Skiing advice

[Nero]

Hello all,

If I were to take one-one skiing instruction (in Austria) how many hours a day would you recommend for six days on the trot? I'd've thought that two hours is not enough and that four might be too much.

FYI, I've never skied before but am fit and healthy.

Thanks.

[Loz]

Get three hours a day in the morning (9-12). That gives you the afternoon to go off on your own and practise what you are taught.

You do know 1-1 instruction is not cheap...

[Nero]

Hi, thanks for that.

I do know it is not cheap but I am willing to pay for the lavishing of attention on me! Ideally one-two is better, but it is unlikely I will be able to find another complete beginner to go with.

In six days, what kind of standard should I expect to be able to get to?

[DJKillaQueen]

Three hours a day would be about right. What the ski instructor will do is build up the lessons....so day one will be basic ski turns, controlling speed, and stopping (on a nursery slope in the valley of the resort). He or she will get an idea from that at how quickly you will progress and by the end of the week they'll be taking you down a piste at a level that's right for you. I would recommend however doing a half day beginners course at snow-zone in Milton Keynes before going, just to give you a taste of what to expect (and to give you a head start).

If you are going to a resort then the ski school there will have group lessons which will cost far less and probably be more fun. Plus you'll get to know others there for the first time like yourself which can be useful if you want other beginners to go out and ski with during the rest of the time. And some of those other beginners will be there with more experienced skiers...essential company to have if you do want to try anything but green or blue runs (which admittedly European resorts don't have in abundance). And don't worry about getting stuck with a group of people who don't advance at your pace because they will move you to a more advanced group if that happens. All of the european resorts have excellent ski schools.

Have fun and enjoy it!

[Marmora Man]

If you pm me your email my son, a ski instructor, could chat / email you. He's not looking for work as he's at Uni but knows his stuff.

[womanofdulwich]

I really think it depends on how you are and how your ski instructor is- ie how inspiring they are. I had 1 to 1 10 years ago and it was great- 2.5 hours every morning. He had me doing 10ft drop jumps by the end of the week and skiing blues and greens.

[Annette Curtain]

What resort are you going to ?

And what ski school/instructor are you looking at ?

I personally reckon that Austrian skiing is excellent. The slopes when well snowed upon are great fun and the Austrian temperament seems well adapted to teaching. Plus you can't beat the tirol apres ski.

As long as you're fit you should manage at least 3-4 days instruction. Remember though by day three you'll be knackered either way.

That's what I reckon anyway.

"schlooooos"

NETTE:)

[Loz]

And the beer in Austria is cheaper than French resorts, Nette. Most important.

Mind you, gold is cheaper than beer in French ski resorts.

[Annette Curtain]

And Loz...

Where else do you get a deli selling only pork derived products, hot & cold, all very delicious. God I love skiing & having done so in loads of places, i'd say Austria truly stands out

I can still remember the Danish girls stripping off on the slo......

Anyway, what fun.

Enjoy.

NETTE:)

[Nero]

Thanks all for your advice. I chanced on the school in Austria after I looked at a hotel in Palma, Majorca (it is its sister hotel and advertised itself on the Spanish site). The hotel recommends the ski school (Skischule Arlberg) and the bookings clerk has been very helpful and informative, even to the point of getting the ski school to email me with its prices etc.

I've never tried on a pair of skis in my life but I do like snow and cold weather - though this might change after a few days of hard work on the slopes.

[Loz]

Skischule Arlberg - St Anton, then? Great resort, but not a whole lot in the way of beginners slopes. On the other hand, as soon as you get over the first couple of days then at least you'll be up the mountain - the main learning blue is #5 from the top of Galzig to Osthang.

I've not used Skischule Arlberg for skiing, but they have some good snowboard teachers.

Do stop at the Moosewirt on the way down. Brilliant place. Mind you, doing that last 200m when three sheets to the wind is always testing. Hey, wir wollen die Eisbaren sehen...

Edited to add: +1 for DJKQ's advice to get a lesson up at Milton Keynes/Hemel Hempstead before you go. If you can snow plough before you go you'll get much better value for money from your lessons.

[Chippy Minton]

gold is cheaper than beer in French ski resorts.

:))

I still haven't got over paying ?18 for a croque-monsieur in Val d'Is?re a few years ago!

[Jeremy]

St Anton is one of my favourite resorts. Personally I think group ski lessons are great for beginners, as it's a lot of fun, and you meet other people in the same boat. But if you're not interested in the social aspect, then 3 hours in the morning would seem about right.

[Lost Yorkshire Man]

Agree with Jeremy - Skiing is social activity.

Doing it in a group will be more fun (although you may learn slightly slower). You will even be able to take part in the end of week slalom.