List Of Skiing Tips
Skiing is not a very easy sport. It requires strength, skill, technique, and discipline. Skiing is not something that can be picked up overnight; it takes a lot of practice. Whether you are skiing in the northeast or the Rocky Mountains, there are numerous different things you should keep in mind while you are learning the sport.
Tips For Beginners
- Have Fun
- Always Keep Your Knees Bent
- Get A Lesson
- Don’t Be Afraid of Falling
- Dress Appropriately
- Learn to Stop Properly
- Turn with the Legs, Not the Entire Body
Have Fun
This is easily the most important tip someone can give you when you are skiing. It is going to be difficult to follow any of the tips below if you are not having a good time. If you are spending your time pouting about how cold it is outside or how difficult skiing is, you are very likely to not see any improvement.
Always Keep Your Knees Bent
This may seem obvious, but a common mistake that beginners often make is not staying in an athletic position. Oftentimes they will straighten their legs, which will mess up their balance, agility, and form. Bending your knees will allow you to have pressure on your boot which will lead you to make turns smoother and easier.
Get A Lesson
Reading tips online can only be so helpful. If you don’t mind spending some money, getting a lesson will be extremely beneficial. An instructor will watch you diligently as you ski and will be able to point out exactly what you are doing wrong. This will be super helpful in getting you to fix any issues you may have. The cost of the lesson will be highly dependent on the mountain you go to, but it is more than likely to be well worth the cost.
Don’t Be Afraid of Falling
Falling is part of the sport. In most cases, a fall is not going to result in any injury. Yes, it is true that breaking a bone or having a serious injury is possible, but that is not something you should let hold you back, especially when you are learning. Confidence is extremely important when you are on the mountain, and not being afraid during a ski day will allow you to enjoy it to the fullest. When you are learning, you are probably going to fall at least a couple of times. It is a part of learning, so make sure you get back up and try again!
Dress Appropriately
Not wearing the proper clothing while skiing has the potential to ruin a ski day. If you are too cold or hot, or just uncomfortable in your equipment, it is going to be impossible to enjoy yourself or see any improvement. Most importantly, you want to make sure that you have proper fitting boots. Ski boots are pretty stiff and uncomfortable as is, so if they do not fit you properly, you may have some trouble.
Learn to Stop Properly
Stopping should be one of the first things you should learn when you start skiing.
Turn with the Legs, Not the Entire Body
Many skiers initiate their turns by rotating their upper body and having the skis follow. This is common even for advanced skiers, and it is a very bad habit that can be hard to get rid of. Turning with the upper body can lead you to get out of balance and will put you in an awkward position where it is hard to effectively find an edge on your skis. Turning with the legs will allow you to keep a quiet upper body and maintain balance.
Before You Hit the Slopes
- Do Some Research on the Resort before Arriving
- Warm Up Before You Start Skiing
Do Some Research on the Resort before Arriving
If the mountain you are going to is a resort that you have never skied before, it is a good idea to do some research before you arrive. This will help you to determine where to go on the mountain that will best fit your skill set. It will also give you information about costs, parking, lodging, and much more.
Warm Up Before You Start Skiing
Skiing is a very physically demanding sport. Before you click into your skis and head up the mountain, it is a good idea to do some stretching. If you go hard on the slopes before loosening up, there is a good chance that you will end up regretting it. Leg swings, arm circles, lunges, and jumping jacks are just a few examples of what you can do to get your ski day started.
What You Need to Know While on the Mountain
- Stay Hydrated
- Avoid the Crowds
- Have the Correct Hand Positioning
- Time Your Pole Plant Properly
- Put the Weight on the Downhill Ski when Turning
- Lean Forward
Stay Hydrated
Being in the cold, you might not feel like you are thirsty. However, that does not mean you should not drink water. Skiing is a highly active sport that requires a lot of effort. Therefore, it is really important to make sure you are drinking as much water as you can. Whenever you are going into the lodge to warm up or grab a snack, make sure you have some water as well.
Avoid the Crowds
Especially if you are a beginner, you are going to want to ski on trails where there are not many other skiers. The more crowded the trail is, the more overwhelming it can be to maneuver down the slope, and avoiding these crowds can prevent unnecessary accidents. Getting up early is a good way to avoid crowds, as you can have the trail to yourself while everyone is in the lodge eating breakfast and getting ready for their day.
Have the Correct Hand Positioning
How you hold your poles is a very important technique that is oftentimes overlooked. If the hands are back toward your hips, or even behind them, that likely means you are not skiing in control. The best position for your hands is out in front of your body around chest height. This will allow you to be in much better control, and you will find that turning and recovering from mistakes will be much easier.
Time Your Pole Plant Properly
When done correctly, the pole plant is executed at the very end of the turn on the side you are turning toward. A strong pole plant will also signal your commitment to the next turn. When you pole plant, you want to reach out and plant the pole down in front of you. This will help develop a forward posture that is vital for a good skiing technique.
Put the Weight on the Downhill Ski When Turning
As you improve your skiing, it is important to make sure that your turn has superb technique. When you turn, all of your weight should be on the downhill ski. This will allow you to carve better and have much more control over your turn. As you make your next turn, you will then shift your weight to the other ski. This might take getting used to, but focusing on this maneuver when you turn will drastically improve your skiing abilities.
Lean Forward
Leaning back is one of the worst things you could do on skis. This will make it very difficult to make turns, and also makes you far more likely to lose control. If your shins stay in contact with the front of your boot, your weight will be centered, and you will have better control.