 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Helen Martin,
Welcome to  Tough luck on your first holiday. I am sure other people will be along with good ski schools as I do not know ones which are particulary good for beginners. One thing I would say though is that if you live near a dry slope lessons there will be worthwhile as they can give you a reasonable technique and restore a bit of confidence.
Many resorts are excellent for beginners,budget, time of year and what types of accommodation you are looking for will narrow things down a bit. If Vald'I was a bit over the top maybe a small Austrian resort maybe a better idea.
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I think Courchevel is a great resort for beginners, particularly the villages at 1850 or 1650. Lots and lots of nursery slopes, and importantly, lots of gentle slopes to progress to as your confidence improves. There are also a couple of very good Brit-run ski schools there if you want to sign up for a week's group tuition: Ski Supreme and New Generation.
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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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Helen Martin, Most resorts tend to have at least one ski school that is better than the rest. I suggest that once you have narrowed it down to a particular resort let us know and you will no doubt get some recommendations on particular ski schools/ Instructors
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| rob@rar.org.uk wrote: |
| I think Courchevel is a great resort for beginners, particularly the villages at 1850 or 1650. Lots and lots of nursery slopes, and importantly, lots of gentle slopes to progress to as your confidence improves. There are also a couple of very good Brit-run ski schools there if you want to sign up for a week's group tuition: Ski Supreme and New Generation. |
Got to second that. We always use Supreme (top people!) and last year we had a very nervous, rank beginner with us. She tried one group lesson and it went way too fast for her. At her request Supreme swapped her to privates on the spot (OK money wasn't really an object for her) and by the end of the week she managed to ski back to 1650 with the rest of us - albeit v slowly and with a lot of encouragement, but she had the technique to do it (even if she didn't believe she had). I've heard equally good things about New Generation.
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My wife was learning with Altitude at Verbier last week - My wife thinks that the guy is a genius and during his instruction she only fell twice when she was with me she fell more.....apparently me and one of our French friends are b******s
I used ESS in Champery earlier that week - but then I had snowblading lessons - you will see that some people on here suggest using snowblades for the first couple of days as they are easier to manage than skis
As my instructor said when teaching me how to carve - learning on blades with the right commitment can be done in minutes - but they can also be a lot less forgiving depending on your balance - maybe try them for a day and see how you get on ..... if you dont like them use skis or whatever takes your fancy..... but enjoy it.
I have been snowblading for a total of about 5 days - I played ice hockey and rollerblade - that was another point the instructor made is it was obvious to him I was a skater from the movement on the flat to the downhill at speed and knowing how to fall 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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None of the ski schools in Courchevel can be described as cheap, but we have had similarly excellent service from Ski Academy. We had an instructor called Raphael who agreed to take 4 of us on some private lessons. We were in 2 seperate abilty groups. He would give both groups seperate things to practise. He would ski with one of the groups whilst the other practised their excercise on the other side of the piste, he would then swap and somehow he had identified what we had been doing wrong whilst he had been tutoring the other group. Not only that but the things he did were fun and extremeley helpful. My wife was slightly more attracted to him than I was comfortable with 
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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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Helen Martin, you may get some confidence back by going to your local dry slope and having some lessons there.
Personally I find the benefit of English speaking instructors to be invaluable.
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Helen Martin, welcome to snowheads, you could do worse than to look at La Rosiere, it's a great resort for learning to ski, sunny south facing slopes, wide open pistes and 3 good ski schools. You'll find some reviews in the resorts sections but all of our guests who were beginners have loved the reosrt and made real progress. Good luck.
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You know it makes sense.
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Helen Martin, Despair Not. It will come, not because you don't want to be beaten but because you obviously enjoy it. Easiski will get loads of rave reviews around here (still waiting for someone to give her a hard time based upon experience rather then the written word). There are however loads of excellent instructors out there, my only 'non-sequitur' is how they mange to live on the trifling amounts they charge. With 'named' exceptions apart , I'm sure you will find that 'local' instructors are invariably good and better 'VFM' than Brits , but DO take private lessons- so much more focus.
This time last year I had just done my 1 st ever week skiing - my instructor was French, and he took me from BASS-induced despair ( and a sore posterior) to Duck then Dove. Alas, I may never be a Killy , Tomba or Herminator but at least I can now ski without the whole resort taking odds on the seconds between falls.
