"Christopher Mooney" wrote ...
I am delurking to start priming myself for my very fist ski trip this
coming Spring Break. Seeing as though I have never been skiing, the
missus, myself, and our four year old will be signing up for the
onsite lessons.

Few things I was wanting to ask a

1. Are there any exercises or practice routines you would suggest to
start now to be "ahead of the game"?

Any exercise that works your legs and develops your balance will help.
Roller blading is excellent, playing soccer is excellent, bicycling and
running are good, with mountain biking and trail running being better than
road biking or running on pavement.

2. When you took your first ski trip, what did you wish you had
done/taken with you that you didn't?

Ski lessons are a must. A lot of couples find that they are better off in
separate classes. If your 4 year old is at all shy or timid, consider
watching a ski lesson with him in the morning (or the previous day) and
starting with a half day lesson.

Don't skimp on rental equipment. If you're at all dissatisfied with your
boots and with the efforts of the rental shop staff to fit you, find another
rental shop as fast as you can. Ski boots fit much more closely than any
other footwear (except maybe climbing shoes), but they should not be
painful.

Where are you going for your first ski trip?

--
mark