Questions about getting started...

[georgelichti]

Hi all!

I am a yank that lives part time in Northern Italy (thanks to my Italian wife and the ability to work via Fed X, internet and cell phone!). Recently went to Leukerbad in Switzerland where I finally decided to try skiing. Uh oh! Dinked around on the bunny hill sans lessons while 5 year olds went by me like Hermann Maier!

I am 6'1 and a very active and fit 175 pounds, but I am also an "old man" (ha ha) at 36. I am smart enough to know what I do not know, which is damned near everything in skiing! My enthusiastic research so far has led me to believe that renting everything in the beginning is the way to go. Except, I thought MAYBE buying a well fitted pair of boots would be a wise investment, particularly since I have size 13 narrow feet (almost do not need skis ). What do you think on that?

Second, when in the states, we live in Arizona so are a bit limited on where I can try this new found passion. Since I want/need lessons is it enough to go to, say Snowbowl in Flagstaff, where the instructors are all PSIA? Will I get up to date instruction with the new type skis and technique? Is being PSIA enough to ensure a good instructor, personality notwithstanding? Or is it necessary to go to the various academies? Bottomline, what is best way to go from zero to safely competent?

Last, for now, if I wanted safe guarantees I would play chess. That said, I am no longer of the age when I felt I was invincible. What is the best way to minimize injury risk yet still "really ski"? Besides using common sense and subduing my ego that is. Does equipment make a significant difference?

Anything else anybody wants to offer a newbie would be much appreciated. Thanks! Oh, and Merry Christmas.

[midwif]

Welcome Giorgio!
IF you think you are old at 36, what does that make us fifty somethings?
Gary Cassara learned to ski at 36 and is wonderful skier, smooth as silk via PMTS. I also learned at age 36 and wished I had had the knowledge to learn via PMTS from the get go. The wasted money I have spent thru the years on go-nowhere lessons and bad equipment.
Your initial instinct to get well fitting boots is a smart one. I suggest you GO WITH IT!
There are PMTS instructors (I think?) in europe, there is a camp led by H.H. to Hintertux each spring.
I suggest you do some research thru Realskiers, which can lead you to  Harb camps and others that are close in method to PMTS. The Deslauriers, Lito Tejada-Flores all seem to come from a similar direct to parallel ski background and avoid teaching the, hard to lose, snow-plow.
Getting some good starting lessons can make the difference between having the ability to move ahead smoothly in skill level vs a set of skills that will keep you from being able to improve, just survival on the beginner hill.
Let us know what you decide on.

[midwif]

Giorgio
Look under the technique heading the main REalskiers site.

[jim-ratliff]

Giorgio:
I think many of us have also learned a tremendous amount by watching the PMTS videos.  Price is probably less than a single lesson, overall value is much greater.

Jim

[rlspalding]

Giorgio,
I left a really long reply to your really long question in the other thread.
But yea, proper fitting boots is definitely the best investment you can make in skiing. You can always rent skis, but you cant rent good proper fitted boots.

A lot of the new boots are "baked" to form to your feet.  On all of this said, make sure you go to a good, reputable, boot fitter.  Harald's books explain all about the things to look for in boot fitting and alignment. The realskiers main website also has great fitters. If you post a thread on the PMTS website about bootfitters in your local, they might be able to specifically recommend one who is close by, otherwise the realskiers website has a good size list.

Im 27, so I can not relate..lol..howeve r I went to Vail in December and went with a new ski club, and I was the youngest by half...so yea, the next youngest was over 54! There was even 1 person who was 87 and still skiing.  But several members of this club learned in their 50's and 60's. Primarily becauase they didnt have time until they retired!

[georgelichti]

Wanted to say thanks for the replies and the help. So...THANKS!

[Gary]

Hmmm....sounds like a lovely life so add the skiing and you're in Utopia!

Just might add...take a 3-5 hour private. I think the results will be quicker for an old guy like you Giorgio!

Thanks for the compliments Lynn...too kind!

Best,
Gary

[RISkier]

You're a young'n.  My wife put a gun to my head and dragged me off skiing a few days before my 49th birthday.  I hated the first day and would've gladly never returned, but she had purchased a multi-day package of lessons, lift-tickets, and equipment rentals.  Somehow things started to be fun the 2nd day.  Now we plan much of our vacation time around skiing and I really wish I could get 75+ days in each year.  I don't think there are any gaurantees regarding injury risk.  Quit when you get tired and don't try to be a hero.  You'll probably advance faster staying on terrain on which you're pretty comfortable.  Skiing some terrain that you find challenging is good, but when all you're doing is suvival skiing it doesn't help your technique or confidence.  Find a good bootfitter and get good boots.  At this point they don't need to be high end boots.  Indeed, high end stiff boots would not be what you want.  Just boots that fit you well.  And take lessons.  Can't tell you how much lessons have helped me.  I'm starting to dabble in bumps, who'd a thunk I'd actually want to learn bumps.  I don't consider myself a good skier, but I'm comfortable on terrain I never thought I'd ski.  If I could find a PMTS instructor I'd take lessons from a PMTS instructor.  I think the ideas presented in Harold Harb's instructional materias, and the drills are very useful.  I also think the stuff of Lito Tejada-Flores is really good.  Mostly, approach with an open mind, get as much mileage in as you can, view it as a journey, and HAVE FUN.

[jim-ratliff]

RISkier:

If RI stands for Rhode Island, there are a couple of PMTS instructors that used to work with Harald and then returned back East and set up shop here.  PM Midwif, she may be able to give you the names and/or email or other contact info.  She had tried to get a group lesson set up 2-3 years back.

[RISkier]

RISkier:

If RI stands for Rhode Island, there are a couple of PMTS instructors that used to work with Harald and then returned back East and set up shop here.? PM Midwif, she may be able to give you the names and/or email or other contact info.? She had tried to get a group lesson set up 2-3 years back.

Thanks, I'll try that.

[midwif]

Good morning RIskier
Joseph Perrault in New Hampshire is certified PMTS/green level. Don't let the green level fool you. There is no comparison to psia green certified. Different criteria all the way.
He was working with Glen?? can't recall his name. Suggest you go to HH site and look for accredited instructors. Their names should be there. They can also do boot fitting. They have a traveling set up for it.

[RISkier]

Thanks, wasn't able to figure out a way to pm.  Perhaps it's because I'm brand new and don't have enough posts.  Thanks again.

[gandalf]

RISkier.

I saw your post about forum messages.  I have updated the permissions a bit.
In the User Info (top left of the forum page) section, you should now see a message that says something like:

         Hey, RISkier, you have 0 messages. 0 are new. 

If you click on the underlined text in that heading you should get to the messaging pages.

Let me know if that works for you.

[cabo79]

I started a couple of years ago at 61. I took a few group lessions, it did not help much. Last year out at Loveland CO, I took a group lession, by now I could get down blues without much trouble, so I was the only one in the group. The thing the instructor did that helped me the most was to tell me to go to Amazon.com and get a book and vidieo by Harold Harb and the vidieo by Lito Flores. Now I can actualy ski down the hill some. I'll be out in CO in a few weeks, more lessions and 7 days of skiing. I try to get out west 3 times a winter and ski here in the Southeast at a place called Snowshoe. Go to a ski shop to learn how to dress. Rent the first few times from a local ski  shop if possable, they can show you how to put the stuff on. I have bought my first boots and skis used on E-Bay, about a half dozen pairs to try out sizes and styles, there are places that specialize in selling the used skis and boot from resorts. You should be able to get flights from Phionex to Denver pretty cheap. Good luck