 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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funinthesnow, Where are you going that has snow in November? I'd pop down to TK max and sort her out with some Ski pants, jacket, gloves and socks. Went into our local TK today, they had a lot of cheap gear. A good tip here, make sure she has lessons, and don't try and teach her yourself.
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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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Alpe d'Huez - but its the very end of Nov/overlapping with beginning of Dec.
Will that be ok do you think?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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 havent booked it yet - i have just enquired - so could maybe delay it but it was an ideal time thats all? And liked the idea of surprising her a little bit!
Yes she wouldnt let me teach her nor would i want to! so thats fine!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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funinthesnow, Go to Tignes instead better chance of snow.
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She normally just wears tracksuit bottoms, a hoodie and a waterproof jacket plus gloves. So think she might need something else? Dont you think or am i out of touch!
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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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A friend of mine went there last season. I dont think the skiing in the glacier is great to learn on. (too steep). Not sure how early in the season the snow falls in the lower slopes, I would be surprised if there was much snow lower down in November though. Sure someone will be along soon to advise you on that one.
You should definitely take her away for a surprise trip, she will love it , but I think November might be a bit early. I don't know if any tour operators do trips that early. Xmas would make a great trip if you can go then.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Sun 27-09-09 22:12; edited 1 time in total
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funinthesnow, I'd agree with the comments above - skiing in November is for hardcore enthusiasts. Unless you strike really lucky with the weather she'll get a dreary impression - auite possibly a grey, drizzly, deserted and half-closed resort with a long trek up a mountain to possibly rather icy slopes, with snow quality rather worse than she's used to indoors in the UK. Few resorts open fully before mid December and even those which do can have poor quality snow - just a few years ago, in the second week of December, there was just 1 lift open in the whole of the Courchevel Valley and none at all in Meribel. Even in Val Thorens - one of the highest of the lot - most of the lifts were closed. It was nice and sunny, though. 
What to wear should be the least of your problems. A visit to a T K Maxx would be fun - if your wife is anything like most women she'd prefer to shop for herself, with you helping out from experience of what's needed. Goggles will be a main difference - and generally stuff for coping with winds and wind chill.
If you absolutely MUST go in November then one possibility would be to get in touch with Charlotte Swift about some lessons in Les Deux Alpes (see easiski.com).
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Well how much do you want to spend? ski clothing runs from cheap and nasty through cheap(ish) and decent all the way to (really) expensive, which can be excellent or just ok. (There are ways and means to get savings on the more expensive stuff, but buying for someone else on a relative tight timeline means you're less likely to benefit of those).
If anything, spend more on salopettes (when falling / sitting in the snow it's good to have a good quality salopette) and get her a jacket that looks cool (of course it still has to be at least decent quality).
TK Maxx often has stuff in the cheap(ish) but decent bracket. Decathlon may also be good if you're in London.
The rule is layers, make sure she has a base layer (bottoms and long-sleeve tops) that wicks moisture (again TK Maxx could help). Then a light fleece under the jacket if it's cold, or no fleece if warm. Good gloves!
Snow in November/ early December is NOT guaranteed, except maybe in glacier resorts (well, any high resort which opens for those dates will prepare at least some runs, even if it doesn't snow, but it may look grey and brown, not a sight to fall in love with). You can wait and book accommodation last minute wherever the snow falls, but flight tix more tricky.
Alpe d'Huez is a good resort for beginners mixing with advanced skiers, but I've once seen it very bony in mid December (have been back since and had great snow).
Good luck, I hope she falls in love with it!
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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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Forgot to say, cotton is NOT your friend.
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funinthesnow, I would take the November/December holiday with your buddies, not the wife!!!!
Unless the idea is to put her off skiing for life and gives you a run at the holidays with your mates any time you want as she wont be interested and would say "funinthesnow, you go and enjoy yourself " I thik that the best time to take her is March and probably to a Swiss/Italian/Austrian resort as the nightlife in those places would be more of entertainment than France.
Dont get me wrong, I love skiing therefor love France, but if I am taking beginners with me I look at going to a place more suitable for them. If you get a newbie hooked you will have a ski buddy for life! Take her to France when she can slide!
To round up: November/December with your ski pals and get another trip with the mrs. in March.
As to your question re kit, this will probably be determined what time of the year you go!
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You know it makes sense.
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Misses? more than one - you busy chap.
Anyway pedantry over. If you love her and want her to love skiing I would say AVOID November and wait until late Feb/ March next year when then snow will be better, the weather milder and you won't put her off for life. Take her somewhere with nice things OTHER than skiing too (spa, shops etc) as a week for a beginner can be quite tiring.
