Learning to ski 101
Avoid these common beginner mistakes
The average beginner skier arrives at the slopes on a crowded busy day wearing several pairs of socks. They came with several friends who encouraged this whole trip. Statistics show that about half of them will never come back to try skiing again.
First of all, be prepared for this trip. Do not hop on the lift without knowing how to stop, and be cautious of listening to your friends who may have brought you. Do listen to the pros. It is so important that beginners take lessons to learn the right way how to ski from a trained instructor.
Friends may mean well, but they probably have paid a lot of money to ski and they may not want to waste the day waiting around on a beginner. Expect that you may need to separate from friends who already know how to ski, or you might just want to go alone.
Try to plan your trip on a slow day. Avoid crowded and busy days as the class sizes may be larger. The beginning and end of the season are often slower and you are more likely to get in a smaller class. Do not feel guilty about taking your children out of school to do this. They will be safer on a less crowded day and will learn more on the slopes than they could in school. They will never forget this experience!
Most beginners arrive with several pairs of socks on to keep their feet warm. Don’t do this! The socks will bunch up and cause more problems with your boot liners and can mess up your balance. A thin pair of long liner socks is all you need. No cotton, please!
Do put on your ski boots and walk around in the snow to get the feel of them. You need to know if they are going to hurt before you get into a lesson so you can try another pair. Balance begins with the boots!
Do wear a lot of layers. It is nice to have ski pants, good gloves, and a helmet really helps keep your head warm and safe. A lot of these items can be found used at ski swaps that often take place in the fall. Ask around as to where you can find used equipment in your area. These items also make the best gifts for Christmas.
You might be able to borrow from another ski bum, as most skiers have collected more than enough equipment and will be happy to share. This is due to the fact that skiing is very addicting. Last, don’t give up and do have fun!
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