Emily’s first ever ski lessons in the mountains

For those who read my previous blog, you would know me as the “newbie” to skiing – I never knew how to ski prior to working at Erna Low nor had I been to the mountains before (to be honest I’m like a lizard and quite happy to lie in the sun!). The only snow I’ve come across is the stuff that causes widespread panic when it settles in the UK and leaves me trapped in my car overnight …

On April 13^th it was time for the Erna Low guys and gals to have a little fun of our own and on April 13^th we headed to Montgenèvre for our end of season weekend. It was my turn to experience what you Erna Low clients love to do year after year….

I was booked in for two 2 hour private lessons with A-Peak ski school to develop on what I had previously learnt at Hemel Hempsted Snow Centre in August, and early Saturday morning I was met by my instructor Philippe. Was I nervous? Yes, Yes I was but I really shouldn’t have been as Philippe made me feel relaxed and comfortable. As Saturday is the changeover day the beginner slope was extremely empty therefore if I were to make a fool of myself I could do so without being extremely embarrassed!

Emily heads off with Philippe for her first lesson on the mountain!

After quickly going over the basics such as how to carry and put on the skis, walking around and climbing up the slope it was time to take the button lift and re-learn how to do a snow plough and use the space across the slope. Slowly but surely I was able to convert my weight so I could successfully control my turns and not once did I fall over – good start! Next was learning to go across the slope with my skis parallel and pushing my inside edges into the snow, then changing into a controlled snow plough to turn before taking my skis back parallel. I was thrown off by my lack of balance to begin with however soon learnt to put more pressure where needed.

Each time we went down the slope I was asked to do different things such as alternating lifting my knee so I could learn to centre my balance or sticking my arms out wide so I could get used to using my leg to control my turns not my shoulders. Gradually we took the lift higher and higher and towards the end of the lesson we finally did a few runs from the top of the slope. I must admit my first lesson wiped me out but after a well deserved drink and a trip to the spa I felt back on form and excited for my next lesson.

"This is how you put your skis on"

Overnight we had a fresh fall of snow and on the Sunday the slopes were bustling with new arrivals, therefore I now had to learn to compete with the other learners on the beginners slope by navigating my way down without knocking into anyone.  After doing a few runs on the beginners slope and dodging children half my size I was now told it was time to hit the Green Slope.

Emily re-charged in the Le Chalet des Dolines spa area

I felt comfortable leaving the beginners area, onboard the lift I felt like an excited toddler as it was my first time using a bubble lift and my first experience on a proper ski run. Once we reached the top I followed Philippe down the slopes and felt at ease even though others were whizzing past me. The scenery was amazing and the views so spectacular that it was quite hard for me to try and concentrate on the slope ahead of me and wipe the smile of my face! I did at one point take a tumble at the edge of the slope but was quickly pulled back on my feet – it really is tricky getting back up when you land in the most awkward of positions! We were able to fit in two runs, both were exhilarating and I certainly felt a rush – why hadn’t I done this before!?

Enjoying the exceptional snow conditions in Montgenevre

I didn’t realise how much I would learn in the two 2 hour private sessions I had, I didn’t even think I would head down a green run on day two…but I did! With a private lesson you can’t hide behind others, the focus is purely on you and your development, I was always told how to improve but at the same time acknowledged and supported on what I did well. A note for beginners: be relaxed and try not to get too frustrated and overwhelmed. It’s just like learning to ride a bike for the first time in which everything will soon come naturally after practise!

I cannot recommend enough A-Peak ski school, I enjoyed every minute of my lessons especially with such a patient and professional instructor and Montgenevre was certainly the perfect place to learn.

Will I be going skiing again….well I’m already rounding up some friends to tackle the mountains with me next year….

The Portes du Soleil, from a beginner’s perspective

John goes back to square one in the Portes du Soleil…

Being a haggard old snowboarder with going on for 18 years of riding under my belt, I often find it a little difficult to answer the eternal question “which resort would you recommend for beginners”, so I found it an enlightening experience when my wife I and were joined on our recent trip to Morzine by my sister in law and her husband Ash, whom she wanted to introduce to the joys of snowboarding for the first time.

Thankfully, since they decided to tag along on our trip, the task of finding the perfect beginner’s resort was not an issue and we just had to hope that we weren’t going to be throwing him headfirst into a sea of black runs and the sworn enemy of the snowboarder, the dreaded Poma lift. As it turned out, the Portes du Soleil ski area is actually a great place to ski or ride for the first time and it was great to see the area from a beginner’s perspective.

Ash had decided to book a 2 hour private lesson on the first afternoon, so we all spent the morning on the nursery slopes at the Pleney base area, showing him the basics. Morzine has beginner slopes at both the base and top of the Pleney lift, so even if the snow isn’t great lower down, you don’t have to worry about spending the week sitting in puddles of slush at the bottom of the mountain.

By lunchtime, Ash was already completely hooked and even the odd fall couldn’t wipe the permanent cheesy grin off his face. Don’t take my word for it though, just check out his first chairlift dismount below!

By the end of the first day, Ash was already negotiating blue runs, so we were able to start heading a little further afield to see what else the resort had to offer fledgling skiers and snowboarders. We made our way over to Les Gets to find some ideal terrain for developing those first turns, especially the wide open green and blue runs that come down under the Chavannes lift and take you all the way back down to the village.

If you’re on a budget, there is plenty of terrain to keep less experienced skiers and snowboarders happy in the Morzine Les Gets ski area, which is available on a cheaper, limited area pass (158€ for 6 days). However, it would be a shame not to explore the full area by purchasing the full Portes du Soleil pass (219€ for 6 days), as there is also a huge amount of great beginner to intermediate skiing in and around the village of Avoriaz.

On our third day, we decided to check out the Avoriaz side, as Ash was determined to make it to Switzerland. We made our way over by taking the Super Morzine gondola, which then links into a couple more lifts that eventually drop you just above the village. However, new snowboarders may prefer to avoid this route, as it does involve a long flat cat track and it’s easy to get stuck if you’re not too confident at straight lining. The alternative is to jump on the regular free bus to Prodains, where you can take a telecabine that drops you right by the lifts at the bottom of Avoriaz.

One thing that really struck me about exploring the area as part of a mixed ability group is that even less experienced slope users can pretty much get around the whole area. With a variety of slopes available off most lifts, we were able to have a quick blast down a red or through one of the many parks, while Ash was able to make his way down an easier route and meet us at the bottom again, ready for the next challenge.

The highlight of my week was finding a deserted blue run that winds down through the trees from the top of the Prolays lift, all the way down to Ardent, ending at great bar called the ‘Happy Hours’, where we then spent an hour soaking up the sunshine with an ice cold beer (although I have to admit that it was probably the beer rather than the run that I remember the most!).

The aptly named 'Happy Hours' bar in Ardent

As for my brother in law, he’s already planning a Christmas snowboarding holiday and is taking the kids this time…

Emily tells us about her first lesson at the Snow Centre

Following on from her recent blog about first ever ski lesson at the Hemel Hempstead Snow Centre, we caught up with new team member Emily, to ask her about the experience, and her plans for this season:

Meet the Erna Low Team – Lucy

Meet the Erna Low Ski Holidays team – Polly

Polly from the Erna Low sales team tells us a little more about herself, including her favourite ski resort, favourite day on snow and what she’s looking forward to about this season: