Skiing for Beginners
Trying out a new sport can be both intimidating as much as it is
exciting, especially when that new sport involves attaching yourself to
two planks of fiberglass and using them to hurtle down a mountain at
speeds of up to 60mph.
Nevertheless, skiing is a great way to stay fit during the winter
months and let’s be honest…there’s few problems in life that being in a
mountain range doesn’t solve.
In this guide, I am going to take you through all you need to know
about skiing to help you prepare for your first day on the slopes.
I’ll be covering everything from what to wear, to how to navigate the
mountain and more. So, sit down, grab yourself a cup of tea and get
ready to learn all about skiing.
A Brief History of Skiing
Skiing has a history dating back around 8000 years, though skiing as a
sport is a much more modern invention. The first half of the 19
th century saw the first public skiing competition in Norway, with the first skiing clubs forming shortly afterwards.
In 1924 we saw our first winter Olympics held, which coincided with the formation of the
International Ski Federation.
Today, there are 5561 ski resorts open across the globe which are
comprised of almost 60,000km of downhill slopes and over 22,000 ski
lifts.
When you consider backcountry terrain in addition to this, the
possibilities can be pretty much endless when it comes to your options
for chasing fresh snow.
A Little About the Lingo
Before we get started, I wanted to run through a couple of terms
you’re likely to hear both in this guide and while you’re on the
mountain. When I first started skiing and got chatting to some locals, I
thought they were speaking another language at times, especially when
they were discussing ‘gnarly chutes’ and ‘sending hard’.
It’s safe to say I was a little oblivious to the ski talk, so wanted
to enlighten you with a few of my favorite sayings as well as useful
‘ski’ words to help you out on the slope. This list is by no means
exhaustive, but it will give you a good basis for understanding.
Après
Frankly, one of the most important and familiar words on the slopes.
Deriving from the French word for after; après is the term we use to
describe the drinking and parties that go on at the end of the day once
the slopes are closed.
Carving
Not just for snowboarders, carving is the art of using the very edges
of your ski to make controlled turns down the slope. Once you reach
this level of skiing, you’ll be far beyond the beginner phase. You’ll be
able to clearly see when someone has been carving the mountain as
there’ll be two very thin perfect lines in the snow, where the edges of
the ski have been digging in.
Corduroy
A word used to describe the freshly groomed lines on ski runs first
thing on a morning. The lines make it look like corduroy trousers.
There’s nothing quite like hitting some fresh corduroy after a night of
snowfall. Packed powder is pretty awesome.
Couloir
A couloir is a narrow chute that usually has rocks at either side of
it and they’re definitely tailored to the expert skiers. One of the most
famous couloirs has to be Corbet’s in Jackson Hole. It begins with a
20ft drop off the top of the mountain into some extremely steep and
challenging terrain. This year, during the annual ‘Kings and Queens of
Corbet’s’ competition hosted by Redbull,
someone actually skied the couloir on a sit ski.
Crud
A skier’s worst nightmare. This is icy and hard packed snow. If
someone tells you a run is cruddy, steer clear, especially as a
beginner.
Gnarly
One of my favorite words to hear on the ski slope. The word gnarly is
used to describe anything and everything that’s remotely dangerous or
difficult on the slopes –
“bro that run was gnarly!”
Groomers
The groomers are the runs that are groomed, simple hey?!
Liftie
You may hear people on your ski trip talk favorably of the ‘lifties’
in the resort. These are the guys and gals who operate the chairlift,
they’re super fun to talk to, love their easygoing job and will be more
than willing to help you out the first few times you load.
Moguls
Moguls are bumps of snow purposely left on the runs to challenge your
skiing ability. I don’t recommend attempting them as a newbie, but as
your skills progress and if you want to challenge yourself, these are
great to practice on. Some skiers live for the mogul runs.
Park Rat
A word used to describe skiers and snowboarders who spend all their
days in the terrain park and don’t venture off anywhere else.
Piste and Off Piste
The word ‘piste’ derives from France and refers to all of the groomed
slopes you see on the mountain. The term off-piste is used to describe
the rest of the mountain; from the ungroomed chutes that hang off runs
all the way to backcountry terrain that is often located outside the ski
boundary.
When skiing in North America, they tend to use the phrase piste and
off-piste a little differently. North Americans usually class off-piste
skiing as solely anything that is outside of the ski boundary.
Powder
Powder is the holy grail of snow. Skiers flock to resorts on a powder
day well before first chair to get in line early and get some fresh
lines. Some people may even be referred to as powder hounds; those who
seek the powder no matter what. I myself have been known to take 12-hour
detours, mid roadtrip, to chase fresh snow on a powder day.
Ripper
A ripper is a person who simply ‘rips up the mountain’ or, more
simply, is an excellent skier who isn’t afraid to ski fast and hard, yet
remains in complete control. When you see kids on the slope who are
particularly good, you’ll likely hear them referred to as “little
rippers”.
Ski Boundary
Though not really a slang word either, I wanted you to know what it means to be inside and outside of the ski boundary.
Some resorts in North America pride themselves on having a lot of
‘wild’ terrain that’s actually in bounds of the ski resort. When you’re
within the ski boundary, you can be sure that avalanche mitigation
techniques have been employed and that ski patrol will come rescue you,
should you find yourself in a less than favorable situation.
There’re many signs all across the resort that will inform you if
you’re about to leave the safety of the ski resort and head into the
side or backcountry.
What to Wear When Skiing
With your first day on the slopes finally booked, you will need to
start thinking about exactly what gear you’ll need to ensure a
successful and fun time on the mountain. In this section of the article I
am going to go head to toe (literally) on absolutely everything you’ll
want to wear. We also recommend checking out
TripOutside.com as they know all the best ski rental places.
Helmet
I would say that as a beginner, your helmet is the most important
piece of ski equipment and you should be prepared to spend a fair few
bucks on it. While some items we discuss here can be second hand, such
as clothing, I don’t recommend it for a helmet. You don’t know what kind
of falls people have got themselves into or if the helmet is damaged or
not.
A new helmet is an absolute essential in any beginner’s ski kit.
Plus, as a beginner you’re likely going to be taking a few tumbles
and it’s better to be safe than sorry; I’ve seen my fair share of people
tomahawk without a helmet and it looks pretty nasty.
So, what are some of the most popular helmet brands to choose from?
If cost is a deciding factor, brands like Giro are more affordable
and Smith is likely the brand you will see in literally every ski shop
you walk into. Smith helmets are my go-to recommendation for beginners
as price wise you can find them from as cheap as $100, all the way to
$300 or more.
Many newer helmets are now equipped with MIPS technology too for a small additional cost – which in my opinion is worth it.
MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Prevention System and is
comprised of an interior layer that rotates up to 5mm in the event of a
fall to reduce the rotational impacts on your head. Representatives for
MIPS have personally told me that having a MIPS equipped helmet reduces
the impact of a blow to the head by 30%.
I personally opted for the Smith Vantage MIPS after demoing it on
mountain and experiencing that added later of protection after I took a
tumble.
Demoing is a great way to try gear before you buy it and several
vendors will likely attend your local mountain periodically throughout
the season.
Goggles
Unfortunately, the color of your goggles isn’t all about matching
your outfit choice (sorry everyone). There’s a lot of science that goes
into making every pair of goggles you see on the slopes.
Each lens is specially designed to let in a certain amount of light
depending on the filter that you choose; if it’s sunny, you’re going to
want to have less light let through the goggle’s lens so that you don’t
strain your eyes.
On overcast and snowy days, you will want much more light to enter
the lens so you can see where you’re going. As a beginner you should
look at investing in both a storm lens as well as something for bright
conditions.
Contrast is also a major factor when it comes to choosing the perfect goggle.
There’s nothing worse than being unable to see bumps in the snow on a
whiteout day, especially as a beginner. This is why a personal favorite
of mine are the Oakley Prizm lenses. They enhance the natural contrast
you see in the snow, no matter the conditions, helping to minimize those
unexpected falls. I swear by Hi-Prizm Pink on a powder day!
Here’s a sample of the difference you see when wearing Prizm technology.
When it comes to changing lenses however, as much as I love my Oakley
goggles, I find the lens change to be a little frustrating and it can
take anything up to 5 minutes to switch them out. Especially when I’m in
a rush and it’s all fingers and thumbs.
