but I think no matter where you are they rather safety is no 1,. I would hate to have to do it though.
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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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@biddpyat, I downloaded on my 2nd ever day skiing in Mayrhofen (the first lift at the top of Penkenbahn) as my feet couldn't take anymore. I was dreading having to go on a chair lift back down, but luckily there's intermittent gondolas mixed in so didn't feel as bad!
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@Daleybou1234, at least you were smart enough to realise your feet couldn't take any more, it would have put you off forever if you had tried to ski down and your feet in pain, more mistakes, and ending up in terror. I think this is why it is important to know that you CAN go back down on the chair, it's not common but they will let people on.
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FAQ
