Convince me to consider a skiing holiday
Discussion
I have some outstanding annual leave and have booked off the 27th December for a week which takes me into the first week of January. Ideally I would move this but some of the leave must be used by the end of the year or I will lose it.
I had considered Cape Verde and Tenerife but I'm just a bit bored of All Inclusive holiday, and neither is holding much appeal at the moment.
I also looked at cruises but the dates aren't flexible and at this time of year all European based crusies are quite limited.
Skiing doesn't appeal at all really, but my Brother loves it and I'm just wondering if I am missiing out.
Some issues I have:
(please note: this is untrue and you'll receive nothing other than satisfaction in knowing you helped me).
I had considered Cape Verde and Tenerife but I'm just a bit bored of All Inclusive holiday, and neither is holding much appeal at the moment.
I also looked at cruises but the dates aren't flexible and at this time of year all European based crusies are quite limited.
Skiing doesn't appeal at all really, but my Brother loves it and I'm just wondering if I am missiing out.
Some issues I have:
- The expense: I'm lucky enough to be able to afford it but it puts me off that I may need a new big skiing coat and trousers, plus other clothing to stay warm that I'd then never use unless I go again
- Getting hurt: This makes me sound a bit of a wimp but my sister-in-law went skiing years ago and on the first day she broke her leg and had to return home.
- What's so good about it? It sounds fun sliding down a hill but I don't really get it... what is appealing about it, how would you sell it to me? Is it the scenary, the activity itself, etc?
- Where to go: I did look briefly and saw lots of options across France, Switzerland and Austria. I can easily look up recommended places, but are they broadly similar or I am guessing that it's the facilities that are different like bars or the types of slopes, or weather? Any recommendations for December into January?
(please note: this is untrue and you'll receive nothing other than satisfaction in knowing you helped me).
Do you have any friends that go and could lend you any of their clothing?
You can buy some budget stuff and just layer up with fleeces/leggings etc, I assume you are going to hire ski's/boots etc so maybe they hire clothing also?
I think the first thing I would do is go and have a lesson at one of the indoor snow centres (much more realistic than a dry slope) you can judge whether or not you like/enjoy it and how quick you get the basics. If you think it's something that you would spend your hard earned on then book more lessons and buy some gear, they'll be shops there but it will no doubt be cheaper on-line.
I'd probably suggest doing as many lessons as possible ahead of a holiday as I found not many French instructors spoke fluent English so it was a wasted exercise (but this was 20+ years ago). And you can buy wrist guards and padded shorts, elbow, knee protectors to minimise injury because you will fall over, but that is part of the fun.
In terms of where to go I'd have a look at the usual winter travel companies - Crystal ski etc and look for resorts with lots of beginner/intermediate slopes and then look at everything else, accomodation, lift pass prices, distance to the chairs/gondola's, food/drink etc.
France is probably the easiest place and cheaper that Switzerland/Austria etc, so I'd start there. The lower altitude resorts will be cheaper but potentially less snow, I like Meribel, Courchevel. It's usually rammed compared the the US/Canada however and the French seemingly don't know how to queue for lifts and will barge their way to the front which I find annoying and have had a few arguments many years ago in the lift queue.
For me it's the sense of being at the top of a mountain and the views are spectacular, and then enjoying the freedom and speed coming down, you can do big days, rest days and anything in between. At the end of the day get out of your gear and enjoy a hot chocolate and cake in front of a hot fire then have a few beers and food recanting the day with mates etc.
Damn I'm desperate to go again.
You can buy some budget stuff and just layer up with fleeces/leggings etc, I assume you are going to hire ski's/boots etc so maybe they hire clothing also?
I think the first thing I would do is go and have a lesson at one of the indoor snow centres (much more realistic than a dry slope) you can judge whether or not you like/enjoy it and how quick you get the basics. If you think it's something that you would spend your hard earned on then book more lessons and buy some gear, they'll be shops there but it will no doubt be cheaper on-line.
I'd probably suggest doing as many lessons as possible ahead of a holiday as I found not many French instructors spoke fluent English so it was a wasted exercise (but this was 20+ years ago). And you can buy wrist guards and padded shorts, elbow, knee protectors to minimise injury because you will fall over, but that is part of the fun.
