Noob to Skiing, request input

LR Max

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2007
Location
Atlanta, GA
One of my friends moved to Colorado and all he talks about is skiing. That bug has basically bitten me, I'd like to go out there and ski.

There is one big problem: I've never done it before in my life. About the closest I've ever done is ride a lunch tray down a snowy-ish hill.

I would like to ask anyone here, where do I need to go? What do I do about equipment? I'm in Charlotte so anywhere within a days travel-ish of Charlotte (or Mount Airy or Mount Rogers, can crash at those places). Basically, I know nothing other than I need skis, snow and what I learned from that one episode of "South Park" when the boys went skiing (Pizza to stop, fries to go :lol:).

What I do have: I'm pretty decent in shape (I figure that helps with any outdoor activity), I'm still fairly young so when I fall and bust my ass it won't be the end of the world, I have some cold weather equipment and I've got a 4WD to get me there. From my casual observation, all of these seem to be good things to have.

Thanks for any help.
 
you don't need 4wd in NC unless its snowing...

Anywhere in NC is fine except App. They are all about the same cost. Don't rent skis/boots at the slope. Find an independent shop to rent from before you go. You'll have much better equipment, cheaper, and the boots won't be wet inside.

Take the advice of the guys at the ski shop. Most are skiers and won't steer you in the wrong direction. Don't get some huge, bad-ass set of skis the first time out. While learning, shorter is much better. Even if you can control long skis, shorter skis force you to learn your balance much more than longer skis. BUY the optional equipment insurance!

Get waterproof-ish clothing and def. waterproof gloves. Odds are your hands will be on the ground more than your feet. Wet hands in snow sucks! Get goggles or good sun glasses. Bring your own food to the slope. Nothing sucks worse than paying $8 for a $.99 burger :( Get there early. Unless you are a seasoned skier, it always takes twice as long for you to get ready than you expect.

Go with someone experienced the first time to get a few tips. If you are up to it, maybe get a lesson the 2nd half of the day or day 2.

Once you learn to ski in NC, CO will be a breeze!
 
If they're blowing snow, and you ride the lift...you'll want to have every inch of skin covered.

To be comfortable,and at the risk of looking like a dorky newb, You'll want a big ole jacket, ski pants or bibs, good gloves, goggles, face mask, ear coverer thingies,
Find one pair of ''good'' socks, dont double up on socks, dont stuff your jeans or whatever into your ski-boots...all this does is create a pressure point that will cut off circulation and make your feet colder. Make sure your socks dont bunch up, for the same reasons. You will get hot and dehydrate easily while sking....err..trying to ski. Falling down and getting up alot will wear you out. You'll need to drink plenty of fluids during your ski day.

Rent stuff at a ski shop, the pro's will help you. Ski's boots and all. If you love it and get addicted, you'll figure out that rental stuff is not all that good and you'll want to buy your own cool stuff.

pack a few snacks in your jacket, like candy bars, granola or energy bars. You will get hungry.

If your buddies ski better than you, and you fall alot, be prepared to get roosted with snow, as they pass near you, or come sliding to a snow blasting stop beside you.

Dont plan a long walk in those ski boots...tie them together and sling them on your shoulder and walk in your ''street shoes'' going to and from your car( forget this if you are staying slopeside)

I had a large rolling duffle bag. I kept all my ski stuff in it. Carry the ski's and pull the bag to and from car. It may seem like a good idea to get ready at the car and walk....it's usually not a good idea.You'll be tired when you get to the slopes just from walking in those boots.(snow boarder's boots are different, and much easier to walk in) Rent a locker and use the locker room for changing.

