 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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Pilates... or other core fitness....
Tai chi....
Some lunges/squats etc (older folks lose muscle mass)... Hill walking...
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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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one of the things hard for older beginners (and sometimes younger ones) is getting up when they fall over, inevitably on pretty flat ground. So flexibility around the hip region is important too. Yes, pilates, Tai chi etc would be excellent, but maybe they're not into that sort of thing. Just getting up off the floor would be a start, with feet together and parallel in the sort of way they would be, on skis, having to lever themselves up with arms. Cycling is very good. Walking up steep hills as good as most things. As an elderly beginner boarder, I would also counsel not too long a session each day. If they have a private lesson of, say, 2 hours, that would be plenty. Then stop for the day and go for walks, watch the scenery, have a vin chaud etc.
You will find them a nice instructor, won't you? I seem to remember you don't approve of expensive British ski schools (sorry if I am confusing you with someone else....) but you might make an exception for your old Ma and Pa?? And make sure they get really, really, short skis. The very short ones around these days (Atomic make some good ones which I think are 120cms) would be good. I have had several elderly visitors to our chalet learning happily on those, with good instruction and a bit of luck with the weather!
60 might seem old to you but, these days, we are in the prime of life....
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Go in Mar. It is warmer.
Sleep as close to a nursery lift as possible. Less walking in heavy gear.
Head low. It is easier to breathe.
Go to small hills, not mountains. The runs are shorter.
Austria (e.g. Zell am See) and Northeast US (e.g. Killington) are potential examples.
Shed some pounds. Get lighter, flexibler and fitter.
Slash the sodium intake. It expands lung capacity.
Take calcium and vitamin D supplements. They strengthen bones.
Good luck.
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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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Whitegold,
Great to see someone with as sound a grip on exercise physiology as they have on evolution.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I don't approve of expensive english schools. You're right. Well remembered! Will get them private lessons with 360 International I reckon!
All sound stuff this. Except fitness wise they are probably closer to 50 in body age than 60.
Will pass it on. Ta!
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Except fitness wise they are probably closer to 50 in body age than 60.
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Well so am I, I like to think, but a completely new and demanding activity still needs to be taken in easy doses!
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I know - hence the request for info 6 months in advance of leaving.. 
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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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Hey! I'm younger and I need to prepare for skiing each season..
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professorpool, I have to agree with pam w, regarding getting up off the snow, luckily I don't fall very often now, but find that removing a ski is can make life easier, it is a flexibility problem.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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removing a ski can make life easier,
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it certainly can, and having shorter skis helps a lot too. But flexibility exercises make a big difference. We have grandchildren staying this weekend, and our floodgates (which fit into doorways) are doubling as baby gates. My husband, who has very stiff joints, found it very difficult to step over them at first, but it is already getting easier - maybe we'll leave them in place. He can't sit on the floor without something to lean against, his hips are so immobile, and if he falls on the ski slopes (which he doesn't very often, fortunately, especially since being "seen to" by easiski) I usually have to help haul him up. Trouble with a lot of the "normal" exercise, walking up hills, cycling, dog walking etc is that they don't really take the joints beyond their usual very restricted range of movement and adults in our culture spend too little of their time on the floor. (Sitting cross legged on the carpet playing bricks with a 15 month old is another good ski prep exercise).
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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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My mum does Tai Chi and its has really helped with flexibility and balance
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You know it makes sense.
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Makes me see double though 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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professorpool, All these are very good suggestions. I don't think though that they will need to restrict their skiing to just 2 hours a day. A lesson followed by a nice break for lunch followed by a little practise will do wonders. (or the other way round) Are you staying somewhere with a jacuzzi? They're great for after skiing for peeps with stiff joints. 
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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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Aye there are jacuzzi's in the baths.
Good stuff this! 
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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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professorpool, 
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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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| Dypcdiver wrote: |
| I have to agree with pam w, regarding getting up off the snow, luckily I don't fall very often now, but find that removing a ski is can make life easier, it is a flexibility problem. |
Not just a flexibility thing! I've got long legs & a short body, & I simply can't get up using the poles on the flat - oh, how I tried when I was first learning, but it was hopeless. You know the bit in the Harry Potter film with the spider on rollerskates...
professorpool, it might be worth thinking about some upper arm/shoulder exercises for your parents as well - I know I always worry about my legs being up to it, but it's usually my shoulders that ache in the mornings when I'm skiing, because they don't get to do much the rest of the year!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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professorpool, I'd agree with the squats and lunges with plenty of stretching. They will be fine....
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| Jo225 wrote: |
| Dypcdiver wrote: |
| I have to agree with pam w, regarding getting up off the snow, luckily I don't fall very often now, but find that removing a ski is can make life easier, it is a flexibility problem. |
Not just a flexibility thing! I've got long legs & a short body, & I simply can't get up using the poles on the flat - oh, how I tried when I was first learning, but it was hopeless. |
And I have no ankle flex thanks to badly-torn ligaments 20 years ago so find it nearly impossible to get my centre of gravity far enough forward to be able to get up 
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FAQ
). My Dad has never skiied. I don't want to kill them or anything so do any of the gurus out there have any ideas about simple and easy things they can do to prepare for their February trip?
