 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
Heading to Cervinia for my partners 40th birthday this year in mid-December, it will also be her first time skiing.
Does anyone have any recommendations for activities, restaurants, drinks, viewpoints etc.? I'd really appreciate any advice or tips to make the trip as fun and enjoyable as possible, it will also be my first time in Cervinia  Thank 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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Welcome to  s.
Can't comment on Cervinia but I'd suggest getting her some lessons either at a snowdome or dry-slope before you go. Even if it's only a couple, it'll give her a head start and make the experience less daunting. Also take some hand warmers with you just in case.
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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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The Campetto chair (to the far left of resort facing the mountain) is where the beginners start, then onto the Cretaz chair and blue run no.5.
Not sure what you had in mind to help her get started, but @adithorp's advice above makes some good points. It usually takes a whole week (sometimes more, depending on ability) for adults to master parallel turns on an intermediate blue/red run. Ski school is usually the best option as you have a professional instructor who gradually develops the exercises need to learn and you're with other people who may also be struggling to learn, so you don't feel like the only one who can't get it. You would need infinite patience as a partner not to make it a dispiriting experience if you were planning to try and teach her yourself.
If you can meet up for lunch, Baita Cretaz is a good spot next to blue no.5 https://maps.app.goo.gl/mzD5cUio1qvJD3xs5
As skills improve, Chalet Etoile is a fantastic place to eat amidst the blue runs above Plan Maison https://maps.app.goo.gl/6tNmYjX4y7P6qSdR9
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Sun 3-11-24 14:56; edited 2 times in total
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Some lessons beforehand are a good idea, but lessons all week when you're there an even better one. Is your partner quite sporty and active? If not, some more general exercise to strengthen legs and core would probably be a better use of time before you go. Dry slope lessons, in particular, are only for the really keen!
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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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For a 40th, special, first time skiing I think the best thing you could do is
A) get her an excellent private instructor (some here have commented that one easy on the eye can provide extra encouragement)
B) try not to teach much yourself. Usually goes in the direction of frostbite in the bedroom.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Nice gloves, a very nice hotel, low expectations and some non- skiing activities to enjoy being in the mountains.
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2hr private (or 3hr group) in the morning, nice lunch, pottering around in the afternoon practicing skills from the morning, knock off at half three for relaxing bath then nice evening activity.
We have no idea how sporty your partner is. Ex gymnast or obese couch potato? Starting at 40, don’t skimp on stretching and flexibility in the weeks beforehand. Two legs going in different directions, and lots of falling, is hilarious when you are under 25, less so as you age.
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A few thoughts to make it more enjoyable:
- Get a private instructor instead of group lessons, if your partner has a preference on the type of instructor (young/old, male/female, chilled/high energy) book early and put in a request. Typically I have found an instructor of the same sex and similar age is a good start but everyone has different preferences.
- Don't teach or give feedback yourself other than "wow you are really picking this up faster than most people" doesn't matter if true or not
- When you do ski together start by going from restaurant to restaurant explaining where the next one is in advance
- Don't pressure her to go outside her comfort zone in terms of difficulty of runs especially important if she is naturally cautious
- Be aware that the feeling of exposure can be a big deal for cautions skiers, I know cautious people that can't stand skiing along a green run with a big drop off to the side even if it is protected by a 8 foot net.
- Plan a trip up to the Rifugio Guide del Cervino cabin at the top of Cervinia, it feels like a real mountain cabin with lovely views, should be accessible on foot. You could go on and take the new cable car over to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at the top of Zermatt for more views. Just make sure you have plenty of time to get back on foot.
- Avoid the number 7 red run down from the top of Cervinia it has a strange slope angle and can be quite a tough red with no real escape route for a long way.
- Be prepared to carry her skis and poles (if using) to the slopes for the first couple of days. This will let her save energy for the skiing.
Last edited by After all it is free  on Tue 5-11-24 9:22; edited 1 time in total
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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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@Henwc, teach her to carry skis and poles properly, it takes no energy to carry them
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- nb I think the new cable car (Matterhorn Alpine Crossing) is closed mid dec (until the 20th)... but the lifts as far as Plateau Rosa /Testa Grigia/Rifugio Guide del Cervino are spectacular enough and worth the trip.
- +1 on private instructor -should also give more flexibility to choose which beginner area to use (eg depending on your accommodation location and whether she's had lessons in the Uk already)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| holidayloverxx wrote: |
| @Henwc, teach her to carry skis and poles properly, it takes no energy to carry them |
I agree 100% after the first couple of days but my instinct would be to help as much as possible to start 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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Warm Clothing -- Cervinia can be 'bitter' in December...
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Thanks everyone, all of your suggestions are hugely appreciated!
Just to provide a bit more context, she is generally an active person and has already had lessons in the UK. I have also arranged group lessons whilst we are there.
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