July 2024

half way stage. Due to my “weaker” left turn I stay in the latter. On the odd occasion I manage a decent left turn but they are still few and far between. At the end of the session we head up to the bar, I have already guessed my fate which was to repeat level three.

My new ski socks have made it so much kinder on my legs and worth the £30 investment. My new ski trousers and jacket are also great, all be it the jacket wasn’t a waterproof one, I must pay more attention when ordering online, it will be fine for skiing indoors but not for outdoor slopes.

Reflection: I enjoyed the session again and I am getting the bug for skiing. I was a bit disheartening when the group split and I didn’t progress, but it is good that they will only progress you when you are ready. I am committed to reaching and passing level five so I can use the main slope on my own unsupervised. I need to concentrate on my journey and not the others around me, it takes as long as it takes. Another decision is also made after I feel like it I had forgotten some if the things learnt at level two and I will now be taking lesson weekly. It will be time consuming but worth the effort.

Lesson Five - Level Three Repeat

Today sees my second attempt to pass my level three lesson, with the goal skiing from the top of trainer slope. Since my last lesson I had done some exercises whilst standing still, getting myself into an athletic stance and then transferring my weight from leg to legs and balancing on it, this is one of techniques needed to enable your snowplough turn. 

We start as last time about a quarter of the way up the training slope after a brief recap, I shouldn't be, but I am relieved that I am doing better than some in the group, which is not surprising as it’s my second go. We gradually get higher up the slope until we are half way up, by the blue cushion.

I am hoping I can progress past it today. My practice exercises seemed to have worked, I am linking turns, Success we progress past the blue “barrier” then the awkward moment, I try to help some who was slipping, I managed to stop them but I am now facing the wrong way, this is soon corrected.

We now have a new challenge which is to ski around the blue barrier. whilst controlling our speed. Most of the group then proceed to the top of the trainer slope, another significant milestone reached. At the cost of another silly move, at the top of the slope next to the magic carpet is a red fence I step off close to it and nearly stack it, but I successfully recover myself. We are now allowed to ski from the top with supervision after a couple of goes, we are told to continue while the instructor helps the others. I am pleased I have now passed my level three. 

Reflection: I am really pleased that I have now made it to the top of the trainer slope and that putting in some extra work has paid off. The smile on my face when being told I had passed level three says everything. My confidence is gradually gaining, but I am also conscious that I don’t want to break anything. The new target is making it to the top of the Main Slope.

Lesson Six - Level Four

So after a two week break due to no level four lessons being available. It is time to see if I can make it to the Main slope.

We start with a recap of the previous lesson and start above the blue barrier in the middle of the slope. I think this is done to ensure we are still at the right level to progress, before being allowed from the top. The challenge this week is that there is something set up in the middle of the trainer slope just above the blue barrier, it is cordoned off with red fencing, but it is an obstacle to avoid, which is in the back of my mind.

The group this time is very mixed, we are told to follow the trainer down the slope in a line, the aim to be able to control your speed with your turns, the first run goes well. We then get to do it with instructor watching us, and then the person behind me overtakes me, the next time I gesture for him to go first, he says no to which I say “no overtaking me this time”. At the half way point we are split into two groups, I didn’t make the cut, no main slope today. I put this down to missing a week and the obstacle was challenging me, think I need to ensure I avoid the obstacle and everyone else. We continue to complete practice runs for the rest of the session. Another level to repeat.

Reflection: I am a little disappointed that I didn’t make it to the Main slope but say to myself practice makes perfect. I am determined to pass my level five, but also to have the ability to go on a skiing holiday. I really enjoy the feeling of skiing and the sense of achievement of being pushed outside my comfort zone and actually realising I can actually do this even if I am 47 and a lot older than others in the groups I had attended.

Lesson Seven - Level Four Repeat

Today’s lesson is an early one, hopefully the day I make it to the main slope.

The training slope is not too busy and no additional obstacles this time. Our instructor gives us an option start three quarters the way up or straight to the top, everyone says the same as me thankfully “top”. We start by doing runs down the trainer slope, the instructor notices my stance is slightly off and says, “can I move you”, of course I say and he shoves my bum in, advising that it was sticking out too much and it was affecting my center of gravity more to the back, when it needs to be forward.

After a few more runs and the half way point of the session, we head off to the Main slope. We start with an introduction to the button lift and how to use it. It is an odd sensation for the first couple of goes, with me gripping the pole for dear life, then at the top, you go over an apex where you let go and slide off. We all make it to the top and as we look down, I say “ooo isn’t it a long way down” before apologising and saying “that was meant to be internal sorry”.

We then cover the basic again to slow down, turn and to stop, complete the turn to face uphill. We then complete a couple of runs with the group following the instructor down the slope. On one of the return button lift trips I lose my balance and come off, but as I wasn’t far up, I skied back to the bottom to repeat. At the end of the session I am signed off my level four.

I tried out my new Bollé Mute Mips Helmet today, I had purchased it along with Y7 OTG googles for upcoming skiing trips, but aren’t needed for indoor skiing.

Reflection: I was nervous to start with at the top of the main slope, it is not much higher than the trainer slope, but it feels it, you are also mixed in with more experienced skiers, but the sense of achievement makes me buzz. I didn’t fall over, mainly due to my overall balance is improving and another milestone on my journey has passed. 

Lessons Learnt