9 replies to this topic

[mexpipe]

After two years of wanting to go skiing I finally made the long 16hr drive from San Antonio TX to winter park Co.
It begun with calling the center for the disabled in July for info on classes, equipment, etc. and I got the info I wanted and I was told to call back in January to make reservations to go in March, so I did.
So January came along and excitingly I called and I was told that "all the classes for the time I was going to be there were full except for two half days on Sat. and Sun". Not knowing anything about how long it would take to learn or anything I asked if that would be enough to get the hang of it and I was told it should, its not too hard.
With this info I felt reassured and continued with other lose ends.
I dont know about other people with different injury levels (Im a T9 comp.) but two half days is NOT enough to get a hang of it, and if that was not bad enough they will not lend you the equipment for you to learn on your own even if you have strong friends with you that can pick you up. I can understand this with the equipment being expensive and all but they need to tell you about these kinds of things.
Fortunately they were able to squeeze me in for a total of 3 and a half days and got the hang of it. It was not perfect because I was there for a total of 1 week and there is not much to do there other than ski.
If I had to do it again I would make my reservation in August or October and would schedule it to where I would ski every other day or 2 days in and 1 no, because learning to sit ski is...... well not the easiest hahaha but once you get the hang of it, it is all worth it.
I also got a different ski every time, which Im sure didnt help my learning experience, I also like to think that speed is a big help in learning and the bunny slopes dont have much of that.
So even if you know how to ski and all you still have to go out with an instructor but they do have some skis for sale from racers that got new equipment and are wanting to get rid of the old ones, so you can test these skies and buy if you like, which is what I will probably be doing next time I go.
Over all, the staff, instructors and volunteers are amazing, very patient people that are wiling to do what ever it takes to help you learn. The town of Winter Park is very very accessible, buttons for electric doors and ramps are everywhere, makes my university look like from a 3rd world country.
I had a great time and cant wait to go back.
oh and fat tiers do help in the snow

[driley]

Glad to hear that in the end, it sounds like you had a good time. I would agree that 2-3 days is often not long enough to get the hang of it. For many, it is just enough time to figure out if you like it or not.

As much as speed seems like your friend when you are learning, it really is not. You need to master the slow speed stuff to help you be safe and ultimately more successful on more advanced terrain.

I think your idea of two days on one off sound good. Getting in a lot of days with only small breaks can really help with the skiing.

It is an addictive sport for sure

[allis53ca]

...next time come try steamboat...square you away w/consistency in equip and able to ski w/ure friends

[mexpipe]

never been but have heard great things
I might check in to it

[KayDub]

That's great! Winter Park has an amazing program. I'm an adaptive instructor at Beaver Creek myself and I'd highly recommend it. It's a smaller program but the girl in charge now is incredible and we're all really up to date on our training and equipment.

[rmorgan]

That's great! My husband's first time learning to ski was in Winter Park. The second time we went to Park City, Utah. He said he enjoyed Park City better, more staff, better equipment (at that time anyway, don't know how it is now 3 yrs later). Plus we did a lot of snowmobiling while we were in Park City as well.

[dianna318]

YepEEEEEEEEE !!! Now I have ski buddies to talk to in the off season! I am a 4 track skier and 3 track snowboard. I started 2 seasons ago. Last season I volunteered at USARC in Ca for 10 days with there adapt program working mainly with children. I think this year I may go for my PSIA- Adapt certification. I want to try and make it to Steamboat this season. They have a great rent a buddy rate and as I am usually by myself that is really appealing to me plus it really looks like a great place. This season I also want to learn to mono ski as it would be easier on my back and legs. Plus small jumps would be less painful I think.

Talk to y'all soon, Dianna

Me atop the Cornice at Mammoth

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[mexpipe]

well I was a bit disappointed with the organization at winter park and the equipment did look a bit old but I doubt that newer stuff is much different or makes it easier to learn
but its definitely a learning experience

[dianna318]

Yes it is. I have done a few runs on a bunny slope in a mono and it def has a learning curve! I love Mammoth and there adapt with eastern sierra is really good but a bite hard and far for you. Have you checked to see if Taos maybe has a program. That would be a bit closer and maybe afford you a chance to go more often? Dec-April I am a skibunny. I mean it's a great sport for disabled as they give you a ride all they way up the hill you choose and all you have to do is slide back down. WEEHAA!!! But talk on here and do some research and maybe try a dif resort. That's one of my goals is to go to a new resort,state to ski every year. Well talk to y'all later

[KayDub]

dianna318, on 04 August 2011 - 04:38 AM, said:

Yes it is. I have done a few runs on a bunny slope in a mono and it def has a learning curve! I love Mammoth and there adapt with eastern sierra is really good but a bite hard and far for you. Have you checked to see if Taos maybe has a program. That would be a bit closer and maybe afford you a chance to go more often? Dec-April I am a skibunny. I mean it's a great sport for disabled as they give you a ride all they way up the hill you choose and all you have to do is slide back down. WEEHAA!!! But talk on here and do some research and maybe try a dif resort. That's one of my goals is to go to a new resort,state to ski every year. Well talk to y'all later

Come ski Beaver Creek and Vail with me!!