Skiing - how much to learn to ski?

[LionsandBears]

Thanks for all this. I'm thinking Baw Baw or Buller might be best for us newbies.

Of course, me still having SPD and being terrified of driving up high, windy roads might put a dampener on our plans. But I'm keen to see what all the fuss is about. I've ice skated before. It's been a while and my core strength is not what it was......Hmmm. Well, I'm sure it will be amusing to others if not myself.

[Phteven]

With the SPD - on a snowboard your feet are held together whereas on skis they can go in 2 different directions. It might be that snowboarding is more SPD friendly although getting up involves more core strength. Snow boarding is harder for the first day or so but once you pick it up progression is much easier.

Speaking of getting up - it's astonishing how many people don't click out of a ski to get up. If you fall it cam be much easier to get up if you take a ski off and put it back on once you're on your feet. You will fall so you may as well get up as quickly as possible.

[Miss.September]

Scoopon has a deal atm, while it's not a ski lesson, it might lesson the costs - full day snow trip to Mt Bulla, including return coach trip, resort entry and chair lift pass for $69.

[luna moth]

Baw Baw is not a good choice for beginners! I love it, we used to go there a lot when we lived in Melbourne, but I rank it as my worst skiing experience. The snow frequently sucks and the runs are mostly narrow. I think it has a good magic carpet for learning though, not sure.

I prefer Buller. More choice, better snow. I've only been twice.

DH taught MIL to ski at Lake Mountain. I don't think you can get lessons there though, I don't know for sure.

I learned to ski in Italy, mostly. I had two private lessons (one awesome, one crap) and 5 days of group lessons with a bunch of five year olds and a very good looking instructor, and that was enough for me to feel confident skiing most runs. I also won a bronze medal in a slalom race. Against the aforementioned 5 year olds. So proud.

Ski clothes - op shops are a winner, they have the best stuff.