Useful Tips for First Time Skiers

Mountain Skiing has always fascinated people of all ages who throng to snow destinations every year to conquer the hungry slopes. The sight of skiers hurtling down the mountain side at breath taking speeds and dropping vertically from dizzying heights is also thrilling to watch and many spectators line the slopes to catch a glimpse of some of the action.

If you are one of them and are thinking to strap on those ski boots for the first time, here are a few quickies you need to take care of before you hit the slopes.

Don’t be conscious:- The worst thing that obstructs your mind from getting prepared for the task is the feeling of reproach. What will happen if I fall down? What if I become the laughing stock of town? All these questions would tend to unnerve you rather than boost your morale. Relax! Don’t feel ashamed of falling on your face and eating snow. EVERYONE falls the first time!

Get help from a ski instructor:- Every ski slope is bound to have one or more ski instructors who provide valuable tips on safety and techniques. Pay careful attention on how to regulate your speed on runs, how to move over bumps or how to make a sudden stop etc.

The instructor is also bound to give you advice on the recommended clothing on the snowy slopes. Among the other important stuff, wear warm windproof and water proof pants, jackets and mittens. Carry two pairs of goggles, a helmet (can also be a hat), protection for the face in the form of masks or handkerchiefs and waterproof ski socks.

Equipment Maintenance:- Poorly maintained equipment can give you a rough ride and spoil your skiing experience altogether. Make sure that the ski blades are polished and in good condition. Apply a lot of wax for smoother runs and better yet, get the entire gear checked from a ski school or a personal instructor.

It is better to go for fatter skis as they weigh less and hence don’t sink into the snow.

Alright! Are you ready to hit the slopes? Here are a few tips to help ease your apprehensions as you move downhill.

Don’t obstruct the path:- In a crowded slope, it would be hard for you to find an isolated spot to start skiing. If you happen to start down a fairly busy slope, try to stay out of the way of experienced skiers who whiz past you. Stay clear of closed trails and areas where danger signs are posted. You don’t want to end up losing control of your skies and hurtling into a danger zone.

Unless you want to get into a head on collision with the following skier, stay away from dunes which cover you and make you invisible to the other skiers. The person in front of you has every right to move as slowly as you move to the skier behind you. So just try moving around him/her or avoid them completely.

Regulating Speed:- Speed is the ultimate test to your skiing abilities. But in order to stay away from disasters, you need to control your speed rather than being controlled by it. Speed can be your best friend and your worst enemy at times.

If the terrain is steep, make sure to practice regulating your speed before you decide to let go and move downhill. Learn how to stop in between skiing. The best way to do this is to choose a flatter terrain which you are comfortable with and do some practice runs before going for the real thing.

A good technique to slow down while on a run is to turn your feet and try a parallel skidded stop like in ice Hockey. This requires you to have a strong foothold by keeping hips, knees and ankles bent for each stop.

Turns:- A fair enough speed helps you to turn effectively. Do some practice turns on a flatter terrain and move onto steeper slopes as you perfect your turns and gain confidence in your moves. Try to establish a rhythm as you go further downhill. This enables you to gain momentum while you move from one turn to another.

Overcoming bumps:- Bumps can be a nuisance and can disrupt an otherwise smooth run. There are two ways to conquer these bumps. You can either ski over the top of one side and slide down the other, all the while keeping your skis pivoted; or you can ski in hollows and slow down as you reach some bumps so that you can actually move over them slowly. Do a few runs with some less threatening bumps before you go in for the deep ones.

Using the ski lifts:- Ski lifts are used to take you to the top of the slope and require you to load with your skis strapped to your shoes. At the top, you would be required to push off from the lift and drop to the ground below (relax! It’s just a few inches). Unless you are experienced with ski lifts, do not try to attempt to get onto a lift of off it by yourself. Take a friend or an instructor along with you until you get the hang of it.

Let’s hope all these tips helped clear your apprehensions on the sport. So go ahead, strap on some skis and conquer that mountain that you had always dreamed off.