Aaargggh , your question. I learnt in Les Gets - a really excellent Beginner/Intermediate resort which caters for the occasional (Brit) skier ... 360International taught me ....
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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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| eEvans wrote: |
| ... but DO take private lessons- so much more focus. |
Undoubtedly one-one tuition can be very useful, but depending on your particular needs I think that a week of group tuition also has a role as you climb up the learning curve. Very often what is required is to be led to the right gradient of slopes, with instruction and lots of feedback as you develop your technique, and to consolidate your learning without being scared by the terrain you're on. Private lessons are not always good at this because you will only have one or two during the week (unless money is no concern, in which case have a week of private lessons).
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Wed 4-01-06 16:42; edited 1 time in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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As a beginner, the value of seeing others in your situation falling on their backsides as much as you should also not be underestimated. It helps you realise that it's a normal part of the learning process and you're not a klutz or no-hoper just for falling over
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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rob@rar.org.uk, I'm sure we've looked at this sometime in the last year but I can't find a link. I confess that I have never had Mallory-Type 'Big-Wing' group lessons, howver this year my daughter did. First week (5 days) , a small group and loads of progress, 2nd week only 'suitable' group class allegedly for her level gad her revisiting on day 3 what she had done on day 2 of week 1. This was (unfortunately if predictably) due to Brits over-egging their capabilities . She is extremely shy and didn't complain to me or the instructor. Only on Day 3 did I see what was happening ... not the school or instructor's fault. Easily rectified but WHAT a waste!
Remember all JIT theory etc? Same principle applies to learning to ski ?? ( enter learned instructors!!)
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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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i think the group lessons can be a benefit...especially as you get to meet people in a similar situation and get to have a bit of a laugh together. but if you're not in the right level group, it can be very limiting...and possibly very frustrating. i haven't done group lessons in the past 6 or 7 years, but i have done quite a few private 1-2-2 lessons and learnt more in 2 x 2 hour lessons than in can remember learning in a week of group lessons. usually with a lot of swearing about how the latest instructor has just ripped apart my technique! 
for a beginner, what about something like 2 or 3 hours in the morning of the first three or so days with a look to booking more if you're struggling?? they then get the afternoon to practise what they learnt in the morning. is that enough to get someone happy with greens and blues??
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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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| easiski wrote: |
| rob@rar.org.uk, reality, She said she had a disaster with group lessons last year!!! |
Yes, I saw that. I took the view that she had a bad instructor rather than being temperamentally unsuited to group instruction. I've had group lessons where I've learnt nothing, and group lessons where I've made a step change in my skiing ability. The deciding factor was the quality of the instructor, not the mode of delivery
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I learnt to ski in Champery 2 seasons ago and we went with Freeride and they were excellent. I wouldn't say Champery is particularly great for raw beginners in terms of easy slopes to progress to but we all loved it
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Yeah I met the Freeride guys in Mitchells bar - a good bunch
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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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We're off again for the third time in 3 weeks and 2 days. Unfortunately the guys that we've got to know over the past season or two have left but they all seem pretty chilled. Did you go to La Crevasse with them as well? That place cost me a late start the following morning...urrrggghhh
Going back to the original topic, my experience of learning has been that small groups are good to start with and then everyone progresses at hugely varying paces and I've benefited from private lessons that IMHO are more than worth the extra money
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I have not stayed overnight up there it is too close to home but one of the guys has cut me a key and I can use his room in a chalet when he is not there - so next week I can find out what it is like
I agree - I had some of the basic off pat quite quick - then 2 hours with an instructor and I was flying
The style side can take all the time it wants to develop
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Fourth shout for Courchevel 1850 & Ski Supreme (Run, I believe, by the mother of the Baxter brothers ?)
I spent many a happy hour tootling down Bellcote & Pralong and lots of lovely blues when you get your legs (I've only done two weeks myself, both in 1850, so am still firmly a beginner)
Eric (Who happened to be French) was great on my first week, as was Evelyn on week two.
Not cheap as FtS said, but it is Courchevel - you know it won't be...
Have a Vin Chaud in Le Bar Jump for me
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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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Wow...
Thank you all so much for your help. This site was recommended by a friend who suggested I may get some good responses. Thanks to you too!!