If you want a goggle that has a high-quality lens, and a quick lens
change is your primary concern, the anon goggles are incredible. Their
lenses are magnetic and you can switch them in seconds… even as a
newbie! They’re also a much cheaper alternative to Oakley.
When I was choosing my first pair of goggles, one thing that I really
struggled with was the fit. Everything I tried pressed on my sinuses
and it felt like I couldn’t breathe. If you have this issue, I recommend
trying out the Oakley Fall Line as they have a wider nose. If you have a
smaller face, the Flight Deck XM or Asian Fit goggles tend to work
best.
A pro-tip too is to choose the same brand of goggles as your helmet.
It’s not essential, but they are designed to work with each other.
Base Layers
When you’re new to skiing, you’ll quickly discover that it is one
heck of a workout and, chances are, unless you’re roaming around a
resort that regularly falls below zero, you may not need a thick base
layer. I rarely wear more than a thin base layer and my jacket on most
days and in my day to day life, I’m usually the type of person that
always complains that they’re cold.
When shopping for your base layer though, I do highly recommend
investing in merino wool as opposed to cheaper, synthetic options. It
naturally wicks sweat and has anti-microbial properties to curb the
stink! It will also keep you that little bit warmer on the cold days.
You can learn more about the benefits of merino wool
here.
Outer Layers
Skiers have a plethora of options available to them when it comes to
their outerwear, far more than snowboarders in my opinion. I personally
prefer baggier styles as I like to have room when I’m bending my knees
but the tighter ‘Jetset’ style is popular amongst my skiing friends and
they find the stretchy material super comfortable and easy to move in.
The big question amongst skiers and riders is usually when it comes
to Gore-Tex and whether or not it’s worth the money. In case you don’t
know, Gore-Tex is a type of waterproof and breathable material that has
become the gold standard for outdoor gear.
I was discussing this topic with a friend who skis regularly in the
west coast and his opinion is that you don’t particularly need Gore-Tex
unless you’re skiing in super wet conditions or heading out to the
backcountry on the regular. Nevertheless, I’ve had some less than happy
days on the slopes where my butt has gotten a little too wet from a
snowy chairlift seat.
With that said, if you’re just starting out and are on a budget,
you’ll likely not reap all the benefits Gore-Tex has to offer until you
start ripping out of bounds. Instead, go with something a little
cheaper, with a minimum waterproof level of 10,000mm and use the extra
cash you saved to invest in some lessons!
In terms of brands, The North Face have some affordable options for
outerwear, particularly towards the end of the season. My most recent
pair of pants cost just 90 bucks and despite them not being Gore-Tex
there’s only been a few days where I’ve really felt it and I’m
approaching a 90-day season for this year.
Boots
Boots probably come in joint first position with your helmet when it
comes to prioritizing your investments with ski wear. I wore poorly
fitted boots my first few times on the slopes, and let me tell you, it
was nothing short of grim.
Ski boots tend to cost more than snowboarding boots but definitely
last a lot longer. A friend of mine just replaced her ski boots after 10
years!
My number one recommendation would be to head to a boot fitter and
try on as many brands and styles as you can so you can make an informed
choice. Insoles are also a lifesaver, especially if you have high arches
and Superfeet are my go-to brand as a secondary choice to custom
orthotics.
Before I wore insoles, I would get the worst cramp in my arches to
the point that it would shoot up my leg. If I’d have known that 50 bucks
was all that stood between incredible pain and total bliss, I would’ve
purchased them much sooner.
Many boot fitters can now heat mold your boots for an even snugger and more customized fit.
Pricewise, I have seen boots range from $300 to over $1000 depending on the level of customization and the brand.
Accessories
I wanted to take a quick paragraph to explain a couple of my go-to
accessories that you may not think about when you’re first ready to head
out to the slopes. I wish I had both these items on my first day!
Buff
Buff is a brand of multifunctional neck/head warmers that you will
see on practically everyone on the slopes. They can be worn countless
ways, are quick drying and really protect your face on days where it’s
snowing sideways and the wind is blowing a hard gale. They also come in
every design imaginable.
The only downside I’ve found to it is when they get super wet (think
rainy, spring conditions) it can get a little difficult to breathe.
