While the idea of skiing can elicit images of soft snow, spectacular vistas, and steaming hot chocolates, it's important to remember that skiing isn't a walk in the park. However, it is an exhilarating sport that can satiate your hunger for adrenaline. If you've always wanted to try skiing but never had the opportunity to do so, this guide will help you get started. But remember that while this article covers the basics of alpine skiing, it is not a substitute for real lessons - read on and then sign up for a course to start having a blast in the snow!
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Knowing the Rules of the Track
Step 1. Learn to distinguish the difficulty of the slopes
You can understand the difficulty of a track from the symbol on the signs or on the map of the area. In Italy, the slopes are indicated as follows:
- A green circle indicates an easy track for beginners. These tracks are not very fast, contain few obstacles and are not very long.
- A blue circle indicates an intermediate runway. It can contain obstacles and more inclined parts and you shouldn't try them until you have learned to descend on the green ones.
- A red circle indicates a difficult track. These slopes have steep slopes and are often quite long.
- A black circle indicates a very difficult track. Runs of this type can contain obstacles, bumps and very sharp slopes or narrow paths. Don't try these tracks if you don't have a lot of experience. While you may think you are ready, it probably isn't. Many people get injured by risking descents that are too difficult for them.
- A double black circle (sometimes replaced by a double diamond, always black in color) indicates a track that should only be attempted by experienced skiers. Don't go down on a run like this unless you feel completely comfortable with all the other black runs. It is a good idea to ski these slopes with a partner. The only thing more difficult than this is heli-skiing, where they drop you on the helicopter slope (these slopes are very prone to avalanches).
Step 2. Please note that these difficulty classifications are relative to the other slopes of the same ski park
Therefore, a blue run in one park can be more difficult than a red run in another park. For this reason, when skiing in a new park, you should always start with the easier slopes and increase the difficulty gradually, even if you are an experienced skier.
Step 3. Know who has the right of way on the track
The people in front of you (further downstream) have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them, even when they fall in front of you. For this, it is best to keep the right distance between you and the skier in front of you.
Step 4. Always stay in control on the track
It is your responsibility to know which slopes and what speed you can handle. Don't try a black run just because you think you are a born skier but have never skied before. You will run the risk of a serious injury for yourself or the next one if you fall.
Step 5. Don't stop if you can't be seen from above
While it is common to stop and catch your breath on the slope, you should remember that you are not allowed to stop if you obstruct the descent of other skiers or if you cannot be seen by those coming from above you who could hit you.
- If you feel the need to stop, try to do it before the next wall.
- Pull over to the side of the track to stop, rather than in the center.
Part 2 of 5: Put on your skis
Step 1. Put on your ski boots
If you are renting boots, ask a salesperson to help you choose the ones that suit you best. You will need to find the right size and adjust the fit. At rest, your foot must be immobilized but not compressed. Your toes should not touch the toe of the boot as you bend your knees to push your shins forward from the corner of the boot. The upper part of the boot must be well wrapped around the ankle.
- Walking in ski boots is easier if you take long strides, gently rotating the hard bottom of the boot in a heel-toe motion, and straightening the lower leg as the rest of the body passes.
- Once you've put on your boots, take your skis and poles to the snow. Skis have edges with sharp corners and sometimes rough or sharp spots, so wear them while wearing gloves.
Step 2. Separate your skis
On the snow, find a flat area. If your skis are hooked together by the clips, which act as "snow brakes" and extend beyond the flat sides at the bindings (their purpose is to prevent the skis from being lost when unhooking from the boots to protect the your feet from excessive rotation), put the skis vertically with the tails down, bring the ski down with the clips hooked on the "inside" side, and gently shake to release the ski with the clips on the "outside" side.
Step 3. Put the boots on the skis
Arrange the skis so that they point in the same direction, about 30 centimeters apart. Stick the poles into the snow, on the side of the skis, a few inches away and near the front of the binding. Hold on to the poles and, one foot at a time, tuck the prominence on the toe of the boot into the front of the binding, then press the heel of the boot to anchor it to the back of the binding, which should click into place. Slide your feet back and forth a bit to check if the ski is attached. If not, try again from the beginning.
- If you haven't heard a "click", try again.
- If there is a lot of snow on the bottom of the boot, it may not snap into the ski properly. Kick the snow boot against each other to clean it up and try again.
Step 4. Learn how to release the skis
To release a ski or to reset the binding after a failed attempt, lower the lever on the back of the boot until it is parallel to the ski. The simplest way is to use the tip of a stick inserted into the notch of the lever itself.
