First Ski Trip: Got any hints for me?

[skycat 0]

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So, I guess the next hint would be to invest in a really sexy ski suit

LOL...when they take a look at the two teenagers hanging around me, I don't think a sexy suit is going to help much!

We are definitely planning on taking lessons. Since it's the end of the season and we will be there during the week, they have a price of $38/day for a lesson, rental and lift ticket. Is that a good price?

In Colorado that would be an increadible price, I'm sure it's a good price where ever you are going.

Fly it like you stole it!

[Jib 0]

The lift next to the bunny slope may not, and probably won't, lead to the next hardest slope.

--------------------------------------------------
the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[TheAnvil 0]

Take lessons and start working out your quadriceps for endurance - no weight squats are good for that. Stretch them before and after you ski.

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[Acensky 0]

I agree with skycat, get a few lessons. I went snowboarding for the first time a couple weeks ago and I tryed to teach myself.... it didn't work so well After my lesson it was so much easier.

Have fun!!

Heather

Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

[flyingferret 0]

Well, a few suggestions:

If you are someone who learns by theory, read about how skis work, the arc, the flexing, etc, etc. I learn by theory and reading a lot made a huge difference me. When I got to the hill, I know what physics I was supposed to be putting in practice.

If you learn by experience, then take a lesson!

If you ski, get parabolic (shaped) skis! Although I doubt anyone still uses non shaped?

Between skiing and boarding, is a hard call, I learned to ski really fast, on the 3rd day I was doing blues and easy blacks. A few years later, after 2 days on a board I just kept busting my ass, and longing to go places I used to go on skis. I fell a LOT more on a board than on skis. But is you are starting fresh and/or have experience with other edge sported like skateboarding or surfing, you might pick up boarding really fast, I could just never get the front edge.

Exercise! Practice abs stuff, and this was a big help to me: Stand with your feet together, with a 1 or 2 liter bottle behind your heels. Turn and the waist and squat. Pick up the bottle, set it back down. Repeat in the other direction. This does a great job of using the muscles you use to rotate in skiing.

--
All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI.

[skymama 37]

I can stay up on those balance boards that are on cylinders forever (I only get off because my legs get tired), so I'm hoping that will translate to a snowboard pretty well. Wishful thinking, right?

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[Remster 30]

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so I'm hoping that will translate to a snowboard pretty well

Right, until your legs get tired

Remster

[ChasingBlueSky 0]

1) Learn the correct way to grab the rope on the bunny hill. If you just grab it you will do a face plant. It's a matter of letting it run thru your hands and slowly closing your fist around it.

2) learn how to stop

3) remember how to PLF. You will need it. A lot.

Oh yea, something opposite of skydiving - the larger the number, the faster they go.

_________________________________________
you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me....
I WILL fly again.....

[Stumpy 284]

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Wishful thinking, right?

Yup!!!!

Speed is your friend

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[Beeron 0]

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We're going to Sugar Mountain, NC. I'm sure it's not the best in the country but it will be good enough for us for our first time and we can drive to it.

The snow is MUCH better here in CO....come on out!

B~

[Dougiefresh 0]

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2) learn how to stop

3) remember how to PLF. You will need it. A lot.

Re # 2 above: when in doubt, fall on your butt. Falling and laughing about it is much better than getting going fast and wiping out.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

[rehmwa 2]

One thing hard to learn on skis for beginners - They only work if you are moving. Some people try to ski really slow at first, and the skis don't respond and it's hard to learn. Try not to be timid. As far as scrapers are concerned (they look like a lot of fun, but I can never figure out why boarders in our area seem so tired, they are always sitting on their butts in the middle of the runs), I'm sure it's the same. Gotta be moving to turn, carve, etc.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Gforce 0]

Skymamma, I learned to ski about 5 years ago. I'm also from the South (Atlanta) so it was a learning experience. I wrote this "instructional guide" afterwards. Read both before AND after skiing for full belly laugh effect. I welcome a critique from others.

Learning To Snow Ski

Take some aspirin before you start.
Line up a ski buddy that can gather the gear you lose.
Put on boots.
Pull off boots.
Adjust the socks
Put on boots again.
Put on the skis.
Next, stand up.
Fall down.
Stand up.
Fall down.
Stand up.
Fall down on somebody and make ‘em fall down, too.
Get in line for the ski lift.
Fall down.
Stand up.
Fall down.
Stand up.
Here comes the lift!
Shuffle toward the lift.
Fall down in front of the lift.
They stop the lift.
No pressure.
Stand up.
Fall back down.
Stand up and sit down on the lift before they crank it back up.
Pull the thingy down so you won't fall out.
Drop your pole.
Take a drink.
Lose your glove.
Relax and enjoy the scenery.
Get ready for exiting the lift.
Put the thingy up so you can escape.
Get off the lift and fall on your face.

Skiing is such fun!

[wmw999 2,515]

Boy I'm glad I was a kid when I learned how

One more thing -- the best apres-ski drink in the entire universe is what I used to call a "ski lift."

Hot chocolate, with peppermint schnapps, and a good dollop of whipped cream (NO DREAM WHIP) on top. mmmmmmmmmmm

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Stumpy 284]

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Boy I'm glad I was a kid when I learned how

Ditto to that!!!
But then i learnt to board two years ago.... and it was fine.

As for the drink, i'm a traditionalist and don't think you can beat Vin Chaud/gluwein/mulled wine (depends on country!)

