A green circle indicates an easy, or beginner, trail. [1] X Expert Source Kent BryCertified Ski & Snowboarding Instructor Expert Interview. 14 July 2020. These trails are not too steep, will contain few or no obstacles, and usually aren’t too long. A blue square indicates an intermediate trail. [2] X Expert Source Kent BryCertified Ski & Snowboarding Instructor Expert Interview. 14 July 2020. It may contain some obstacles, moguls (many small bumps of snow), or have a steeper grade. You shouldn’t go on these until you’ve mastered the easier trails. A double blue square indicates a difficult blue, and under bad snow conditions, can be closer to a black diamond trail. However, these are less commonly found across North American resorts. A black diamond indicates a difficult trail. [3] X Expert Source Kent BryCertified Ski & Snowboarding Instructor Expert Interview. 14 July 2020. It may contain obstacles, steeper moguls, and a steep grade with a narrow way down. Don’t attempt a trail like this if you are uncomfortable with the most difficult blue runs. If you doubt you are ready, you probably aren’t. Many people have been injured by attempting too difficult a run too early. A double black diamond, or a black diamond with an exclamation mark in it, indicates a run that should only be attempted by very advanced skiers. Do not go down a run like this unless you are completely comfortable with all other single black diamond runs. It’s a good idea to ski these runs with a partner. Once you are ready for a double black, be sure it does not have “EX” in the middle. This indicates an ‘Expert Only" trail, the only thing harder than this is heli-skiing. (Where they drop you off in helicopters. These slopes are very avalanche prone. ) In European countries a red trail is equivalent to double black diamond
Try to keep at least 6 feet (1. 8 m) between yourself and others. [5] X Expert Source Kent BryCertified Ski & Snowboarding Instructor Expert Interview. 14 July 2020. If you’re coming up behind someone, let them know by calling out something like, “On your left” or “On your right. “[6] X Expert Source Kent BryCertified Ski & Snowboarding Instructor Expert Interview. 14 July 2020.
If you do feel the need to stop, try to stop at the top of the next section of the slope that’s visible from above, like the crest of a hill Pull over to the side of the run to stop, rather than stopping in the middle of the run.
There are many online retailers where you can buy ski boots. There are a variety of great brands like Nordica, Dalbello, and Rossignol. You can browse Rossignol boots here. It’s easiest to walk in ski boots by taking long steps, smoothly rolling the stiff boot bottom forward heel-to-toe with your lower leg straight as your body passes over. Once you have your boots on, carry your skis and poles out to the snow. The skis have sharp metal edges that might have jagged spots, so carry them with gloves.
If you didn’t hear a click, try again. If there is too much snow on the bottom of your boot, it may not click into the ski properly. Kick the boot with snow against your other boot to get the snow off and try again. Need to buy skis? Make sure you have a pair that fits you. You can find the correct size and find options for purchase here.
If you fall and have trouble righting yourself, take off the ski on your “ground side” (the side that is flat on the ground), right yourself with the other ski and poles, and then remount the removed ski.
It is best to enroll in a class weeks before you will go up to the mountains, as they generally fill up quickly. Enroll in a class that fits your age group (or else you may accidentally end up in a childrens’ ski class. ) Many resorts offer inexpensive and plentiful lift-ticket, rental and beginner group class packages. You can generally show up and sign right up. Some have inexpensive novice and intermediate level group short classes running on a schedule throughout the day as well. These are great for working out initial kinks, as a refresher, or to build confidence for bigger hills.
Keep in mind that this method works best for slopes that are less steep. Never overlap the tips of your skis; you will easily lose control.
Do not “saw” the skis back and forth as with a skiing exerciser or move arms alternately: cross-country skiing[10] X Research source uses special hinged bindings to enable sweeping ski motion and wax to help pressure on part of the ski during part of the sawing motion move you forward. This method is good for starting onto a downhill stretch because the skis are positioned parallel, ready to go. When first starting to ski, expect to use more muscle than when you are more skilled.