Socks
The first time I went skiing I thought I could get away with wearing
regular socks, because frankly, paying upwards of $25 for one pair of
socks made my heart sink a little bit. After investing in a few pairs of
solid ski socks over the years, let me tell you, they’re definitely
worth the extra cash.
Good ski socks are thin, yet keep you warm and have added support in
all the important places such as your ankles, heels and toes. When
you’re wearing new ski boots this creature comfort is totally worth it,
it’s amazing what an extra layer of material does for comfort.
Ski socks are usually made from merino wool or similar synthetics.
So, like your base layers, they will wick sweat, dry quick and don’t
smell bad. Even after a solid day of shredding the mountain.
Understanding the Slopes
Each and every ski resort has a grading system which ranks the
difficulty of the slope you’re about to ride. There’s some variation
between continents and the biggest difference is the colors associated
with the runs in North America. In this section I will run through all
you need to know about the different categories you will encounter on
the slopes.
Slopes can be measured in degrees or a gradient percentage. For
reference, a 100% gradient would be the equivalent of a 45° angle.
One thing you should know is that the slope will be rated based on
its most difficult part, so even if it’s only steep for a small portion
of the run, it will be rated on its steepness at that point. In addition
to this, every mountain grade their slopes based on the other runs
around that specific slope and on that resort as a whole, so you may
find that a black run at a smaller mountain such as Cypress in Vancouver
will be a lot more mellow than a black run at bigger and gnarlier
resorts such as Whistler Blackcomb or Alta Snowbird.
Green
Green slopes are featured in most resorts across the globe. Though in
Europe the green slopes tend to be a little more mellow than some
greens in North America.
Greens are often referred to as the ‘bunny hill’, which is a wide
open, short and mellow slope ideal for beginners such as yourself. In
Europe, a green slope is usually between 0-11° or 0-20% gradient. In
North America the gradient is said to go up to 14° or 25% gradient.
Personally though, I have skied some ‘green’ runs in North America that
have gone up to 18° (according to my ski tracker that is).
Greens in some extreme resorts like Jackson Hole, are surprisingly
mellow. I myself would class them all as longer bunny hills to be fair.
If you’re learning in a place like Jackson, there’s a huge jump from
green runs to blue. However, on the brightside, once you can ride blues
at such a resort, blues in other places will look far less scary.
NOTE: Some North American resorts, such as Mammoth Mountain
for example, have green/black runs. These are some of the slightly
harder green runs; not quite a blue, but not quite as easy as most
greens. These slopes are perfect for practicing your technique during
your first few days.
Blue
Blue runs are generally intermediate type runs, but in Europe and
most of the world, the blue run is the sign for an early intermediate;
the gradient being around 20-30% – an 11-17° angle.
In North America however, the blues can be much steeper. The general
consensus is that blues in North America typically have a gradient of
25-40% or a 14 to 22° angle. From my personal experience, using a number
of ski trackers and skiing countless blues in resorts, however, I would
say a ‘solid’ blue is around 24° especially in the west coast of the
USA.
In some resorts like Jackson, I’ve been on blue slopes that have hit
an angle of 30°, though only for a very short period of time.
North America also features several resorts that have either ‘double
blue’ runs, or blue/black runs; which depict a black diamond inside a
blue square. They can be compared to the ‘red’ runs you see in Europe
and the rest of the world which we discuss below. Examples of resorts
that have such runs are
Jackson Hole,
Mammoth Mountain and Winter Park in Colorado. These runs are the
perfect way to push your learning curve once you hit intermediate level
skiing.
Red
Red runs aren’t seen in North America, but are super common in Europe
and other parts of the world such as Japan. A red run defines advanced
intermediate terrain and could see you hitting slopes with a gradient of
anything from 30-45% or 17 to 24° and above.
Red runs are not for the faint hearted and can feature narrow areas,
moguls (bumps) and steep sections that some resorts may even consider to
be ‘black diamond’ terrain.
I would recommend not attempting a red run until you have mastered
linking your turns and can control your speed comfortably. Practicing
the ‘pizza wedge’ or ‘snow plow’ as it’s often referred to, wouldn’t be
too successful on these types of runs and it could result in injury.
Black Diamond
Back when I was first learning to ski, my first black diamond was nothing short of a humbling experience.
