Skiing for Beginners: What should I know before skiing for the first time?
Skiing is one of the greatest winter activities to enjoy during your vacation. Picturesque snowy mountain views, intricate terranes, and incomparable feeling of sheer excitement when you are hitting the slopes make this sport really attractive. It looks truly spectacular when professional skiers carelessly go down the snowy hills wearing their brightly-colored clothes and it seems so easy to do!
Unfortunately, to become an expert skier one needs to practice a lot to achieve solid professional skills. Skiing is not a sport that takes only an hour to learn, it requires a lifetime. But if you are eager to brighten up your life with a new and fascinating hobby, there are a few important things to know before starting out a journey into this thrilling winter sport.
Here is your beginner's guide to skiing that will make it less challenging for newcomers to begin.
Getting Ready for Skiing
- Suitable Gear
When it comes to skiing, providing yourself with proper equipment is one of the most essential things to focus on. There is no need to spend all your money on expensive, cutting-edge gear if you are far from being a professional athlete. But to feel comfortable and confident while you are trying to acquire a new skill, properly fitted equipment is a must. That includes skis, ski boots, poles, goggles, helmet, bindings and right backpack. Nowadays everything can be bought on the Internet, however, it is better to get fitted in-person to avoid disappointment.
- Choosing Right Clothes
Maybe you noticed conspicuous garments skiers are wearing that look so stylish when they go down the slopes? The thing is that dressing up for skiing is not just about looking attractive, in the first place it is about being able to move without limits. Generally, before going on a ride, ski enthusiasts dress in three layers that help them to accumulate warmth. The first layer consists of fast-drying material that easily wicks away moisture and keeps your body warm. It should cover your body from neck to ankle. Choosing long underwear made of synthetic fabric or marino wool is the best option. Then goes middle layer aimed at accumulating warmth and making you feel comfortable when you hit jumps on skis. There are various types of mid-layer to pick from, but it should not restrict your movements. And the final part of your skiwear is outer layer that includes special waterproof jacket and trousers with high level of breathability.
- Understand Your Limits
Achieving considerable level in skiing takes lots of time, devotion and perfect physical shape. It is impossible to start from scratch and move instantly from a beginner to advanced level no matter how much we want that. Some people make a mistake thinking they can point themselves directly to the ski runs suitable for intermediates and experts and eventually they end up being upset, or even worse - badly injured. So, before setting off for a fascinating ski trip make sure the resort you have chosen features a range of options for newcomers.
- Get Your Lift Ticket Online
If you want to save money on your trip and avoid staying in a line, consider booking lift passes on the Internet. Lots of ski resorts offer great discounts for those who prefer having everything arranged in advance, so the earlier you book a lift pass, the cheaper it will be. The best option is to get one at least a few months before beginning of the ski season.
Having Your First Ski Run
- Remember about protection
Skiing for the first time is a blend of thrill, excitement and a bit of panic. However, weather in the mountains is changeable and unpredictable, so you need to be ready to deal with it. When you go for a ski ride, remember to wear tinted goggles to protect your eyes from white snowy environment and UV light. Also, you will feel much better after your training if you put some sunscreen on parts of your skin that are exposed. Winter in the mountain is more rough and cold, so if you have no previous experience in downhill skiing, it is also essential to take care of your pack. Grab a bottle of water to stay hydrated during a trip and organize your equipment properly to maximize comfort and reach optimum weight distribution.
- Learn the basics
To become a real expert in skiing you’ll need lots of years, but generally, people can learn rudiments within a few hours. When you are at the Hunter mountain resort, the main purpose for you is to understand how to stand on skis, ride a lift and master some simple techniques, so you can deal with beginner’s slopes without injuring yourself. It would be useful to practice doing wedge stops and wedge turns and as you learn how to do that, move on to the ski green run to deepen your knowledge.
- Take your time to get on a lift
One of the most challenging things for beginners is to get on a chairlift. Lack of skills may even make you feel embarrassed: a lift is moving so quickly and hundreds of people are watching as you are trying hard to achieve your goal. No matter how stupid you might look, simply relax and slow down. You can explain that it is your first time and ask the attendant to make the lift move slower. It is impossible to be perfect in one instant, and acquiring new skills always needs some practice.
- Distinguish ski trail markings
Newcomers might find it difficult to understand meaning of ski trail markings. Generally, every mountain resort features terrains for different levels of expertise which are marked by special symbols. Green circle means gentle slopes that are perfectly suitable for beginners. Runs with blue square are aimed at intermediate skiers. They are more challenging compared to green circle trails and require better skills. Blend diamond showcases the riskiest trails that would be ideal only for experienced skiers. They can be well-groomed or ungroomed and include varied levels of difficulty.
No matter what your motivation is and how old you are, learning how to ski is never late and it has lots of great benefits for physical and mental health. It is the best way to enjoy your time while hitting the slopes and forget about the rat race of the modern century.
Our ski bus company will provide you with such an opportunity and give you an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.