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To Ski
Learning To Ski
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here to see our selection of snow sleds
 Congratulations
on your ambition to try learning to ski! Skiing is an extremely
enjoyable winter activity, and one that has been around for centuries.
Take your place on the slopes! The following tips on learning to
ski should help prepare you.
First, keep in mind the basics. You want to feel in control of
your skiing as you are cruising down the fall line. To do this,
it is important to determine your position on the slope: the direction
in which you are moving and your speed. This is done by turning.
Once you master this control aspect, you will experience the sense
of controlled speed and rhythm that makes skiing such an exhilarating
sport!
Traversing is one of the first skills to master when you are learning
to ski. This is all about skiing across the slope, rather than straight
down the fall line. By traversing, you will be able to control your
speed and reach specific goals, like another skier that has fallen,
or the ski lift or lodge. Remember, acceleration is far greater
when you plunge directly down the fall line, rather than skiing
back and forth across the hill.
Traverses will separate your turns until you learn how to link
your turns so that they flow into each other. Take time to feel
comfortable in the right traversing stance, because you will be
spending a lot of your time doing this.
Also, keep in mind that falling is inevitable! Even the best skiers
fall, and there is no dishonor about plunging into the snow! In
fact, it is good for beginners to fall plenty of times, to get over
their fear and loosen up. Falling on skis is not a catastrophe,
and you will be up again and skiing before you know it.
And actually, because falling is such an integral and unavoidable
part of learning to ski, as well as skilled skiing, that there is
a set of terms to describe each type of fall.
- Face plant (also head plant, shoulder
plant, etc.): Driving of relevant piece of anatomy deep into the
snow.
- Three point yard sale (or in extreme cases,
five point, seven point, etc.): Generous distribution around the
mountain of equipment - skis, poles, goggles, hat, scarf, gloves...
with an end result resembling a back-yard jumble sale.
- Snow snakes. Malicious but rarely-seen reptiles
living just below the surface of the snow. Responsible for many
otherwise inexplicable falls.
- Wipe out. Adopted from surfing. What happens
when you get thrown off the frozen wave.
- Pre-release. A binding set too loosely or obstructed
with snow will occasionally eject you unexpectedly, particularly
in bumps or powder. This is the best excuse for any fall in which
you lose a ski - almost impossible to refute without video evidence.
- Catching an edge. Letting a downhill
or outside edge catch in the snow usually results in instant catastrophe.
Related information:
Snow
Games
One of the best things about winter is the snow. And one of the
best things about snow is the fun and games that it allows.
Winter
Sports and Activities
Wintertime often sparks cabin fever, creating a feeling of seclusion,
boredom and depression in many people.
Ice
Skating
For most of us, ice skating is merely recreational, whether ice
hockey or simply ice skating in a rink.
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