 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi guys, I'm new to this site but more importantly new to skiing. I somehow managed to let my boyfriend convince me to join him on his annual ski trip to ischgl in march. To say I'm defecating myself is an understatement to say the least!!! Now that all the ski gear is coming thru the post I'm getting even more nervous! I have a days lesson booked for 7th feb at Hemel Hempstead snow dome to try and learn the basics but any other advice or words of wisdom would be gratefully received :/
Anna
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Skivirgin77:
(1) lessons at Hemel is the right thing to do.
(2) get lessons in the resort as well.
(3) do not allow your other half or his mates to persuade you to go on any slope that you're uneasy about
(4) welcome to snowHeads
(5) we all started in the same place (well, not Hemel, obviously).
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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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| Skivirgin77 wrote: |
To say I'm defecating myself is an understatement to say the least!!!
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laundryman meet Skivirgin77...he could be just what you need...
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
(3) do not allow your other half or his mates to persuade you to go on any slope that you're uneasy about
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Agreed - I took Mrs B out on "easy" slopes soon after she started and we had one of the biggest arguments of all time and I had to climb back up and walk down the slope with her. Thankfully she still skis! People who have skied for a bit have absolutely no concept of what it is like to be learning and terrified!
By all means go out with OH for a gentle ski, but stick to runs you went on with the class in the morning. If in any doubt - take the chair down.
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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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And if you're that nervous ....don't forget the poopy scooper!!? Don't like seeing brown snow!!! 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Haha Simon - that made me laugh!!! Don't worry I'm a responsible person and will defo clean up after myself lol.
Thanks Iski...makes me feel like I could actually enjoy this lol...enjoy your trips!
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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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I wouldn't worry about it for the Hemel lesson though.
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if your legs feel it afterwards - especially 48 hours afterwards - that'll be the sign that you need to do some work on your leg muscles.
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks crazy skier....I agreed to go just before Xmas so as of 1st jan I have been on a low cal diet to ensure I'm in tip top condition plus I've been going to the gym every other day doing 1 1/2 sessions...about an hour cardio and half hour weights. I'm hoping I'm doing as much as poss to prepare myself...it's just the nerves I'm finding hard to control lol. Luckily my BF is very supportive though we are able to laugh at each other all the same! 
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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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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Skivirgin77, welcome!  Sounds like you're preparing brilliantly - you'll be fine!
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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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Gee thanks Chassuer - I was just beginning to like you too! 
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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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| Quote: |
Essential ingredient....is he taking a camera to record the event at Hemel?
We like a good laugh on here too wink Little Angel Toofy Grin
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It's actually a great idea. I only started skiing last year and after four dry slope lessons and a day at Glenshee went to the 3V with a mate who was a very good teacher and took a lot of video which I was forced to sit through every evening. Can't deny it was pretty embarrassing at times but a masssive help being able to see what I was doing wrong.
I'll probably get slapped down here but I haven't been for any in resort lessons and really don't think I've suffered for it. My mate (snowhead's own andyrew) really brought me on and by the end of the week I'd skied 330 downhill km (according to ski tracks) and got several blacks under my belt. If I'd spent the week in ski school I'd have got to do a red on the final day if I was really lucky. Obviously it depends on the person you're going with and your own aptitude but I'm massively glad I wasn't in lessons that week.
Anyway, Skivirgin77, if you're anything like me you'll be instantly hooked. Have been on one trip this season already, have another booked in March and am soooo close to booking another week.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Wed 23-01-13 21:04; edited 1 time in total
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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swiftoid, for every person who is happily hooked on skiing by a skilled and patient friend, there are probably several who are put off for ever by well-meaning but unskilled friends (or husbands, quite often). After just one lesson in Hemel I personally think the OP would be much better off having lessons. Her BF can then go and have a good blast, and they can ski together afterwards.
Yes, some people are "naturals", but most of us aren't.
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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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Skivirgin77, whatever you do, don't get talked into skiing back down to Ischgl! Its all red runs and get very icy and bumpy in the afternoon.
Ischgl is a nice place, if a bit expensive, I'm sure you'll have a good time.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I second all advice so far.
