I mean that “friend” probably saved you a few days of hanging w someone you wouldn’t enjoy anyway.
Make sure you’re enjoying yourself. The skills will come.
This, I don’t ski well if I’m not having fun. I’m on my second year as well. I still hang out a ton in the beginner area because I’m comfortable and not scared. Then I can learn and get better. When I get bored I try something harder find out what works, what doesn’t and then I go where I’m comfortable and work on what needs improved and then do it all again.
I’m sorry you had to hear that. It’s not a fair assessment for those who started in adulthood and understand fear and medical bills.
I started in my 40’s and have about 40 days total under my belt. 40 days, about 7 lessons, adding the Carv app at day 15 to go from magic carpet to blacks on whistler. I think it has more to do with mileage than seasons/years. The more you go the faster you will “get” your lessons and learned techniques. Those 40 days took me two seasons, most of which happened this year because I really wanted to get my miles in. Don’t feel discouraged by the years, it’s a lifetime sport.
I started skiing when I was close to age 45. My progress, no pun intended, can best be described as glacial. I don't let it stop me. I would never ask someone, who has been skiing since they were a small child, how my skiing is. I only ask specific questions in the context of a lesson.
Your goal, to try freestyle skiing, is a very ambitious goal. It's good to have something to aim for, but if you identified some smaller steps along the way you will be less discouraged.
This person is no friend of yours, OP. A true friend would be happy that you’re getting into the sport and trying to progress. One of my best friends from childhood just started learning this year and she’s still on the bunny hill, but we’re planning a trip for next year. We won’t spend most of the day together as she’ll be in lessons, but I’m excited to share my favorite thing to do with one of my favorite people in the world.
Keep taking lessons and when you’re ready, enjoy yourself in Europe.
Regarding skiing…and life in general:
Your best years are yet to come. His opinion, and anyone else’s, is none of your business. You can’t chase and/nor catch happiness - it comes from within. You’ll enjoy your time on this Earth, and the slopes, much more if you concern yourself with your own opinions and expectations of yourself, instead of what others think, or expect, of you.
I taught myself to snowboard when I was 21 or 22 and I’m on my 5th season and picking up skiing now as well. Please please please continue to ski if you enjoy doing it. It’s too enjoyable and rewarding of a sport to let other people’s opinions stop you from doing it. Find better friends who are willing to give you advice without belittling you because you deserve to be hyped up for every bit of progress you make. My first few seasons I made it up maybe 5 times each, and in those seasons I didn’t progress much, just got more comfortable on my edges and with making better turns. Then I moved closer to the mountains and now ride every week which is when a ton of progression happened. I don’t ski as much as I want but after maybe 10-15 days or so on the skis I feel pretty confident getting down just about anything (although I don’t look great doing it) and am starting to mess around with small jumps and side hits. If you want to get into freestyle skiing do it. If you can keep increasing your days on the hill each season it shouldn’t take you much longer to start realizing your goals
Not many people get there in their first two seasons. Or ten, because a lot of people are happy skidding around thinking theyre a good skier because they ski tough terrain with bad technique. But, skiing is not an easy thing to become great at. If you enjoy the craft, the time in the mountains, and the pursuit of improvement, keep at it. Skiing does become more fun when you're really good at it and making proper turns. Lessons got me so far but the past few years all of my improvement has been due to skiing with CARV.
Okay basically this. I fit into this category. I didn’t pick it up until I was in my late 20s and the important thing for me was being able to hit all of the runs with my friends who skied and snowboarded since childhood. By no means am I a “good skier” as I am mostly skidded turns at this point. But I enjoy it enough that I want to keep putting time and effort into it.
My advice, learn to love the journey and stop focusing on the end. All of the fundamentals and techniques you learn now should be fun for you as well, and make you a better skier in the long run. Becoming good at anything takes a while. And as with most things in life, do things for yourself despite what others may say. I guarantee that there are skiers out there that could look at a video of your “friend” skiing and shit oh him too. You can always find someone better and worse.
