Back when I started this thread in 2012, I had the sense that many Divas who don't post may be intermediates who started skiing as adults. Here are the questions I asked in Post #1 to help intermediates who are having so much fun that they would like to ski more and more given the usual constraints of free time and money.
- What tips or stories do you have for those who discover the fun of sliding down a snowy slope on downhill skis later in life?
- When is buying boots worthwhile?
- When is buying skis worthwhile?
- Is going on a ski vacation to a destination resort as a beginner or intermediate worth the time and money?
Are you an intermediate? If so, please post any other questions that come to mind.
I posted my story in Post #2. Here's a slightly updated version. I've become a solid advanced skier in recent years but remember being an adult intermediate very clearly.
I've reached 62, the age when getting a senior discount for a lift ticket is starting to become more common. I started my daughter at age 4, took her to Alta at age 7, and she was a better skier than I was by age 11 thanks to ski school (Massanutten, Alta). I was lucky to learn to ski at 13, but only got to ski for a couple seasons before a long hiatus. I was close to 50 when I started skiing more regularly.
What helped the most going from intermediate to advanced:
- Time on the snow. Went from 4 days to an average of 12 days locally, plus a couple one week trips out west. For local weekend trips, even an hour at night was worthwhile.
- Getting boots that fit well from a local boot fitter who could make adjustments when needed.
- Demoing skis to learn that I could tell the difference.
- Finding ski buddies for me and/or my daughter.
- Lessons from very experienced instructors, including a high-level multi-day clinic.
I took my time buying skis, but always had my own boots as an adult. Didn't buy good skis until I knew I was going to keep skiing. By then I also had demo'd enough to have an idea what what to buy during spring sales.
For #4, that started as finding ski buddies for my daughter so that local weekend trips were more fun for both of us. The closest slopes to our house are 3-4 hours drive away. However, what helped my skiing improve was having the opportunity to ski with people at big mountains who were better skiers. Finding ski buddies who were advanced skiers, but not hard chargers, for trips out west was a game changer. Helps a lot to ski with friends who are quite willing to wait a bit or to check out snow conditions for a potential adventure off-piste. The first few seasons I did trips out west, I would be more adventurous with friends in the morning, and then take it easy after lunch.