Getting back into snow skiing...

Question
I tried snow skiing when I was in Jr High.  It was okay, but I remember having an instructor use me as an example how to snap your safety straps together.  Well off I went that day, fell, the ski went down the hill because he hadn't done it right and I got yelled out by an employee at the ski area.  That didn't make me feel too confident even if it wasn't my fault!
Anyway, I now have a family all skiing except for me.  I just wait down below fulfilling their needs.  I'm sick of it!  I've decided to start again.  My husband said he'd help me, but I'm embarrassed.  I need to lose weight badly.  While I know this is great exercise, I don't see too many "fat" skiers.  Will I break the ski lift??!!!  Laugh all you want, but it's gone through my mind!  I hate heights,,,,,hopefully I won't pass out and fall off!!  Oh what a disaster I'm going to be.
Anyway, do you have any suggestions for someone trying to get back into skiing?  I'm 43 now.  I really want to love this and be part of my family.  I remember my big issue was doing the "snow plow" and not really stopping.  I was later told about other ways to really stop more effectively.  HOw long does it take most people to really feel comfortable with skiing?  Thanks for any advice you can give.  

Answer
Hi Lisa, I'm sorry your ski experience was marred by poor customer service- no one should be humiliated by a resort employee. Luckily, safety straps are obsolete; ski brakes help prevent runaway skis instead.

I have many clients who returned to skiing for the same reasons you describe- they want to be included in the fun, not waste their vacation time sitting it out. My student this morning was a woman who decided to return to the sport so that she could enjoy the time with her 6 and 8 year old daughters. Like you, she was nervous about returning after a 10 year gap, especially about the height of the chairlift, but she quickly gained confidence. I think you will too. By the end of three hours, she was comfortably skiing a variety of beginner terrain, and loading the lift without (much)anxiety.

Your weight question is not a problem as far as the lift is concerned- the lifts are designed to manage full capacity, wind and snow loads, and then some. The real concern is that of risk of injury and fatigue- we often depend upon muscle tone to protect our joints, and skiing can be pretty tiring. Yes, skiing can be great exercise, but it's tough to ski yourself into skiing condition. I've taught some very overweight skiers before, and their successes were only limited by their fatigue threshold. Beginner runs were easily accomplished, but some of our trails here in Utah can be 3 or more miles long, and at 8,000 feet, the thin air does not help. You don't need to be a tri-athlete, but you should be able to climb a flight or two of stairs without feeling winded. You'll benefit from stretching or yoga before coming out on the hill too. Plenty of water, and a banana with breakfast will help you stay energized when your skiing.

Find a quality rental shop for your equipment- newer skis that are well maintained can make a great difference in your experience. Wear just one pair of socks, preferably ski-liners or ultra-light ski socks, and be sure your clothing allows you to move comfortably. Ski pants and thermal undies should be of the type that remain outside of the boot- nothing should be in your ski boot but a sock and a foot. Many skiers who describe themselves as overweight find that their calves are uncomfortable in ski boots- and better rental shops can make adjustments to accommodate this.

Your husbands offer is kind, but I still suggest you hire an instructor, and opt for a private lesson. I find that expectations and anxieties interfere when we teach our friends and relatives- to the point that there really ought to be a law against it. A professional instructor can vary their approach and technique to best meet your needs, and set goals based upon your capabilities and determination. An instructor will assist you with the lift, be sure you get an "outside" seat (so you can hold on to something), and can offer instructions to the lift attendants to make it more pleasant. Lifties will often "slow" the chair for my beginning clients, so that they can get used to loading. Be sure to tell your instructor about your anxieties, and any injuries you have experienced.

The snowplow or "wedge" is still going to be a big part of your first few days on snow, but the effectiveness of the wedge can vary with snow-fall, and the pitch of the run. It may be worth it to re-enter the sport at a resort known for their snowfall and terrain, because fresh snow is far more user-friendly than an icy run. Check out Ski or Skiing magazines regional rankings for a resort near you.

A certified instructor (be sure you ask for a level III cert, they'll have a greater depth of experience to help you overcome your particular challenges)... anyway, they'll help you develop your skills on gentle terrain, where your wedge will be more effective. Once you develop effective steering skills, your wedge becomes less important for speed control, and the shape and direction of your turns will be your predominant speed control tool.

Most of my students can stop and turn in under an hour, and by the end of three hours they can traverse the hill with their skis parallel, returning to a wedge for their turns. Generally, I find that we can "explore the mountain" in three or four days. My most-timid-student-ever now skis groomed blue runs and chopped up powder (crud), after less than 20 days skiing. Like you, she started skiing to spend time with her family, and she also had a fear of heights bordering on irrational. She describes her re-discovery of skiing as both life changing and liberating, and I hope you experience the same.