If you fall or have trouble straightening up, unhook the ski "downstream", get back on your feet with the help of the other ski and poles, and then put the unhooked ski back on
Part 3 of 5: Learning the Basics
Step 1. Sign up for a ski course
While it won't be possible at all, since the courses are expensive and in some cases boring, they are probably the best way to learn the basics. Look for beginner courses that are offered in your ski resort.
- It is better to sign up for the course a few weeks before going to the mountains, because otherwise you risk not finding a place. Sign up for a course suitable for your age.
- Many resorts offer rental packages, ski passes and beginner courses. Some even offer short courses for beginners and intermediate skiers every day. They are very useful for correcting mistakes, for refreshing your technique or for finding the confidence to tackle more demanding descents.
Step 2. Learn to stop
Bring the tips of your skis together, then spread your heels apart to form an open triangle that points downhill. This technique is called "snow plow". The more you spread your skis, the slower you will slow down.
- Keep in mind that this technique works best on less steep slopes.
- Do not overlap the skis - you will lose control.
Step 3. Learn to walk on skis
One of the first things you should learn is how to move on skis. You will have to walk on skis to get on the chairlifts and if you need to retrieve a lost ski after a fall. One of the most popular methods of getting around on skis (without going down a slope) is to hold the skis parallel and push yourself with the sticks. Stick both wands into the snow beside you, lean forward slightly, then twist your arms back and repeat. The angle will help you use your shoulder muscles, stronger than those of your forearms, to give you the push. Push harder with one arm to turn.
- Do not move the skis "saw" like you do in the gym and do not move your arms alternately: in cross-country skiing special bindings are used that allow you to move the skis alternately and waxes that help you to push yourself forward. This method is useful for starting a descent because the skis will be parallel, ready to go.
- In the beginning, expect to use more muscles than when you are more skilled.
Step 4. Learn to walk uphill on skis
This will help you if you need to get on a trail that starts higher than where you are, or if you need to reach for a ski pole that you lost when you fell.
- "Fishbone" (a technique that takes its name from the bone footprints left by skis on the snow). Point your skis away from each other, and walk forward. Tilt the part forward into the snow and push forward. Bend your knees and lean forward slightly so that you can use your leg extensor muscles to give you the push, which are more powerful than the rotational ones. This way you will be able to climb hills. Widen your skis more the steeper the climb and if you notice that you are sliding backwards. Use the poles to avoid falling, and don't keep them where you put your skis to avoid tripping.
- You can also go up a "ladder" slope. Dig out using the main side, such as in the herringbone. Keep the skis perpendicular to the slope where you are, to decrease the lateral skid forces, and, here, use the poles to contain the skid; from the start, slide forward or backward rather than in the lateral direction you want to move.
- "Skating" with skis is faster.. Arrange your skis in a "fishbone" shape, but let yourself slide forward smoothly, and, as you pass, gently bury the ski sideways, then push it outwards when the other repositions under you, all while maintaining the forward momentum, just like you do in ice skating. You will then gradually move to the herringbone movement on steep surfaces.
Step 5. Learn the best technique for you
The muscles in the leg are stronger than those in the arm, especially in untrained women and men, so as a beginner try to use herringbone and skating techniques as much as possible to avoid getting tired. your upper body prematurely.
Do not climb any hills until you are familiar with the basic movements on your skis
Step 6. Get into basic skiing posture
Bend your knees so that your shins rest on the front of the boots, and lean forward slightly. The length of the skis will make falls unlikely. Leaning back will not normally make you stop, but it will make the skis difficult to control. Take the sticks by putting your hands into the straps and hold them to the sides of the body. During most of the actual activity you will want them to be ready to use, without actually using them.
Don't lean too far forward. Professional skiers often use the "egg" position to minimize drag with the air, but this crouch position does not allow you to have adequate control of the skis
Step 7. Avoid sliding in one direction
Spread the tips (herringbone) to stop if you are sliding backwards, and spread the tails (snow plow) to stop if you are sliding forward. The muscles that push the legs outward are much stronger than those that push them inward, so spreading the skis against the direction of gravity works, while joining them only leads to annoying "splits".
Step 8. Learn to turn
Once you have mastered the snow blower, you can learn how to stop with a more advanced technique. To do this you will need to turn so that the skis are perpendicular to the slope of the slope. Turning is one of the most important techniques for a skier. To do this, just point your foot (and ski) in the direction you want to follow. For a "parallel" turn, push the "outer" ski away from the body, keeping it parallel to the direction of travel. You will start the curve. For a smoother turn, tilt the ankle to grip the inner edge of the ski in the snow and turn over this small surface. If you want to break the turn, keep your feet in the snow plow and turn slightly uphill. You will stop slowly.
