Ways to learn about the mountain without taking a lesson?

[TsuKata]

I'm interested in both specific-to-my-situation and general advice on this one, so I'm going to describe my situation to help clarify the question, but don't feel bound by these specifics in responding.

As some of y'all already know, we're going to Northstar at Tahoe this weekend, flying out tonight. I'm really excited, because this is my first ski trip out west since I really learned to ski, got over fear of chair lifts, etc. My DH and I are having a conflict, though. He wants me to take a lesson first thing, to help get me oriented on the bigger mountain. He's worried about me venturing to what I think is a blue run only to discover that I made a wrong turn and am now going freefall down a black, and he feels like an instructor will be able to gauge my ability, give me some pointers, and help point me to runs that are within my range and maybe 1-2 that will challenge me.

I like taking lessons, but I want to get to ski a bit when I first get there without taking a lesson. I'm worried that between the thinner air and me being generally out of shape, I'm going to get worn out super-fast, and thus I'm not going to get my money's worth out of a lesson until I've had time to acclimate. I do remember that when I did that very first lesson (see my userpic) at Heavenly, that just walking around was very tiring for me for the first couple of hours...and then I acclimated and I was fine. But, my DH's worry is just that when I start working my way up, I might get in over my head without realizing it. He's going to want to leave me at some point to ski the steep blacks, and he's nervous about leaving me without both of us having a good understanding of which runs are safe...he doesn't want me getting hurt or lost if he leaves me on my own.

So, with this in mind, how do you tend to find out things like which blues are the easy blues and which are the hard blues without taking a lesson? Do you just ask around while on the gondola or lift? Is there somewhere or someone that these resorts have that is tasked with answering that kind of question?

I should add that no matter what, my plan is to start on the easiest green and work my way up from there based on my comfort level. As far as my own rating of my skill level, I'm solid on being able to turn up the hill to stop, controlling my speed, doing good S-turns, etc. On those PSIA levels that someone posted, I'm working on the level 4 aspirations (e.g., hockey stops). Right now, my way of stopping is to either keep turning until I slow down or wedge to a stop at the bottom. I do want to take a lesson while we're there, just not first thing.

 

[Kiragirl]

If you are really unfamiliar with the mt, maybe a "lesson" is a good idea...you can tell the instructor that you sort of want a guided tour as well, or at least some good recommendations on which trails to check out.

 

[MaryLou]

Could you spend the first morning with your hubby? You said he'd probably ditch you to find the blacks. But if he's worried about you getting into too difficult terrain, why doesn't he explore with you? That way he's sure you'll be okay and you get to spend time together.

You're right that you just can't go by the trail rating, even if it's a true blue one day, one month later it may be completely different based on snow, weather, grooming etc (or at least in NE it can chang) and be equiv. to a black. And some mountain's blues equal another's black, etc.. At my home mountain, which I know quite well, there are some trails where I don't get the rating at all and I worry about a new skier (some of it is marketing I think too...can't call a trail blue if it's by trailside lodging, or new skiers won't think they can stay there, so it's a green). So you're quite conscientious to think ahead - I'm more of a leap before looking person lol...

 

[num]

Do they have mountain hosts? You could ask one for recommendations. Or you can ask a ski patroller you see hanging around, or at the ski school desk. Not a substitutue for a real guide, but if it's asking someone who works on the hill or nothing, I'd go for asking someone who works on the hill. Personally, if not starting with a lesson, I'd ask all of the above, and try a run that they all say is flat, just so you're not going on one person's way slanted opinion.

If you want to see how you acclimate, maybe you could make a lap or two on the bunniest of hills just to see how you're feeling and evaluate if you're up for a lesson. If your husband is good at identifying the terrain you're comfortable with, maybe he can check a few greens out while you're testing out your lungs on the bunny hill and report back with where you might like to start.

 

[Bing]

Take the lesson, particularly if it's private, but even if it is not, your instructor will then be able to tell you what runs are good for you - waaaay less stressful than ending up over your head.

Skiing with DH can just be a recipe for tears and overly steeps in my personal experience, then again, we're not married to the same guy... I hope !

 

[dloveski]

Do they have mountain hosts? You could ask one for recommendations.

Yeah NUM

This is why I LOVE Mountain Hosting......I love to help newbies to the resort and to skiing. Seek out the hosts. Ask if they provide tours. I assess the skier's abilities through a series of questions and observation---and make recommendations accordingly.

Lessons are the way to go, but a free host tour is the best way to figure out the lay of the land, be guided down the runs of choice, and inquire about the options at a particular resort. Hosts provide a great service, hopefully they will have hosts on duty.

 

[Ski Spirit]

Tsukata,
This may be too late to help you. I ski frequently at Northstar. They don't have mountain hosts. You can ask people in general, but the best source is usually an instructor who's seen you ski.
My recommendations for the easiest blue runs at Northstar would be: Lower Main, West Ridge to Luggi's to Lumberjack, Logger's Loop, East Ridge to Skid Trail. Next higher blues off of Tahoe Zephyr lift: IMO Pioneer, the Gully, Sodergrens, Ax Handle off of West Ridge.

