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Good Questions
There are no stupid questions when you're learning... just good ones.
If you don't find the answers here, try the GLOSSARY or sign up for our BOOTROOM FORUM and ask away! Otherwise, look in What to Expect and Before You Go for the basics
Is skiing difficult?
My favourite answer to this is that it's harder than it looks, but easier than you think. Most people conquer the basics and can enjoy beginner slopes after three or four 2-hour ski lessons. Kids take to it quickly because they are not afraid of taking a tumble. You will fall over - try and enjoy it!
Should I go to a dry slope first?
Yes and no. If you can ski on a dry (bristle) slope, you will find real snow easier. Unlike soft snow (but like hard ice) it hurts when you fall on bristle. Try and find a real-snow slope (indoor snow-dome) and book a lesson.
Is it expensive?
There's no point denying that skiing CAN be expensive... a week in a swish hotel in St Moritz over New Year will cost thousands. Unlike a seaside holiday, you've got ski hire, lessons, and lift passes to pay for as well as food and drink (which can be pricey in the mountains). BUT there are ways round it. Total beginners can get free ski hire, lessons and passes (Google 'Freshers Ski Weeks'), and skiing in January is much cheaper than when schools are out for Christmas, Easter or the mid-term break in February. In general, lift passes in North America are very expensive; food and drink is expensive in France; and Slovenia, Andorra and (to a lesser extent) Austria are good value.
Am I too old/too young?
Kids in ski regions, or near them, virtually learn to ski at the same time they learn to walk. If Junior can walk up stairs one after the other, rather than one at a time, they can ski. Age is no barrier to learning - there are plenty of grey hairs in lots of beginner groups. Talk to your doctor if you have any worries.
Do I ski or snowboard?
Don't ask us, we're SkiBeginner. If you want to look like an X-Factor wannabe in floppy clothes and scrape all the pistes to hell with your tea-tray, go snowboard. Not that we're biased.
If you don't find the answers here, try the GLOSSARY or sign up for our BOOTROOM FORUM and ask away! Otherwise, look in What to Expect and Before You Go for the basics
Is skiing difficult?
My favourite answer to this is that it's harder than it looks, but easier than you think. Most people conquer the basics and can enjoy beginner slopes after three or four 2-hour ski lessons. Kids take to it quickly because they are not afraid of taking a tumble. You will fall over - try and enjoy it!
Should I go to a dry slope first?
Yes and no. If you can ski on a dry (bristle) slope, you will find real snow easier. Unlike soft snow (but like hard ice) it hurts when you fall on bristle. Try and find a real-snow slope (indoor snow-dome) and book a lesson.
Is it expensive?
There's no point denying that skiing CAN be expensive... a week in a swish hotel in St Moritz over New Year will cost thousands. Unlike a seaside holiday, you've got ski hire, lessons, and lift passes to pay for as well as food and drink (which can be pricey in the mountains). BUT there are ways round it. Total beginners can get free ski hire, lessons and passes (Google 'Freshers Ski Weeks'), and skiing in January is much cheaper than when schools are out for Christmas, Easter or the mid-term break in February. In general, lift passes in North America are very expensive; food and drink is expensive in France; and Slovenia, Andorra and (to a lesser extent) Austria are good value.
Am I too old/too young?
Kids in ski regions, or near them, virtually learn to ski at the same time they learn to walk. If Junior can walk up stairs one after the other, rather than one at a time, they can ski. Age is no barrier to learning - there are plenty of grey hairs in lots of beginner groups. Talk to your doctor if you have any worries.
Do I ski or snowboard?
Don't ask us, we're SkiBeginner. If you want to look like an X-Factor wannabe in floppy clothes and scrape all the pistes to hell with your tea-tray, go snowboard. Not that we're biased.
