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I learned to ski when I was 30 (and it went well...)

I learned to ski when I was 30 (and it went well...)

Sept. 14, 2023
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That’s exactly what you’ll say if you muster up the courage and take your first few runs this winter! Because it’s not enough to know the lines from *Les Bronzés font du ski* by heart. Nor is it enough to passionately fuel the never-ending raclette vs. fondue debate at every cheese party with friends. It’s finally time to put aside those childhood traumas involving itchy ski masks and cross “learn to ski” off your bucket list. Let’s go!

Conveniently located near ski trails for beginners

Fear of looking silly, of getting hurt, of paying a fortune for a week-long ski pass, and then realizing after an hour that, after all, skiing just isn’t your thing… These are all major concerns that you don’t think about when you start skiing as a child, but which take on enormous proportions once you become an adult!
 
Fortunately, ski resorts are constantly expanding their ski areas (and the lift tickets that go with them) to reassure us—who can sometimes be a bit timid when faced with the unknown.
 
The areas set aside for beginners are designed to help them progress with confidence and safety: short, gentle, and wide green runs (so you have time to hesitate before gently starting your turn), slow chairlifts (to make it easy to get on and off), and even gondolas to reach the bottom of the resort without having to go through the runs reserved for experienced skiers.
 
When it comes to ski passes, beginners will find what they’re looking for here, too. La Rosière For example, it offers a budget-friendly ski pass that grants access to 5 lifts for 3 hours—perfect for getting started without committing to a “big” weekly ski pass. The same goes for La Plagne: a low-cost day pass gives you access to beginner-friendly slopes so you can try out the sport without breaking the bank. In Tignes, you can even use 9 ski lifts for beginners for free (magic carpets, T-bar lifts, and even chairlifts!).

With the right support, you'll make better progress (and have more fun)

You aren't born a skier—you become one. Even Olympic champions had to start somewhere! And to do that, they took lessons. Bottom line: by taking ski lessons, you have at least one thing in common with the world's greatest skiers ;)
 
But don’t panic: the idea isn’t to take you out onto an icy slope certified for a World Cup event. Because, beyond the image of high performance that the sport may project, skiing is first and foremost a way to explore breathtaking scenery—just a little faster than on foot!
 
After checking, there’s nothing written anywhere that says a green run must lead to a blue run, then a red one, then a black one. So you can spend your entire vacation on green and blue runs if you feel like it; no one will have anything to say about it.
 
And no, you won’t get bored: first of all, because as a beginner, it takes longer to get down the slopes; and second, because the ski areas are so varied (especially the large interconnected areas, like La Plagne /Paradiski or Tignes – Val d’Isère). In theory, there’s no risk of skiing the same run 30 times in a row—unless you really love it!
 
An instructor (whether private or in a group lesson) will help you progress at your own pace. They’ll give you the tools you need to feel comfortable on your skis. The goal is to let you cruise along calmly, free from stress and avoidable fatigue—all thanks to a good, relaxed stance. And come on, you’re 30 years old—by now, you should really stop worrying so much about what other people think. So GO ahead and show us your best snowplow! Your first parallel turns will come in due time.

Well-equipped with gear that's "easy to ski with."

Let’s put those old skis that have been gathering dust for 30 years in the closet! Today, skis turn “on their own”— no more struggling to initiate a turn. A smart move for beginners: rent your gear. Beyond the financial and eco-friendly benefits, renting gear ensures you’re equipped with the latest innovations from manufacturers—and, most importantly, that you get advice from a ski technician who’s an expert on ski tips (so you don’t end up with skis that are too stiff and/or impossible to turn with average-strength thighs!).
 
Be careful, though: if you have a natural tendency to get “geeky” about sports equipment, you might find yourself diving headfirst into this incredibly exciting world… Radius, stiffness, base, twin tip, rocker: every new term will lead you down a slippery slope (pun intended!). But that’s also part of what makes this sport so great ;)

Plenty to do once the skiing's over!

“Ski vacation” doesn’t mean “skiing all the time”! Spring ski enthusiasts spend 50% of their time on outdoor terraces (an unverified statistic, but one that’s pretty uncontroversial). And we totally get it! Between runs, you might decide to dance on the tables at La Folie Douce (at the base of a blue run in the Tignes—perfect for beginners!). Or stop for lunch with another group of experienced skiing friends at a mountain restaurant. Or even try an activity that has nothing to do with skiing—but happens to be right there in the ski area!
 
Is your day on the slopes definitely over? Switch to après-ski mode! With your ski boots still on, raise a toast with your whole crew (and probably everyone at the neighboring tables, too—the festive end-of-day atmosphere works its magic). There’s always time to slip away quietly for a moment all to yourself in the wellness area if your thighs got a little too warm during the day.
So, are you ready to join the 8% of French people who ski? We bet that by the end of this article, you’ll be very tempted to sing at the top of your lungs, “When will I see you again, wonderful country!” ;)
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