You've never been on a mountain before, but like the idea of speeding down a run with the wind in your face. Let's take a look at a compilation of tips and tricks from a few expert skiers I've learned over the years to help familiarize yourself before clicking into those bindings.
Tip #1: Take a lesson
Don't learn from a boyfriend, girlfriend or best friend; I promise it's a recipe for an ended
relationship. My parents have always urged novel skiers to take lessons and I'm in
agreement. Learning from a certified professional will ensure you build confidence and learn the basics with terms and techniques an instructor can describe better than your wanna-be olympian best friend. A lesson can help you get better faster, and while having more fun in the process. Let's be honest: skiing is not an ‘intuitive’ sport. Go out with an instructor for day 1 on the slopes to hear key tips that make everything from fitting your gear to linking turns easier. They have the experience and knowledge of teaching skiing more than one of your friends. Another idea? Sign up with another beginner friend, so you can share the experience.
Tip #2: Wear a helmet
This is the most important gear you can have and I urge you to wear a helmet whether you're a beginner or future X-Games competitor. It may look goofy, but according to research completed in 2015, 78% of skiers now wear them. I think that percentage has grown even more since then. An added bonus: it will keep your head warm throughout the day when you're barreling down the slopes. Need a better reason? It's something that can save your life. The New York Times reported that wearing a helmet when
skiing has reduced head injuries such as fractured skulls, facial lacerations, and head lacerations by as much as 50% in the most recent years. If you are concerned about a helmet affecting your visibility or hearing, causing a negative impact on your skiing or snowboarding, your fears may be unfounded. Johns Hopkins University conducted a study that proved helmets do not impact vision or hearing enough to impact riding. The research also showed that helmets do not cause neck injuries, such as whiplash, when you fall. Instead, the benefits of having a helmet on far outweigh the risks of not wearing a helmet when skiing. So rent one before your first day on the slope. It could save your life.
Tip #3: Good boots are essential
Make sure they're fitted well or you'll be miserable on the mountain all day. A good boot should feel snug and honestly, kind of uncomfortable if you've never worn them before. They should be buckled tight (but not tight enough to cut off circulation! don't suffocate those
toes!) and put you into a bent knee position. You may need to try on more than one pair to ensure the fit is right for you. Also, wear one pair of ski socks in your boot. Most people assume two pairs will keep them warmer, but in fact doing this will make those tootsies colder throughout the day. Your feet may overheat and sweat which will result in colder feet. Wearing more than one pair of socks will also change the fit of the boot. Put one pair of good ski socks on (try Smartwool!) and remember your boots have insulating qualities. Other important gear to rent or bring with you includes gloves/mittens, water resistant snowpants (you may be falling all day...so a good pair of snowpants will keep you warm and dry), goggles, ski socks and base layers. For more info on staying warm, check out my other blog post here. In addition, make sure to rent some beginner skis and be prepared to answer questions about your height, weight, and ability level. The ski technician needs this information in order to properly set the binding tension, which ensures they will release if you take a tumble.
Tip #4: It may feel awkward at first
If you've never been on skis before, it is an awkward position to get used to. I mean, you have huge planks on your feet and the proper form is strange for a beginner. Then add in the poles to hold and it can be a big mess (side tip: put your hands through the pole straps; this will ensure you won't lose your poles in a fall or mishap). A big tip is that you should make sure you bend your knees while skiing. A lot of beginners try to stand straight up which affects your balance and overall control, making it more difficult to master. If you bend your knees, your heels stay in the heels cups of the boots and your shin stays connected to the front of the boot which gives you more control of your ski. Bending your knees will also help you absorb the bumps and uneven terrain on the slopes.
Tip #5: Keep your hands in front of you
As my mom always taught me, pretend you're carrying a cafeteria tray. This will keep your hands in front of you in a more controlled manner and at a good 90 degree angle instead of flailing. This will also help you to in turn bend your knees (for more control) and prevent you from leaning back (again, more control). It will also help you to keep yourself centered on the ski right near the "sweet spot" so the ski works for you instead of against you.
