Hours of skiing required to become half decent

I spent around 10 hours on dry slopes and another 12 or so hours on piste to become reasonably good. I managed to ski the diamonte noir (black run) in Flaine after another 8 hours ski time. Scared the poop from me a little but I am Nuttynutnut afterall.

I did ice skate for around 12 years beforehand and this was probably the reason for this.

In summary I would imagine you being able to tackle, but maybe not with speed, a reasonably difficult black after a couple of hundred hours.

Like said though, ski with good skiers and try to follow there tracks because this will train you somewhat.

Just remember to take regular breaks because you wont improve with exhaustion and tiredness.

There is no point asking anyone on here.
This is a make believe website about skiing and we actually dont like the sport.

600 hours!!!
Jeepers

'Sounds like good advice, I am most likely mistaken. Not sure i can afford 5 full days though. I can only call in so many favours with my live in ski instructor, and i don't really have much money.'

Given the above Seb, have you given much thought to your adventure?

And how do you plan on financing your 'season' in Chamonix?

Its not the cheapest place in the world, and in my experience, a season will cost upwards of £6000, when accomodation, equipment,lift pass, food, drink, insurance, travel and daily expenses are taken into account.

Stewart Dowling wrote:There is no point asking anyone on here.
This is a make believe website about skiing and we actually dont like the sport.

600 hours!!!
Jeepers

Actually you have a point there. When skiing all day, every day, 6 days is about enough for me and then I need to do something different else I get bored. Happy to have a week or two back home then go out again. But 600hrs is a lot in one resort.

Brucie wrote:'Sounds like good advice, I am most likely mistaken. Not sure i can afford 5 full days though. I can only call in so many favours with my live in ski instructor, and i don't really have much money.'

Given the above Seb, have you given much thought to your adventure?

And how do you plan on financing your 'season' in Chamonix?

Its not the cheapest place in the world, and in my experience, a season will cost upwards of £6000, when accomodation, equipment,lift pass, food, drink, insurance, travel and daily expenses are taken into account.

That's not an issue. I'm already living out here. I got a stupid discount on my lift pass because i'm a resident. my accomodation is free and food and drink is included.
travel is covered as i have a bus/train pass and use of a car.
I ages spent getting it sorted so that i could live out here and ski.
My only issue now is the actual learning to ski.
:D

sebmurphy wrote:

Brucie wrote:'Sounds like good advice, I am most likely mistaken. Not sure i can afford 5 full days though. I can only call in so many favours with my live in ski instructor, and i don't really have much money.'

Given the above Seb, have you given much thought to your adventure?

And how do you plan on financing your 'season' in Chamonix?

Its not the cheapest place in the world, and in my experience, a season will cost upwards of £6000, when accomodation, equipment,lift pass, food, drink, insurance, travel and daily expenses are taken into account.

That's not an issue. I'm already living out here. I got a stupid discount on my lift pass because i'm a resident. my accomodation is free and food and drink is included.
travel is covered as i have a bus/train pass and use of a car.
I ages spent getting it sorted so that i could live out here and ski.
My only issue now is the actual learning to ski.
:D

T o o G o o d T o B e T r u e

Surely?

smartski wrote:
T o o G o o d T o B e T r u e

Surely?

Not quite, my accomadation/food isn't actually free. It comes out of my pay before i get it. But as i can eat as much as I want without it costing more, I can justify it as free.

After all my unseen outgoings i'm earning €100p/w and working in the mornings and evenings. Leaving a full day to ski.
I work for a french family.
Not really relevant - but oh well.

Thanks for all the advice.
I will certainly be taking heed. Especially the "don't be a moron, get lessons" vein of advice. They will certainly help me get better and do it properly.

Ooo lucky you! I spent two winters and a summer in Chamonix, it's where I learnt to ski, didn't have a single lesson but I do regret that, so perhaps a good starting point.

I was pretty competent by the end of the first season, and obviously improved even more by the end of the second (despite a knee injury which took a month or so out of my season).

And PLEASE make sure you do the Vallee Blanche once you're confident enough, I'm ashamed to say I didn't do it, in fact do it twice, once for me :oops: -)