 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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v1cky24, he's all mouth. Normally the first time they get on a chair lift and see the enormity of the terrain they (snowdome skiers) realise that they know very little.
Just make sure you dont get stuck chaperoning him about
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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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v1cky24, Group holidays are a nightmare and involves a lot of compromise. My suggestion would be to smile every time he prattles on between now and the holiday and watch the mountain tame him when you get there. 
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I know lots of people who've (succesfully) done black runs during their first week. In fact, I know someone who attempted one on her first day. Admittedly she didn't actually get down it, tried to shuffle down on her backside, but got cold and bored (it was quite a long run) and had to be given a lift down by a man on a snowmobile, but hey.
Forget about it. Let them do what they like and when they inevitably fall on their arses you can laugh and laugh and laugh. Or they'll impress you. I shouldn't worry about it though.
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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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Nadenoodlee, That's what I thought. Although he keeps saying it over and over.
At least he has a helmet 
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v1cky24, bet he soils himself on first steep run 
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v1cky24, I've been skiing with a few people before who've never had a single lesson. My brother-in-law I remember in particular. He bimbled about on the nursery slope on the first morning whilst we offered encouraging comments, then skied with us for the rest of the week with no problems. He's one of these fearless types (works as a roofer) and just seemed to have natural abillity. Yes, we mentioned he should have lessons but the cost was prohibitive and he was confident he'd get the hang of it.
One of my current ski buddies is also 'self-taught'. He has no style whatsoever but can get down anything and certainly isn't a danger to himself or others.
So my advice is, don't worry. Like Nadenoodlee says, he may just be all mouth. Or he may just be one of these irritating people that really can do everything!
I always question the value of expensive lessons for holiday skiers. It's a big cost on top of the holiday and the word 'holiday' is paramount. As long as they aren't a danger to themselves or others, who cares if they don't 'progress' or have any style? It's about having fun after all.
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best find the hardest run and take him there first.... put up or shutup
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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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Watching a beginner frantically snowploughing as hard as they can, in a straight line, down something far too steep for them is - for me - one of the true joys of skiing.
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My OH is trying to 'self teach' - I fear he will never make it off the green slopes..
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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He who dares ....falls
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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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paulio, indeed.
v1cky24, odds are, once trying a mid-red he'll see the error in his judgement and will back-down. Remind him that it's far more important to ski a blue run impeccably well than hack your way down a black run.
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v1cky24, make sure they have insurance
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You know it makes sense.
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I once spent a week in Verbier in a chalet where there was a guy like that going on about how he was going to do blacks all day. We took him with us the next day and sure enough he was doing blacks all day until the final run which entailed going down a fairly steep mogul field with trees on both sides... Somewhere half way down this guy detaches from his skis and body surfs the moguls all the way dow to the bend where he body surfs into the next tree. End of holiday 
I would advise him to spend a bit of time learning first!
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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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| v1cky24 wrote: |
| My OH is trying to 'self teach' - I fear he will never make it off the green slopes.. |
Nah, he'll just be a hacker rather than an elegant skier. My younger bro is effectively self-taught (I tried to show him a bit of technique, but he wasn't all that interested) and we'll happily saunter off down a mogulled black together. Now, he'll fall over a lot, and I (mostly) won't - but we'll have a lot of fun doing it (and I'll have a lot of fun laughing at him). And that's all that matters isn't it. Fun.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I should also point out that the sibling in question has only skied two weeks, which were a year apart, punter style.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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paulio, I've booked him into lessons... I'm a meddling wife of course.
I'm a bit concerned though, because we might have made a poor choice in resort...it seems to be geared up to experts with lots of bowls/steeps
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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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v1cky24, it could go either way.
Last year a few of us went away and one lad came with us who had never seen a mountain before, much less skied on one. It was only a long weekend so I and another couple of friends agreed to ski with him for a bit, but told him that if he was struggling we may have to leave him on the nursery slopes as we didn't want to be saddled with a complete novice for all of the weekend. It turns out he was a complete natural, and was easily getting down red runs by the first lunchtime. Despite going a fair bit slower than I normally would it was termendously enjoyable to be with a friend while they picked it up and clearly enjoyed it so much.
On the flip side, I've been away with a friend who'd done a day's lesson in a fridge and decided that further lessons were not required. Unfortunately she was completely overwhelmed by the blues and after a couple of mornings of no progress pretty much quit skiing for the week.
The trick is to make sure that you don't sacrifice your holiday to help out beginners. While its great to be part of a big group, skiing is one of those things that you have to be a bit selfish about as its your holiday too. If the beginners can keep up with you, then great. But if not you have to be a bit cruel sometimes and split up. Besides, there's nothing worse as a beginner to think that you're holding up the rest of the group.
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He will change his mind and don't worry about it.
The main chair up has a steep bit in all directions just off the top. I wouyldn't have notcied this at all but I know this because my son who was adept at Castleford thanks to the lions, bottled it big time when faced with it (he was 5 at the time).
Actually I wouldn't self teach at Panorama- the quality of their teaching is good, and the beauty of canada is that you only need book the lessons you want/need. No need to book a whole week.
We are now booking Panorama for mid feb.
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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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Luckily in Canada there's usually an easy way and a hard way down from the top. So jsut find the nearest convenient double black diamond and I'm sure a reassesment will be made upon looking over the edge.
That said, who's not excited about going skiing and dreamiing of what they want to do. 
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gryphea, I was thinking about the top of the mountain, I've read that they are generous? (not sure if that's the right word) with their grading system and although there is a blue run from the top, it is comparable to blacks elsewhere.
gryfon, Very true, who can blame him for being excited eh?
