Once on the ski slopes, don’t be intimidated by the spectacular gradients or the skilled skiers with their rhythmic movements... one day, you’ll be one of them.
Choosing the Right Terrain
The most important aspect of a ski lesson, regardless of your level, is the terrain where you’ll develop your technique. A poor choice can hinder your progress. It’s essential to know that the technical difficulty of a slope is indicated by the colour of the markers along its path.
The colours, in order of difficulty, are green, blue, red, and black, and they’re marked on the piste map of each resort. Beginners’ areas are usually found on the flat sections near the lifts serving green and blue runs.
The ideal terrain for a beginner should be flat with soft snow, preventing skis from slipping away and ensuring better stability.
Getting Used to the Equipment
Make sure the boot clips are fastened correctly and adjusted so that they don’t squeeze the foot too tightly, but also aren’t too loose. It’s crucial that the ankles don’t move, which means the shin should remain pressed against the boot’s upper cuff.
To put on your skis in the snow, position them parallel and perpendicular to the natural slope (where applicable). Next, slide the boot into the binding, ensuring no snow is on the sole. First, put on the downhill ski (the lower one), then the uphill ski (the higher one).
When stepping into the bindings, the safety brakes lift, and the ski soles become fully attached to the snow. The sensation now is different—you’re standing on what will be your personal mode of transport, and it’s time to prepare for your first adaptation exercises.
The natural stance of a skier is defined by the following points:
- The distance between skis should match the width of your hips.
- Ankles and knees should be slightly flexed forward.
- Arms are also slightly bent and away from the body. At this beginner stage, poles mainly serve as aids for balance and support on the snow, making movement easier.
Adaptation Exercises While Stationary
- Lift one ski by the tail, i.e., with your heel.
- Lift the entire ski, i.e., the whole foot.
- Once the ski is lifted, cross it over the tip of the other without touching it; as you turn your foot inward, the ski follows.
- Once the ski is lifted, cross it over the tail of the other without touching it; as you open your foot outward, the tails splay apart.
Why Is This Useful?
To realise that a ski is like an oversized foot—so we must learn to avoid abrupt movements that don’t account for its length. An overly wide stance or uncontrolled turn can cause skis to lock. Other helpful exercises include:
- Knee bends.
- Twisting on the spot, e.g., looking behind you.
- Small jumps—but not recklessly!
Perform these exercises slowly and deliberately, as the key is learning to understand the equipment. Familiarity is essential: the sooner you accept your new dimensions, the sooner you’ll master control.
Adaptation Exercises While Moving
- Walk normally, as you would on the street, lifting one ski then the other, alternating pole support.
- Make circles. Controlling ski splay is vital. If, when circling right, you open the right tip too wide, the tails may lock if stepped on. To avoid this, make small movements, ensuring skis don’t overlap.
- Make circles. Repeat the exercise in both directions.
- Glide. This is the first time your body moves as a compact unit on skis. Remember the natural stance: skis parallel, hip-width apart, ankles and knees flexed forward. Lean your torso forward while pushing off with both poles. Don’t lean back—go with the glide. Maintain speed and balance.