Try to “side-step” up an incline. Stand perpendicular (sideways) to the slope of the hill, so that you are not moving. Dig the uphill edges of your skis into the snow and take small steps uphill, sideways like a crab. Keep the skis perpendicular to the slope right where you are, and use the poles to keep from slipping as you work your way sideways up the hill. This is the easiest and least tiring way to get uphill. “Herringbone” technique (named after the fish-bone patterns the skis leave in the snow). Point the front tips of your skis away from each other, so they make a “V” shape, and take small steps forward. Tilt the leading edge into the snow and push forward to prevent slipping back. Bend your knees and lean forward a little so you can use the stronger leg-extension muscles to push yourself forward rather than the weaker leg-rotation muscles to pass one ski after another under you. Spread the skis more on steeper hills and if you begin to slide backwards. Use the poles to avoid falling over, but keep them away from the skis, so you don’t trip on them. Skate-skiing is fastest way to get uphill. [11] X Research source . Angle the skis as if to “herringbone”, but allow yourself to slide forward smoothly on one close to directly under you and transition to gently digging it in sideways and kicking it outward as you place the other ski under you on the other side, maintaining forward momentum, much as with ice skating. [12] X Research source . You’ll smoothly transition to herringbone movement on steep surfaces. This method takes more coordination and muscle than the other two.
Do not go up any hills until you are confident in basic movements with your skis.
Do not bend sharply forward. Ski racers often use the “French egg position” of hunching forward onto their thighs to minimize air resistance in straights, but it keeps the hips from swiveling and the arms from swinging freely for balance or leveraging poles for turns.
Eventually, you will be able to stop simply by turning and placing enough force against the snow that you come to a halt with your skis still in a parallel position. A very quick parallel turn of the skis before the body’s motion has a chance to catch up to their new orientation, followed by pressure on the uphill ski to dig them into the snow, results in a “hockey stop”. This takes practice!
Do not try to catch yourself with your arms, as you are much more likely to injure your arms than you are to injure your hip or shoulder. Try to stay as relaxed as possible when you fall. If you feel yourself falling, try not to tense up or you will probably do more damage to yourself. When you tense up, your muscles become tight and you are much more likely to pull something.
If you are unable to push yourself with one hand, turn your skis around, and try getting up with your other hand.
Ski-walk up to the chairlift. If you have poles, be sure to take the straps off your wrist and safely hold both poles in one hand. Keeping your poles on your wrists can be dangerous and will make it more challenging to get on the lift. Wait until the operator indicates it’s your turn, and then quickly move into the loading area. Once there, look over your shoulder to watch the chair coming around. As it approaches, you can optionally grab the side pole or back of the chair to steady yourself. Then simply sit down and allow it to pick you up. Don’t be alarmed if it seems to be coming around quickly. Lifts usually have room for two, four or even six people per chair, so make sure you and your friend are side by side when the chair approaches. Enjoy the view, but don’t lean over the edge of the chair while you are in the air, even if your ski or a mitten falls off. You will be able to get it later. Leaning too far out of the lift could cause you to fall, which almost always results in serious injury and can occasionally lead to death. When your chair reaches the top, point your ski tips upward and straight forward. Push away from the chair as it goes around. Use the movement of the chair to propel you up and away from the lift. [16] X Research source If you fail to get off the chairlift at the right point, do not panic, and do not try to jump down. You will automatically trip a switch which will stop the lift, and somebody will help you down.
A carpet lift is a big conveyor belt. In one arrangement, you push yourself forward onto the leading edge, ride it most of the way with your poles on the belt, ready to brace yourself on them against a sudden stop usually caused by a child’s or beginner’s error. Several feet from the end, lift your poles to avoid jamming the end mechanism and lean gently forward to smoothly ski to a halt off the end of it. If it is a rope tow, wait until a handle comes around, grab it, and allow the rope to pull you up. Do not drag yourself or sit on the rope tow. When the rope pulls you to the top, let go and use the herring board to get away from the lift.
Look ahead. If you’re looking directly down at your skis while going down a run, you could hit a tree, another person, or anything else that might block your path.
Look ahead. If you’re looking directly down at your skis while going down a run, you could hit a tree, another person, or anything else that might block your path.
If you do find yourself on a trail that you think you can’t handle, by all means, ask somebody to get the ski patrol. They will most likely give you a “courtesy” ride down in a toboggan. Also, don’t be afraid to ask any of the ski patrol or other mountain staff if you have any questions about any particular trail or the mountain as a whole.
As you get more comfortable with the moguls, you can begin to point your skis down the slope, which will cause you to travel more quickly down and around the moguls.