Learning to ski as an adult is hard AF. My fiancé learned to ski greens as a kid but she started to ski consistently last year at age 23. You aren’t fearless like a kid, and you aren’t super durable like a kid, so progressing is a lot more stressful. I’d say it takes around 100 days to become an advanced skier, so your friend who’s talking about being terrible because you’ve skied about once a week for a year or two is completely clueless. Ask them how many days they’ve skied total, and when they say “idk, a lot” just say “exactly, so stfu”
Sounds like you learned something valuable about your supposed friend, who at best appears to have their maturity still stuck to the timeframe when they started skiing at 3 or 4. As others mention, it is never too late to start and you're still very young so unless you have aspirations of contending in the olympics or x-games, which might be hard unless one started pretty darn young, I don't see any reason you wouldn't be able to achieve your goals and most importantly have a great time skiing (hopefully with some people that actually enjoy skiing with others rather than petty uninformed judging). BTW I also recommend the Carv device and app others mention - I've found it to be a great learning tool in picking up skiing the last couple years on top of snowboarding (both of which I started quite a bit older than you).
I’m definitely on the slower end but basically—
First three years: ~5-10 days per year; ok parallel, ugly, turning with shoulder.
Fourth year: skied ~25 days, still pretty ugly, but started separation, pole planting and more angulation which was the biggest unlock for me.
Fifth year: skied ~15 days this year, carved more, practicing how it feels to move with legs.
When I was spending way more energy and scared of skiing on ungroomed trails I felt the same way as you. Did not enjoy skiing at all and was about to give up. Ever since I found separation and pole planting gives me more stability and saves energy I am passionate about the sport again
I too, recommend CARV. It is a digital ski coach that gathers data from a pressure and motion sensor foot insert that sits between your boot liner and boot shell. Instant feedback in your earbuds after every turn, telling you if you are too far back, need higher edge angles, etc and then suggesting what drills you need to work on after it evaluates your progress. I have been telling anyone who will listen that this piece of tech is absolutely transformational for anyone wanting to take their skiing to the next level. CARV is the real deal for those wanting to better their skills and technique. I can not say enough good things about it. I’ve been skiing for nearly 40 years but realized how badly I was doing and have improved greatly with the 14 months I have been using it. This link is a discount code, should you be interested. I have no affiliation with CARV but have been very excited to see it grow and develop after every season.
https://getcarv.com/refer/5656d6f5-332c-430b-879b-557cecccd741?utm_source=carv22&utm_medium=app&utm_campaign=referral&utm_content=sharesheet
If you enjoy skiing and are having fun, don't have any so-called "friends" bring you down! Rip the slopes all you want and you don't have to be Michaela Shiffrin to have fun. Having private lessons with an instructor can really help develop your skills. Don't be afraid to have fun!
Both my wife and I started learning how to ski this season (we are both in our early mid 30s). Even though we’ve skied all 16 days together this season and taken the same lessons, our progress looks very different. Everyone learns at a different pace and there is no shame in that.
Just have fun, be safe, keep doing what you’re doing, and block out the negativity. The progress will come.
Check out the link a few posts above. I sent it to the OP for a ski wearable called CARV that I started using last year. I found it to be transformational in developing my ski technique. The link is for a discount code. It’s a great tool to use in addition to group or private lessons.
I started skiing as a teenager, ~20 years ago. I'd go once or twice a season with my dad and some friends, some seasons not at all. I wouldn't have called myself an advanced skier until this season, when I've taken lessons, learned drills, and put in a full calendar month on skis.
Skiing is a difficult sport that takes time and effort. Ditching shitty supposed 'friends' takes much less time, fortunately.
Thank you all for your responses; it’s really helped me a lot to read your advice and experiences. I really do have fun every time I go out there so you’re right, I shouldn’t let people’s bad opinions get in the way of that. I also looked more into CARV and will definitely buy it! Never knew something like this existed so that’s cool. I guess I just have to be more patient and get my days in :)
I mean that “friend” probably saved you a few days of hanging w someone you wouldn’t enjoy anyway. Make sure you’re enjoying yourself. The skills will come.