In terms of where to go I'd have a look at the usual winter travel companies - Crystal ski etc and look for resorts with lots of beginner/intermediate slopes and then look at everything else, accomodation, lift pass prices, distance to the chairs/gondola's, food/drink etc.
France is probably the easiest place and cheaper that Switzerland/Austria etc, so I'd start there. The lower altitude resorts will be cheaper but potentially less snow, I like Meribel, Courchevel. It's usually rammed compared the the US/Canada however and the French seemingly don't know how to queue for lifts and will barge their way to the front which I find annoying and have had a few arguments many years ago in the lift queue.
For me it's the sense of being at the top of a mountain and the views are spectacular, and then enjoying the freedom and speed coming down, you can do big days, rest days and anything in between. At the end of the day get out of your gear and enjoy a hot chocolate and cake in front of a hot fire then have a few beers and food recanting the day with mates etc.
Damn I'm desperate to go again.
Edited by Freakuk on Tuesday 14th November 12:47
How old are you? There’s an element of overcoming fear / not worrying about falling over that’s helpful when learning to ski, and that’s more easily done when you’re in your 20’s than in your 50’s.
I’ve not skied for years now, sadly (time and lack of skiing friends) but it’s fun going down a mountain run in the sun. Nice scenery, and once you’ve got the hang of it you can get a bit of speed on which is also enjoyable. Lastly the feeling of it, with skis biting into the slope when you turn, it’s all good stuff.
I’ll leave it to the current skiers to sell you on the rest of it!
I’ve not skied for years now, sadly (time and lack of skiing friends) but it’s fun going down a mountain run in the sun. Nice scenery, and once you’ve got the hang of it you can get a bit of speed on which is also enjoyable. Lastly the feeling of it, with skis biting into the slope when you turn, it’s all good stuff.
I’ll leave it to the current skiers to sell you on the rest of it!
Thanks both - reading with interest. I am 39 by the way and would go with my Girlfriend. I think she has skiied once but when she was a child.
I live near Reading and don't think there is many indoor ski centres near me - there used by a dry slope in Bracknell but it's gone now. Thanks again - will reply properly a bit later.
I live near Reading and don't think there is many indoor ski centres near me - there used by a dry slope in Bracknell but it's gone now. Thanks again - will reply properly a bit later.
redrabbit29 said:
Thanks both - reading with interest. I am 39 by the way and would go with my Girlfriend. I think she has skiied once but when she was a child.
I live near Reading and don't think there is many indoor ski centres near me - there used by a dry slope in Bracknell but it's gone now. Thanks again - will reply properly a bit later.
Milton Keynes had an Escape indoor slope, not been to MK for years but I assume it's still there, that won't be too far I guess?I live near Reading and don't think there is many indoor ski centres near me - there used by a dry slope in Bracknell but it's gone now. Thanks again - will reply properly a bit later.
I'm watching this with interest, my Wife wants to go and I steadfastly refuse.
I cant think of anything worse than being cold and possibly wet and slipping about on skis that I have no idea how to use.
Couple that with risk of injury through my own ineptitude or being hit by someone else who cant ski either and its even less attractive.
Then add in the bright glare and lack of interesting things to look at and it is not on my "to do" list at all.
A nice Med holiday, with a beach and some nice walks around old Roman Ruins, local food in sleepy little villages, maybe hire a small boat and go exploring around the coast on the other hand...
I cant think of anything worse than being cold and possibly wet and slipping about on skis that I have no idea how to use.
Couple that with risk of injury through my own ineptitude or being hit by someone else who cant ski either and its even less attractive.
Then add in the bright glare and lack of interesting things to look at and it is not on my "to do" list at all.
A nice Med holiday, with a beach and some nice walks around old Roman Ruins, local food in sleepy little villages, maybe hire a small boat and go exploring around the coast on the other hand...
Freakuk said:
redrabbit29 said:
Thanks both - reading with interest. I am 39 by the way and would go with my Girlfriend. I think she has skiied once but when she was a child.
I live near Reading and don't think there is many indoor ski centres near me - there used by a dry slope in Bracknell but it's gone now. Thanks again - will reply properly a bit later.
