 Poster: A snowHead
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Heya,
I'm after some advice about getting back into skiing. Firstly, let me explain where I'm coming from:
I have skied about three/four times previously (i.e. having been on at-least-one-week skiing holidays), and got to a level of transitioning to non-snowplough turns, albeit not necessarily with any great elegance. The last time though was about 15 years ago, and I'm now a large, 33-year-old man with below-average fitness. I used to regularly do 20+ mile cycle rides last year, and managed to haul myself around the Reading Half-Marathon this year (albeit slowly), but I've done precious little exercise since then, unfortunately. I'm 6'2" tall, and approx 22 stone, which is 2 stone heavier than when I ran the half-marathon earlier in the year, and about 3-4 stone heavier than when I last skied. For me at least, it seems that new relationships are not conducive to eating healthy food and finding time to exercise!
Anyway, with my brother going snowboarding again next year, and my new partner having previously enjoyed skiing holidays herself, I'm discovering a new-found enthusiasm for going again. I also have a new keep-fit plan planned for post-Xmas which should get me back to a good level of fitness, however I am keen to get started before then. Also, as I've not skied for so long, I'm not sure how much I'm going to have to learn again, and how much is "like riding a bike". Back when I last skied, it was all about ski length for tall/large people, but these days I believe less so? I was hoping maybe this weekend, or within a few weeks at least, to head to the snow place at Milton Keynes to see for myself whether I remembered how to ski.
So, here's the real question now ... what should I expect? What will I need from the skis to support my weight/height; i.e. will I have any problems finding some suitable ones there? Are there any specific tips for returning-skiers? Should I start with a lesson, or just see how I go on my own?
Advice very much appreciated 
DaKid
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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DaKid, welcome to snowHeads! 
If you can get to Milton Keynes, you would presumably have no difficulty in getting to Hemel? In that case, I would warmly recommend a few sessions with http://www.insideoutskiing.com/ to get you back into the groove - perhaps a holiday tune-up clinic, or an improver's course, or even a private lesson or two.
Rob (snowHead rob@rar) and Scott (snowHead skimottaret) are excellent instructors. Their prices include equipment hire, so you can experiment with ski length. (The hire skis at Hemel are Heads, and quite acceptable.)
Good luck!
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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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Didn't even know there was one there. I'm not really very familiar with the area, but Google Maps suggests that Hemel is actually about half an hour closer to me in Maidenhead!
I think what I might do is spend an hour recreationally skiing to find my feet again. Given that I used to be able to do parallel turns almost all the time, and that I have experience without falling over/off of all sorts of lifts, I ought to be ok really.
From that first session, I can then decide whether I want to take it further and prepare for a holiday, or whether I'm past enjoying it!!
Thank you for that ... much appreciated.
Out of interest, any idea how much lessons would cost from the two charming people you mentioned?
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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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| DaKid wrote: |
| Out of interest, any idea how much lessons would cost from the two charming people you mentioned? |
£89 for a clinic or for a private lesson, which includes slope access and hire of ski kit if you require it.
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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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Thank you. Seems pretty reasonable. May get in touch about it after my first visit.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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DaKid,
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a large, 33-year-old man with below-average fitness. I used to regularly do 20+ mile cycle rides last year, and managed to haul myself around the Reading Half-Marathon this year (albeit slowly), but I've done precious little exercise since then, unfortunately. I'm 6'2" tall, and approx 22 stone, which is 2 stone heavier than when I ran the half-marathon earlier in the year,
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- so you know 90% of the answer then 
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DaKid, did you get to Hemel as yet? If so, how did it go?
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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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| TallTone wrote: |
| DaKid, did you get to Hemel as yet? If so, how did it go? |
Yes, I did; thank you for asking. I went for a recreational hour with my girlfriend and really enjoyed it, apart from the uncomfortable boots. I then had a 90-minute lesson with Rob from Inside-out skiing which was really good, and I've since been again to test the new boots I've bought from Solutions4Feet, although they weren't quite perfect first-time. I'll be up there again this weekend, hopefully, as I have now got some custom liners to improve things!
In terms of technique, I pretty much remembered everything the first time I went, at the beginning of January. Rob certainly helped loads, although I hope to have at least one more lesson before I go. I know that I wasn't putting everything into practice on Saturday that he talked to me about, so obviously I need things to be hammered into my thick skull, rather than remembering everything first time 
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