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Eventually, you will be able to stop simply by cornering and expressing enough force in the snow to stop with your skis still parallel.
A very fast parallel turn before the body movement has a chance to adjust to their new orientation, followed by an upstream ski pressure allows you to perform "hockey style braking". This technique takes practice
Step 9. Learn to fall
If you are about to hit a tree or a person, and you are a beginner, do not try to avoid the obstacle, as you will probably hit something else. Instead, just fall sideways. If possible, fall uphill, as this will greatly reduce the likelihood of an injury. Try to absorb the impact with your hips and shoulders.
- Don't try to stop with your arms, as you are much more likely to injure an arm than a hip or shoulder.
- Try to stay as relaxed as possible when you fall. If you find yourself falling, don't strain your muscles or you'll likely take more damage. If you squeeze your muscles, you will be more likely to stretch them.
Step 10. Learn how to get up after a fall
Move so that your head is towards the mountain and your feet towards the valley. Grab the skis perpendicular to the slope and "dig" the inside edge of the lower ski into the snow. You can push up from the slope using the hand closest to the ground, or try using sticks.
If you can't push yourself with one hand, turn your skis and try to get up with the other hand
Step 11. Learn to use chairlifts
- Walk on skis to the chairlift. If you have chopsticks be sure to unfasten the cuffs and hold them firmly in one hand or under one arm. Holding chopsticks on your wrists can be dangerous and makes it more difficult to get on the chairlift.
- Wait until the attendant tells you it's your turn, then enter the loading area. Once in position, look over your shoulder to await the arrival of the chairlift.
- When a chair doesn't arrive, you can grab the side post or the back of the chair to stay still. Then sit back and simply allow her to collect you
- Lifts often have room for two, four or even six people, so be sure to be close to your friend when the chair approaches.
- Enjoy the view, but avoid leaning out of the lift when suspended in the air, even if your ski or anything else falls. You can get it later. If you lean too far you could fall and suffer a serious injury or even die.
- When your chair reaches the top, point your skis forward and push yourself away from the chair as it continues its path. Use the motion of the chair to push yourself away from the chair.
- If you can't get off the chairlift at the intended point, don't panic, and don't try to jump. You will activate a switch that will stop the chairlift, and someone will help you down.
Part 4 of 5: Trying the Beginner Slopes
Step 1. Start with the beginner slopes
A beginner slope is defined as a gentle slope, preferably equipped with a ski lift. Go on the treadmill, the ski lift or the chairlift to the top of the slope.
- A treadmill is like a large conveyor belt. Put simply, push yourself forward on the leading edge, do most of the way with the sticks resting on the ribbon, ready to hold on to them in case of a sudden stop, usually caused by a child or a beginner's mistake. A few feet from the end, lift your sticks to prevent them from getting stuck in the final mechanism, and lean forward slightly to stop beyond it.
- If you have to use a ski lift, wait until a handle comes up, grab it, and let the rope pull.
Step 2. Prepare at the top of the drop
Be wary of other skiers, especially if the beginner's slope is at the foot of another slope from which they might pick up speed. Slowly, start letting yourself go down the slope. Keep the tips of your skis together. When you reach the base, join the tips of the skis and describe a large angle with the tails. This movement will stop you fast enough. If you fall, arrange the tips of your skis so that they are directed across the slope, not downhill. Get up, turn right and keep going down the slope.
Step 3. Go down the track
For the first few descents, keep the snow plow position (which gives you more control). After you've hit the beginner track a couple of times, you'll probably want to start cornering. To do this, shift your weight onto the ski that is "not" in the direction you want to turn. The act of pressing against it causes your body to swing sideways behind it so that it moves in front of you at a cutting angle to the snow. Lean back and let the edges of the skis curve to make the movement cleaner. Plan ahead - the curves will be wide at first. Leave a lot of space around the obstacles! Once you learn how to do this, you can descend the slope in a sort of zigzag curve.
Looks ahead. If you watch your skis as you descend, you may hit a tree, another person or any obstacle
Step 4. Keep the weight in the correct position
If you lean too far back, it will be very difficult to turn, and you may lose control and fall. If you lean too far forward, the skis will become uncontrollable and you may fall. The best technique is to keep your knees slightly bent and your hands in front of you, as if holding a tray.