Milton Keynes had an Escape indoor slope, not been to MK for years but I assume it's still there, that won't be too far I guess?I live near Reading and don't think there is many indoor ski centres near me - there used by a dry slope in Bracknell but it's gone now. Thanks again - will reply properly a bit later.
Scenery is amazing "winter wonderland" stuff we rarely ever see in the UK, plus mountains are generally BIG if you're in the Alps, Pyrenees. It's an adrenalin sport that is pretty easy to pick up and it's rewarding because it is pretty easy to keep getting better. Resorts tend to have good food and booze becoz France, Italy. Feels like a healthy thing to be doing ... plus or minus hangovers and breaking limbs. It is also just very different from what your 9 to 5 or beach holiday.
I think you have left it too late now. You need to learn how to ski, which takes time and your proposed date in December leaves you with only 1-2 lessons, then a difficult time up a mountain after Christmas. Give yourself 6 months to learn to ski so might be an option for 2024/25?
For this December, why don't you take 2 weeks instead of 1 and then go to Thailand and do a bit of exploring? Or 2 weeks in Nepal if you are feeling more adventurous. Or even 2 weeks in South Africa, along the Stellenbosch route.
For this December, why don't you take 2 weeks instead of 1 and then go to Thailand and do a bit of exploring? Or 2 weeks in Nepal if you are feeling more adventurous. Or even 2 weeks in South Africa, along the Stellenbosch route.
Prisoner 24601 said:
I think you have left it too late now. You need to learn how to ski, which takes time and your proposed date in December leaves you with only 1-2 lessons, then a difficult time up a mountain after Christmas. Give yourself 6 months to learn to ski so might be an option for 2024/25?
For this December, why don't you take 2 weeks instead of 1 and then go to Thailand and do a bit of exploring? Or 2 weeks in Nepal if you are feeling more adventurous. Or even 2 weeks in South Africa, along the Stellenbosch route.
I really don't get this. It's not military boot camp. You can go to a resort to learn to ski. Snow is nice and soft to land on. It's easier and less painful to learn to ski on snow than on a dry ski slope. You don't have to thrash yourself beyond your level of fitness. You can go, join a beginner's ski class and have fun getting the hang of the basics and falling over a lot with a group of people who are doing the exact same thing. What's "difficult" about that?For this December, why don't you take 2 weeks instead of 1 and then go to Thailand and do a bit of exploring? Or 2 weeks in Nepal if you are feeling more adventurous. Or even 2 weeks in South Africa, along the Stellenbosch route.
ATG said:
Scenery is amazing "winter wonderland" stuff we rarely ever see in the UK, plus mountains are generally BIG if you're in the Alps, Pyrenees. It's an adrenalin sport that is pretty easy to pick up and it's rewarding because it is pretty easy to keep getting better. Resorts tend to have good food and booze becoz France, Italy. Feels like a healthy thing to be doing ... plus or minus hangovers and breaking limbs. It is also just very different from what your 9 to 5 or beach holiday.
This. It's the best holiday IMO.However I can't think of a time that's more likely to put off a reluctant novice skier. It's the busiest and most expensive time to go, with a greater chance of rubbish snow. Everywhere will be rammed, queues for lifts and ski school busy and it'll cost you three times what it would 2 weeks later.
ATG said:
Prisoner 24601 said:
I think you have left it too late now. You need to learn how to ski, which takes time and your proposed date in December leaves you with only 1-2 lessons, then a difficult time up a mountain after Christmas. Give yourself 6 months to learn to ski so might be an option for 2024/25?
For this December, why don't you take 2 weeks instead of 1 and then go to Thailand and do a bit of exploring? Or 2 weeks in Nepal if you are feeling more adventurous. Or even 2 weeks in South Africa, along the Stellenbosch route.
I really don't get this. It's not military boot camp. You can go to a resort to learn to ski. Snow is nice and soft to land on. It's easier and less painful to learn to ski on snow than on a dry ski slope. You don't have to thrash yourself beyond your level of fitness. You can go, join a beginner's ski class and have fun getting the hang of the basics and falling over a lot with a group of people who are doing the exact same thing. What's "difficult" about that?For this December, why don't you take 2 weeks instead of 1 and then go to Thailand and do a bit of exploring? Or 2 weeks in Nepal if you are feeling more adventurous. Or even 2 weeks in South Africa, along the Stellenbosch route.
