First Time Skiing

[Slava]

Well I'm a little embarrassed to say that this Saturday will be my first time downhill skiing. For a good Canadian boy its pretty shocking that I've never done this!! I've been snowboarding plenty of times, but for some reason downhill skiing has just never happened.

So what do I need to know, or what basic advice can you give me? I will have the cupboards stocked with lots of painkillers and the like for Sunday and Monday, but surely some of you can share some wisdom!

[calf]

I was a late-bloomer when it comes to skiing. But, I found it to be fairly similar to skating, so if you can stay on your feet on the ice, you should be able to stay on your feet (for the most part) on the snow.

I'm not an expert skiier, so I won't give you technique advise, but if you feel comfortable skating, you're well on your way.

[flylock shox]

To stop, don't try the Olympic style or hockey style stop. Put your skis in the shape of a pie-wedge instead.

I've only ever skied once, and that was 16 years ago, and this is the one lesson I remember. Mostly because I nearly killed my instructor before I learned it.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

To stop, don't try the Olympic style or hockey style stop. Put your skis in the shape of a pie-wedge instead.

I've only ever skied once, and that was 16 years ago, and this is the one lesson I remember. Mostly because I nearly killed my instructor before I learned it.

Initially pie stopping is the only way for a beginner to stop, however eventually to become any good at skiing it's a habit that must be broken.

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

Initially pie stopping is the only way for a beginner to stop, however eventually to become any good at skiing it's a habit that must be broken.

Better to break bad habits than legs I say.

[Incinerator]

last time I skiied was 12 years ago, almost broke my leg, never again. I too learned the pie wedge stopping technique. I also lost one of my skiing poles (is that what it's called?) coming down the Bronze hill in Nakiska lol, some chick on a snowboard came flying down and picked it up for my from the top of the hill haha.

[mykalberta]

I have went a few times, like Cowboy said, you have to break the snowplow method. For me for whatever reason, I get ridiculous shin splints when I ski. I am fine skating and playing hockey, but skiing has just never been my thing. I wish it was since Calgary is so close to great skiing but its not

[The Ditch]

If you french fry when you are supposed to pizza, you won't have a good time!

Honestly, if you are worried you could always do a lesson in the morning, depending where you go you can get a 1 hour lesson or so. There's not a lot you can tell a person over a message board, maybe just search Google for "skiing fundamentals" or something. Rent a pair of groomer skis with good edges you should be fine.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

Better to break bad habits than legs I say.

Yeah the sheer force of a beginner swooping down the rope tope run should be enough to break legs.

The risk of breaking a leg on groomers is pretty overstated. Unless you point your tips downhill, don't know how to control yourself and smash into a tree, I'd say you're pretty safe. I guess that brings me to my next point, only go a speed you're confortable you can stop on a dime at.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by The Ditch

If you french fry when you are supposed to pizza, you won't have a good time!

Damnit, you beat me to the french fry pizza reference.

[ken0042]

My tips:

- Wear a helmet
- When you find yourself getting into trouble, just fall down on your ass. Don't even think that the snow under you looks hard and there's soft stuff over there. Just go down.
- Wear a helmet- because a skiing accident could cause the kind of brain damage where you repeat yourself.

[habernac]

good tips, Ken.

Control your speed. You've definitely got a leg up on most as you can snowboard. Wouldn't hurt to get a lesson if you have time.

[chid]

I've only skied 3 times in my life, the last time was in November when it was freezing cold. I found I was pretty bad at the french fry mode of skiing, as I kept picking up speed because I couldn't angle myself enough, so I'd just end up going straight down the hill and going insane. My crashes ended up in a yard sale of my skis and poles. I can't say I love skiing, it had its great moments where it was so quiet and beautiful on the hill, and if I stuck to the beginner hills I had a great time.

[troutman]

Snow plow. Form a "pizza slice" with the tips of your skis.

[flip]

Skating definitely helps. The motions are similar.

If you've snowboarded before, not crossing your skiis might be an issue, so keep an eye on that.

Other than that I personally find the chairlift easier to maneuver than the T lift. Just make sure you pick green runs at first.

Helmet is only necessary if you think you'll really suck. If you've skated or snowboarded before you should be ok.

[Kerplunk]

Originally Posted by flip

Skating definitely helps. The motions are similar.

If you've snowboarded before, not crossing your skiis might be an issue, so keep an eye on that.

Other than that I personally find the chairlift easier to maneuver than the T lift. Just make sure you pick green runs at first.

Helmet is only necessary if you think you'll really suck. If you've skated or snowboarded before you should be ok.

While I do agree that the T-bar lifts are a tool of the Devil, I think helmets should really be worn while skiing downhill. It just takes one icy patch on a hill to ruin someones day, no matter how good they are.

[flip]

Originally Posted by Kerplunk

While I do agree that the T-bar lifts are a tool of the Devil, I think helmets should really be worn while skiing downhill. It just takes one icy patch on a hill to ruin someones day, no matter how good they are.

Is this a new phenomenon? I used to ski A LOT when I lived in Golden and only the ski team kids would wear helmets, and they were kids.

I've never seen adults wear helmets. Unless you are going into the park to do 720s I don't think it is necessary for any greens, blues and most blacks.

[The Ditch]

Originally Posted by flip

Is this a new phenomenon? I used to ski A LOT when I lived in Golden and only the ski team kids would wear helmets, and they were kids.

I've never seen adults wear helmets. Unless you are going into the park to do 720s I don't think it is necessary for any greens, blues and most blacks.

All my friends wear helmets, and they are great skiers, I suggest wearing a helmet to everyone.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by flip

Is this a new phenomenon? I used to ski A LOT when I lived in Golden and only the ski team kids would wear helmets, and they were kids.

I've never seen adults wear helmets. Unless you are going into the park to do 720s I don't think it is necessary for any greens, blues and most blacks.

I hadn't skied in about 4 years prior to going a couple weeks ago. I was amazed at all the people wearing helmets. I'd say at least 30% of people were wearing helmets. I thought to myself: I sure don't want to get into an accident with someone wearing a helmet.

I think it's becoming a trend like bike helmets. When I was a kid, nobody wore a helmet. Now, most people do.

[4X4]

Just to clarify my last post, I don't mean a trend like people are doing it to be cool. I mean a trend like it's becoming normal.