 Poster: A snowHead
|
My old man has just started learning to ski at the age of 61, he's currently about to finish his 2nd week and is struggling with it to the point that he's threatening to give up  He's had lots of private lessons with a good instructor but is unable relax and get over the fear of leaning into the mountain, he's really stuck in that back seat, rigid upper body, snow plough stance and is not enjoying it. I think maybe part of the problem is his expectations of himself are very high, he's very active for his age, is an accomplished rock climber and is used to picking up things fairly easy.
I'd be interested to hear of people with experience of similar scenarios, does it typically take a significantly longer time to learn at this age? Any advice that i could use to boost his confidence would be most welcome.
thx
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Hi Beakyshark, have a look at the thread 'Aged skiers' futher down this forum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
It does take longer to learn things when you're older (I should know, learning snowboarding at just one year younger. It's taken me about 10 days on the snow to reach the level my skateboarding nephew of 21 reached in one) but if Beakyshark's dad is not bothered about heights, and good at climbing, maybe skiing is just not his thing? Some much younger people also fail to pick it up, after all. You can't blame everything on age but after 2 weeks with a good instructor it should be beginning to click; maybe a different instructor might have a different approach?
Also, has he been a bit freaked by the surroundings? Some learning environments are much more relaxing than others. Relaxation is absolutely key; I'm fine on the board when I'm relaxed and in familiar and easy surroundings. I fall from time to time (obviously) but it just isn't a problem. I also find music a big help, but as soon as you mention skiing to music on this forum people come crashing down and accusing you of recklessly endangering your own life and others! If they could see me tottering carefully down a blue run on my board they would eat their words!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Beakyshark, he's not enjoying it - he should be allowed to stop.
Skiing is not for everyone. He might be persisting just to please you.
Give him permission to give up, and let him go back to the rock climbing he loves.
(I hate rock climbing).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Beakyshark, He should come to the more mature skiers week next year. I was sooooo struggling to find enough peeps this year and nearly lost my shirt on it. I will try again next year and you should book him in. Where have you been skiing? How old is his instructor? Is he already up the mountain? Was this too soon? (sounds like it to me). Lots of questions ...
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Beakyshark, Have a look in the Snow Events section - we are having a fun day in Milton Keynes in June for older and more nervous skiers - he might find some kindred spirits there
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| easiski wrote: |
| Beakyshark, He should come to the more mature skiers week next year. I was sooooo struggling to find enough peeps this year and nearly lost my shirt on it. I will try again next year and you should book him in. Where have you been skiing? How old is his instructor? Is he already up the mountain? Was this too soon? (sounds like it to me). Lots of questions ... |
He's been to Les Carroz twice, xmas and easter, he had a private instructor who was recommended off here who's maybe late 30's. I did a guided off piste day with him and thought he was excellent as has other family members who he has taught. I'm sure my Dad can do it but he has just got very frustated with himself for being unable to conquer the fear aspect and the ensuing slow progress. He's at the stage of getting down easy blue runs but every time it's a negative experience. l would suggest your week but skiing is a touchy subject at the mo!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beakyshark, well it won't be until next March! Also - had you thought of skiing in summer? Our glacier is very easy, and he can also do some climbing/walking in the afternoons .... Late June is a good time, nice weather and snow and not too many peeps ... just a thought.#
I actually think there's a world of diff between late 30's and your 50's. However sympathetic I don't think someone in their late 30''s can really relate - I can't believe how different I feel now to then, and I'm not exactly a wuss myself. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Fear is a strange thing isn't it? Hard to imagine a rock climber being worried by standing on the ground, and soft ground at that. But then when I was a lad women were scary 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
he might find some kindred spirits there
|
a good thought, Megamum, but reading that thread it is about people who really, really, want to learn to ski. Strange as it may seem to some of us, it just isn't for everyone. As Jonpim says, I hate the idea of rock climbing (and even if I wanted to do it, my arthritic hands would now not be up to it). Even at 61, people have limited time and energy and dosh for leisure pursuits. We can't do 'em all. But anyone who was motivated, but finding it hard, should certainly sign up for easiski's over 50s week. I'm just waiting for someone to do an over 50's snowboard week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
easiski, will next year's over 50s week again be billed as 'Learn to Ski' which implies it's for absolute beginners, or will it be for older/more timid beginners & 'improvers' or whatever the term is? IF it's a number of small teaching groups, then a variety of levels could of course be catered for and advertising that fact might draw in more takers.
Beakyshark, the Milton Keynes Day might well be worth mentioning to him - you don't say where he lives, but hopefully within a day-trip of it. There he'd be able to chat with other older folks and discover we are finding it hard too! At least he could share his feelings without being in a situation of any pressure - would not even have to ski if he did not want to but could just socialise over lunch?
Just thinking - we will need some way of recognising each other - ideas???
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
NewSkier,  TShirt/Hat/Stickers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
the Milton Keynes Day might well be worth mentioning to him - you don't say where he lives, but hopefully within a day-trip of it. There he'd be able to chat with other older folks and discover we are finding it hard too! At least he could share his feelings without being in a situation of any pressure - would not even have to ski if he did not want to but could just socialise over lunch?
indeed it would be a good idea but he's off to South America for 2mths before then to trek, climb and generally spend my inheritance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
holidayloverxx, Ah yes, of course! Hmm, now where shall I wear the sticker!!!!!
Beakyshark, shame he won't be around, but there is cunning plan B! If he is within a reasonable distance of MK, or Tamworth or Castleford ALL of them have older skiers' morning sessions where there is a informal coaching available and hopefully like-minded company. Castleford's isn't advertised anywhere, but I have prised the details from them! Get him online and reading some of the posts on the "Older/Nervous" thread and he'll realise he's not alone in finding skiing doesn't come easily to all!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Find a ski instructor who also climbs?
Just a thought.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
I will no doubt have stickers somewhere!!, but don't forget you won't miss me with my orange 'Footworks' bootbag!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
If he can be persuaded to return to Les Carroz then I would suggest going to Flaine for lessons if you can track down an independent instructor there called Lyn.
He is an older american guy who has worked there for many many years and specialises in older (even aged) skiers and blind skiers.
I am told that for peak season weeks there is an element of "dead man's shoes" for geting lessons with him as he is booked season to season by repeat customrs.
He really is a specialist in that market niche and does get great results...eventually as the learning process can be a very slow one for o
older, more nervous, folks who understandably are very nervous of falling.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
I'm BeakyShark's sister and we continued to ski with my Dad and our 2 children aged 4 and 6 after BeakyShark had gone back to work - he's completely right - my Dad had an absolute mare, this being his second week of skiing. He really lost his confidence about half way through the week after going down a rather icey/patchy slope to the Morillon chair lift in Les Carroz with myself and my husband. My husband was trying to coax him to side slip and it ended with him taking his skis off and walking down... The next day it took me 20 minutes to get him to start down a short and easy blue with me, he went down once and refused to do it again! He had some more lessons, but on the last day it became obvious that our children were now quicker at coming down that he was, and I think he felt rather  at being 10 minutes behind a 4 yr old all the time. I think he felt enormously angry and frustrated with himself and was expecting way too much tbh, but we need to tempt him back to the slopes in time for next Christmas!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Beakyshark, He needs the instructor I had at Les Arcs-"Reelax Toneee! Rememmmbeeer, skiing is like makin love to a beautiful women-slowly and enjoy it!" Great advice
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
