Comments on: SO not ready for prime time

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 04:15:06 +0000

Yeah, trying to negotiate what to do with the family was definitely a stress-inducing task – but being in the wrong class was the worst of it. I think we have a better idea now what we need to do with the kids. We may still try another family ski day on Sunday – but I think we really need to get my son into the all day program – or I go alone. My daughter is flexible, and if Sam is around to ski with her, there isn’t a problem – but Zach has a time limit on how long he’ll put up with stuff. The full day program they have lets kids ski for a bit, then lets them play in a little gym – so I think he’ll like it.

As for me – I spoke with the director of skier services and he’s promised me that if I come back and take another level 3 lesson, my favorite instructor (the one I got the private lesson from) will be teaching it. So I KNOW she won’t torture me… at least not too much and not right off the lift like that. LOL!

By: Caryn

Caryn — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:41:33 +0000

yikes. That had to be a letdown, with a good experience last time and a not-so-good experience this time. The stress of being mommy in charge and learning new things is probably a bad combination. Maybe a few more alone lessons and then you will feel more prepared to make a family event out of it.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:48:21 +0000

You know thinking about it again, I may write to the resort about the whole experience. I had signed up with them in a program that was supposed to be designed for people who had never skid before. Which was ALMOST perfect for the first class (if it wasn’t for the major equipment fails I had) – but after that – they really do seem to dump you into the “wild”. I think it comes down to the fact that a “level 3″ beginner is something TOTALLY DIFFERENT from a “level 3 – I’ve been skiing for 30 years but never had a lesson”. I got into a the tail end of a level 2 class after I took the loser train back to the resort – and yes, they were covering stuff I already knew (probably stuff I needed more practice on – but still – I DID the level 2 stuff already) – But I still needed more instruction on how to do that stuff better and deal with a few other issues I’m having. (like somehow getting to a point of going too fast and can’t stop. I need someone to teach me how to do an “emergency break” stop that doesn’t involve my face in the snow)… I think that jerk-instructor for the level 3 class just figured he’d tailor the class to those (more advanced) people – without really checking to see if everyone was at the same level… Someone in their “New Skier” program should not be thrown in a group like that – but still should be able to get the instruction needed at a level 3…

By: Jamie Dillier

Jamie Dillier — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:58:41 +0000

Oh, that’s terrible! I’m sorry! I think you’re pretty bad ass for learning to ski in the first place. I sure never would, sliding down a mountain on a couple o’ sticks? WAY too scary for me!

And after that day with those instructors, I’d be going to a different ski resort!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:27:22 +0000

I agree w/ JenK. If I may add to your “spidey sense” of anxiety… sounds to me like you weren’t yet ready to be both mom-in-control and also student/learning to ski. The fact that I’d have to worry about the unplanned with my son, (and the real problem of time/attention), plus the understandable newness of skilling, (haven’t you only been out three times or something?), would have made me a wreck!!!

I second what you wrote, “I guess I should be happy that’s all [confidence] that’s bruised, seeing how many times I had fallen.” The important thing to me is that you did ask and receive help in the form of the snow mobile and you followed what you know to be the family limit.

I do hope there is a next time… alone for you for now. You can do it!!!!!

By: JenK

JenK — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 06:34:45 +0000

Man, that hurts. But it honestly sounds like maybe the trouble was with the instructor, not you. Maybe you should try again when there is someone else leading the class?