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I'm a big fan of ski companions being prepared to try something hard and/or out of their comfort zone. Just a guess, but I reckon more timid people ruin ski holidays for their friends by throwing their toys out of the pram after a difficult run than overly brave ones do by getting injured trying something too difficult.
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v1cky24, make sure he has good insurance including ski-rescue/repatriation, NO compromise. Get agitated about it. Perhaps he'll start to comprehend your concerns.
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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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v1cky24,
Agree with andyph and also make sure he has liability insurance for if he is sued after a crash. Also this is canada and not France and if he is skiing to the point of endangering others (particularly children) then he runs a real risk of having his pass taken away. Parents WILL snitch on him, if they feel he can't stop, is out of control on the higher up runs.
I cannot remember the runs in detail at Panorama - we were there two years ago, but to get to the top he has to be able to do a couple of runs- he can't just get one lift all the way to the top, and lets face it he'll fall off the first chari lift exit! I remember skiing a black from the top, that was easier than most and some blue glades that were harder than most.
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I agree, just make sure he has good insurance and don't worry. At least he's enthusiastic!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| v1cky24 wrote: |
Nadenoodlee, That's what I thought. Although he keeps saying it over and over.
At least he sounds like a helmet |
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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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| Quote: |
v1cky24, make sure he has good insurance including ski-rescue/repatriation, NO compromise.
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Agree with andyph and also make sure he has liability insurance for if he is sued after a crash.
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I agree, just make sure he has good insurance and don't worry.
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Errrrr, no.... A general principle of all personal accident insurance policies is that you shouldn't act recklessly or knowingly put yourself or others in harms way! If he's genuinely being reckless and he causes himself or others injury, he might find his insurance co disowning him... especially if it's a biggie, there are witnesses, there's other evidence pointing to his recklessness. Not saying it would happen but the possibility exists. Chances are that the first time he picks up real speed he'll brick himself and realise he hasn't the necessary competence and he'll go get a lesson or three.
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Panorama is not renowned for being the most extreme of resorts - despite the marketing of the Extreme Zone & Tayton Bowl so I'm sure you'll find moderate groomers for you all to cut your teeth on without massive danger to anyone.
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You know it makes sense.
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make sure he is insured... 
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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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Yes listen to Bode Swiller and tell him not to get insurance.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Ski behind him at all times.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hey give the guy a chance. He may say he wants to do a black but suspect that's just bravado because he feels worried he will hold you all back.
Talk him into doing lessons in the morning and skiing with you in the afternoon.
Can I ask, if you are so concerned, why did you ask him?
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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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We had a friend like that, who had only ever skiied a few weeks on a dry slope. He was half decent and could do a strong snow plough turn by the time our trip to the snow came around.
He repeatedly said, in the run up to the trip, that we wouldn't see him for dust once we got on holiday - but when he did hit the slopes he was so petrified that he spent the whole of day 1 on green runs.
We managed to get him down a red on day 4 and he was so freaked out when he got to the bottom (after making avery good attempt at it..) that he had to sit down for a fag. When he took his gloves off to light up he couldn't stop his hands from shaking! Then he came out with the phrase that will forever live in our memory of classic ski quotes. Wait for it.....
"I'm ok. I wasn't frightened - just nervous!" 
Priceless!!
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| andyph wrote: |
| Yes listen to Bode Swiller |
Absolutely.
I didn't say "don't get insurance" (go twist your own words), I merely pointed out the fact that it doesn't protect nutters.
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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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He may or may not follow through with his desire to do the black runs. His talk however should not bother you it is just a fairly typical extravert response to fear and excitement. Think about who he is trying to convince?? You know that you are not buying it, It is merely him trying to convince himself that he can do these things, its just a coping mechanism. Also if he tells everyone he will do them he can use your expectation to convince himself that he needs to do them even if he decides he does not want to.
When you are there try not to remind him of his determination to do the blacks and he may be happy to forget if he is enjoying the lower grades.
Oh and yes ski behind him 
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Also tell him to google "skiers code of conduct" and to study it. I would bet that he he has'nt a clue what it is. It is a bit like the highway code and maybe that might make him realise that in this fantastic sport there are some rules to protect all participants including himself but also other people. It might just save some heartache. A pair of ski's in the wrong feet can be dangerous weapons just like a car can. - now I will get off my pulpit 
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fatbob, thanks for the info on Panorama
rob@rar, skiing behind him sounds like sensible advice!
bar shaker, we asked him to come along so he could try skiing, we thought he might like it. I don't want him to kill himself in the process though!
He probably is just talking out of his arris. I'll wait and see what happens when we get there I guess.
snowbandit, I am 100% sure he has not seen the skiers code of conduct. I may forward him an email of it!
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v1cky24,
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I am 100% sure he has not seen the skiers code of conduct. I may forward him an email of it!
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Very good idea. As an instructor I tend to teach safety as appropriate to the environment in which I'm teaching. So the chances are if he's only ever had lessons in a dome he will be completely clueless when it comes to safety and etiquette in a mountain environment.
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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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beanie1, ... off-topic alert  ... so are you heading up to China for some skiing this season ?
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rayscoops, not sure. I've not looked in detail at Chinese resorts - the only one I've looked at is Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, but it's so high I think I may pass! http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/china-ski-resort/jade-dragon-snow-mountain.htm Would need too much time to acclimatise.
I'd like to go to Japan, but a lot of it depends on my new job. Not signed the contract yet, but they may not allow me to take holiday in first 3 months. The holiday rules are really strict here (the legal minimum is something like 7 days and no need to give an employee any at all in the first year!). I'm very lucky in that my job gives me 20 days (plus public holidays - of which there are a lot in HK). So I'm hoping at the very least to be able to ski in April, and possibly might head to NZ next summer.
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FAQ
