Hate to do this in a way - but perhaps it is a good idea to split this subject.
Nowadays I enjoy skiing at a different pace - cruise the reds and a bit of powder here and there for fun. No jumping off rocks the size of Dover Cliffs, and although I love to watch great skiiers come down a wall of moguls, this is no longer for me.

So anybody else out there who enjoys the snow but without this irresistible desire to 'kill' yourself, but who would love to share their love of the white stuff - and would like to meet up this winter from time to time on the slopes?

here i am, :P but i play snowboard

Never understood this rivalry between 'pricks on sticks' and 'gays on trays'.

I am basically a skiier, but learnt to snowboard late. Anybody is welcome as far as I am concerned.

Yes! I'd love to meet up!

I haven't skied the last two winters but will try to start again.

I like small resorts with big wide blue slopes where I can stop at every turn to look at the view and don't have to pick up any speed... if you organise something in a place where I can do that, plus enjoy a nice lunch on a nice terrace, I will be in

Count me in too! I will be a newbie but am really looking forward to learn

A great place to learn at a very reasonable place is a tiny resort called 'Les Fourgs' - just over the French border near St Croix and Pontarlier. A Café restau at the bottom with a terrasse for those who want to watch, and the ski hire shop and ski school right there, Cheap as chips as well.

If there is a group of learners, we could organise a couple of group lessons.

Great- will organise something just for you in mind.
What about cross-country, have you tried. Fabulous sites around here- La Vallée de la Brévine, Les Cernets, and Les Rasses-Les Cluds for fabulous views of the Alps. There is a great and very cheap hire shop in La Brévine called Siberia, just by the piste.

Sounds great. As a total newbie, what would I need to buy (as an investment) and what would I hire?

Never buy as a newbie I'd say. On such small slopes away from the danger of 'real' weather, you can ski in tracksuit bottoms with thick tights under. You'd need good sunglasses and a decent pair of gloves, a hat or head-band and ski socks (try to buy properly shaped ones - some of the cheap ones have a square end and they bunch up and hurt).

Hire will include a pair of ski boots, ski poles and of course skis. Most instructors will leave poles aside for beginners.

not sure if it is of any interest to anybody, but I am a qualified ski instructor (CSIA) with 100+ hours teaching experience from working at an adaptive ski school last season which I will be going back to sometime in December in the interim if anyone wants some free instruction I'm happy to oblige I only ask that my expenses are covered.

Why I get to ski more and I enjoy teaching, I would say that if you are a complete beginner I suspect that most ski schools offer a learn to ski package that includes equipment hire and tuition.

The biggest tip I can give is learn how to put your boots on properly, basically tighten the the strap at the top, then the two top buckles, stand up flex forward the idea is to push your heel as far back into the boot as possible, then repeat tightening the strap and top buckles and then just lightly fasten the bottom two buckles (these are generally just to seal the boot more than anything else) you are aiming to get snug fit so that you can't get any fingers in around the top of the boot this means the boot is doing its job by providing support so whenever push your knee forward the boot will flex straight away.

Skiing starts by having a stable base which you can only achieve with proper fitting and fastened boots.

Hi,

I'm also a bit new to downhill skiing (I have gone one or two times every two-three hears or so), I've done more cross country skiing (usually off-track) but still consider myself a beginner in that area. But now I am here (Zurich) and intend to improve my skiing skills drastically and go to the mountains every weekend I can spare. So if you are organizing beginner friendly weekend trips you can count me in (unless I really have to study or something).

I've been talking to people around me and I hear different things, some tell me to find some cheap second hand skis and that I can probably get something useful for 200-400 franks. Others tell me to just rent for the season, then supposedly I get much better gear and more suited to me? Where would you rent skis? I've heard about Athleticum (from a quick look it seemed that skis+shoes were ~480 CHF / season, is that good or bad price?), do you know of other stores that rent for a reasonable price?

I don't know where I would go to buy used skis though, you know of some store or is there a market somewhere at the beginning of the season or something?

Thanks!

If a cross country group is started then count me in.

i'd like to join u guys as well if u organize this event on sunday D

I still have many years or just a few more injuries (which ever comes first) before I join this group. May the force be with you all.

Hi if we are around we will make it. About hireing and buying
last saeson Gliss sports had Metabief, had Salomon xcountry package baton,shoes and skis for 95 euro.Also Le Magasin Pontarlier where you can hire complete packs alpin from 75euros, xcountry 59 for the season.
Goff

At this time of year many ski shops, in resort, are selling off the remains of last year's ex-rentals, as well as miscellaneous used skis. In Engelberg last weekend at least four of the shops had a few for sale in both categories, plus one or two new but old stock skis at bargain prices.

If it's really used kit, you shouldn't really be looking to pay more than 250-300 francs. I bought a pair of race(-ish) skis for 250 last week, for example. 2008 model, so not up to the standards of anyone really racing, and not trendy enough for many others. Good enough for what I want them for though

Hi Goff, lovely to see you here! Your 4th post, hurray! Coming over any time soon.

So for the mo, let's enjoy this lovely Indian Summer and we will get a few things organised around here when the white stuff comes- let's hope for a great white winter. Both downhill and cross-country - and snowboarding too if some want to join. California Dreamer and all the wild snowhounds - I am so jealous. I mangled my right leg in a car accident aged 19 (a loooooong time ago) - and if I want to keep enjoying the snow, I have to calm things down now. Have fun - but stay safe.

Re buying or renting for a total newbie, I'd say rent for the first few lessons. Skiing, cross-country or downhill is not for everyone, and neither is snowboarding. Some take to it quickly and just love it with a passion from the start- some just hate it and just can't crack the feeling of having slippy feet and the associated pain! Just see how you get on- you'll know very quickly if it is for you or not. And it has nothing to do with fitness or age- but your mental attitude to the void below and balance too.

Count me in as well for cross country

I've only skied a few times, so count me in for anything that involves a bit of instruction and gear hire....