Do you want to get an idea of what's involved in learning how to ski? Here's an overview, along with step-by-step information on what you should know about how to ski before you get started, and as you progress on the ski slopes.
Get Ready to Ski
Before you actually learn how to ski, you need to get ready to go skiing. Here's everything you need to know about renting or buying ski equipment, getting the clothing and gear you need, selecting a ski resort, and planning a ski vacation.
First Time Skier's Tips
If you've never been skiing before or you're a beginner skier, you may not know where to go to skiing, what to wear, or even where to start. Here are tips for a first time skier.
Get Ski Lessons
The most important step in learning how to ski is choosing a ski lesson program that is compatible with your skills and abilities. It's important to learn how to ski correctly, so you can move up to a higher skiing ability level both safely and comfortably.
How to Get On and Off a Chairlift
Most ski resorts have chairlifts to transport skiers up the mountain and riding the chairlift is one of the first things you'll need to learn to do. Here's what you need to know to get on, to ride, and to get off the chairlift. There's also information on riding a rope tow and gondola, which are also convenient ways to head up the slopes.
Learn to Snow Plow
The traditional learning stance for beginning skiers is called the snow plow position. You'll need to be able to snow plow to stop, so it's one of the first techniques you should learn.
Point Your Way Down the Slope
When you move up from the snow plow turn, you can learn to begin a more advanced way of turning your skis by pointing with your arm. Here's information on how to turn as you head down the ski slope.
How to Ski on a Crowded Trail
When ski resorts fill up, skiing on a crowded trail can be difficult and sometimes even dangerous! Especially when the trail gets narrow, it can be hard work to navigate through other skiers. Colliding with another skier can cause injury (and it hurts!), so skiing safely on crowded trails is necessary for everyone's safety.
How to Become an Advanced Skier
For many years the only classification system for skiers included Beginner, Intermediate and Expert skier. However, a more refined system of assessing skill levels has evolved that gives ski school staff a better way of grouping skiers of equal skills.
Glade Skiing
Skiing off the groomed trails has grown in popularity in the last 10 years. When shown on resort trail maps these areas are commonly called glades and are usually marked as expert or Black Diamond terrain. These tips will help you ski glades safely.
Tips for Mogul Skiing
When you are just starting to try to ski well in moguls, start on small bumps in not too steep terrain. Moguls on Black Diamond trails can be both intimidating and dangerous to beginning mogul skiers.
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