Learning To Ski
Beginner's Ski Tips
When learning to ski, it is highly recommend that you undertake some form of ski instruction, particularly if you don't
want to be heading straight to the nearest A&E! Unfortunately, falling on your bum is an integral part of what my
instructor, Georgi, liked to call 'the learning curve'. I found myself particularly skilled at this aspect of
learning to ski, quickly discovering that although I had no problem whatsoever in getting down the mountain, more
crucial aspects such as learning to stop were somewhat trickier to master. Although friends and family may be
willing to teach you, the chances are that they will quickly become frustrated if you are slow to master the
'basics'. Likewise, they are unlikely to have much sympathy if you hurt yourself during a particularly comical
fall. For these reasons, learning to ski with qualified ski instructors comes highly recommended, with good
beginners ski instructors in every resort.
When learning to ski, you will initially deeply resent your skis. This will never be more true than the first
time they slide you backwards down the slope, when all you really want to do is stand there and patiently listen
to your instructor's advice. It is worth bearing in mind that skis have one sole desire – to get to the bottom
of the hill. They do not care how fast you get there or indeed whether you even go with them on this journey. Do
not blame them for this, and instead try to learn how to control your skis. One good beginner's ski tip is to use
your poles as a balancing device, until your legs have the confidence to decide when they are ready to set off.
The Importance of the Snowplough!
Skiing is a complicated sport, and if you’re a beginner, learning to ski can appear extremely daunting. This meant
that my first few days were preoccupied with trying to stay on my feet and avoid any kind of injury. As a result,
I was often left stranded at the top of the slope, stood sideways and legs shaking like a cow in the middle of a
motorway, as the ski traffic passed me by and I tried to pluck up the courage to go down the mountain.
Therefore, it is a good idea to perfect the basics on some firm ground before attempting to head straight up
on the ski lift. The first thing beginners tend to learn, and experts tend to sneer at, is how to snowplough. For
many beginner skiers, including myself, this simple technique is a godsend. This involves making a forward V
shape with your skis and allows you to finally do what you have wanted to do since you first set foot on the
snow – stop! Once you have mastered this technique, you may become fond of your skis once again, realising that
they can actually help you to stop instead of sending you soaring recklessly down the mountain. Whilst falling is
an extremely natural, and relatively non-painful, way to stop yourself from hurtling to almost certain
self-destruction, it also creates challenges of its own. For the majority of beginner skiers, the main challenge
lies in getting off the ground once you are on it. Aside from taking off your skis, standing up, then putting
your skis back on again, the best way it is to haul your weight up by using your poles as crutches. This is a
lot more difficult than it sounds, and you may find yourself doing as I did, i.e. lying pathetically on the
floor until your instructor comes to help you up.
Getting Started / Learning to Ski / Why Go Skiing / What to Take Skiing /
Apres Ski / When To Go Skiing / Best Beginner's Ski Resorts / Ski Resort Pronunciation Guide