I was a novice Skiier (!?) aged 37 3 years ago when I went on my first ski trip at Bardonecchia, IT in Feb 2020. Absolutely amazing, I spent the first two days on the practice slopes and had a 1-2 hour lesson at the start. Picked it up and built confidence fairly quickly and caught the bug massively!
Scenery is absolutely amazing, the night life very good and also just the general relaxed nature of sitting up in the mountains with a small wine or hot chocolate feels great. As others have said it also feels relatively healthy but it isn't too tiring if you pace yourself.
Bardonecchia is an average to lower end resort and it didn't hamper my experience. It helped that I was with experienced guys who were able to support and guide me a litle here and there (and perhaps push my boundaries a bit)
My cousin came with me and was a bit too keen - He was an ex semi pro inline skater so had a bit too much confidence. He broke his shoulder on day 2 on an olympic downhill slope.... ! :S He was using the "ski blades" which I wouldn't recommend as they are quite unstable at speed...
Scenery is absolutely amazing, the night life very good and also just the general relaxed nature of sitting up in the mountains with a small wine or hot chocolate feels great. As others have said it also feels relatively healthy but it isn't too tiring if you pace yourself.
Bardonecchia is an average to lower end resort and it didn't hamper my experience. It helped that I was with experienced guys who were able to support and guide me a litle here and there (and perhaps push my boundaries a bit)
My cousin came with me and was a bit too keen - He was an ex semi pro inline skater so had a bit too much confidence. He broke his shoulder on day 2 on an olympic downhill slope.... ! :S He was using the "ski blades" which I wouldn't recommend as they are quite unstable at speed...
I hated it. Don't like heights. Blindly getting onto a ski lift, terrified of the height as it gradually got higher and higher, and then realising I had to ski off the thing at the top killed it for me. I took the skis off at the top of the slope and came down on my arse. Spent the rest of the day in the cafe/pub.
Good luck OP, hope you enjoy it more than I did.
Good luck OP, hope you enjoy it more than I did.
Edited by bmwmike on Tuesday 14th November 13:44
If Skiing doesn't appeal at all, then maybe it's just not for you? You could force it, or just do something else.
A few other thoughts:
- Canaries - doesn't have to be an 'all inclusive' type trip. Hire a car, stay in a couple of different less touristy locations in AirBNBs, drive around and see the local culture, enjoy the local food rather than big tourist hotels? I've had a couple of great short trips to Tenerife doing that.
- Search out a cheap flight to Thailand, explore Bangkok for a few days then hire a car and visit Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi, or have a few days on the beach on an island.
So many ways you could spend the time!
A few other thoughts:
- Canaries - doesn't have to be an 'all inclusive' type trip. Hire a car, stay in a couple of different less touristy locations in AirBNBs, drive around and see the local culture, enjoy the local food rather than big tourist hotels? I've had a couple of great short trips to Tenerife doing that.
- Search out a cheap flight to Thailand, explore Bangkok for a few days then hire a car and visit Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi, or have a few days on the beach on an island.
So many ways you could spend the time!
Reminds me of a family who the wife babysat for, many, many years back when we were "courting", the husband finally caved in to his wife's pleading for a skiing holiday, he wasn't interested and was also worried about injury, he broke his leg badly within the first day or 2 of the holiday!
Having said that, I went skiing with the School when I was 15, it was amazing, superb fun with great memories, now an adult knocking on the door of 50, no interest at all, the wife has never been interested.
Having said that, I went skiing with the School when I was 15, it was amazing, superb fun with great memories, now an adult knocking on the door of 50, no interest at all, the wife has never been interested.
Edited by HTP99 on Tuesday 14th November 13:55
Used to do seasons back in the day, so I might be biased but it's the best thing ever!
You don't have to have lessons before going but it will help, lots of people just start learning on arrival which wastes a bit of time in my book. Nearly all resorts have a nursery slope with a free lift, definitely use it to get your eye in before going up the mountain. Snowboarding is an easier learning curve. Most people pick up the basics in a day, enough to go off & ride the greens at least.