I went into the run feeling pretty confident that I could handle the
turns and control my speed, yet balancing on these runs takes a lot of
skill and you need to ensure you’ve perfected your technique so that you
don’t lose control; it’s safe to say, I went flying…literally.
I don’t want to put you off trying black diamonds, once you’ve nailed
your skillset, I just want to make sure you know that the black runs
are something that beginners should be rushing into.
Black Diamond runs in North America can be any run that’s over 21° or
a 40% pitch; having said that, many of the resorts I have been to in
the west coast in particular, are far steeper than this.
In Europe, black diamond is the highest level you can go and usually covers terrain that is 24° and higher, or a 45% pitch.
No matter where you are in the world, you should only head onto these
black runs if you are fully confident of your skiing ability. In other
words, as a beginner you’re better off steering clear of these gnarly
runs.
Double Black Diamond
North America has another category for it’s particularly steep runs.
These can be chutes, have tight trees and are usually slopes with a
pitch of 26° and higher, though I am yet to see a double black which is
that mellow.
Take for example, Aspen Highlands in Colorado. Their famous highlands
bowl has a plethora of double black runs awaiting those who take the
grueling 30-minute ridge climb up there. The runs range from 38° to an
incredible 48° and are not for the faint hearted.
It’s worth mentioning that on terrain as steep as this, there is also
a major avalanche risk, even when you’re inside the ski boundary.
Extreme Terrain
Some North American resorts also have runs that are so risky that
they’re defined as ‘extreme terrain’ and should only be attempted by
very talented experts.
Such runs can be found in the likes of Aspen, Steamboat Springs and
Boise. Narrow chutes and cliff drops are highly likely on these runs and
they should be avoided by beginners.
The terrain is usually clearly marked so you don’t end up wandering
onto the run. They’re also usually accessed by one small opening in the
ski boundary or gate too, so it’s particularly hard to find yourself on
an extreme run by ‘mistake’.
The Terrain Park (Orange)
Terrain parks are often always orange in each of the ski resorts and
are separated into different abilities; S, M, L and XL. You will usually
see the rating of the terrain park in black letters inside the orange
sign.
I would highly recommend mastering some of the basic skills of skiing
before venturing off into the terrain park; even if you’re only hitting
small features. Confidence and experience on your skis, as well as good
balance and control will be your saving grace when it comes to
attempting jumps, flips, 360’s and jibs.
Once you’re feeling confident on your skis, the terrain park can be a
fun place to spend a day or two; there’s usually a lively atmosphere
and many skiers and boarders there to cheer you on in your endeavors.
Renting Gear
Once you arrive at your ski resort of choice, you will need to think
about renting gear. Most mountains have some kind of package where you
can buy your lessons, lift tickets and gear rentals for one set price,
but it may be worth shopping around – especially if you plan on skiing
for a few days.
There’s usually an abundance of shops in the ski resort village that
have rentals available which work can out cheaper than renting directly
off the mountain.
Another benefit of this is that you will also have the opportunity to
sit down the day before your ski lesson and really think about how your
boots are fitting, if the bindings are set correctly (don’t worry, the
sales associates do this for you) and that you have the correct size
skis, without feeling like you’re in a complete rush.
As a reference, here is what you will be given as part of your rental package:
Skis – Obviously! These should stand somewhere
between your shoulder and your chin. The smaller they are, the easier
they will be to ride on.
Bindings – These are how your feet stay attached to
the skis, they will already be installed onto your rental ski, but the
rental associate will need to change your DIN setting.
Your DIN setting is calculated by measuring your height and weight,
so be sure to head to the rental place with this information to hand, as
not all locations have access to scales and a way to measure your
height.
The number on your DIN settings will basically control how much
forward falling and twisting force is required in order for your
bindings to release you from your skis. Put simply, if you fall, you
want your skis to pop off, the DIN controls this.
Poles – You will be given poles but most likely
won’t need to use them, especially for your first lesson. With the kind
of terrain you will be skiing during day one, poles will only get in
your way.
Helmet – If you’ve not already purchased a helmet
(understandable if you’re a first timer and you don’t even know if
you’ll like the sport) you will also be able to get one as part of your
gear rental. The rental associate will be able to discuss the fit and
size with you, but you will want it to be snug without hurting your head
once it’s on.
