 Poster: A snowHead
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My first 4 days(spread over 2 weekends at Nevis Range) were hell. A 6 foot 17 year old also tends to stand out on a nursery slope full of primary school kids 
By my third weekend I was able to get round the mountain with something that resembled skiing.
If you're really determined just stick with it and you will get better.
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@emmaski, I started skiing in my early forties. I was a nervous beginner and I would say I am now a timid intermediate. It has taken me a long time to learn but I do enjoy it and love the beauty of the mountains. I think it is a matter of sticking with it and not pushing yourself to advance at the same rate as other people. I agree with the posts about a private instructor it should help build your confidence. Apologies if I missed it but where in the French Alps are you based - perhaps some people here can recommend a good instructor.
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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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Thanks for all you brilliant replies of encouragement. I have taken steps already and have bought some new ski wear. May help my performance a little - then again maybe it was an excuse to get some new clothes  I have also been in contact with a few schools (including Charlotte in LDA) and whilst she isn't that close to home she is probably worth trying over a day or two whilst my hubbie gets to grips with a new resort. Got a bit of catching up to do to get to his standard. It is comforting to know that I am not the only one starting skiing ate. Unfortunately, France sees no end of school hols for the kids, in fact a ridiculous number of school hols and with those looming I am not sure how much I will get done around that. Thanks again all
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Charlotte is excellent. Don't focus on catching up with your husband. That's probably impossible given his experience. Don't give yourself the excuse of age, either. I started at 40 and so did others I know, who couldn't afford skiing when younger. We will never be great skiers, but so what?
The acute nerves are a different matter.
Have you tried consulting a therapist in cognitive behavioral therapy? A lot of people who suffer from anxiety such as fear of flying have found that a great help.
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Have you thought about x-country? Since you live in the Alps relatively close to 7 Laux apparently, you're also not far from the Vercors which is a x-country mecca (except this year due to the weather, grumble, grumble)
You'd be out in the snow and the mountains, it's social, it's good exercise and it's sliding around on 2 planks, but at as measured a pace as you choose without nippers flying past your heels!
2 of your comments suggest that unless you find a really good psychologist who's also a ski teacher (I think it was a Canadian guy mentioned above), you're not going to break your hatred of skiing. Your comments implied that you could ski but you couldn't stand doing it. That's a tough nut to crack if it's the case, and I don't think a standard ski teacher, no matter how good, can help you.
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| grazzenger wrote: |
| Your comments implied that you could ski but you couldn't stand doing it. That's a tough nut to crack if it's the case, and I don't think a standard ski teacher, no matter how good, can help you. |
That's a good point, and was one of my biggest issues now I think about it. I'd listened to everything each instructor had told me to to do and they repeatedly told me that I was skiing fine. For them, it was all about what my legs and body were doing, which looked okish. For me, it was all about my head which was screaming that I wanted out. So telling me that my legs and body were doing fine, and ignoring my real (but invisible to them) problem somehow made it worse. 
The Canadian is American! www.flaineskiclinic.com
@emmaski, where are you based?
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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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Cool OK thanks. I will contact him as I do think some of this is psychological and his approach may help. Very hard finding instructors on line as often it is not until you have tried one that you know, and by then has probably put me off!
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@emmaski, interesting you are so keen to persevere despite having 'absolutely hated it'. I'm guessing there must be something you do like about skiing that is driving you on, as living in the alps you already can enjoy the surroundings without actually skiing.
Private lessons with an understanding instructor will indeed be the best way to make sure progress is at exactly your own rate, and a ski area with gently progressing slopes will be a huge help too. Crowds are no fun to ski in I think, so no shame in avoiding those if at all possible.
One small tip: look ahead. Kids generally look where they want to go and often aren't so worried how they get there, while adults become more focused on what they're doing and if it's right, often looking down at their skis as a result. So feel what you're doing and look where you are going 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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That's a really good point. On alpine skis I look where I'm going. This morning on XC skis I had to keep telling myself not to look at my skis and at every imagined imperfection in the (very good) snow.
But I still think your extreme level of anxiety merits some CBT.
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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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@pam w, the vision thing happens at all levels I believe when you become apprehensive. Eg in race training it is hard not to stare at the rut coming towards you at speed, when it is more effective to look beyond and let your legs deal with it. Easy to say, hard to do!
The cbt approach is interesting, think should there be an introductory module for instructors?
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I still look down too much!!
@emmaski, just don't feel that there's any rush to do this. You have all the time in the world and can take it as slowly as you need to. The other thing is, if you're so scared I imagine that you're very tense and stiff as well. I know it's easier said than done, but if you can make a conscious effort to breathe slowly and deeply and relax your shoulders, you might find it a bit easier. Good luck!!
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You know it makes sense.
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@emmaski, If you can get to L2A and have some private lessons with Charlotte Swift, you'll know if you want to continue. Best instructor I've come across. Quite direct but so sensitive and understanding of what you need and she'll address what's going on in your head as well as what your body is doing. My OH, a nervous skier who'd hardly skied in 5 years, had lessons with her last Easter and she worked wonders. If anyone can give you confidence Charlotte will.
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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 too took up skiing in my late forties, +1 for private lessons. Recently I had a lesson with a gentlemen called John Arnold in Avoriaz who it turns out specialises in the "in your head" side of skiing , lesson was excellent. His mobile is +44 7540 142 395 in case you want to get in touch.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@emmaski, I keep reading you want to catch up to your husband. I wonder if that's partly the source of your anxiety?
Left unsaid in many posts are the nod to reality that it will take MANY lessons and probably a couple years to get comfortable on skis. And you said you're impatient?
Is your "hate" of skiing a realization that the two lessons you had didn't get you even close to the level of skiing your husband does? If so, you'll need to erh... "get a grip" with that.
Basically, irrational fear usually have an origin hidden somewhere. It's hard to try to identify that origin without help. Working with a good instructor who has dealt with similar situation would be a good start.
Celebrate every little improvement of your skiing. Get yourself into a positive feedback loop.
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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 have mentioned he is a good skiier but that's it. I just want to be able to pootle around. I know that if I did get to a comfortable standard he is patient enough to pootle around with me to my ability. So there is no pressure for me to get to "his level" and tbh never will, so the pressure is not there for that, just the fact I want to try and learn something I find difficult to cravk mentally.
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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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@emmaski, well if you want to relax and begin to feel the "wings beneath yer hoofs" . . . Go to the eosb.
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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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Well thanks all! I am booked in with Charlotte at LDA soon. Hope it goes well and thanks for all your positive comments.
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