Dont fall off the lift, dont ski off the cliffs, dont hit a snow blower, dont go head first into a snow groomer, and last but not least.......Dont cuss and threaten to kill the 5 and 6 year olds that make you look like a complete fool, as they gracefully ski past your newby arse..lol

Have fun!
 
there are alot of places close ish to you to ski. NC mountains WV mountains. Boone, Banner Elk, Hawks Nest, Winterplace, Snowshoe. Rent your boots and skis, I usually rent the Demo ski's, most of the time its the latest style ski. get a shaped ski, and remember a short ski is easier to turn and control, longer skis are faster and harder to turn. a 160 is a good beginner length ski. Take the free beginner class . You skiing here and your buddy skiing in Col are two different animals, icy here powder there.
 
here is a site to check out. http://www.skinorthcarolina.com/

they help keep you informed of the ski conditions at all the resorts in NC. You can also search and find local outfitters to get your gear at. My advice would be to rent all your gear from said outfitters for your first trip.

Im kinda new to it too, Ive only been going for the past 2 years. All those places make there own snow but the best time to go is after some natural snow fall, so keep your eye on the weather channel. Id say mid Jan.-late Feb. are the best times to go. All roads are paved on the way in and they have good parking so, 4x4 is not necessary, but wouldnt hurt if there is some snow or ice on the roads.

A little more advice, if your kinda brave, go ahead and skip the formal training and hit the medium trails right off the bat. this was the only way I could really learn how to do it, cause they try and teach you on a little slope right next to the lodges and you cant learn on those small hills, you need to pick up some steam and give it hell! Your young, and you'll definitely feel it tomorrow, but you'll heal! :D
 
Her's a great tip...if you go to Sugar Mt. On a busy day.

It is highly probable that....When you get there, there will be a parking dude pointing you to a parking lot.
There is a good chance this is an overflow lot, and a long ways from where you actualy want to be and will result in a long walk or sucky bus ride.

Just roll down the window and tell the dude you are picking up someone, or dropping off something...then when he waives you on by, you just slide into the premier lot and find a spot to park. Based on the fact, that someone who was skiing already, has already left...you grab one of those spots. It always works as there always seems to be at least 3 or 4 empty spots up close to the ski lodge. The parking dude doesnt know about any empty spots so dont ask him about them, his job is to keep the overflow lots filling up, because he thinks the main lot is full. But you know otherwise...now!

You're welcome!
 
^^^ +
when getting on the ski lift, don't just jump in the chair, you will end up on the ground. Let it push you and scoop you up.

I skiied for years and never owned skis/boots/poles. Renting at the mountain is kind of bonus because you don't have to haul it back/forth to the car, but it is pretty much crappy equipment. As a complete noob though, this may be the way to go, its not like you'll notice any difference in skis. The boots from the ski shop a mile before the mountain will probably be more comfortable.

Shooting sparks while grinding the rentals on the rocks is kind of cool, thats something your buddies with their own equipment won't be doing.
 
tooof said:
The outlaw in Dylan comes out:shaking:
Click to expand...
Ha...I'll add another tip.

At Sugar Mt...the ''public'' locker rooms will have wet floors , and full of people. On a busy day, you'll have barely enough room to turn around.

The ''members'' locker room will have nice carpet and full size lockers. Bring your own masterlock and walk right in there like you own the place...scope out a locker with no lock on it, and take it as your own. Much nicer locker room in there..lol and the others(mere pheasants of the public lockerooms) will think you're a VIP...LET THE CHICKS SEE YOU COMING OUT OF THIS LOCKERROOM!!! just dont let them see you ski!
In 12 years, noone ever asked me or my crew for a member ID.

Your results may vary, but when you pull off the parking lot trick and the locker room trick...you can do the Captain Morgan pose...:huggy:
 
I work for a ski/board retail and rental shop here in Boone. Feel free to PM with with any questions, prices or recommendations.

If you want to take a lesson, go to App Ski Mtn. Hands down, French/Swiss Ski College has the best instructors in NC if not the entire southeast. If you want a private lesson I will gladly refer you to who the more seasoned instructors at the mountain are. I taught for them for a few years before going into the shop full time.

Yes, Sugar and Beech have more terrain but for a true Beginner, App does the job just fine and has better snow quality than the other two on a regular basis. The crowds at Sugar make for long lift lines, coupled with a 14 minute ride to the top, you may get only one run per hour on a busy day. Just something to consider. More time on snow will help you get better faster, standing in a lift line sure wont.

