While skiing does carry some inherent risks, it’s actually quite easy to learn, and serious injuries are rare. More importantly, there’s no better way to explore winter mountains than on skis.
Start Ski Lessons with Your Kids
Choose the Right ResortFlip through any winter resort brochure, and you’ll see hundreds of ski resorts vying for your attention. These destinations vary widely in terms of price and facilities, so it’s important to ask some questions—especially if you’re a beginner.
Is there snow?
This might sound like a silly question, but the core ski season varies from resort to resort. For example, if you want to ski around Christmas, which is relatively early, choose a high-altitude resort where snow is more likely. If you’re planning to go later in the season, keep in mind that the arrival of warmer weather also varies by location: in Andorra, France, and Switzerland, skiing is still great until early April; but if you want to ski in May, Bulgaria, the U.S., or Canada might be better options.
What types of ski runs are available?
Ski runs are color-coded to indicate difficulty: green slopes are gentle and ideal for practice; blue slopes are suitable for beginners; red slopes are for intermediate skiers; and black slopes are the most challenging, meant only for experienced skiers. Ski resorts usually post maps on their websites showing the number and types of runs available. For learning purposes, choose a resort with plenty of green and blue slopes, but also a few red ones for advancing your skills or for more skilled companions to enjoy.
Have You Picked Your Ski Runs?
Essential GearThere are four essential pieces of skiing gear: ski boots, skis, ski poles, and a helmet. As a beginner, you don’t need to buy all the gear—you can easily rent everything at the resort. Ski boots are made of rigid plastic and might feel quite uncomfortable at first: unlike regular shoes or boots, you can’t bend your feet or ankles much because the boots must fit snugly around your ankles to provide proper support. This ensures that if you suddenly stop, your boots will detach from the skis rather than sticking to them and sending you flying out of the boots.
Beginners should use carving skis, which are thicker at the ends than in the middle, helping you cut into the snow. The staff at rental shops will adjust the ski bindings to fit both your boot size and weight.
Ski poles are similar to trekking poles. You’ll need them to help you glide across flat terrain, and as you become more skilled, they can also assist with turning.
Ten years ago, wearing a helmet while skiing was unusual, but today, those without one are in the minority. Your head is one of the most vulnerable parts of your body. So, it’s really worth renting or buying a helmet.
Gear Up Before Getting on the Lift
What to Wear?The right base layer is crucial: although the mountains are cold, you’ll quickly warm up from all the movement and start sweating. Your base layer must be both warm and breathable. In colder weather, you might want an additional mid-layer between your base layer and outerwear. Wool is a good choice. The outermost layer should be a waterproof, insulated ski jacket. Don’t wear regular pants—opt for insulated ski bibs (lined, sometimes with elastic) instead.
There are three other essential accessories for skiing: gloves; a neck gaiter; and ski goggles or sunglasses. Gloves protect your palms from abrasions if you fall on ice and also provide grip for holding onto the chairlift. A neck gaiter, or a balaclava like the Sonic model from Outdoor Adventure, keeps snow and wind from creeping down your neck—especially useful when riding a ski lift.
Ski socks are different from regular socks, and even from hiking socks. They reach up to the knee, with extra padding in key areas to prevent friction from the ski boots. They’re also designed to wick moisture, keeping your feet dry and comfortable.
You can also dress fashionably
Basic Skiing Techniques1. Lean Your Weight Forward
When skiing, you should keep your knees directly over your toes and your hips directly over your knees; your center of gravity should be perpendicular to the skis, leaning your body forward to achieve maximum stability.
2. Turn with Your Feet, Not Your Body
Beginner skiers often try to turn by twisting their upper body, but doing so not only slows you down but also makes it easier to lose balance. In reality, only your skis are in direct contact with the snow, so you should rotate your feet to steer the skis. The best approach is to shift your weight onto the downhill ski — the one on the outside during a turn — ensuring it turns faster and leads you in the new direction.
3. Pivot and Brake
If you want to stop, you must increase the friction between your skis and the snow. As a beginner, you might use the snowplow (or wedge) brake, angling your skis inward into a V-shape to come to a halt. However, a better method is to turn your body as much as possible toward the slope — the force of gravity will naturally help slow you down, and your skis will dig into the slope’s surface. This is more efficient and puts less strain on your legs.
4. Always Look Ahead
It goes without saying that you need to constantly check your direction. If you focus on a point ahead rather than staring at your feet, your upper body will be more stable, and you’ll also be able to spot obstacles such as other skiers or icy patches.
5. Don’t Panic!
When trying new slopes or techniques — especially on steep or fast runs, or when you feel you’re losing control — it’s easy to become stressed and tense. If you do feel nervous, pause, take a deep breath, and start again. You’ll react most smoothly to bumps and perform at your best only when your legs are relaxed. And if you happen to fall — even the most skilled skiers do — stay relaxed, laugh it off, and reduce the chance of injury.
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