J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by SkiGirl

Hi

Learned to ski last Jan and have been away again this Jan. In between hubby and I went to Xscape in Glasgow 3 times and glad we did because a) we were able to try out our new boots before going on hols, b) helped us find our "ski legs" again (but a few bad habits probably did creep in). c) Reminded us the muscles we needed to work on. We also found it good for practising stopping or turning quickly as it's so much narrower than any proper ski slope so you have to avoid more people. I think the one in Glasgow is £31 for two hours but they do a special Mon - Fri which I think is about £25 for two hours - both include ski and boot hire. Make sure you take your ski gloves.

Hi!
For anyone going to Niederau in Austria soon, I've just came back yesterday (13th Jan) and the snow conditions are a bit grim. There is now only one nursery slope open out of about 4 or 5 and even it's like sheet ice in places. The ski school didn't hold their ski show as usual on the nursery slopes and the ski races for adults was also cancelled. Up top wasn't too bad but it rained on Sunday morning and again on Tuesday so Wednesday and Thursday the blue and red runs at the top of the mountain were very icy and hard in places. There was about a cm of snow on Thur night and it snowed for about 10 mins on Friday morning which made the conditions a bit better. Also, the chairlift is not working at present. It was really warm most of the time (+ degrees) and the temp only seemed to change when we were going home on Sat morning. They had been using the snow machines occasionally but most of the time it wasn't cold enough.

Hi

Hubby and I off to Niederau on Sat 6th so there better be snow! Really spoilt last year cos the snow was soooo good. Think about 20cm fell Tue & Wed of this week though so might not be too bad. Enjoy yourself :)

Ha Ha, very funny you guys. Going on Sat to Niederau in Austria and gave us a laugh :lol:

Hi there. Jobster's right, you will be totally hooked. I don't know about having lessons on a dry ski slope though. I've never been on one but I know people who have and apparently it's quite sore when you fall. My hubby and I went skiing for the first time in Jan '06 to Austria and had no lessons at all but it didn't affect our enjoyment of the holiday - we were on easy parts of red runs the last two days of our lessons. One lady in our class had been skiing the previous year at the same resort but was pushed too quickly the second time and got frightened and so she came back to our beginners class halfway through the week. Might be something to consider if you are thinking about having lessons before you go. Austria is supposed to have some of the best ski schools. If you live near Milton Keynes is there not an indoor real snow slope somewhere in that area? If you would be happier with lessons before you go I think it would be much better on real snow. We go to the one in Glasgow (have been three times now) and although probably no use at all to experienced skiers, it perfectly good for us to "keep our hand in"! Group lessons in resorts are brill fun and remember to laugh at yourself! Jobster right as well about the summer hols - we were totally the sort to lie on sun loungers all day reading but after being skiing - no chance!! If you look up the ifyouski.com and Ski Club of GB website, you'll find reviews of Soll which should be useful. Have a fantastic time! :)

Hi there

I'm no expert on resorts because my other half and I only starting skiing Jan '06 and we went to Niederau in Austria. We too were very much beach people but always wanted to have a go at skiing and have been bitten by the bug. Couldn't really care less now if we don't get a summer holiday! We don't have kids, but Niederau's ski schools are supposed to be some of the best for kids. You will have to go in separate classes from your kids and it is likely that the one of 4 will be in a different class from the 6/7 years olds. Niederau is quite a quiet and traditional resort and therefore reasonably priced and there is tobogganing and horse sleigh rides and a ski show on a Sunday evening. On Thursdays there are ski races for both adults and kids with awards cermonies where everyone gets something. There is on large beginner slope and about 5 nursery slopes served by drag lifts. The Hotel Austria we stayed in is right in the centre of the village, opposite the ski school, gondola and nursery slopes and the ski hire/storage is right underneath. The resort is only about an hour in a coach from Innsbruck so its not too long for kids.

I agree with powderhound re TK Maxx - I got a Trespass jacket there for about £25 (it's a kids size though) and I think I got my salopettes from Mountain Warehouse for about £30. My other half got his gear in Mountain warehouse also - about £60 for the jacket and about £40 for his salopettes. They do good base layers as well. Indoor snow slopes are good - we've gone to Xscape in Breahead three times over the summer to "keep our hand in". For ski fitness, we found that running and exercises to strengthen the upper body and legs helped (this is for when you continually fall on your bum and need the strength to lift your bodyweight up through the laughing :lol: ). Another good tip that was given to us by the hire shop in the resort - if you find the hire boots hurt and bruise your shins put a sanitary towel (I know) over your shin. :)

Hi there

My husband and I skiied for the first time in Austria Jan 06. Personally I'm glad we didn't book lessons before we went because the instructors will ask who has skiied before/had lessons and even though you say you are a complete beginner they always spot people who aren't. I think you get more enjoyment out of your lessons if you are in the same boat as everyone else because you might be a bit bored the first couple of days while the rest of your class catches up. Most important of all - you should be able to laugh at yourself (and everyone else)!! Lessons are brilliant fun. Don't take too much stuff like we did. Base layer/thermals, ski socks, scarf, gloves, hat, goggles, sunglasses, sun block and a couple of long sleeved t-shirts for skiing. For the evening jeans, long & short sleeved T-shirts (the hotels are quite warm), walking/hiking style boots, thermal socks and a couple of jumpers. There is no need for dressy clothes at all and some people will even come down to dinner in their salopettes. You will have a fantastic time and be totally bitten by the ski bug. When we came home from our first ski hol we were totally depressed for about three weeks afterwards and I booked our next ski hol the day after we got home. Enjoy!! 8)