Learning to Ski at 40, 50 or 60: Yes, You Can

"Am I too old for this?" It's the question ski instructors hear most from adults on their first day. The short answer is no. Plenty of people learn to ski in their 40s, 50s and even 60s and enjoy it for years. Age doesn't change whether you can learn, only how best to go about it. Here are the essentials.

What changes when you start later

More caution, more understanding: Children just go; adults think about consequences. That's normal and even useful: you grasp explanations faster and learn more methodically.
Your body needs breaks: Strength and flexibility aren't what they were at 20, and tiredness comes sooner. Technique makes up for a lot: good skiers ski with posture, not force.
Falls hurt more: So start slowly, on easy slopes, with an instructor setting the pace.

Prepare a few weeks before

You don't need to be athlete-fit, but a few weeks of exercise make a real difference, especially for legs and core. Squats, lunges, wall sits and planks are a good base; see 8 exercises to do before the season. If you have heart, back or joint problems, talk to your doctor before you travel.

Equipment that helps

Comfortable boots: Slightly softer boots are better than a race model. If they pinch or your heel lifts, ask for another pair.
Short skis: Skis that reach your chin turn and stop more easily.
Always a helmet: At any age. And goggles so you can read the snow.

Don't buy anything to begin with: rent. You can try without spending much and change sizes if needed. Our snowboard and ski size guide explains what to ask for.

Lessons: how many and what kind

Ski schools usually recommend 2–3 hours of tuition a day for beginners; beyond that, little sinks in. Skiing green runs on your own takes a few days of lessons and practice. Everything is in ski lessons for beginners.

An adult group: Cheaper and motivating, especially with people your age.
A private lesson: If fear holds you back or you're short of time, one or two private hours help a lot.

Learn the snowplough and how to get up after a fall first. After that, everything else is much less scary.

Skis or snowboard over 50?

For most adult beginners, skiing is easier to start: your feet move independently, balance feels natural and falls are gentler than on a board, where early falls often land on wrists and tailbone. See our honest comparison.

Look after your knees

Knee injuries are among the most common skiing injuries. A few habits lower the risk:

Don't sit back: Keep your weight slightly forward, over the whole foot.
Stop when you're tired: The "one last run" is when most accidents happen.
Don't fight a fall: If you're going down, let yourself fall rather than struggling with your legs spread.
Warm up before the first run: Five minutes is enough.

Altitude, sun and cold

At high resorts the sun is stronger than it seems and the air is dry. Drink enough, wear sunscreen and don't underestimate the wind. More in staying healthy on a ski holiday and learning to ski as an adult.

And on Erciyes?

Erciyes in Turkey has wide beginner areas with magic carpets and blue runs to build confidence on afterwards. Our First Steps packages include a 4-hour beginner lesson in groups of 8–10, instructors and piste leaders all day, plus equipment and ski clothing. The programme suits ages 6 and over. According to the package details, lessons are given in Turkish, so if you need English, ask before you book; more in skiing in Turkey: what to know.

To learn at a relaxed pace, the 4-night First Steps package gives you four days in the snow; to try it over a weekend, there's the 2-night First Steps package.