I was a boyfriend who dragged her girlfriend along skiing. We're now husband and wife so it wasn't a total disaster!
Definitely get a weeks worth of lessons when you go, and go every day, hangover or not. If you miss a day, you'll feel way behind the group when you return. My wife still attends ski school on our current ski holidays. Partly for the tuition but also because she enjoys the company of a fun group of similar ability people. It also means I get the morning to go where I want and we ski together in the afternoon. If she's tired by mid afternoon she retires to the bar/chalet and I get a few more exciting runs in to finish the day off. She did panic on our first ski holiday and the second, and a bit on the third (even in ski school)... she has her moments even now six years on if I'm honest, but she does enjoy it. She's a mellow skier looking for gentle picturesque skiing rather than full on adrenaline. I think it’s important to establish what 'type' of skiing you enjoy - it’s a holiday after all. One trick to get ahead she adopted was to offer the instructor a free night out on the beers at the end of the holiday providing he taught her how to parallel ski... at my expense of course, but it worked! Also don't be tempted to take advice from other 'holiday skiers', a bit like learning to drive; they potentially could pass on bad habbits.
Definitely do not be pushed into skiing areas other skiers in the group 'recommend', to ski as a group they must join you on YOUR slopes that you've already done in your lessons, not the other way around.
On the topic of Hemel Hemsted (or any other ski centre), I'm in two minds... I went to the Milton Keynes indoor ski centre just before we went skiing one year and every other person had the same idea- it was rammed and frankly so over crowded it was a little dangerous. My wife did a few runs but I suggested she didn't stay very long- it was doing nothing for her confidence having so many people around her zipping past (she'd been bulldozed by a snowboarder one holiday before). If thats the case when you go - don't let it put you off, the width/space of a proper slope is sooooo much better.
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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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| dredgey wrote: |
On the topic of Hemel Hemsted (or any other ski centre), I'm in two minds... I went to the Milton Keynes indoor ski centre just before we went skiing one year and every other person had the same idea- it was rammed and frankly so over crowded it was a little dangerous. My wife did a few runs but I suggested she didn't stay very long- it was doing nothing for her confidence having so many people around her zipping past (she'd been bulldozed by a snowboarder one holiday before). If thats the case when you go - don't let it put you off, the width/space of a proper slope is sooooo much better. |
I agree that conditions on the main slope can be a little itimidating at times. However, if the OP is having beginner lessons (as seems to be the case) she won't be on the main slope, but with an instructor on the teaching slope. There will therefore be much less chance of people zipping past her as only clients taking lessons with instructors are allowed on the teaching slope.
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| dredgey wrote: |
On the topic of Hemel Hemsted (or any other ski centre), I'm in two minds... I went to the Milton Keynes indoor ski centre just before we went skiing one year and every other person had the same idea- it was rammed and frankly so over crowded it was a little dangerous. |
At Hemel you can't go on the main slope until you can link your turns. Pure beginners learn in either a fenced-off section or on the smaller slope away from the loons.
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You know it makes sense.
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My first ever ski trip was to Ischgl about 5 year's ago and I can recommend the ski school. It's a very non-British resort (part of the reason my friends and I like it) but most of the instructors speak English and you will almost certainly end up in a group where English is the common language.
As Skivirgin77's said unless you turn out to be a natural just take the gondola back down - there's no shame in it as the runs back to town tend to get wither very bumpy or, if it's warm slushy and meh.
Assuming you are hiring your boots don't be shy and all British about going back if they don't fit well. Skiing in Jan I saw one the the beginners in the group's skiing transformed over-night by swapping boots.
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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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Iski, Chasseur, Valid points. I've never been to Hemel and now that you say it, I'm sure the lessons at M/Keynes were on a seperate slope. My wife was was returning there to brush up having been skiing for a few holidays before, so wasn't allowed on the smaller slope as she wasn't in a lesson.
