TOP SNOW SKILLS BEFORE SKI
Skiing occupies the top spot amongst the other popular winter sports. You feel an instant rush of adrenaline flooding your body as you race down the slopes, zooming past people and landscape. But to enjoy this exciting activity, you must first develop some basic snow skills that will keep you safe while letting you enjoy the sport to the fullest. For instance, you might expose yourself to injuries or other unnecessary consequences that you could easily avoid with the right skills. Here are some tips to help you out if you are starting skiing.
Rent your equipment instead of buying them
It is good to rent the equipment rather than buy it if you are new to skiing. First, you need to get a feel of the skis and become familiar with their controls and movements. Additionally, when you rent the ski equipment, you will receive expert advice from the employees, who will adequately equip you for the sport. Buy your ski gear only when you have gained some experience and are confident about your skiing abilities.
Take a beginner’s lesson or go group skiing.
It is better to ski solo when you are a beginner since you might require assistance at any time. Experienced skiers will assist you in every way possible while showing you the right way of enjoying the sport. Since they were beginners once themselves, they will understand your limitations and help you avoid challenging slopes initially. Some places also offer lessons for people just starting the sport, and it’s a good idea to enroll in them.
Opt for groomed runs
As a beginner, groomed runs are more suitable for you than powder skiing. Groomed runs refer to skiing trails that are smooth and carefully packed with snow, without the presence of ice or moguls. The snow is nicely packed and compressed in these runs and does not present any difficulties, unlike powder skiing which requires a high degree of skill, maneuverability, and control.
Always bend your knees.
When learning this sport, you will lose your balance if you bend or lock your knees. Try to keep them bent at all times to ensure more fluidity and ease of movement.
Look up at all times.
Never look down while going down a slope, or you could end up hurting yourself or even injuring others. Any experienced skier will tell you the importance of looking up ahead instead of down to avoid injuries and maintain balance.
Learn how to stop
It is pretty easy to gain speed when just learning how to ski, but it is a challenge to control the speed and gracefully come to a stop. Pizza formation where you point your toes and extend the skis to shape them like wedges will help you stop efficiently.
Safety Tips While Skiing
Don’t forget your goggles.
Your goggles will keep your eyes safe and protected against injuries, and you should wear them at all times. They are essential because they keep the flying snow out of your eyes when you race down the slopes or when the resort authorities decide to blow artificial snow (resorts blow snow to compensate for the less snowfall on some days). You will also find ultraviolet or UV resistant goggles that will guard your eyes against the sun’s rays, and you could buy them if you want.
Always wear a helmet.
You should wear a helmet while skiing because it significantly reduces the risk of injuries. Helmets also absorb most shock if you fall or collide with someone or something. Even though you could buy a helmet, they will probably be available at the ski resort along with the other gear.
These are some snow skills you ought to learn when you are new to skiing. Even though the thought of racing down the slopes might seem daunting at first, you will eventually enjoy yourself thoroughly after a few weeks of practice.
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