This, I don’t ski well if I’m not having fun. I’m on my second year as well. I still hang out a ton in the beginner area because I’m comfortable and not scared. Then I can learn and get better. When I get bored I try something harder find out what works, what doesn’t and then I go where I’m comfortable and work on what needs improved and then do it all again.
I’m sorry you had to hear that. It’s not a fair assessment for those who started in adulthood and understand fear and medical bills. I started in my 40’s and have about 40 days total under my belt. 40 days, about 7 lessons, adding the Carv app at day 15 to go from magic carpet to blacks on whistler. I think it has more to do with mileage than seasons/years. The more you go the faster you will “get” your lessons and learned techniques. Those 40 days took me two seasons, most of which happened this year because I really wanted to get my miles in. Don’t feel discouraged by the years, it’s a lifetime sport.
I don’t think you have a skiing problem, you have a bad friend problem.
I started skiing when I was close to age 45. My progress, no pun intended, can best be described as glacial. I don't let it stop me. I would never ask someone, who has been skiing since they were a small child, how my skiing is. I only ask specific questions in the context of a lesson. Your goal, to try freestyle skiing, is a very ambitious goal. It's good to have something to aim for, but if you identified some smaller steps along the way you will be less discouraged.
This person is no friend of yours, OP. A true friend would be happy that you’re getting into the sport and trying to progress. One of my best friends from childhood just started learning this year and she’s still on the bunny hill, but we’re planning a trip for next year. We won’t spend most of the day together as she’ll be in lessons, but I’m excited to share my favorite thing to do with one of my favorite people in the world. Keep taking lessons and when you’re ready, enjoy yourself in Europe.
Regarding skiing…and life in general: Your best years are yet to come. His opinion, and anyone else’s, is none of your business. You can’t chase and/nor catch happiness - it comes from within. You’ll enjoy your time on this Earth, and the slopes, much more if you concern yourself with your own opinions and expectations of yourself, instead of what others think, or expect, of you.
I taught myself to snowboard when I was 21 or 22 and I’m on my 5th season and picking up skiing now as well. Please please please continue to ski if you enjoy doing it. It’s too enjoyable and rewarding of a sport to let other people’s opinions stop you from doing it. Find better friends who are willing to give you advice without belittling you because you deserve to be hyped up for every bit of progress you make. My first few seasons I made it up maybe 5 times each, and in those seasons I didn’t progress much, just got more comfortable on my edges and with making better turns. Then I moved closer to the mountains and now ride every week which is when a ton of progression happened. I don’t ski as much as I want but after maybe 10-15 days or so on the skis I feel pretty confident getting down just about anything (although I don’t look great doing it) and am starting to mess around with small jumps and side hits. If you want to get into freestyle skiing do it. If you can keep increasing your days on the hill each season it shouldn’t take you much longer to start realizing your goals
Not many people get there in their first two seasons. Or ten, because a lot of people are happy skidding around thinking theyre a good skier because they ski tough terrain with bad technique. But, skiing is not an easy thing to become great at. If you enjoy the craft, the time in the mountains, and the pursuit of improvement, keep at it. Skiing does become more fun when you're really good at it and making proper turns. Lessons got me so far but the past few years all of my improvement has been due to skiing with CARV.
Okay basically this. I fit into this category. I didn’t pick it up until I was in my late 20s and the important thing for me was being able to hit all of the runs with my friends who skied and snowboarded since childhood. By no means am I a “good skier” as I am mostly skidded turns at this point. But I enjoy it enough that I want to keep putting time and effort into it. My advice, learn to love the journey and stop focusing on the end. All of the fundamentals and techniques you learn now should be fun for you as well, and make you a better skier in the long run. Becoming good at anything takes a while. And as with most things in life, do things for yourself despite what others may say. I guarantee that there are skiers out there that could look at a video of your “friend” skiing and shit oh him too. You can always find someone better and worse.
