At the London Snow Show, Vicky entered our competition and won an unforgettable prize: a place on the Cross-Country Skiing for Beginners holiday. In this Q&A, she shares what it was really like to start a new sport from scratch: first-day nerves, progress, and plenty of encouragement along the way. If you’ve been curious about trying a new winter sport, this trip is a brilliant first step: friendly coaching, a supportive group, and beautiful trails in one of Italy’s most welcoming Alpine villages.
How did you feel when you found out you’d won the Snow Show competition?
At the snow show after taking to two ladies from Tracks and Trails, I was so keen to give cross country skiing a go, entered the competition and then sitting in the hairdressers I got an email saying I had won - I thought it was a scam - I went home looked again - checked for a third time - showed someone else it and was over the moon when I realised it was genuine!! What a fabulous prize.
What made you decide to join the Cogne cross-country skiing for beginners holiday?
The dates for the Cogne trip fitted perfectly in for us. As the prize was for one person my partner paid to come along too.
What were your first impressions of Cogne and the group?
Whilst waiting for the transfer at Geneva you try to work out who might be in your group, then we saw a little group collecting, we met Ken, Angela, Jane and Margaret. Once we met, that was it - we clicked as a group as if we had known each other for ages. Cogne is a lovely proper alpine village and is full of lovely friendly people. Once in the Hotel we met our guide/leader and another new friend - Tracey Wright who made our little group complete
As a complete beginner to cross-country skiing, how did you find your first day on skis?
I have done alpine skiing for a few years but never cross country, a bit of me thought - well it cant be that different - Oh it is! The first morning felt alien, unstable, wobbly, really not sure this is for me. Tracey was SO patient with us explaining everything, slowly slowly we all got just a little bit better. Going for hot chocolate was the best bit for the first morning - when we went back out we were a bit better, we went further, we slid a bit, arms and legs started to work together, we had such a good first day.
Was there a moment during the trip when something “clicked” for you?
Day one learning the basics, sliding for the first time, day two building on that and going out seeing the countryside was amazing, for me the huge jump was day three out in the sunshine sliding, double poling and then the big one whilst in the tracks stepping out to a one foot snowplough to slow down - fabulous!
What did you enjoy most beyond the skiing itself?
The hotel, the staff, the food was all lovely, but the big thing - Tracey, our cross-country instructor, made the holiday! She was brilliant, her instruction was first class.
What would you say to someone considering their first cross-country ski holiday?
That's easy - JUST DO IT!!!
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