I’ve been a victim of tightening my helmet too much in the early
days, it kind of hurt and it left a lovely mark across my forehead,
which just screamed beginner – if my skiing skills at the time didn’t
already!
What to Expect on Your First Lesson
You’ve got the clothes and you’ve rented your gear, now it’s time to
head for the slopes! For first timers, I always recommend booking a full
day as opposed to a half day. The difference in price is minimal and
you get so much more value from spending a full day with an instructor
on the mountain.
Some mountains even do multi-day workshops which are the ideal
package for beginners and will see you progressing in no time at all!
On the day of the lesson you should plan to arrive at the base fairly
early. If the lesson starts at 9am, then be there at around 8-8:15am to
get signed in, collect your lift tickets and get over to the meetup
point.
I know it may seem like overkill arriving this early, but it really
helps to not be rushing around on your first day. Being organized and
having a calm and collective attitude will help so much once you’re on
the slopes.
In addition to this, you’re not the only one who will be having
lessons, especially if it’s a weekend, there’s going to be a lot of
crowds…and a lot of standing in line.
If you’ve chosen to rent your gear directly from the mountain, rather
than from a third-party supplier, I would aim to arrive even earlier.
Queues at the rental desk are usually long and chaotic, especially in
high season and you could be waiting around for a while.
I still remember back to my first skiing lesson; I rocked up about 20
minutes before it was due to start, naively thinking that was ample
time. I ended up extremely flustered and on the verge of meltdown
because I’d not left enough time to fill out the forms, collect my gear
and attempt to find my group’s meeting point. They thankfully ended up
waiting for me (some resorts don’t always do that) – but it took away
from the rest of the group’s time with the instructor and being tardy is
never a good first impression!
As a first timer you will likely be taken to a very small section of
the beginner area, usually by the magic carpet, and the instructor will
run through some of the basics with you to help you get started. This
will include getting in and out of your skis, walking up the mountain in
your skis – it’s more of an awkward sidestep – and practicing the
snowplow which will help you to stop on the super mellow terrain.
They’ll likely also have a discussion about falling and how skiers
don’t tend to fall as much as snowboarders do on their first day, they
may even make a fun game out of whoever falls the most on the day,
because there’s nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition on the
mountain!
On my first day, I was told if I fell more than three times, I had to
buy my instructor a beer at the end of the lesson. If I fell more than
four, I had to buy drinks for the whole group. That certainly kept me on
my feet on day one!
Once you’ve gone through some of the basic skills, you’ll also be
taught the art of turning before the instructor takes you for a ride on
the magic carpet or other chairlifts.
From there, the instructor will have you lapping small, easy runs to
asses everyone’s skill level and give you all pointers. There will be
some people who just pick it up right away and are a natural to skiing;
if you’re one of those lucky ones, you may find that in the afternoon
you get bumped up a level to help develop your skillset further and
quicker.
Once the day is over, I can guarantee you’re going to be tired. I
completely recommend taking a dip in the hot tub at your accommodation
and definitely stretching off, whether it’s pre or post après drinks.
This is because the day after your first lesson your whole body is
going to be VERY sore. You’ll quickly discover that you had muscles you
never even knew about. Even if you’re in relatively good shape already,
you’ll be using completely different muscle groups to what you do in
your day to day life and it’s going to have an impact. Embrace it
though, it’s all part of the learning process and aching after a day on
the slopes sure does make you feel good!
Riding the Chairlift
As a newbie to skiing, riding the chairlift can certainly be one of
the most daunting parts to prepare for. When you’ve never done it
before, all kinds of thoughts can run through your head about
successfully loading and offloading the chair without causing too much
chaos.
The great news is that as a skier, you do have it easier than
snowboarders and you will find that it’s far easier for you to learn to
load and offload than it is for them.
In this section I want to briefly discuss the different types of
chairlifts you will come across on the mountain. As part of your
lessons, you will be taught how to ride the lifts, so don’t panic! If
you ever encounter a lift type that you’re not too familiar with, you
can always ask the friendly ‘lifty’ for assistance on how to load and
unload that particular chair.
On some of the newer lifts, they can even slow the chair down for you on your first few times until you get used to it.
