First Red Run in Tignes/Val D'Isre

Hi.
I spent my first sking experience learning for a week in Tignes in feb 2007. By the end of the week I was able to handle all the greens I tried and the few Blues I tried (Diebold, Carline and a couple of others I cant remember).

I am going for a week in February this year and would like to make it onto my first Red run. Is this achievable for my second week skiing?

What are the difficult Blues or the East Reds in the Espace killey region?

Thanks

Hi tspill,

The main thing is that you are going skiing again and you seem keen to progress and improve.

Your question is can you ski a red slope on your second week.Of course you can!! The thing I notice with first time skiers is that they seem to be very concerned about the colour of the slope they are about to try to ski down.I have skiied a number of blue slopes that would test the best of skiers and skied some black slopes that are really not very hard at all.
What I am trying to say is dont worry about the colour of the piste,just concentrate on improving and having fun.
I only started to ski 4 years ago at the age of 29, so was a late starter but I was hooked straight away.I have been twice or 3 times each year since and my only regret is that I left it so late to start.
Learning to ski is like learning to drive,it can be a bit frustrating but when it clicks there is nothing better.
Enjoy. :D

Hi tspill

In my early days of skiing - (in my mid 30's) I was happy & comfortable on blues but had a mental block about reds & avoided them like the plague! I was scared I would end up on a 'tricky' one. I booked a few lessons with a small group of skiers of a similar ability & our instructor very quickly took us on some reds. He obviously knew which ones were more straight forward & it did wonders for my confidence.

I'd definitely recommend a few lessons to help you get the most out your second week. Tell your instructor what your goal is & they should take you down the most appropriate runs to help you achieve this. Have a great time!

Hi Tspill

As the earlier posts have suggested, I would try not to get too hung up on piste colour. The difficulty of pistes can vary. Snow conditions vary constantly and a blue that is relatively easy can be turned into a nightmare with ice. Similarly, a black with good fresh snow can be relatively easy. Another factor is that many resorts try to create the perfect "profile" of different colour pistes to maximise business - this can have a dramatic effect on grading!

If you are anxious to get onto the more advanced slopes, my advice to you, as a relative newcomer, is to take some lessons, either group or private. Most instructors will take you to the limit of your abilities and push you to the next level.

Most of all, continue to Enjoy it!!!

I only took up skiing last season at age 40!

Had the same mental block about colour of runs, until I had a second trip to Meribel with a group from our village, one being my brother-in-law, who convinced me my ability was fine to try a red and I now echo Gareth Fair's comment the colour is in the mind.

The reds were actually more comfotable to ski than the blues I had been battling with the prevous day or so and really taught me just to adapt to what was in front of me and forget the colour.

Good idea though just to ask someone in the chalet/hotel who is local just to point out their favourite runs and why.