learning to ski as a family

If you’re a Canadian, you have no choice but to embrace winter sports! That’s why our family trying skiing for the first time at Hockley Valley Ski Resort in Orangeville, Ontario.

Although it’s tempting to want to hibernate for the entire duration of winter, it isn’t ideal with two children who are active and love the snow. We’ve learned we need to embrace the reality of our long winters. The boys both play competitive hockey, so our evenings and weekends are already booked. But on off days, why not pick up skiing – an activity that we could all do as a family? So, off we went to ski at Hockley Valley Ski Resort in Orangeville, about 45 minutes from where we live and over and hour from Toronto.

Learning to ski at the youthful age of 40-something raised a few flags: I’m not a fan of the cold, and I have never downhill skied. I didn’t think I’d be the most promising candidate for midlife ski lessons; my balance isn’t the greatest, I already have muscle pains, and I’m not coordinated. I was recently faced with my fear of heights when I tried my hand at ziplining in Mont Tremblant. No, I didn’t bother to try a small zipline tour first, no! I dove right in to one of the highest and scariest courses. Like riding a bicycle or skating, if you don’t learn to ski in your youth, it is challenging when you’re an adult. Plus there is the added worry about breaking a hip or spraining a knee.

I tried cross-country skiing when I was in middle school. I still have fond memories of the school three-night trip we took to Camp Kearney just north of Huntsville, where students learned how to snowshoe and cross country ski. But it’s cross country skiing = it’s easier. Cross-country skis are narrower and lighter than downhill skiis, and only the toe of your boot is attached to the ski, which is more comfortable than having the entire boot strapped to it.

Downhill skiing is another feat! And learning to ski at Hockley Valley ski resort is great because they have super easy (not to me!) bunny hills to get started. Hockley Valley ski lessons were super helpful for all of us.

Hockley Valley Ski Resort

Hockley Valley Ski Lessons

To prepare for our first time skiing, we took semi-private ski lessons at Hockley; the boys went with one instructor, and my husband and I went with another… us old folks would need a little more specific guidance I assumed?!

With Hockley Valley ski lessons, the boys learned so quickly. I’m assuming their skating skills helped because they knew how to edge and stop. My husband also picked up fast too thanks to Hockley ski lessons; in no time, he was skiing down the Teddy Bear hills!

I on the other hand did not learn much for Hockley’s ski lessons sadly! My balance isn’t the greatest and my fear of speed also caused me to wipe out every time I attempted to go down the hill. It was quite the gong show for me as the magic carpet ride lady made sure to thank me for the amusing entertainment I provided!

I kept trying to remember the ski instructors tips to position your skis so they are facing across the slope of the hill, not down it. Also, I needed to remember to edge my skis inward as I’d make turns, and also to stop!

After about two hours, my legs and butt were hurting and my knee was throbbing. When I took another wipeout going down the hill, I twisted my knee. Let’s just say my body was quite sore the next two days!

Will I try skiing again? The boys definitely want to go again… I would like to try again but need to get over the fear and focus on the proper techniques so I don’t break any bones!