This YouTube video is the perfect accompaniment to this section of the guide and takes you through loading and offloading beginner chairlifts.
The Magic Carpet
Depending on the resort you choose to learn in, the magic carpet is
likely one of the first types of lift you will encounter on the mountain
as a beginner. It basically looks like a conveyor belt that travels up
the smaller hills; sometimes it’s open and sometimes it’s covered.
Loading the magic carpet is relatively easy, though it may feel a little
strange the first time around.
Your skis will grip on to the carpet, feel free to slightly bend your
knees for balance and support. When you reach the top, simply wait
until your skis are around half way off the carpet then ski away. If you
have your poles with you, be sure to hold them in one hand.
Regular Chairlifts; Doubles, Quads, Six/Eight Seaters
The standard chairlifts come in a wealth of different shapes, sizes and speeds.
Some of the older two seaters don’t have a bar on them, which I found
a little scary at first. If you find yourself on such a lift, just be
sure to sit back and you will be fine.
Some newer, high speed lifts have become very high tech and feature
heated seats and covers. They even automatically raise so all you need
to worry about is hopping off. I’ve even ridden lifts with built in
music.
Unfortunately, the chairlift is the place where you’re most likely to
fall when first starting out. It’s just a practice thing and you’ll
soon get used to getting off at just the right moment.
My advice when getting off the chairlift is to look forward, keep
your knees bent and weight centered over the skis. If you’re carrying
poles, make sure they’re both in one hand and don’t have the ropes
attached to your wrists. As you leave the lift, refrain from doing the
pizza wedge. Keep your skis parallel. That way you won’t knock the skis
of anyone else you’re sharing the lift with. If necessary, you can ask
the liftie to slow the chair down.
T-bar
The T bar is still super popular in certain parts of Europe but if
you’re skiing in North America, they tend to be few and far between and
usually lie in intermediate to advanced terrain. Nevertheless, it’s
great for you to know what to expect should you encounter one.
The T-bar is designed to be used in pairs and this will be your
saving grace when using it. Having one person on either side of the bar
will help with your balance and it will be easier to use. It’s also not
designed to be sat on, let it come up behind you, place your hand on the
middle pole and let it guide you up the mountain!
Rope Tow
The rope tow is fairly easy for skiers to use but can be
intimidating, especially at first as it may jolt you and you could lose
balance. Rope tows sometimes are literally just a rope which you grab
onto, and other times they have a short handle sticking out for you to
grab. Rope tows only tend to get difficult if it gets steep and you’re
not wearing gloves with a good grip. If you’re thinking of visiting a
resort that uses rope tows, be sure to stock up on some high-quality
gloves!
Button Lift
I would say that the button lift is one of the easiest drag lifts for
skiers to use. As the lift comes by, pass the bar between your legs
with the small button/base plate resting on your butt and lean back.
Don’t try to sit on the plate as it wont work, just lean back and let
the lift do its work. You’ll also need to relax your body as much as
possible. If you’re stiff and you hit a bump, you’re more likely to
fall. The more you practice riding the button lift, the more natural it
will become. You’ll be a pro in no time!
Skills That Will Get You Through Day One and Beyond
There’re obviously a few key skills that will help you with your
skiing endeavors. Some of them are skiing specific skills and others are
more about your mindset on the mountain which I feel will really help
you progress into a talented skier.
The Snow Plow
Very much a skiing specific skill; the snow plow or pizza wedge as
it’s commonly referred to will help you to control your speed until you
can comfortably do parallel turns and stops. You will be taught this
maneuver on your first day on the mountain. However, if you want to
learn about it beforehand or want to refer back to it at a later date,
I recommend this video.
Overcoming the Mental Challenges
Skiing can feel pretty scary, especially when it’s a bluebird day and
you can see for miles and miles. You can sometimes feel a little
overwhelmed and if you look straight down the run you can definitely
psych yourself out and talk yourself out of doing a run.
Don’t listen to that voice in your head!
A good piece of advice if you get scared is to not look directly down
the run to the ski village that is miles beneath you. Instead, pick a
focal point to the side of the run, such as trees, and focus on that
when you’re coming down the hill. Then, as you turn, focus on a specific
point on the other side.