Well done on the gear buying option - a good start.
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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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You could look at going north in November - no, not Scotland. Scandinavia.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Hi fun in the snow,
It should be a nice surprise. As well as other stuff listed here (Salopettes, jacket, gloves, goggles, hat etc.) buy some small layers for her. Maybe some small tops she can wear under the outfit. These can be bought reltively cheap anyway 
As well s TK most high street retailers have a good selection of ski equip. When I went to Andorra I bought out of a second hand outdoor camping store in Dublin and the outfits were very reasonable so this may be another option....
Either way I hope she likes it. I know my partner wouldn't go out and buy my outfits for me! Should have trained him more before I married him ha ha.
Angela.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Forget about November, she will not get the benefit of skiing with all its attractions at that time of the year! I agree with Nadenoodlee, it is important, dare I say MOST IMPORTANT that you go to a place other than France for her first alpine experience! After all if she does not take to the sliding she can still have a good holiday! Most French resorts are perfect for the likes of us that want to slide as much as possible but the apres scene does not match the other countries I mentioned earlier!
Have fun
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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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What about Kaprun or Zell in Austria?? They are glacier resorts. You would have to see if any of the other members have been to these resorts this early in the season though as I can't speak from experience where this point is concerned.......
Should be easy enough to pick up flights with Ryanair or similar airline also to SZG.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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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Angel1977, glaciers are good fun but not the best places to learn/ gain confidence as they are normally pretty crowded (ski teams training and whoooshing past) and the snow isnt the greatest
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| Quote: |
Skiing in November is for hardcore enthusiasts. Unless you strike really lucky with the weather she'll get a dreary impression - auite possibly a grey, drizzly, deserted and half-closed resort with a long trek up a mountain to possibly rather icy slopes, with snow quality rather worse than she's used to indoors in the UK. Few resorts open fully before mid December and even those which do can have poor quality snow
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Not in my 20 years experience of early winter trips. Have skied the glaciers at Hintertux, Soelden, Pitztal, Kaunertal, Stubaital, Kaprun, Garmisch & Tignes in that time - at least 40 days on snow - and have had excellent winter snow/packed powder on every trip but one. Even that trip (Tignes one November) had passable - but hard in places - snow. Certainly not worse than an indoor slope.
There's as much chance of blue sky and good weather as at any other time of the year and going somewhere like Tignes is not a trudge up the mountain but involves a 7 minute funicular ride to emerge from an autumn-like valley into a winter wonderland. Yes, resorts can be very quiet - which means very pleasant, uncrowded slopes and no problem in getting a restaurant table on an evening for a leisurely spot of apres.
I'd say go for it - November glacier conditions are generally excellent - and be prepare to be converted to "hardcore enthusiast" status 
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Stick to what others said, go yourself in November to the glaciers and save the holiday for "herself and yourself" in March. She needs to experience the mountains in the best possible light, then she will be converted!
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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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mountainaddict, I agree that early glacier skiing can be great - for confirmed skiers. But the whole experience of resort level snow, sitting round in the restaurants admiring snow as far as the eye can see, easy beginner slopes just next to your accommodation - is much better for a complete newcomer who needs convincing. OK, it might be 7 minutes up the funicular at Tignes but first you need to get up, get there, often elbow your way on with a great throng of racers..... that sort of thing is likely to be pretty offputting to many newcomers. Last time I went to Tignes it took at least 45 minutes from climbing in the minibus to standing out on the snow - sometimes longer if you'd just missed a train.
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Pre-season glaciers are not the best option for your only ski holiday IMO. Brilliant for training and for a sneaky trip to get your winter season off to an early start. But not great for your first experience of skiing holidays.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I agree. There will be no other beginners around in November. Off season is for racers and mad ski fanatics (otherwise known as snowHeads ) who go several times a year and still take lessons. She will look around and think she is the worst skier in the world! Take her in February when the skiing muppets (I took a lesson once and when I'm not in the bar I'm a sh"t-hot skier) are around. She'll feel a lot better about herself.
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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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She will look around and think she is the worst skier in the world!
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maggi,  that's true - nothing like being surrounded by national teams training through the gates and 7 year olds skiing backwards on one leg to make you wonder why you bother!
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You know it makes sense.
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FAQ
- will be fine in resort too. Maybe some thermals in case it's really cold? If you've got a jacket, salopettes, hat or helmet and gloves then I think you're sorted. Oh and proper (thin) ski socks - they make a big difference when the boots are on all day.
s
