And by learning to walk of course I mean learning to ski! Though if I’m calling skiing the Norwegian way of walking I should be referring to cross-country skiing, while this post is actual about the easier yet also more dangerous kind of skiing: alpine.
I’ve dabbled in downhill skiing before, but always with several years between each attempt, which hasn’t been quite enough to make me an expert on the slopes. Though when I was about five years old I did win a silver medal at ski school!
And then the next time I went skiing was when I was twelve, and then again when I was 23. My friend Ashley and I were in Hokkaido for the Sapporo Snow Festival and found a cheap deal for a day of skiing at Niseko, a nearby ski resort, but after optimistically hopping on a chair lift up the resort’s most impressive mountainside we had to take the ride of shame straight back down again and head to the baby slope instead.
So I’m pretty thrilled to now find myself armed with a season ski pass, living just a kilometer down the road from Vierli, one of Rauland’s ski resorts. Bye bye, bunny slope, Olympics, here I come!
How adorable is Vierli’s kiddie slope?
Kidding of course, though Dan might not be. Soon after we decided to move to Rauland Dan dreamt that on his first day of skiing he qualified for the English national team, giving an interview to Sky Sports saying how he felt bad for all the people he beat who have been skiing all their life. And I’d say his confidence has only grown since then.
So how did his first try go?
Erm, apparently I’m not the best ski instructor. Luckily for us, the people at Vierli took pity and offered us a ski lesson from a pro. And sure enough, within half an hour Thora, our instructor, had us zooming down Vierli’s intermediate slope. It’s amazing how much easier it is to ski when you’re following in an expert’s tracks. 
Thora explained exactly how we were meant to shift our weight (essentially the opposite to what I had been doing) and even though she had cruelly taken our poles from us skiing suddenly became so much easier.
If only Thora would join me every time I ventured onto the slopes. Or maybe I should just start following behind strangers. Would that be weird? Do you think if I asked nicely they would offer me a detailed analysis of everything I did right and wrong each time I got to the bottom of the slope?
Anyways, lesson learned: lessons make it easier to learn.
Dan and I had our ski lesson at Vierli last week, and since then I’ve been taking out my skis every chance I get. Like, I’m becoming one of those people who goes skiing before work. Who would have thought? And since basically every Norwegian is a ski master by the age of 3, the easier slopes are always quite empty, which is almost like having my own private ski resort. Well, if only it weren’t for those pesky two-year-olds.
Though I should admit that I’ve been skiing this much more out of laziness than athleticism. You see, the ski lifts here run up some of Rauland’s most impressive slopes, which also happen to offer the most beautiful mountain views in the area. In the summer we hike up these mountains, but during ski season all you have to do is hop on a ski lift! So easy.
Except for the getting back down part. But I’m working on it!
Do you ski, or would you like to learn?
PIN IT!
We received our ski lessons at Vierli courtesy of Visit Rauland, but I absolutely would have paid for them myself anyway. I mean, if I want to live in Norway I have to master skiing, right?
Amanda | The Backpack Lass says
LOVE skiing! Would love to take a winter ski trip to either Banff or somewhere in Europe one day 🙂
Silvia says
Take a trip to Rauland! Seriously though, it’s so magical here and not at all commercial, which I think is pretty special for a ski place 🙂
Heather Howe says
I used to love skiing! I grew up in a town in Colorado where everyone learns to ski as kids (as in those annoying two year olds you speak of). I haven’t been in a while but your post makes me miss it. Have an amazing time learning!!
Silvia says
That must have been such a fun place to grow up!
Katrin says
I love skiing and I am a bit jealous you can do it daily. Enjoy every bit of it! My advice to you is to befriend/domesticate a ski instructor (like i did while skiing in the Alps) and you’ll be taking red and black runs in no time 😉
Silvia says
That sounds like good advice! It’s pretty crazy how good everyone here is at skiing, but at least that means more potential people to befriend, ha.
Cayce says
Oh, I like winter sports the most!! I love skating and I can ski too, but am not a pro by ANY means. 🙂
These slopes look beautiful. Makes me regret I didn’t book a ski trip this winter… (because a, I’m saving up for some other huge adventures later this year and b, snow means cold and I do not like cold… hehe)
Silvia says
Saving up for a big adventure sounds exciting 🙂 And there really is something so magical about winter sports!