Tip #6: It's okay to fall
And you're going to if you've never been on skis before. It's okay to fall! It's all a part of the learning curve. We've all been there so keep reminding yourself that. Even the greats,
like my girl Mikaela Shiffrin, learned once and fell all the time. Don't be intimidated by other skiers or even those fearless little kids who fly by you on the bunny hill. Everyone is going to be at a different learning level. But what's the most important part? You're out there trying and you're going to be better today than you were the day before. Don't have unrealistic expectations. Celebrate the small accomplishments. Did you master a turn? Go you! Cheer yourself on. And when you fall after crossing your tips or losing your balance, get back up and keep flying down those slopes. It's exhilarating and a blast once you master the basics. Also, make sure you "learn to fall". Try not to fall on a singular limb or put your hand out. These tactics may result in broken wrists or worse. Try to spread out the impact area; a larger surface area will absorb more of your fall. Then, getting back up make sure your skis are across the slope and push yourself back up.
“If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do.” -Warren Miller
Tip #7: Put your downhill ski on first
So you fall down and your skis pop off. No big deal! You're learning. You get even more credit if you manage to fall and lose your skis, poles, goggles, etc..we call that a yard sale.
It's going to happen to everyone here and there. But now you're on the slope and can't get your ski back on. Every time you try, you either lose your balance and stumble again or your ski keeps moving all over. I've seen numerous beginners struggle to put their skis back on because they're trying to put the uphill ski on first. A big tip here: make sure the skis are lying across the slope (aka not pointed downhill) so when you click in, you're not going to be sliding downhill immediately. And then, make sure your downhill ski is being put on first. What's your downhill ski? The ski that is on the downhill side as you go across a slope. It is the ski that is closer to the bottom of the mountain. Then, angle it so that the bottom of your boot is at the same angle as the base of the ski, otherwise the front of the boot will not slide into the binding properly. It can be very difficult to get the boot at the right angle if you put your uphill ski on first. Also make sure you kick off any excess snow from the bottom of your boot so it fits in perfectly.
Tip #8: Wear sunscreen
It seems odd, right? Why would you need sunscreen in the winter? But...yup! You need it on those bluebird days (sidenote: a bluebird day is a day on the slopes that is sunny and cloudless, typically after a night of snowfall) and even on the cloudier days. The sun's reflection off the snow is stronger than you'd think and this, combined with the higher altitude put you at risk for overexposure to the sun's UV rays. UV radiation exposure actually increased 4-5% with every 1000 feet above sea level. So, on those high elevation mountains UV radiation may be 35 to 45 percent more intense than at sea level. In addition, snow reflects up to 80 percent of the UV light from the sun, meaning that you are often hit by the same rays twice. Then, add in the reflection of your goggles and you're about to have some rosy cheeks and nose. Let's avoid skin cancer and put on that sunscreen! It's not only for the summertime.
Tip #9: Stretch!
Before and after skiing, you're going to have to stretch those muscles out. Skiing uses a variety of muscles and a wide range of movements that are sporadic, sudden, and potentially stressful for muscles and ligaments. You'll want to focus on stretches that target the back, hips, legs, abs, chest and glutes. Stretching beforehand allows for adequate flexibility, especially in the hips, to allow for better speed, turns, and cuts. Post-skiing stretches ensure you an maintain that flexibility in the days to come. Another key tip: go soak in a hot tub after stretching. However, wait a few hours before dipping into that hot water. Despite the healing properties of a hot tube, the heat can also inflame your muscles and slow down the recovery. Stay tuned for a separate, more in-depth post about stretches for skiing.
Tip #10: Have fun
The most important part about being on the mountain is having fun. I know the first few days on the slopes can be tiresome and frustrating, but as long as you stick with it and keep trying, soon you'll be doing more "french fries" and less "pizza" overall. Enjoy your time on the mountain. It's not just about making it down the slopes at record speeds. It's about enjoying time with friends, taking in the beauty of nature and enjoying the wind in your face. Embrace the learning process and have fun with it!
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