Come see me for your rental gear. We don't charge a $400 security deposit or any monetary deposit for that matter you may see at the mountains. Plus you do not have to return the gear at the end of each session or wait in crowded long lines that take an hour to get your equipment.

Hope this info helps some.
 
Super sweet. Thanks for all the help!

From what I see here and what I've read, need to buy a pair of gloves and a pair of decent britches and I should be good to go (except for renting the good stuff!)

Stretch, thanks for the offer. I'll see what is going to happen. Probably will take my first venture around Christmas, I think that'll be the first chance I'll get to do something. Also will come in the middle of the week. I bet that helps.
 
StretchASU said:
I work for a ski/board retail and rental shop here in Boone. Feel free to PM with with any questions, prices or recommendations.

If you want to take a lesson, go to App Ski Mtn. Hands down, French/Swiss Ski College has the best instructors in NC if not the entire southeast. If you want a private lesson I will gladly refer you to who the more seasoned instructors at the mountain are. I taught for them for a few years before going into the shop full time.

Yes, Sugar and Beech have more terrain but for a true Beginner, App does the job just fine and has better snow quality than the other two on a regular basis. The crowds at Sugar make for long lift lines, coupled with a 14 minute ride to the top, you may get only one run per hour on a busy day. Just something to consider. More time on snow will help you get better faster, standing in a lift line sure wont.

Come see me for your rental gear. We don't charge a $400 security deposit or any monetary deposit for that matter you may see at the mountains. Plus you do not have to return the gear at the end of each session or wait in crowded long lines that take an hour to get your equipment.

Hope this info helps some.
Click to expand...
x2 and app ski mtn for lessons.
Last weekend they even had 5$ tickets. :D

OH yea, and x1000 on buying GOOD gloves and ski pants.
 
Dylan W. said:
The ''members'' locker room will have nice carpet and full size lockers. Bring your own masterlock and walk right in there like you own the place...scope out a locker with no lock on it, and take it as your own. Much nicer locker room in there..lol and the others(mere pheasants of the public lockerooms) will think you're a VIP...LET THE CHICKS SEE YOU COMING OUT OF THIS LOCKERROOM!!! just dont let them see you ski!
In 12 years, noone ever asked me or my crew for a member ID.
Your results may vary, but when you pull off the parking lot trick and the locker room trick...you can do the Captain Morgan pose...:huggy:
Click to expand...


Don't do this! Every time I went there and someone else's crap was in the locker it ended up on the floor in the "public" locker room :D Sometimes I was nice and put it in the "lost and found" :D
 
LR Max said:
Super sweet. Thanks for all the help!
From what I see here and what I've read, need to buy a pair of gloves and a pair of decent britches and I should be good to go (except for renting the good stuff!)
Stretch, thanks for the offer. I'll see what is going to happen. Probably will take my first venture around Christmas, I think that'll be the first chance I'll get to do something. Also will come in the middle of the week. I bet that helps.
Click to expand...



I'll be in Hickory for Christmas. If you decide to go, let me know and I'll at least stop every so often to take some pics. I promise not to post them all over the internet :D
 
go see stretch. they'l take ood care of you on equipment rentals, and take the time to try to get a good fitting pair of boots. (the most important part of the gear!)
Try to ski during the week whenever possible, much less crazy! Nothing will help you learn to ski like taking a good lesson. Most people who teach themselves to ski/learn from a buddy, pick up bad habbits that they will never overcome.
 
IMO, NC is not an ideal place to learn to ski... icy/steep slopes aren't very fun for beginners... and the constant snow blowing to that and it's just not fun..

As much as I hate Winterplace, it's seems like a good place to learn. NC just doesnt have anything setup for beginners IMO.

Get a helmet if it hasn't been said. They're warmer than caps and protect you.. Get some good goggles that wont stay fogged up... and clothing makes all the difference in the world..

Try to stay away from Rear entry boots they bring the suck.
 
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