Today was a bad day...

[Cyprissa]

So I skied for the first time in about 15 years today and it did not go well. The Italian Alps are much more difficult to ski than most mountains I have experienced from a trail marking stand point. I somehow accidentally got off a blue piste on to a red one. The first part of the red was fine, it was a bit narrow and twisty but so far so good, then it opened up to a super steep drop off. I freaked out because after all this time I am really scared of speed. I ended up sliding parallel down the mountain. It took forever because my lead foot kept cramping up.

I got to a more chill part and was fine again but then I got on the wrong gondola and went to the wrong base camp. I don't know if this is going to come back to me. The runs here seem either babypark or very steep and challenging. Ugh.

 

[VickiK]

Chalk it to experience. Navigating a new resort is challenging. Italian Alps!

 

[Obrules15]

I restarted after a 10 year hiatus and it took me about 2 days to not feel like a complete and total dorky failure. You are way ahead of me, hang in there!

 

[SkiGAP]

Get right back up there tomorrow!

 

[bounceswoosh]

I'm sorry. Sometimes skiing days are like that, unfortunately.

Could you hire an instructor to get you back into the groove *and* show you around the mountain to appropriate terrain?

 

[Jilly]

bounceswoosh I think has a great idea. Even a group lesson at your level. It is some like riding a bike, but after 15 years, you're on different equipment than you had before. There are nuances that you might not realize to skiing on shaped skis.

 

[bounceswoosh]

I would say a group lesson is just fine for this. If you have money to burn, then, sure, go luxury - go private =)

 

[Kimmyt]

I was going to suggest an instructor as well. It will make your reintroduction much less scary and it wouldn't take much to get you back on your feet and confident enough to navigate around the mountain! Sorry you had a rough first day, hopefully your future days only get better from here!

 

[Cyprissa]

Thanks ladies! I will see about a lesson here tomorrow. We did a private for the kids and it was only €40 so not bad.

I also think that we focused too much on picking something great for the littles and neglected my needs. This mountain has almost all red and black runs. There are a few blues but I was just looking at the map and they don't really connect. It's basically red pistes or the babypark.

 

[Cyprissa]

Oh also, I have retained some things at least because I slip slided down the steep section pretty good so I was able to go from edges to flat. I just freaked out trying to slow down with big wide C turns.

 

[bounceswoosh]

Oh also, I have retained some things at least because I slip slided down the steep section pretty good so I was able to go from edges to flat. I just freaked out trying to slow down with big wide C turns.

Edge control is a good sign. I also have trouble slowing down with big wide C turns. Side slipping (the US term for what you're describing, if I understand you correctly) is a great way to get down something intimidating while keeping your speed down. Nothing wrong with that, but it's not as fun as skiing more fluidly. The instructor can help with that.

 

[mustski]

Either way hang in there! It willful work out and skiing is such a fantastic family activity! We all have days like that!

 

[Cyprissa]

Today was so much better! I skied with my husband all morning and found a chill, long roller which was perfect practice. I did really well on it and was able to make parallel turns. We also did a steeper red run three times. I did ok, traversing back and forth and keeping control but reverted to snow plow a lot more than I would like. I just kept getting nervous when I picked up any speed.

I couldn't get into an English group lesson today but when we get back to our area, I'm going to do some midweek lessons.

 

[bounceswoosh]

One of my instructors says, remember the good turns - forget about the bad ones. So just remember the long roller!