2013, the year I learnt to Ski.

**SimonMac** · 19 June 2013, 07:53

Break a leg!

**cojak** · 19 June 2013, 07:57

Funny, 2012 was the year that I finally decided that skiing wasn't for me (it's only taken 17 seasons to reach that conclusion.

)

So now I just have to persuade Mr C that I still love the mountains, I just want to experience them from a snow-shoe hiking perspective.

**Old Hack** · 19 June 2013, 08:28

Originally posted by cojak View Post

Funny, 2012 was the year that I finally decided that skiing wasn't for me (it's only taken 17 seasons to reach that conclusion.

)

So now I just have to persuade Mr C that I still love the mountains, I just want to experience them from a snow-shoe hiking perspective.

I have always loved skiing, just never been that good at at, and in '92 had an accident, of a large enough scale, to persuade me, that after 10 years trying, I should give up on it.

However, then I met a younger lady, who turned out to become my wife who, this year, wants to learn to ski. I am slightly scared at this prospect.

**scooterscot** · 19 June 2013, 08:45

I'm still one of those characters that does not use a helmet. Whilst I agree I'm more at risk on a busy piste (children scare me), I understand the helmet will do well to protect from maybe on the lift and a snowboard falls from above. But it'll do me no good whatsoever slamming into a tree, for that the helmet would need to be 6" thick. I've also heard folks using helmet take more risks, don't know about that. But of those in my fraternity who have picked up injuries this season all were wearing helmets.

I've taken a number of tumbles myself this season, but just bounced and got back and on with it. My thumb was the only thing I came close to breaking when I fell and could not let go of my ski pole as it was strapped to my wrist. Don't do it!

I'm all about cruising on the slopes, never exceeding 50 kmph or until the wind in my hair is positively being pinned back. Got this app called 'Ski Tracks', very cool, records you speed and distance through out the day and altitude.

**Old Hack** · 19 June 2013, 08:51

Ah, you’ve never lived if you’ve not put the skis together, bent your knees and leant back slightly down a steep and long run.

But then again, you’ve also probably never done a treble toe loop salka with experimental 720 degree knee rotation at the bottom of said run either

**NotAllThere** · 19 June 2013, 09:39

Having had a couple of accidents and my daughter having had one accident, where the helmet prevented more serious injury, I wouldn't not wear one. A good one is comfortable, well ventilated, and keeps your ears warm when it is cold. For people who wear glasses, there are visor helmets which don't fog. There's no particular reason not to wear one; it's an additional piece of safety equipment that isn't inconvenient. Obviously it only protects against particular kinds of injuries in certain scenarios. I can't say I've ever skied into a tree, but I've had a few knocks on the noggin. The piste can be quite solid at speed.

I started skiing about ten years ago in my early 30s, and love it. I can get down most slopes, but can't really be bothered with off-piste. 80 kph down a fairly empty black slope - the most fun you can have with all your clothes on. (Any faster than that, and my skis start to "chatter").

**Paddy** · 19 June 2013, 10:04

I leant to ski in 1972 while working for a tour company is Austria. The skis were very different then.

**doodab** · 19 June 2013, 12:05

It's all downhill from here....

**Bunk** · 19 June 2013, 13:08

Originally posted by scooterscot View Post

Coming down a black slope

Looks like you're going down it backwards. Impressive

2013, the year I learnt to Ski.