No worriesSkivirgin77. True that it must have been fine for her not to bin me after our first ski holiday. Although I'm sure it could have gone the other way if I had tried to persuade her to try other slopes! I just used the time to take pictures/videos of her skiing the slopes she was happy doing. I'm sure you'll be fine at Hemel as Iski, Chasseur, have noted. Its good they have a seperate area for learners to keep out the way of lunatics!
hahaha, I'll look out for you on Ski Sunday!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Skivirgin77, I used Pro-feet a couple of months back for replacing old boots - they're pretty good. Needed some minor adjustments after first week in them which they did and all seems well now....though will be better able to report on that in a couple of weeks 
You need to book and allow about 2 hours - I'd recommend Arek, he seemed to really know his stuff.
Alternatively, you could try Snow & Rock at Hemel where you have the advantage of being able to try the boots out and have them adjusted if needs be - recommend George without any hesitation - he's just been doing the fitting for my son. Very knowledgeable and a really nice guy. No booking system there - just first come first serve.
If you really take to the skiing during the lessons at Hemel, for sure invest in probably the best piece of equipment you will ever appreciate.
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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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I taught Mrs Anarski to ski at Ischgl. Somehow she still puts up with me.
Ischgl is a great resort for learning because, as a beginner you don't get left at the bottom of the mountain all week. Instead you will all travel up on the gondola lift each morning with everyone else and as a beginner you can ski comfortably on the easy slopes around Idalp - where you can meet your friends for lunch. Later in the week you can move on to the easy slopes above Alp Trida - well groomed and comforting gradients.
On NO account must you try to ski back to the village - ALWAYS take the lift back down - it's no shame - loads of people do it to avoid the hopelessly busy run back.
I took Mrs Anarski down the home run and it was almost the end of it.
and take a bit of extra spending money - It's seriously expensive there - I remember seeing a pair of goggles for EUR600 (and that was 2001...) what on earth was I doing in the Bognor shop?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| pam w wrote: |
swiftoid, for every person who is happily hooked on skiing by a skilled and patient friend, there are probably several who are put off for ever by well-meaning but unskilled friends (or husbands, quite often). After just one lesson in Hemel I personally think the OP would be much better off having lessons. Her BF can then go and have a good blast, and they can ski together afterwards.
Yes, some people are "naturals", but most of us aren't. |
I appreciate what you're saying pam.
Btw, I wouldn't say I was a 'natural'. Far from it really. I was worked very hard but it did me the world of good being with someone who seemed to get a kick out of seeing me improve and knew the area really well so knew where to take me to always be pushing me just enough to keep improving without freaking me out too much. I went to LDA with a different friend in December and had a whale of a time but if that had have been my first trip I wouldn't have had nearly as good a time as I had in the 3V last year. The mate I went with in Dec is a pretty decent skier but just doesn't have that teaching ability hence my ' Obviously it depends on the person you're going with' comment. I know I got extremely lucky on my first trip and for that I'll be eternally grateful!
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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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Defecating and pooping. What is the younger generation coming to. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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One thing that is a little odd about the Ischgl group ski school is that it runs from 11:15am to 2:15pm, with ~30 min for lunch. It's the only place I've ever done ski school but I'm told it's more normal to have ski school 9:00am to 12:00. Just tell the boyfriend to have an extra boiled egg at breakfast as he will have to wait till 2:15 before he can meet up with you and buy you lunch ^_^
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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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Ugh. I came to this thread hoping to cack my pants and post 'ME TOO!'. Imagine my disappointment when it was about skiing.
Having only learned recently myself, I think that the indoor lessons are a bit of a waste. You spend so long queuing for the drag lift, and the run is so short that I think it's a bit of a waste. What takes an hour to 'get' in MK takes about 15 minutes on an actual slope
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| akisuan wrote: |
| Having only learned recently myself, I think that the indoor lessons are a bit of a waste. You spend so long queuing for the drag lift, and the run is so short that I think it's a bit of a waste. What takes an hour to 'get' in MK takes about 15 minutes on an actual slope |
I'd say exactly the opposite. We did about two weeks of lessons in Hemel Hempstead before ever hitting the Alps, and when we got onto a real mountain we found we could quite comfortably ski down most of it. Of course the real slopes were so much better  but I don't regret the time or money spent at the Snow Centre at all -- indeed we're going back there in a few weeks time for more lessons (with an outside provider this time).
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FAQ
), and you'll already be ahead of the raw beginners when you get out to the resort.