On weekdays, Northstar may still have free lessons at the top of West Ridge for high intermediates/advanced (not sure , never tried it).

Hope that is of some help!

 

[dloveski]

Ski Spirit---a virtual host. You have a calling!!!

 

[Daria]

Hi TsuKata!

Northstar is not a very complicated or huge mountain and everyone there is very friendly. A lesson would not be a bad idea - just tell them what you are looking for. Also, the blues and blacks tend to be overstated - meaning a black at Northstar might be a blue someplace else. So if you stick to the greens and blues you should be just fine. Also, carry your cell phone. Reception on the mountain is very good. Have a great time

 

[IntheClouds]

Ski Spirit knows Northstar well. I'd sure go with her recommendations.

Just to add without really adding much info. Northstar may have some type of guide arrangement. I say this only because back in Jan. when I had an afternoon lesson scheduled, my instructor had spent the morning hosting/guiding a group of skiers around the mountain. At this time of year they may or may not have enough personnel, but I would give them a call asking if they have tours available by any other name they may call it. Have fun !

 

[TsuKata]

Thank you everyone! I'm taking notes for tomorrow (or later today). We just got into the hotel in Reno. I don't think we're going to make first chair tomorrow. ;-)

 

[playoutside]

Another thing about Northstar is that they have some of the best trail signs I've ever seen on a mountain. First there are plenty, including where trails branch off. They also mark which have been groomed recently by attaching groomed sign to the trail sign. All should be very handy for helping you stay within your skills. Have fun.

 

[Ski Spirit]

I've also heard that Northstar does a REALLY good job on grooming, so that should help also!

Don't remember how long you will be there skiing, Tsukata, but good timing....not nearly so many people on a week day!

If you take a group lesson, chances are there won't be too many people (especially for afternoon lessons...or definitely check to see if those free lessons at the top of Comstock are happening!).

 

[Ski Spirit]

A New Career?

Ski Spirit---a virtual host. You have a calling!!!

Dioveski -- Do you get paid to be a Mountain Host or is it a volunteer job? Just curious........:

 

[dloveski]

Hosting

Dioveski -- Do you get paid to be a Mountain Host or is it a volunteer job? Just curious........:

Volunteer (and free skiing).

I hear some larger areas have paid host positions, but they don't sound as fun as the volunteer positions. The hosts that volunteer love the sport, the resort, and are there for reasons not related to pay.

 

[Ski Spirit]

Free skiing?? Not a bad deal......

I don't think anyone who does any form of skiing associated work does so for money (not that I'm aware of).......even people who are extremely talented skiers and instructors (that category definitely doesn't include me.....I'm just highly enthusiastic.....or very addicted)!!

 

[dloveski]

and through hosting, I have a whole bunch of ski buddies.

 

[Daria]

TsuKata, how was your day? We just got up to Northstar and ran into one of our ski instructor friends. He said there was only 1500 people on the mountain at 1pm so you and your DH had the place to your self Seems like the crowds have put their skis back into storage for the season - unlike us Ski Diva addicts

 

[TsuKata]

Well, my day was interesting. ;-) As you heard, the place was practically empty...which was great. But it turns out that the greens there are plenty challenging for me. My DH, who skied blacks happily at Heavenly, was feeling challenged by the blues (although he did a couple of the steep blacks, too). He says the snow conditions are making it tougher.

I actually had a quite amusing wipeout on lumberjack...I misguessed the fall line and started speeding up to the point that I lost control. It was right in a junction with other trails, too, so I was having trouble being able to traverse to slow down without running into people (many of whom were stopped because that's the kind of spot it was, and it's a beginner hill), so that just made it worse. And so, I spotted a big drift to my left and angled for it and just wiped out in the snowdrift. It was a bit scary, but it all came out fine...I was laughing as I got up (and was once again very happy I had a helmet on). Still, it put me off of doing that run again today. My DH spent the morning with me, too, as y'all suggested, and that worked well, especially with my wipeout and subsequent lack of confidence in self.

We decided to head back to Northstar tomorrow, and now that I've gotten my ski legs back (having spent most of the day on Bearpaw and finishing down the village run), I'm ready for a lesson tomorrow.

If anyone happens to be going tomorrow and wants to meet up, PM me. I'll check PMs tonight before bed.

 

[Ski Spirit]

Hi Tsukata,
Definitely agree with your DH; snow conditions are making Northstar more difficult. I was there about 1 1/2
weeks ago and the snow was changing noticeably over the course of the day (late afternoon the lower you are, the worse it is).

You're supposed to have the right of way when you're ahead of people, but I know what you mean about all the
people.

You could consider taking the fork to the left past Lower Main (Gully?) but it could be a little tricky where it
joins up.....there are fewer people who take this route to get back to the base but there's less space to manuever through to the bottom (where everyone going down pools up).

Hope you have a great lesson tomorrow and a great time overall. I'm not skiing at the moment because I sprained an ankle last Wednesday but trying to recover as soon as possible!