Benefits of Kiltiernan lessons

bovril

I'm going to Soll in Austria in Feb. It will be my first time going skiing. Some people say to get a few lessons on the dry slope to get a head start. Is it really much benefit getting lessons in Kiltiernan? Is it possible to skip the most basic lessons when you go away if you get some of the basics under your belt on the dry slope? I'm a complete newbie, have no idea how ski school lessons work at all.

Thanks in advance.

robinph

Definately worth going along and doing a lesson or two on the dry slope. You'll not then be heading off and hurtling straight down the black runs on your first week on real snow afterwards, but you will be able to skip the very, very beginner groups of people who have never even seen a ski boot before. You'd still go in for the begginer lessons in resort, but they will split people out on the first day into groups of similar ability and move you up or down groups depending on how you progress so any headstart you have will be an advantage.

bovril

Thanks a mill for the reply. I understand after a few dry slope lessons I'll still be a beginner but I just don't fancy wasting any time I can avoid. I'd like to get myself off the nursery slopes in Austria as soon as I can and not waste the holiday on them.

jimdev

An hour and a half lesson in Kilternan at the beginner stage will teach you pretty much exactly the same as what you would learn in the same time on snow.

The patch of slope you are skiing on for your first lessons will be similar in size regardless of whether you are in Kilternan or some resort with 1,000 times more skiable area.

Skiing and especially learning to ski are very tiring. You can ski further and for longer if you are better. Taking your first lessons in easy 1&half-2 hour chunks in Kilternan means you are going to get much more skiing out of your holiday.

Time on snow costs loads & loads more money so if you get the basics out of the way before you go, you get much better value for money & time away.

Kilternan do deals for four lessons which is a fairly ideal introduction - you would be able to turn both ways and stop comfortably on an easy slope at that stage, which is enough to start exploring lots of the mountain.

EileenG

Well worth it. A course of four lessons in Kilternan means you skip the absolute beginners class that spends all the time snow ploughing down the kiddie slope, and start out skiing easy blues. Also if you arrive in with some ski time before lessons start, it's a real bummer to waste it wondering how to put on your skis.

Always aim for the fastest ski class possible. If it's too tough, you can drop back into an easier class, but if it's slow and boring, you can't be put up after the first day.

Tripp

I find that doing lessons on a Ski trip is a waste of time if you have other means of learning ( Kilternan if you live close enough ofc )

I dont want to be learning how to ski on my holiday when i can learn at home and go do what i want on the holiday instead.

Thats the way i see it, maybe its just me.

EileenG

Heard a great story about a guy in England who was going skiing for the first time with his girlfriend who was a good skier. Without telling her, he got loads of lessons on the local dry slope. Then on the first day skiing, he got on a lift leading to a black run, and on the way up, he leafed through a book on skiing, saying "Seems easy enough," and totally freaking her out. He got to the top and skied off, leaving her gobsmacked.

Mind you, I heard it was two days later before she'd talk to him again.

tech

I was in Kiltiernan last year did 4 lessons over 2 weekends, I travelled from West cork. Its a worth while trip up and I had a fab ski holiday . Off to Austria for New Years now

olaola

Definitely worth doing - even just to know how to put your boots on, walk with skis - all the basic stuff. But something that you might not get when you arrive at the resort. They gave some good advice and they are very focused on safety. You'll come out of a 4 week stint knowing how to stop (VERY important ), turn and use button lifts.

bovril

Thanks a mill for the replies guys, looks like it's a resounding yes to dry slop lessons. I'll book myself in so.

When it comes to the ski school lessons on holidays how do the assess which class you go in? How do I get out of the very basic ones (if I have mastered some of the things on the dry slope)?

olaola

Usually ski schools are quite strict about where they put you (their word is usually final!). So I wouldn't be worried - if they think you are able, you'll be moved up. If you're finding the class too hard/too easy ask your instructor to get you moved. They usually will do this themselves if you're bored/struggling.

Thing is - no harm being in a beginner class, even though you'll have head start on the basics. Skiing on snow is quite a different experience! You'll take a while getting used to the slippyness of the snow before you can put your Kiltiernan lessons to good use