I am going to look into all the resorts and schools suggested and will let you know how I get on! Please keep the suggestions coming....
Once I have narrowed it down I am sure to return for more advice 
Cheers
Helen
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Helen Martin, One last cheaper and quieter option: La Rosiere and any of the excellent ski school. Never underestimate the value of quiet slopes when one is learning or has kids.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Jerry wrote: |
| Ski Supreme (Run, I believe, by the mother of the Baxter brothers ?) |
That's right. Sue Dixon is one of the school directors.
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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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I wish now I had taken private tuition than doing ski school - despite it being more expensive I am 100% sure I would have learnt more rapidly and enjoyed the whole thing a lot more.
I will be taking some private lessons this year for sure.
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Poster: A snowHead
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As an entusiastic (but less than brilliant skier) who for the last couple of years has been taking his sons to Austria I would just offer the following observations.
1) If you are on your own in a resort, a couple of days skiing with a group of similar standard is a good way to meet people and maybe make friends.
2) Most Ski Schools will move you up or down the skill scale to a suitable group without a qualm, but you often have to ask them to do so.
3) If you want to progress quickly, spending a little on private instruction is worthwhile, becasue the Instructor will work on your problems, not the groups.
4) Ski schools will generally (at least the ones I have used!) allow you to book a couple of lessons and then upgrade to a full week or whatever if you enjoy it.
5) EVERYBODY falls over sometimes
Have fun and make the most of the worlds greatest sport.
PS - If you fancy the Austrian Tyrol I can recommend a couple of nice quiet beginners resorts.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Try my approach, take the lift up to the highest mountain in tha resort. Put yourself in the fall line, accelarate, keep picking up speed, lean over push with your downhill ski to advoid the small child, reapeat until broken or the piste patrol arrest you. Then move to resort, perfect your skiing, then invite over your old ski buddies and cut their hair whilst putting in a 360. Give up skiing, hate the winter, live for the summer and ride a mountain bike. Grow old and misserable, play boules and drink ricard. Die wingeing about the good old days in a pool of p**s. 
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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GrahamN, My drink problem? You need to meet the Animal Feeding Team, mostly walking from skiing to work to bar and back to skiing again, i would call this evening an indepth study into their minds.
Sorry Helen, hic, i still think this is the best method of learning, it is true up to the 'give up skiing' bit.
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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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SMALLZOOKEEPER, looking over in "Suggestions" it looks like I posted this in the wrong thread! (And I'll probably be renewing with a sip or two my friendship with a rather nice bottle of Talisker later this evening).
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My first ski holidays were to Livigno and Niederau ( Unsure on spelling) (Italy and Austria repectively). Many may look down their noses at these kind of resorts due to their limited skiing compared with Val disere, 3V etc. I found the instruction to be of top quality in these places with typically smaller groups than average. Try and find yourself a bargain and then post it on here to see if it suits. Usually you may find smaller resorts offering free lift passes with accomodation saving on the cost. I really liked the tree lined runs in these places making it very picturesque. Have you tried looking at the Ski club of Great Britain website for reviews on each resort. You dont have to even be a member.
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Ski Schools in Austria are supposed to be some of the best. I did a week with "Red Devils" in Kitzbuhel - benefits are that the lessons are all day (9:30 - 3:30) and the instructors find great eateries around the mountain and tend to stay with the group at lunchtime too. I would recommend them for certain. ESF in France is hit and miss - sometimes great sometimes the oppostie. Whatever happens - I can almost guarantee that you will enjoy it more the second time - then the third - by the fourth you will be gagging to go more often.....
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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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easiski, I agree on the whole - but for a complete beginner - the though of skiing part day either on your own - or with family (not ideal in most cases) can be daunting. If you are in a resort with some nice easy blues/greens to practice on and get back to bottom easily enough then I see what you are saying.
Steve
PS - If I wanted a private lesson in France (Samoens / Grand Massif) what should I expect to pay?
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FAQ
) and have only been skiing once so far in Les Carroz (Grand Massif) but that was absolutely fantastic. Went from being a nervous beginner just off dry ski slope (which was good enough for the basics) to cruising down my first red run in four days. The Ski School there was top notch, we took only three 2 hour private lessons. Going there again on Sunday!