Part 5 of 5: Trying More Advanced Slopes
Step 1. Continue with the more advanced ski slopes
Once you have mastered the beginner slope - that is, you can ascend the lift, walk the flat part, ski to the base, turn in both directions and stop easily - you should be able to start a beginner slope. higher level. Consult with your ski instructor. Ask if they think you're ready, and then get ready for whatever the mountain still holds!
Step 2. Start with your first beginner descent
Consult the ski map to find a suitable slope. Look for the corresponding sign in order to start at the top of the ski lift, and end at the base, or choose a series of easy runs. Go up with the lift and start the descent.
Step 3. Try skiing without using the snow blower
After the first few runs, you should learn to ski without using this technique which does not allow you to accelerate. Once you get used to the easy slopes, try putting your skis parallel to each other for a few stretches of the descent. Parallel skis will make you descend faster. Instead of returning to the snow blower, take turns to control your speed.
Step 4. Try your first intermediate level descent
Before choosing a track, make sure you know how to turn and how to stop. These skills will be very important. Choose a run that starts at the end of a ski lift and ends at its base, or choose a route made up of intermediate and easy runs. During the descent of the intermediate slope, you will notice that it is steeper and you will probably have less safe movements. Do not worry. With practice these slopes will become easier and easier.
Step 5. Spend some time on the intermediate level slopes
There are probably a lot of them, and you can enjoy wandering around the different parts of the track. This is your chance to get really familiar with skis.
Step 6. Try a black run
Here, skiing starts to get dangerous. Always ski carefully. By now you have probably long since freed yourself from the snowplow, and you will be using the parallel skis technique and hopefully looking for your way to tackle the descents. If you haven't gotten to this point yet, it is highly recommended that you stay on the intermediate level slopes, as you could hurt yourself or annoy other more experienced skiers if you try to tackle the difficult slopes ahead of time. You should also learn to turn with the sides of your skis as you progress.
If you find yourself on a track that you don't think you can tackle, ask, without hesitation, for help from the rescue. You will likely be able to get a free ride on a snowmobile. Never be afraid to ask the piste staff questions if you have any questions about the slopes or the resort
Step 7. Try mogul skiing
The humps are large snowdrifts that are created on some slopes. Only the most experienced skiers should try the moguls, as they can be very demanding and cause falls. When facing the humps, you should curve around their top. To control yourself, try to bring your skis uphill every time you go around a hump.
Once you become familiar with the humps, you can always keep your skis pointed towards the valley and complete the descent more quickly
Advice
- Synthetic thermal clothing, light jackets, and ski suits are great for snow sports, because they can't absorb much water and get soaked, but they promote quick perspiration and evaporate all traces of sweat. Unless it's very cold, cheap synthetic clothing will do just fine.
- While you should try to stay upright as much as possible, don't be afraid of falling. Everyone falls to their first skiing experiences. Even those who have been skiing for a lifetime continue to make some falls.
- Because it's cold, and the lifts and gravity do most of the work to get you moving fast, it's easy to forget that skiing is a tiring physical activity. Drink water at least every one to two hours even if you are not thirsty.
- Polarized sunglasses work great on snow, as they selectively block the reflections of sunlight reflecting off the snow, instead of obscuring everything in the same way.
- While sometimes for fun it's okay to ski on challenging routes, stay away from roads you are unable to tackle. In this way you will be more protected, the other skiers will not have to avoid you, and the Piste Rescue will be able to remain happy in the warmth of its shelter.
- Bring a map of the mountain with you. They are usually distributed in hotels in ski resorts. They can be of great help if you get lost. Also pay attention to the "To Base Station" signs; they will guide you to the shelter at the base of the track.
- Get help from professionals. Make sure you have the right equipment for your needs. Ask someone from the equipment rental shop, or the Piste Rescue patrol, if they think there is something out of place or if it is just your insecurity.
Warnings
- Never stack your skis. You will find that this quickly causes you to lose control, causing a fall.
- Read and respect the "Code of Responsibility of the Skier". This is a set of rules that all skiers must respect, such as the rules of the highway code. You should find it printed on the piste map or on the signage at the base of the lifts. It is also often found on a sign near the point of purchase of tickets for the ski lifts (sometimes it is also printed on the same ticket).
- Pay attention to your surroundings. If you fall into a crowded area, beware of nearby skiers, so as not to be mistakenly hooked by another pair of skis.
- Skiing can be very dangerous! Stay on a slope that you are capable of tackling. Never ski on slopes that are too fast or too steep for your level of experience. In the beginning, practice new techniques on the easier slopes. Skiing at 100 km / h on pure ice can be challenging.
