re: How difficult is it to learn to snow ski?

With a couple days of ski school/lessons, you should be good to go.

Problem is, its expensive, so some people get there & decide to learn on their own. That will make it miserable & unenjoyable

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and took a group "lesson."

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I highly suggest a private lesson to any newbies. One on one attention will get you there quicker.

Take lessons…one thing many beginners that try to teach themselves to ski is that they forget that they have to get on and off a ski lift. Sounds easy and it certainly can be but it can be challenging as well. There is a certain rhythm to using a ski lift. The lessons will teach you important skill sets like stopping and getting up after you fall and you will fall…probably a lot. Always remember that a ski resort will let you injure yourself if you are so inclined. Very easy to have a bad accident if you try to go too fast or ski in higher difficulty level runs. Take it slow and easy and you will have fun. Depending on time of year and conditions in top of that mountain can be damn cold. Dress accordingly. Also skiing Late in the afternoons can be challenging as well. Hard to explain but afternoon shadows are not your friend. Makes seeing undulations in the surface tough to gauge.

Have fun. All I got.

End of day one with private lessons you’ll be able to “pizza stop.”
End of day two you’ll be able to “french fry” stop.

You’ll learn quickly.
Get poles.
Medium length skis.
Wool socks.
Water proof gloves.

It's not difficult as long as you know your comfort zone. Half day lesson will get you started where you can go down a trail. Within two days you should feel confident to tackle blues.

Do expect to be around lots of other people in your skill level, including kids.

Do expect muscles, unrelated to falling, to ache afterwards.



Do not expect to ski in the deep pow or the glades.

Do not expect to hit the terrain park (though usually the trail in the terrain part is usually wide and no more than a blue designation).

Do not expect to do moguls.

The golden rule of skiing vs snowboarding:

Skiing is easier to learn, but harder to master.
Snowboarding is harder to learn, but easier to master.

Both require learning how to fall gracefully. Once you know how to bail you’re pretty much set to enjoy both. If you wipe out on ice though you’re fricked.

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If you wipe out on ice though you’re fricked.

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Hence, don’t ski East of the Mississippi

Not too bad - I had never skied and took one morning lesson then headed to greens - don't overdo it and you will get better every day - legs will be sore for first couple of days

If youre a kid, really quick.

Adults, you'll hurt a bit.