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[PhreeZone 20]

Snowboarding your ass WILL hurt. Count on dozens of falls onto it. There is a good chance of wrist injury too depending on if you catch your self or take the tumble.

Skiing you have a greater chance of knee, ankle and groin injuries.

I've been a knuckle dragger for 5 years (not that much any more) and a skiier for 4 or 5 before that. I picked up skiiing and could get down the hill with in a few hours. Snowboarding took me 2 sessions. Granted once you learn it I found it a whole lot easier to progress on the board then on the skis. I can switchfoot the board at will and even do nice tight edge carves, but I never was able to get the smooth crisp turns on the skis. I always got ski clatter. Forget about mogals

Something else you need to consider is the conditions. A snowboard just does'nt like to work with you that well in super icey conditions. You have to fight a lot more and its not fun.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[davedlg 0]

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The snow is MUCH better here in CO....come on out!

Won't be for long if it stays as warm as it was yesterday! It was 55 degrees where I was skiing!

[lewmonst 0]

You should all learn to snowboard together. That way the kids are doing what they want and you and right there with them. It's true that once you start snowboarding you don't go back to skiis. Like everyone has said, you'll fall a lot the first 2 days, but once it clicks you'll love it. Someone mentioned wristguards... They are a MUST_HAVE. Get wristguards for you and your kids. Some gloves have wristguards built in now too, I personally like mittens over gloves with fingers. You can get into and out of the bindings with mittens and they keep your fingers warmer. Also, kneepads. I use rollerblading kneepads and while i rarely fall on my knees, every once in a while when I do I'm glad they're there, and you can't see them under my pants either. And no one has mentioned yet waterproof pants. You're happiness in the snow is contingient on the pants. If you have good pants that keep you warm and dry, you can fall all day long and still have fun. Get the private lessons and don't give up. You will fall a lot the first day or two, but as long as you have good gear you won't get hurt, cold or wet, you'll get through it and you'll love it. it's so much fun.
You also might consider helmets, especially if the slopes you are learning on are icy. If you catch your heal edge and frap backwards like a fly swatter you're going to hit your head pretty hard. Maybe get them for the kids. See if the place you are going will rent you helmets. The only other thing I've seen people use also are buttpads. That's a little over the top, but I definitely have hurt my tailbone so I could see why.
The balalnce board will definitely help.
peace
lew

http://www.exitshot.com

[turtlespeed 226]

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Skymamma, I learned to ski about 5 years ago. I'm also from the South (Atlanta) so it was a learning experience. I wrote this "instructional guide" afterwards. Read both before AND after skiing for full belly laugh effect. I welcome a critique from others.

Learning To Snow Ski

Take some aspirin before you start. Drink ALOT of hot buttered rum
Line up a ski buddy that can gather the gear you lose.
Put on boots.
Pull off boots.
Adjust the socks
Put on boots again.
Put on the skis.
Next, stand up.
Fall down.
Stand up.
Fall down.
Stand up.
Fall down on somebody and make ‘em fall down, too.
Get in line for the ski lift.
Fall down.
Stand up.
Fall down.
Stand up.
Here comes the lift!
Shuffle toward the lift.
Fall down in front of the lift.
They stop the lift.
No pressure.
Stand up.
Fall back down.
Stand up and sit down on the lift before they crank it back up.
Pull the thingy down so you won't fall out.
Drop your pole.
Take a drink.
Lose your glove.
Relax and enjoy the scenery.
Get ready for exiting the lift.
Put the thingy up so you can escape.
Get off the lift and fall on your face.

Skiing is such fun!

Now the list reads right.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[Dazzle 0]

I'd say don't learn with the kids, they'll pick it up so much faster (generally)

If you learn to snowboard then prepare to fall a lot in those first few days. It will hurt. I'd say skiing is easier to get going right at first then snowboarding catches up and it's easier for a while on a board and then when you get good skiing becomes better though there isn't that much between the 2

[psychoswooper 2]

I went skiing for the 1st time last year. It was a blast. I took the beginner class & headed off to the slope. Had no trouble getting off the lift--many others did- And spent as much time on my butt as my feet. But I DID get better everytime I went down the hill. And as I said it was a blast.
My only advice is: Make sure your boots fit really well. If not you'll think your feet have been in a miniature torture chamber all day. If they're not comfortable, keep going back to the rental desk until you get a pair thats feels good.

[freeflir29 0]

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Snowboarding your ass WILL hurt. Count on dozens of falls onto it

I don't remember my ass hurting but I DO remember a nasty case of WHIPLASH. Caught an edge going backwards. Had a hard time getting out of bed the next day.

[cocheese 0]

Andrea sweetie, Skip the snowboarding and skiing . Let the kids go get lessons and wear themselves out.
Find the pool and hot tub and bar and fireplace and snack shop and...
Save yourself for the sky.
The shit isn't even that fun when you're used to going 155+mph.
You'll get enough excitement watching the kids and being able to drive home.

[skymama 37]

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Find the pool and hot tub and bar and fireplace and snack shop and...
Save yourself for the sky.

Nooooo, I have to go! This is a goal I've had for the last 5 years. It's really MY ski trip, I'm just dragging the kids along to keep me company!

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[cocheese 0]

Oh , Then you'll be fine.
take everyone elses' advice above.
Yee Haa.
( Funny thing , when i typed yee haa , the "a" got stuck down and kept printing aaaaaa for about 4 lines. too funny.That never happened before.Had to pry it up off it's aaaaaaa.)
Bring your helmet too.