OT: A question for you skiers...

Okay, so I just moved to Colorado a mere 38 years ago, and just haven't had the time to learn how to downhill ski in that short amount of time. The longer I've gone, the more improbable it seems for me to even bother. Now I've gotten a wild hair and I think I might want to give it a try. Anybody got suggestions as to which ski area might be my best bet for lessons, and why? Years ago I heard Ski Cooper was a good choice. I've XC skied a tiny bit, but absolutely suck at it, which hasn't really inspired me to go out and keep trying to get better, which has created a circular excuse to not even try. I figure if I could get my wings wet (weird euphemism, I guess) with downhill, shorter skis, a teacher who could show me correct technique, etc., it might help me in the XC ski area, too. Plus, I just want to be outside getting exercise in the winter, instead of remaining the big, fat pig I am now. Thanks in advance for your help!

Not terribly sure downhill will help you with XC skis, but don't let that stop you from enjoying a great sport... Sorry I can't help on suggestions for lessons; I've been out of the downhill scene since before I moved to Colorado; skied once at Eldora a few years back, but I'm not up on the slopes and their staff competencies.

Enjoy!

I can't speak to the quality of the ski school but I think Monarch is a good bet. Plus it's close to you ('close' for a ski area). My kids took lessons there years ago and we had no issues. We used to ski there as a family until I started buying Colorado passes because it was nearly the same time to there as Breckenridge for us and the crowds are much smaller.

Monarch has some pretty tame slopes to learn on and a nice mix of intermediate slopes when you're ready. Plus you're never too far away from the lodge (the runs are relatively short).

You might want to think about private lessons. That way you get very personallized instruction and you can progress at your own pace, not faster or slower than a group. Also, if you don't click with an instructor you might be able to change. Also, I'd recommend learning on skis (which you mentioned) vice snowboard. I haven't boarded but I think the advantage of being able to split your legs for balance would be a big help. However, I guess if you learn to board from the get-go you're at a bigger advantage for that sport.

It's a great sport, you'll have fun!

Hi Todd,

Our family learned at Keystone (group format) and they basically taught lessons through the morning and turned you loose for the afternoon. We stuck to the 'green" beginner slopes and progressed to the point where we could go all the way down "School Marm" without falling. We seemed to pick it up OK. We're not great skiers, mind you - and don't intend to ever be able to do double black diamonds!

I really prefer snowshoeing myself. We've also tried X-C and were OK at it, but turns are still a challenge. Falling is part of the fun, though.

I agree with Kalin. I've heard Monarch is good for lessons and is more oriented towards families. You may get better instruction there. Ski Cooper, also, is supposed to be good for beginners.

Ken

Downhill won't help you much with x-country, except maybe getting you a little more comfortable with a little speed while standing on sticks. The locked-in heel of downhill provides a very different feel than the toe-only x-country binding. Both will likely feel awkward for the first outing or two. But both are much like learning to ride a bike. Once you have the basics down, you can always climb back on.

X-country is definitely the easier of the 2 - until you start trying telemark turns. Just buy some x-country gear (go for the backcountry binding style) and get out. You'll feel wobbly at first, but then you'll get the hang of it. For downhill, like Kalin's idea of starting out at a smaller resort and with private lessons. That will maximize your learning experience. Just remember to have fun!

So I'm not the only one! In 11 years in CO, I never did the downhill thing, mostly because it didn't appeal to me (crowds, expense, traffic...). We did x-country numerous times at the Breckenridge Nordic Center; I sucked at it, but still enjoyed it - slower pace, quiet, beautiful, a good workout and the inevitable spills never ended with me impaled on a tree or careening downhill head over heel.

Another alternative, if your primary motivation is winter exercise, is snowshoeing. It's my personal favorite. Aside from being generally quiet, peaceful and still a very good workout, I'm more comfortable carrying a camera and tripod on snowshoes than on skis. And, the potential for some good photography was always more likely to get me out there than the potential for having some 2nd grader laughing at me while I did my best baby giraffe imitation as I tried to right myself with 6' sticks stuck to my feet...

Good luck with the new adventures - have fun!

Todd, i can relate quite well--i didnt learn to ski until i moved to Seattle 8 yrs ago. I also had done limited X-C beforehand. I took a couple private lessons to get some basics (i recommend private rather than group despite the cost, unless your a kid and can actually pick physical skills up easily!) but i still struggled for quite a while to get off the beginner slopes--i just didnt feel it. But i was determined and eventually something 'clicked' and i figured it out. So, what i am saying is that beyond age 30, learning to ski will be quite painful and you will do face plants, and feel like a truck ran over you the next day from the muscles you never knew you had. You have to be pretty determined to get through the learning curve. Some people do learn faster than others, however.
I think Monarch or Cooper are good bets. The advantage at Monarch is that it is closer and the beginner runs are easier. The advantage at Cooper is that there are fewer snowboarders you have to worry about running into! Cant speak to the instructor issue. Good luck--i say go for it!