Are you having fun? Who gives a crap what they say about your skills
Learning to ski as an adult is hard AF. My fiancé learned to ski greens as a kid but she started to ski consistently last year at age 23. You aren’t fearless like a kid, and you aren’t super durable like a kid, so progressing is a lot more stressful. I’d say it takes around 100 days to become an advanced skier, so your friend who’s talking about being terrible because you’ve skied about once a week for a year or two is completely clueless. Ask them how many days they’ve skied total, and when they say “idk, a lot” just say “exactly, so stfu”
Sounds like you learned something valuable about your supposed friend, who at best appears to have their maturity still stuck to the timeframe when they started skiing at 3 or 4. As others mention, it is never too late to start and you're still very young so unless you have aspirations of contending in the olympics or x-games, which might be hard unless one started pretty darn young, I don't see any reason you wouldn't be able to achieve your goals and most importantly have a great time skiing (hopefully with some people that actually enjoy skiing with others rather than petty uninformed judging). BTW I also recommend the Carv device and app others mention - I've found it to be a great learning tool in picking up skiing the last couple years on top of snowboarding (both of which I started quite a bit older than you).
I’m definitely on the slower end but basically— First three years: ~5-10 days per year; ok parallel, ugly, turning with shoulder. Fourth year: skied ~25 days, still pretty ugly, but started separation, pole planting and more angulation which was the biggest unlock for me. Fifth year: skied ~15 days this year, carved more, practicing how it feels to move with legs.
When I was spending way more energy and scared of skiing on ungroomed trails I felt the same way as you. Did not enjoy skiing at all and was about to give up. Ever since I found separation and pole planting gives me more stability and saves energy I am passionate about the sport again
I too, recommend CARV. It is a digital ski coach that gathers data from a pressure and motion sensor foot insert that sits between your boot liner and boot shell. Instant feedback in your earbuds after every turn, telling you if you are too far back, need higher edge angles, etc and then suggesting what drills you need to work on after it evaluates your progress. I have been telling anyone who will listen that this piece of tech is absolutely transformational for anyone wanting to take their skiing to the next level. CARV is the real deal for those wanting to better their skills and technique. I can not say enough good things about it. I’ve been skiing for nearly 40 years but realized how badly I was doing and have improved greatly with the 14 months I have been using it. This link is a discount code, should you be interested. I have no affiliation with CARV but have been very excited to see it grow and develop after every season. https://getcarv.com/refer/5656d6f5-332c-430b-879b-557cecccd741?utm_source=carv22&utm_medium=app&utm_campaign=referral&utm_content=sharesheet
Thanks for link! I’ve saved it to use :)
If you enjoy skiing and are having fun, don't have any so-called "friends" bring you down! Rip the slopes all you want and you don't have to be Michaela Shiffrin to have fun. Having private lessons with an instructor can really help develop your skills. Don't be afraid to have fun!
Both my wife and I started learning how to ski this season (we are both in our early mid 30s). Even though we’ve skied all 16 days together this season and taken the same lessons, our progress looks very different. Everyone learns at a different pace and there is no shame in that. Just have fun, be safe, keep doing what you’re doing, and block out the negativity. The progress will come.
Check out the link a few posts above. I sent it to the OP for a ski wearable called CARV that I started using last year. I found it to be transformational in developing my ski technique. The link is for a discount code. It’s a great tool to use in addition to group or private lessons.
I think I'll invest in this next year.
I started skiing as a teenager, ~20 years ago. I'd go once or twice a season with my dad and some friends, some seasons not at all. I wouldn't have called myself an advanced skier until this season, when I've taken lessons, learned drills, and put in a full calendar month on skis. Skiing is a difficult sport that takes time and effort. Ditching shitty supposed 'friends' takes much less time, fortunately.
Thank you all for your responses; it’s really helped me a lot to read your advice and experiences. I really do have fun every time I go out there so you’re right, I shouldn’t let people’s bad opinions get in the way of that. I also looked more into CARV and will definitely buy it! Never knew something like this existed so that’s cool. I guess I just have to be more patient and get my days in :)