GoClimbUp

• Can adults learn to ski?

Who says adults can’t learn how to ski? With the right motivation and training, adults learn to ski in no time at all. The answer is yes, of course! The idea that adults can’t learn to ski is a myth and has been debunked over and over again. In fact, studies have shown that more and more adults are starting to learn to ski and they’re not necessarily slower than children. The only decisive factors during the learning process are the beginner’s motivation as well as his or her preparation and physical fitness. In order to avoid sore muscles during your first skiing holidays, doing some simple exercises a few days or weeks prior to your first session on the slopes will definitely help adults learn to ski. You can improve your stamina and strength by doing a couple of exercises that can easily be done throughout the day

• What should I consider when choosing a destination?

When adults learn to ski they may not have the same expectations for a skiing destination as families or advanced skiers. What’s very important is the resort’s trail map, on which all trail the resort has to offer are marked according to their level of difficulty. The training areas are something you will also want to check since the first few days of beginners’ lessons usually take place there. The exact location of the training areas and easy slopes, as well as their accessibility, are also factors that need to be taken into account by beginners. Ideally, your accommodation should be in proximity to the beginners’ areas. If, for example, you choose an accommodation in a neighbouring village, make sure the ski lifts and easy slopes are not too far away from a car park. To help adults learn to ski, another piece of advice from us: try to look out for beginners’ areas that are separated from training areas for children. That way, you’ll be able to focus on your own progress without having to worry about running over a little trailblazer. The resort in GoClimbUp offers numerous beginners’ lessons in closed training areas where adults learn to ski.

• Can I teach myself to ski?

Professional ski lessons are the best way to help adults learn to ski. You can find an abundance of helpful tips for skiing on the internet. As a beginner, it is always good to do a little bit of preliminary research on the sport and the different techniques. Nevertheless, no matter how well you know the theory, putting theoretical knowledge into practice requires a lot of effort. You can read all the blogs and internet sources in the world, but they can’t replace the expertise of a professional ski instructor. In choosing to rely solely on online sources for learning to ski you run the risk of adopting the wrong technique and, in the worst case, seriously injuring yourself. It’s more advantageous when adults learn to ski with a professional instructor as they are the best at teaching the basics of skiing. And if you miss your friends too much, don’t worry, you can always go skiing with them or join them for a drink during the breaks or after your skiing lesson! After just one week of skiing, most beginners are able to ski down blue and easy red slopes on their own. What better way to celebrate your new skill than skiing with all your friends on the very last day? This is the benefit of longer stays: when adults learn to ski over the duration of several days, they can explore some parts of the resort on their own once they have completed their course.

• Should I join group lessons or practice with a private instructor?

When adults learn to ski, they will both learn the basics of skiing and make new friends. Both group and private lessons have their advantages. In the end, it is totally up to you whether you’d prefer to ski with a private instructor or together with a group of people. Private lessons are recommended if a beginner wishes to learn to ski very quickly. With a private instructor, the learning process can be accelerated as the instructor only has one student to focus on. That way, you’ll have 100% of the instructor’s attention and will be able to express your individual wishes.

A group lesson, on the other hand, is cheaper. In a lesson like this, adults learn to ski with participants who are equally as experienced. As such, there is no need to be afraid of making mistakes and you can feel let loose, as everyone is there to learn and improve their skills. What is more, if you get along well with the other participants, you might make a couple of new friends … there is a reason skiing is said to be one of the most communicative sports!

• How long does it take for adults to learn to ski?

The perfect duration of a ski course varies depending on each beginner’s ability to pick up new skills. Setting a standard period of time for how long it should take an adult to learn to ski isn’t easy as every person learns at their very own pace. Hence, there is no ideal duration for a skiing course for adults. Again: motivation and physical fitness will define your personal success. Usually, beginners can easily do their first turns on the slopes after the first 3 days of their skiing course. It takes another 1 to 2 days of practice until beginners can take on blue slopes by themselves.

• Which requirements should the equipment meet?

When adults learn to ski, they are usually advised to rent their skiing equipment at the ski resort. That way, beginners not only save money but are also able to ski with modern and high-quality equipment. There are rumours that rental equipment for skiing is often old and in bad condition – that is simply not true: rental shops replace and upgrade their products regularly. Another little bonus of renting your equipment is that you’ll be travelling with much less weight! Now let’s talk fashion – the perfect skiing outfit includes a lot of things. First, of course, you’ll need fitting ski underwear and ski socks. Over that, you have to wear ski trousers, a ski jacket, a hat and gloves. The best way to prepare for any change in weather is to wear a multi-layer outfit which we call the “onion look”. Ski goggles should also be on your list of things to get when shopping for your skiing outfit, as it is an essential accessory for eye protection. While wearing a helmet isn’t mandatory for adults, experts advise that especially adult beginners wear one, so as to avoid head injuries.

Check out our best Skiing courses available in Kedarkantha, Sankari and Auli, Joishimath in Uttarakhand