You will see the gradient of the run as you do this and it will help you to feel less afraid, especially if it’s only mellow.
If you’re above the tree line, find another focal point such as a
cliff or a rock. You can even focus on another skier and follow their
line. Obviously if they’re hurtling straight down the mountain without
turning, don’t choose them. Before you know it, you will have
confidently made multiple turns without even thinking about it and could
be half way down the run. You can then use this as motivation to
continue down the mountain.
Lapping the same runs over and over again is also a great way to
overcome the doubt/mental challenges you may face when skiing for the
first time. If you get down a run once without falling, great! Do that
same run a few more times to desensitize yourself to the run and you’ll
gain a lot more confidence.
The Importance of Rest Days
Though not a skill directly related to skiing, I wanted to remind you
to take some well needed rest days when you’re beginning your skiing
journey. It’s easy to become caught up in wanting to practice every
single day especially if you only have a week or two in a resort but
going hard and fast like this is going to ware you down and could result
in injury.
When I was learning to ski there was a lot of difference in opinion
around this topic. Some people would tell me that the only way to
improve was to be on the mountain on a daily basis, but I quickly found
this became exhausting and that it actually hindered my progress.
You’re going to have some days where you ski extremely well, and then
the next you may not do as good. This is completely normal and from my
own personal experience, I found if I was skiing 3 to 4 days in a row
and then had a bad day, it really hit my confidence and I became
frustrated that I “couldn’t ski anymore”.
What was actually happening is that I was tired, I began to
experiment and found that having one day on the slope and one day off
actually meant that every time I was on the mountain I would improve on
the previous time I had skied. As I got more confident and comfortable
on the slopes, I began to ski 2 and 3 days in a row.
I recommend that you experiment with your rest days, see what works for you, and I guarantee you will see results!
Patience
Finally, one of the most important steps of your skiing journey has
to be patience. You may learn quicker than some people and others may
learn quicker than you. Don’t beat yourself up and remember that
everyone started where you are today – even the pros! Trust that you
will get to where you want to be in time with lots of patience and hard
work and just enjoy being on the mountain for what it is.
A Quick Note and Thanks to Our Ski Patrol
They are the heroes of all our ski resorts, these are the guys and
gals who keep our slopes safe and are our first point of call should an
accident occur on the mountain.
They help with avalanche mitigation, first aid, rescues and that’s
just the tip of the iceberg. They’re working hard on the mountain early
in the morning before you’re even up for breakfast and are usually the
last ones off it once they’ve checked everyone is down safely at the end
of the day.
Ski patrollers are very friendly and are always willing to help you
out on the slopes, even if you just need pointing in the right direction
– don’t be afraid to just ask. You can easily spot them as they often
are wearing bright red jackets with a white cross on them.
If you see any patrollers while you’re out on the slopes, give them a
friendly hello, a high five or even buy them a drink to thank them for
their service (once they’ve got off shift of course). They usually have
great stories to tell and come from all corners of the globe. What’s
more, they have an incurable passion for the sport and will gladly give
you some help and advice.
Progression and Next Steps
Skiing is a sport that is easy to pick up when compared with
snowboarding for example, but the small intricacies in developing your
skills can be a little bit more difficult to master. Keep pushing
yourself and have a great time on the mountain.
For help with progressing your skillset, I recommend following
Ski School by Elate Media
on YouTube. They have an awesome collection of skiing tutorials, all
the way from beginner level, right up to expert and even backcountry
tips. They break down each skill into easy to digest chunks so that you
don’t feel overwhelmed.
As you improve your skiing too, still take some lessons from time to
time. Ski schools train people from their first day, all the way to
riding your first expert chutes and some resorts even offer avalanche
training too. The sky really is the limit when it comes to what the ski
school can offer you and it’s a great investment in yourself.
Finally, try and hit the slopes with some friends who are slightly
better than you. This will really give you the push you need to do
better and challenge yourself on the mountain; my most successful days
came from skiing the mountain with friends who had done it for years
before me.
I hope this article has helped you prepare in some way for your first
day on the mountain. I know it’s a lot to take in and skiing has a lot
of learning curves associated with it. But follow these guidelines to
get you started, take some lessons and most importantly, inhale the
fresh air and have some fun!
