 Poster: A snowHead
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I have been boarding for about 8 years and last year my partner Sarah tried for the first time. In short, she had a crap time of it but suprised the hell out of me by saying she loved the holiday with our children and wanted to go next season.
I have agreed to learn to ski with her and neither of us has ever even put a pair on before. We planned on travelling up from North London and getting as many lessons in as possible before Xmas so we (Sarah in particular) wouldn't be thrown in at the deep end again...and possibly lost from the sport forever.
Xscape have just advised that our preferences for Wednesday nights, occasional Friday afternoons and Saturdays are either booked out until January; held at daft times or just not available.
Would anyone be interested in taking on a paid job at giving us a few lessons there? Ideally say 3 or 4 visits.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Peter Leuzzi, if she dos'nt like the experience at Xscape then she won't go on holiday with whereas at least if she's there in the mountains and has a bad 1st day she'll have to go back and things will improve.
I'd give the lessons a miss and go to a beginners resort instead. I took my wife to Levi in Lapland for her first attempt and it was fantastic, masses to do off the slopes, and a brilliant environment for children.
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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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If you do find someone who will give you lessons, don't make it too obvious at Xscape as I think they take a dim view of independent instructors giving paid lessons.
Rather than choose a resort based on available terrain I'd recommend you choose a great ski school first, resort second. Having seen other beginners learn to ski with New Generation in Courchevel I'd recommend them very highly, but I'm sure that others will have opinions on where you could go.
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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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Give Interski a go (www.interski.co.uk) as they have their own ski school and the progression of slopes in Pila is amazing for beginners. Avoid Courmayeur as once you've done the baby bowl it starts to get a bit daunting for a beginner.
If Courchevel is your chosen destination I agree with Rob, the guys at New Gen are very good. I put a lot of work their way when I ran a chalet there, alternatively Ski Supreme.
Maybe Mountain Masters in Val Disease, sorry d'Isere.
Alternatively come to Sun Peaks and we'll have you at the top of a mountain in your first day...i kid you not!
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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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I'd disagree with the comments above and say "get the lessons". She's already been on a holiday and wants to go back, so a bad experience should be put down as such.
Even just one or two lessons make the difference between spending a week on the nursery slope and cruising the mountain. Have you asked about availability on the "fast track" or "full day" lesson options. This is obviously more intense, but should be worth it. Alternatively, is there a dry slope nearby?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Would tend to agree with Elizabeth B.
Try a different day and get a couple of lessons...
Was there last night (a tuesday), some lessons were happening, (ok, mostly boarders), groups were really small and by 10pm the main slope was all but empty save self + a few boarders.
Definately wrth doing - you can always get lessons in-resort as well.
There's a dry slope about 20miles further South, at Hemel, if MK is booked. Google search for the website, it's quite informative.
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Peter Leuzzi, have you thought of going to Tamworth instead? Depending on where you live, it's not much further and, although it's not so glitzy, I've always found the staff much friendlier and had a better time there than at MK. They also tend to be a wee bit cheaper. The people having lessons usually look as if they're enjoying it.
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There are a few dry slopes round north london from what i remember. Look at http://www.amc-comm.demon.co.uk/ for a list of slopes.
You can't teach independently at the indoor slopes, and if you do you'll be kicked off pretty quickly. You also have to be of a recognised standard before you can use the main slope and if you say you can ski and for example can't do controlled turns you'll be kicked off quickly and told to book some lessons.
They do offer "ski in a day" packages from what i remember, or could do. That way you could add Leeds (Castleford) or Tamworth to the books and make a weekend break of it???
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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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Peter Leuzzi, there are about 130 dry slopes in the UK. Milton Keynes can't be your only option. From the south east (off the top of my head), I can think of Bracknell, Aldershot, Sandown, Beckton Alp, Tunbridge Wells, Welwyn. I'm sure there are lots of others as well. there's nothing wrong with plastic.
Remember though, that snow is slidier than plastic - but then you've both been on snow before, so it shouldn't bother you. You don't fall down as much learning ski-ing as you do snowboarding 
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