Sking....

StartingAgainKayla70 · 27 January 2007 at 1:29PM

I have decided to learn how to ski, in a few years I will be 40 and I was thinking to myself, What have I done? nothing, so I thought I am going to come out of my comfort zone and give it a go.

The nearest ski place to me is Tamworths snowdome, has anyone been? Is anyone else thinking of learning? It does scare me a bit, as I am not as brave as I use to be in my younger days LOL

*****UPDATE UPDATE*******************************************************
Well I have just had my very first skiing lesson and it was fantastic, I just thought I would update you with how I got on. I am now going to book myself on an intermediate course. Yipee wished I had done it years ago.

Hotspur · 27 January 2007 at 7:51PM

Go for it Michaela. My colleague at work went ski-ing for the first time this year and she retires in a few weeks at 60. You are never too old and once you get in the mountains you will wonder why you didn't do it before as the whole experience is wonderful. Nothig to be scared of as it is pretty safe these days with the boots and quick release bindings on the skis.

I'd book a holiday to a resort in Austria or Italy for a first trip and use Tamworth for a few lessons prior to going away. That way you will have a head start on other beginners. I was at Tamworth last Monday for a practice but don't base ski-ing on Tamworth though as the environment is nothing like the real thing.

A very sociable holiday with the emphasis on fun with a capital F.

You know you want to

bluep · 27 January 2007 at 8:42PM

Tamworth is far better than having beginner lessons on a dry-slope though (which is how I started off! - like ski-ing on a wire brush and very painful when you fell over). The snow at Tamworth isn't half as fun as real ski-slopes, but if you can get to the point where you can snowplough and turn albeit very slowly and wobbly, you'll get so much more out of your first ski holiday.

Just remember when you go to a ski-ing resort, lots of people spend as much time as possible each day on the slopes - its just not worth it. Get a few good hours ski-ing in and toddle off when you realise that you're a bit tired and not enjoying it as much as the first few hours. I usually ski in the morning, have a lovely lunch on the slopes and then do another couple of runs in the afternoon, then nip off for a nice soak in a hot-tub, jacuzzi, sauna...etc... So, pick a hotel with a few luxuries - it will help with the aching muscles!

Go for it! You'll have a great time.

Cumbrian_Male · 28 January 2007 at 12:47AM

My mam and sis did this a few years ago. Mam was over 60 at the time.

They went to Bulgaria and booked holiday including ski school. They said it was great and went back the following year.

Bulgaria was just taking off with the winter tourism then. I can ask where they went and with whom if your interested.

It was Borovets in Bulgaria, booked through Thompson about £300 pp this was about 5 years ago.

StartingAgainKayla70 · 28 January 2007 at 12:48PM

Thanks for the replies, I am really excited, going to get some trousers to wear over my jeans and some gloves, apparently go outdoors have a good sale on. Cant wait and now my mate has said she wants to learn also, so thats even better.

fuzyfelt · 28 January 2007 at 2:07PM

I'd agree with everyone else, especially bluep... I've been skiing about 10 years, going most years. Decided fairly quickly i'd be a 'recreational skier' and got a comfy pair of boots and always take it easy, while my mates mostly went for high performance boots, and end up with numb feet and sore toes and falling down black runs...

Snow dome doesnt compare to real skiing, but good to get a feel for it - even if only to get used to putting boots on a getting into skis and using lifts... and falling over... I normally go there for a night a week or so before going skiing just to get my ski-legs back. I think they only have fairly basic boots there, and just one make. They're ok for beginning, but the make they have may not suit your feet. Even if you're not going to buy any, may be worth going to a shop and trying on some different types (will take a couple of hours) so you can see what suits you if you're put off by the ones at the snow dome...

Good luck (break a leg?

) and maybe see you at the snowdome in a few weeks...

oh, and best wearing long johns under you ski pants - comfier than jeans...

Andy

StartingAgainKayla70 · 28 January 2007 at 4:04PM

fuzyfelt wrote:

Good luck (break a leg? ) oh, and best wearing long johns under you ski pants - comfier than jeans...
Andy

Sounds sexy, will look into it!

shockingmoment · 28 January 2007 at 5:33PM

Go do it - your only regret will be not having done it sooner.
TKMax is just great for ski wear. You've missed the Aldi sales for ski gear - try them tho - they may have a few bits left.

At this stage - a pair of salopettes / gloves will do, with your outdoor coat. A hat too perhaps.

Hotspur · 28 January 2007 at 6:46PM

I got a surprise in my local Tesco today, they have started selling ski wear. Jackets for £45/£50 and Sallopettes £35/40. All waterproof and breathable. Worth a look in the sports section if you have a large Tesco near you. Also TK Maxx may have some skiwear left at resonable prices.

StartingAgainKayla70 · 28 January 2007 at 7:13PM

With me going for my first lesson, I wouldnt look over the top with sellopets? (got the gear but cant do anything look) also I know this is going to sound stupid but do you turn up wearing your gear or do you get changed when you get in the place?

thanks

fuzyfelt · 28 January 2007 at 7:46PM

You'll need to wear ski pants, otherwise end up cold and wet. There are changing rooms at the snowdome, but i normally just go in the gear... i think everybody else does. (well, not the goggles, gloves and silly hat... maybe put those on when you get into your skis...

)

Sking....

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