I tried downhill twice and both times was slammed into by an out of control youngster. Maybe if you have a NASCAR bent, it's your sort of thing. My first X-country was a little better, but not much. It added to my mental images of windmills. Once I got some decent X-country gear and learned some simple waxing techniques, I've really enjoyed it. Much easier on the wallet, can usually find places closer to home, and quieter. My best estimate is that either one has a learning curve that's a little frustrating before you really start to enjoy things.

I've always preferred Copper Mountain, but I think any resort would be OK.

Skip the group lessons and pay for private lessons. When I decided to step up my skiing ability, I chose a female over a male instructor, as I think for the most part they tend to be more verbal and patient, and I feel less pressure when I've having difficulty "getting" something.

Take lessons in the early afternoon - fewer crowds than the early morning. It's nice if you can plan to stay overnight so you don't have to worry about the traffic and long drive home after your lesson.

The more specific you can be in telling the instructor what you want to do and be able to get out of the lessons helps too.

Take some Advil before and after the lesson. Schedule yourself a massage afterwards too.

Or, skip the skiing all together and get a pair of snowshoes. No lift tickets or lift lines. No $22 lunches. And they give you a way to access some great winter photography locations. Good exercise, too.

I'll teach ya Todd. My last student barely survived the first lesson, but by the third I had him skiing double blacks.

Well, being a newbie to the state, I can't really recommend anything specific. My only suggestion would be to take lessons and start practicing at a smaller ski area to avoid the crowds and the frustration that comes with it. I remember first learning to ski in subzero temps in northern Minnesota. Never had to worry about running into others!!

If getting in a little better shape is your main goal, the earlier suggestion to try snowshoeing is a good one as well. I picked up a pair for the first time this winter and find it to be one heckuva workout...especially with all the snow this year. Of course its not as much fun as skiing, but its also a much cheaper way to stay in shape.

Cooper is a wonderful, small, family-oriented ski resort that really doesn't seem like a resort at all. Plus, the price is right. My kids learned how to ski there and I love the place. I think it would be a great place to start. I've skiied all of the major resorts and nothing compares to Cooper for a beginner. There may be some good coupon deals in the Gold C book that will save you even more.

Be prepared for some frustration your first day. Lots of falls and scary moments. If you can just get over the hump, the next time will be much better. I've taught a few adults to ski, and this happens to all of them.

There is nothing like the feeling of going FAST downhill, surrounded by beautiful scenery. A real natural high. I'd reserve the fast part until after you've gone skiing a few times, though.

Todd, I don't know how old you are, but I suspect you would like to remain as functional as possible for your "golden years" as a photographer. I would steer clear of downhill skiing/boarding and lean more towards XC and especially snowshoeing. I XC skied for a while and it is a heck of a work out. I could fly on the flats and rolling terrain, but never could handle steeper downhills with sharp turns. I love snowshoeing and as Guy stated is cheaper, calorie burning and has a low learning curve. If you go backcountry you still must be prepared for avalanche safety.

Pam

Hey Todd,

Do yourself a favor and forget about snowshoes! Skis and skins are 1000 x better for snow travel.

Good luck!

In all seriousness, one of my favorite ski resorts is Copper. A major reason is the terrain is naturally divided between levels. That makes it an excellent place to teach someone to ski.

Its been a long time since I skied Monarch, but as I remember it was pretty good in this way too.

Most major resort ski instructors are going to be on basically the same level, especially in regards to teaching the basics. I suppose there would be some differences for advanced instruction or private lessons, but I think this would depend highly on the particular instructor.

I will tell you though that X-C and downhill are significantly different and I don't think that good downhill technique helps in X-C skiing nearly as much as good telemark technique helps downhill skiers. For the backcountry, if you want to use downhill technique, you need A-T skis/bindings/boots. If you want to use X-C or freeheel skis, you need to learn telemark skiing (which in my opinion is more difficult to learn and an easier way to get hurt).

I don't think skiing is any more likely to lead to injury than other sports if you stay within your ability level. I would encourage you to try it.

Todd, I can't help you on recommending one area over another for lessons, but, i suggest you also consider snowboarding instead of downhill. From my experience, first timers find snowboarding much easier to learn and master over downhill skis. Both of my sons were on double black diamond runs during their first weekend - and lived to tell about it !

I prefer cross country and snowshoes, never could get excited about the ski resort scene.

If there's one thing I knew when I posted this topic, it's that I could count on you guys for some great suggestions. THANK YOU!!! I'm taking things under advisement, and when I get back from shooting in the desert next week, I'm going to mentally get geared up for learning to ski.

Ha, I've lived in Colorado for 28 years (read all) and I don't ski either. I've been snowboarding a few times though. The best lessons I've taken in Snowboarding were administered at Steamboat, but that's a drive and a half for you. It's been since Middle School that I've skied so I have no advice there.

Like everyone else I'm not sure how downhill would help with XC, however....I prefer Copper Mountain for a couple of reasons. I'm sure their ski school is no better or worse than any other but I'm dedicated to them because of the support they give to Colorado Special Olympics. I've got a kid in Special Olympics and Copper is great. They provide free skiing to the kids from January to mid March for training and they host the State Games in late March. So....if you have to choose and don't get any other ringing endorsements, choose Copper. They have big hearts.