The scenery is always breathtaking. It's very social, half of any ski trip is eating & drinking & shouldn't be underestimated as part of the fun.
The downsides are it is spendy, lift passes in particular, people do get hurt and you should never ski or board outside of your skill level. Skiers tend to do knees, boarders break their wrists a lot. You'll see a line of ambulances at the front de neige in resorts & they're never there for long. A chopper heading into the mountains is often someone in real trouble, needing to be hoisted into hospital. You do need the clothes but can shop around for that before going. Rent the ger in resort - make friends with seasonnaires - they often have access to cheap deals with the rental shops & seasonnaires are always on the hustle.
Resorts can get crazy busy in peak season, usually worse in the big destinations, Tignes, Morzine etc. but there's plenty of smaller resorts where it's much more chilled(!) even in December/January.
You don't have to have lessons before going but it will help, lots of people just start learning on arrival which wastes a bit of time in my book. Nearly all resorts have a nursery slope with a free lift, definitely use it to get your eye in before going up the mountain. Snowboarding is an easier learning curve. Most people pick up the basics in a day, enough to go off & ride the greens at least.
The scenery is always breathtaking. It's very social, half of any ski trip is eating & drinking & shouldn't be underestimated as part of the fun.
The downsides are it is spendy, lift passes in particular, people do get hurt and you should never ski or board outside of your skill level. Skiers tend to do knees, boarders break their wrists a lot. You'll see a line of ambulances at the front de neige in resorts & they're never there for long. A chopper heading into the mountains is often someone in real trouble, needing to be hoisted into hospital. You do need the clothes but can shop around for that before going. Rent the ger in resort - make friends with seasonnaires - they often have access to cheap deals with the rental shops & seasonnaires are always on the hustle.
Resorts can get crazy busy in peak season, usually worse in the big destinations, Tignes, Morzine etc. but there's plenty of smaller resorts where it's much more chilled(!) even in December/January.
President Merkin said:
Used to do seasons back in the day, so I might be biased but it's the best thing ever!
You don't have to have lessons before going but it will help, lots of people just start learning on arrival which wastes a bit of time in my book. Nearly all resorts have a nursery slope with a free lift, definitely use it to get your eye in before going up the mountain. Snowboarding is an easier learning curve. Most people pick up the basics in a day, enough to go off & ride the greens at least.
The scenery is always breathtaking. It's very social, half of any ski trip is eating & drinking & shouldn't be underestimated as part of the fun.
The downsides are it is spendy, lift passes in particular, people do get hurt and you should never ski or board outside of your skill level. Skiers tend to do knees, boarders break their wrists a lot. You'll see a line of ambulances at the front de neige in resorts & they're never there for long. A chopper heading into the mountains is often someone in real trouble, needing to be hoisted into hospital You do need the clothes but can shop around for that before going. Rent the ger in resort - make friends with seasonnaires - they often have access to cheap deals with the rental shops & seasonnaires are always on the hustle.
Resorts can get crazy busy in peak season, usually worse in the big destinations, Tignes, Morzine etc. but there's plenty of smaller resorts where it's much more chilled(!) even in December/January.
LOL, hardly a convincing argument to do it! You don't have to have lessons before going but it will help, lots of people just start learning on arrival which wastes a bit of time in my book. Nearly all resorts have a nursery slope with a free lift, definitely use it to get your eye in before going up the mountain. Snowboarding is an easier learning curve. Most people pick up the basics in a day, enough to go off & ride the greens at least.
The scenery is always breathtaking. It's very social, half of any ski trip is eating & drinking & shouldn't be underestimated as part of the fun.
The downsides are it is spendy, lift passes in particular, people do get hurt and you should never ski or board outside of your skill level. Skiers tend to do knees, boarders break their wrists a lot. You'll see a line of ambulances at the front de neige in resorts & they're never there for long. A chopper heading into the mountains is often someone in real trouble, needing to be hoisted into hospital You do need the clothes but can shop around for that before going. Rent the ger in resort - make friends with seasonnaires - they often have access to cheap deals with the rental shops & seasonnaires are always on the hustle.
Resorts can get crazy busy in peak season, usually worse in the big destinations, Tignes, Morzine etc. but there's plenty of smaller resorts where it's much more chilled(!) even in December/January.
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