Basics Of Downhill Skiing

Learning to ski is an incredible opportunity. The sport is not only fun, but a great way to exercise and strengthen the body. However, the first step is to understand the basics of downhill skiing. Unlike cross country, downhill is where a person would ski down slopes of varying difficulties. For instance, a beginner would use green runs, an intermediate skier blue, and an advanced skier, black.

For the basics of downhill skiing, there are three things to learn, which include slowing down, stopping, and turning. From there, you can move on to more challenging things such as standing up after a fall, gliding, walking, and skating. However, the key is to learn the basics of downhill skiing first so you can advance. For slowing, stopping, and turning, the following tips are helpful.

• While on a flat surface, you want to spend time practicing walking and moving with the ski boots and skis on. At first, this will feel funny but soon, you will be more comfortable.
 
• From there, you can move to the slopes, choosing a green run that has a gentle rise. Again, you need to stand to get a better feel on the slope and then, with the skis pointed downward but with the tips slightly pointed inward, you can move downhill a little.

• To slow down, you would use the snowplow or wedge. For this, you keep the tips of the skis pointed inward so they are almost touching. At the same time, you would apply pressure to the inside edge of the ski. As a result, any speed you have gained would be slowed.

• Then, the basics of downhill skiing for stopping also uses the snowplow but in this case, you want to be headed against the Fall Line of the slope. The Fall Line is an imaginary line whereby natural gravitation occurs. For instance, if you were on a slope and placed a ball, the direction in which the ball falls naturally is the Fall Line. Therefore, to stop, you want to be going against the Fall Line instead of with it while doing the snowplow or wedge.

• Then, the basics of downhill skiing also include subtle turning. The best way to accomplish this while maintaining control is to use the snowplow while heading down the slope but shift the weight of your body slightly on just one ski edge. To turn left, the weight would be emphasized on the right ski and to turn right, the weight would be on the left ski.

Remember, the basics of downhill skiing take time and practice so do what you are most comfortable with, moving into a higher skill level gradually. We recommend you start in your driveway or on grass before you head to the green slopes, also known as the beginner or bunny slopes.

With practice, you will gain confidence while keeping control over your movements. In addition to helping you learn, this will also ensure you stay safe. Additionally, for the basics of downhill skiing, when first getting started, stick to the sides of wide trails. If you are out in the middle, you have a much better chance of being hit or getting in the way of a skilled skier, which can be highly dangerous.

Then, for the basics of downhill skiing, you want to call out your location when passing or approaching someone. In this case, if you are to the left of another skier, before reaching that person’s position, call out “left”. That way, the other skier knows that you are approaching on the left. Of course, you also need to be aware of your surroundings to avoid rocks, trees, and other dangerous obstacles. Finally, we suggest that any new skier take a couple of days of lessons offered by a professional.