Kelly says
I really like the idea of skiing, but I feel like I always get worn out and sore ridiculously fast which makes it not as enjoyable.
I think that’s technically called “laziness” but…*shrugs*
Silvia says
Haha my legs start giving out after about 30 minutes on the slopes. Need to build up my strength!
Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki says
After having some failed attempts at skiing when I was younger I have yet to be brave another to give it another try. Maybe this will be the winter I do it.
Silvia says
Haha I am quite the scaredy cat about skiing, but I think it’s worth it! Until I break my leg…
Elizabeth says
I tried skiing for the first time last year – even though I’m Canadian and grew up in Canada!
I really liked it and I’m hoping to go again this year!
Silvia says
Wow, I thought all Canadians ski! I guess it’s time you get on that then, haha.
Lauren Lalicon says
Oh man, I haven’t been skiing but I’ve been snowboarding and if they’re about the same, then skiing would be super daunting to me! The bunny slopes look so cute! Are those animals the same size as little people? LOL so cute!
Silvia says
Snowboarding looks SO difficult! Don’t think I’d have the courage to try it.
Heather Cole says
Totally agree about the ski poles being taken away, so scary at first but it really helps doesn’t it! I’m like you and skied off and on over the years but would definitely have to start on the baby slope again next time (love those cute toys they have over there!). Well done for persevering and winning the battle, definitely sounds like a worthwhile investment if you have the time to put the pass to good use!
Silvia says
I hope this will be the year that I finally really master skiing. Though getting to ski with the toys isn’t the worst 🙂
Hand Luggage Only says
What a great post Silvia! Learning to walk ‘Norwegian style’ made us laugh so much! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your tips too! We started skiing last year and loved every second! We can’t wait for the next opportunity!
Love the pics too! 🙂
Lloyd & Yaya xx
Silvia says
Skiing is quite addicting!
Marlies says
Ugh now I definitely need to go to Norway soon!
I don’t ski but would love to learn though!
Silvia says
I think Norway is the perfect place to learn to ski, because the easy slopes are always so empty, haha. Then again, seeing all the babies zooming down the slopes isn’t the best for my self-esteem.
Victoria@ The British Berliner says
‘Love the post and yes, I ski.
I first started learning how to ski in the 90’s and after the first year, I thought I was a professional, went on the black ski run, and promptly fell off the ski lift into the forest! Like I say, it was about 20 years ago. In the Czech Republic! I had private ski lessons and everything but it’s surprising what you do when you’re with a bunch of young rowdy Germans egging you on lol!
p.s. Isn’t it maddening seeing tiny tots sking unaided. I used to seeing all these tiny children skiing up and down whilst their parents drank gluhwein and smoked at the bottom of the ski-piste supposedly without a care in the world which is why my son has been skiing since he could walk!
p.p.s. I don’t smoke!
Silvia says
Haha I can only imagine your overconfidence! Also, I bet you had some pretty awesome ski suits in the 90s 🙂 Ugh those kids though, why didn’t my parents make me learn when I was so little and fearless?
Our Wanders says
We love skiing so much! And this year it seems that the Northern part of Europe is the place for it. We’ve been to Austria lately, but only the slopes were covered with snow and even that was mostly artificial… Skiing was fun (it’s always is :)), but we really missed those surrounding snow-capped peaks… 😀
Silvia says
It’s definitely not the same without the snowy atmosphere. Luckily there’s toooons of snow here now (maybe too much, ha).
Miriam says
It looks like SO much fun! I’ve always wanted to learn how to ski, but I’m such a cluts that I’d probably end up breaking both legs before even getting off the lift. I agree though that it’s kind of mandatory to ski when you live in Rauland. And that view…. Girl, you’re living it.
Silvia says
Haha I feel you on the clumsy part. You know, there are loads of Danes here all the time – maybe you need to make a trip up to Rauland too!
Bailey @ Weekends & Wanders says
Aw this makes me nostalgic for the slopes! Too bad it’s already spring in the USA 🙁
But I totally agree that lessons make *all* the difference in skiing/snowboarding. It’s so worth paying for a proper instructor.
Silvia says
Lessons really were so helpful!