Well the time has finally come for my first ski lesson at the Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead. I am slightly apprehensive am I too old to start learning to ski, will I make a fool of myself or worse obtain an injury. I am relieved that as part of your lesson package you get your ski boots, skis and helmet included, and that you can hire a jacket and trousers as well as purchasing gloves, otherwise I wouldn’t know where to start. As advised we allowed plenty of time so I could collect everything ahead of the lesson. I must admit, which is unlike me, I didn’t do any additional research, other than reading the information provided in the booking email.
Despite wanting to try skiing since my early teens, after enjoying watching TV coverage of the Winter Olympics as well as Ski Sunday, it feels a little daunting and well outside of my comfort zone. I am glad that there was an instructional video playing showing you how to put your ski boots on as they look complicated.
Lesson One - Level One
The time had finally arrived, the ten of us in the group meet our instructor for the lesson, he checks our ski boots and advises us how tight to fasten them, along with how to carry our skis. We then head out to the slopes, starting on a cordoned off area at the bottom of the main slope. We were taught different techniques for getting around on skis as well as how to put your skis on . As we are all stood in a line at the beginning skis on doing nothing, I manage to lose my balance and fall over, commenting “well it had to be me who falls over first”.
We are then shown how to slide around on one ski, waddling like a duck, herring bone and crabbing on two skis, as well as how to manage you balance by looking at a fixed point in front of you and finally how to turn around on a fixed spot.
We then moved to the training slope crabbing our way up a little bit, to actually ski even if only for a short distance using the snowplough shape (also know as wedge or pizza for obvious reasons) as well as how we should stand on our skis, I am thankful there are people ahead of me. We also do some other activities to prove with the support of the instructor we won’t suddenly start sliding off down the slope. We complete a couple of goes, before moving to the magic carpet (I call it a travelator) we are given some instruction on how it works, the rubber carpet grips your skis and transports you up the slope, as well as how to get off. I am not so sure about this, but give it a go. I manage to get on OK but the disembarkation is tricky, all go as well as can be expected for the first two goes, a struggle with some flying arms try to keep my balance but I did it, after getting off we the getting into the snowplough shape and ski the short distance to the bottom. I have to laugh at my attempts to get back to the magic carpet still unsure about moving about with these slippy planks on my feet.
Well the last attempt I tried didn't go so well, while getting off the magic carpet I start to lose my balance and in an attempt to steady my self I grab on to the instructor, my skis go flying out from under me and I fall back and bang my head and snap my glasses in two. A valuable lesson learnt when skiing don’t try holding on to an immovable object it only serves to catapult you forward. I decide to sit out the last five minutes of the lesson.
At the end of the session we head to the bar for a free hot drink and the instructor provides a review of the lesson, there are two outcomes proceed to next level or repeat, I already knew my fate.
Reflection: The session was fun and I enjoyed myself, I was a bit self-conscious and I wasn’t very confident, in the back my head I was worried about hurting myself or worse someone else. Confidence took a big knock at the end of the lesson. I am determined though to crack it. It is also good I had a spare pair of glasses.
Lesson Two - Level One Repeat
After a break and something to eat in The Lodge Bar at The Snow Center. It is time for my second take at passing my Level One. I am in a bit of luck on this lesson there are only three of us. I feel a little bit at ease especially as I see my previous instructor and he lets my new instructor know what happened in my previous lesson.
We go through the same process as above, all be it a bit quicker. The new instructor is taking his time with me on the magic carpet, I am getting a little more confident at getting off, and I am enjoying it more, especially the sliding down hill. As we progress the instructor introduces how to turn whilst in a snowplough. I am struggle to start with then manage to turn all be it in the wrong direction. We head to the bar afterwards for the free alcoholic drink, one of the bonuses of an evening lesson. Success! I am signed off level one and can now progress to level two.
Reflection: I am really happy, I progressed more in this lesson and I enjoyed it. I also think I understood getting off the magic carpet better, maybe the background noise in the first lesson caused me to misunderstood the instructions and was trying to get all one and half meters of ski off at once as opposed to stepping on to the edge and sliding off the edge on to the slope. My nervousness is that when stepping off one ski is still moving forward until you lift it up. My shins are also hurting and starting to blister, I will need to invest in a pair of ski socks to help prevent this in the future.
Lesson Three - Level Two
I am not sure why I thought it was a good idea to do three lessons over two days, but it’s all paid for and booked, today’s lesson is a late one again, but at least it’s a level two. Another stroke of luck my last instructor is here and passes on a progress report of my last session yesterday. Going into today’s lesson I am feeling more confident.
So off we go to the trainer slope, starting with a recap of level one. Then comes a curve ball we are not using the same magic carpet we have swapped sides, just as I was getting used to disembarking on the left, we swap to the right. We then go through the basics of how to initiate a turn in a snowplough. I struggle the first few goes with only seeming to steer in one direction, I am not the only one. The instructor takes us through a few different techniques to enable us to get your weight onto the turning ski. I also notice that as we are progressing, we are slowly working our way higher up the slope. After a few attempts of getting off the magic carpet my confidence is gaining and it is no longer a struggle. Curve ball number two, to give me confidence the instructor says you now need to get off by yourself now and I did without too much difficulty. The work on day one must have paid off as I passed my Level 2 with advice to complete my next lesson within two weeks.
Reflection: I really enjoyed today’s session, even if my legs are feeling it, I feel I am making progress slowly but surely. I am proud that I managed to crack the magic carpet. I decide that I want to continue my skiing journey and the aim is to pass Level 5 even if it is all I do. As well as ski socks I also decide to invest in my own ski jacket and pants.
Lessons Learnt
Age is no barrier
You are never too old to learn new things, is my big take away, yes I had set backs, but I overcome them and was glad I gave it a try. You never know unless you try.
Don't try to grab an immovable object
I leant the hard way, if you try to hold on to something in an attempt to stop you skis will continue if they are facing downhill.
Invest in ski socks
You would think they wouldn't make a difference but they do, as they have cushioned areas to protect your shins while skiing. You can pick up a decent pair for around £30.
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