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Your Questions Answered

The most frequently asked questions. We hope you find these answers useful!!!!!!

What age can children learn to ski?

The answer is, as always, it depends on many factors. There are no fixed rules, since each child develops at a different rate but, in principle most children can start at around age 4 or 5. Please remember that at this young age you should lower your expectations of what you child will be able to accomplish. A progression of balance and movement will come with time and the most important things at this age is that your child should be safe and have fun.
An important thing to remember is not to overdo it, eg. children aged 2 or 3 should not be asked to ski for too many hours. However it does help with their development if they are able to start relatively early and so help them find their feet and be able to relax. This is best accomplished by using the experience and skills of a fully qualified ski instructor.

It is vital that that you (when free skiing with your child) avoid any dangerous or stressful situations. Let them ski and have fun which will help them progress without pushing the limits too far. You must keep control of your child and not allow them to become a danger to themselves or other slope users. It is only by close control that young children can develop their new-found skills and respect for the mountains.

A few words about Helmets. The helmet must fit snugly but you should not need to press it down to get it on (this means it’s too small). You can obtain the correct size required by measure around the widest point of the head in CM’s. You MUST ensure that the chin strap is tightened AND clipped-up – or it will fall off just when it’s needed most !!

But my old skis are fine?

If you’re still using outdated skis you will not understand or appreciate the vast differences that a modern set can provide in freedom of movement, safety and enjoyment. To put it bluntly, by using a set of modern skis you’ll find it easier to control and manage your movements.
Give it try and in only a few hours you find your technique improving. We are not talking about getting onto the podium here, just the ability to ski much more of the ski area, including slopes you never thought possible.

3. Do adults also need a helmet?

Many people thing that adding an extra weight to the head whilst participating in an athletic task is a bad thing. They are wrong for the simple reason the benefits far outweigh (excuse the pun) the downside.
Wearing a helmet may save your life dead simple.

What’s my ski grade?

Italian ski schools divide students into 4 grades; Beginner, Bronze, Silver and Gold. These grades are sub-divided into either Base or Advanced. So after Silver Advanced is Gold Base, etc.
The levels are (this is a very basic example);
Beginner: You have not skied previously.
Bronze base: You’ll learn to Plough on gentle slopes.
Bronze Advanced: Start to get into Parallel on Gentle slopes
Silver base: Starting use poles and linking turns
Silver advanced: Perfecting (and modulating) your parallel turns
Gold base: Skiing at higher speeds and controlling movement and flow
Advanced Gold: Learn to ski moguls, off piste and some racing.

Which board do I want, if I decide to try the snowboard; Hard or Soft?

Hard
The most popular type of board. It has a flat tail and slightly more pronounced tip than soft boards. The firmer construction allows a more effective tool for coping with uneven slopes.

Soft
Normally a light and manoeuvrable board with Hi-0Back support for the boot binding – these boards are design to be used with soft boots. The board will have raised and rounded tips to assist in deeper snow and for riding Switch.
Freestyle - Wider boards with a firmer construction. Freeride - These have a longer (pronounced) tip and are slightly longer to provide a larger Edge, which gives more grip in deep snow or on Firm Pistes.

Which is your lead foot?

Boarding Switch (or not)
To tell which is your Lead Foot (the one that normally goes to the front).
Stand with your feet together and ask a mate to (gently) push you backwards. The foot that moves first is you lead foot.

What’s my snowboarding level?

Boarding lesson, like skiing, are dived into 4 grades, but with boarding each grade has more lee-way for different abilities.

L1 Begginer - You be either a beginner or have only limited experience. In the class you’ll be taught Basic Turns, Lift Riding, etc, plus how to manage simple (controlled) on-piste runs.

L2 Bronze - At this level you’ll be taught to progress down the slope without traversing plus you’ll work on a good grounding of balance and movements. At this time you’ll also start to perform some simple Switches.

L3 Silver – It’s time to get into Carving and a few small Airs (ain’t that what you’re after). The gist of this grade is that it’s now time to start effectively control your descent in all On-Piste environments.

L4 Gold - Learning to manage the Edges and graduate your movement though the carve. Some Off-Piste and Freeride and (of course) bigger Air with Base-Grabs and other aerials. We’ll be in the Half Pipe taking it to the next level.

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