A Complete Guide On How To Ski For Beginners
4 December 2023
A Complete Guide On How To Ski For Beginners
Skiing is not just a sport; it's an adventure waiting to happen! If you're a beginner or perhaps you and the family are looking to start something new, you're in the right place. The expert team at The Snow Centre, the closest indoor snow centre to London, is here to guide you through the exciting world of how to ski for beginners.
So sit back, strap yourself in, and get ready to learn all about beginner skiing in our complete guide!
Getting started as a newbie
Skiing for beginners can be an exciting prospect. When you’re a newbie to the skiing game, it’s probably worth noting and creating a loose plan for yourself. You need to consider:
The purpose of your skiing journey - are you planning on going abroad to ski?
How you intend to practice and the time you can dedicate to it.
What your end goal is.
By considering these points, you’ll be able to make sure you’ve got a clear plan mapped out to take you from a newbie to a skiing pro!
Get yourself the right equipment
The first thing on your skiing journey should be ensuring you have the right equipment. If you’re not ready to purchase your own gear just yet, at The Snow Centre we offer all kinds of equipment for you to rent. This might be a good option to help you get on your feet and understand what kind of gear you’ll need.
When it comes to buying your equipment, you need to make sure your gear fits comfortably whilst ensuring ultimate safety. There are many sports equipment shops that will help with this!
Take some skiing lessons
Adult beginner skiing lessons are essential, more so from one of our qualified instructors. It's like having a trusted friend show you the ropes. This will absolutely make your life easier before hopping on that plane and attempting to learn how to ski when you’re on the real slopes!
Here at The Snow Centre, our instructors are experienced and patient, meaning that they will make your first skiing experience a breeze. They'll teach you the basics, from putting on your skis to mastering your first turns. We’d always recommend investing whether you’re after adult ski lessons or kids ski lessons, as a newbie it will help your skills and confidence grow!
The art of balancing
Skiing is all about balance.
As a beginner, it's important to get comfortable standing in your skis. Practice balancing on one ski at a time to get a feel for the weight distribution. This will make it easier to control your movements on the slopes. For those of you who aren’t very good at balancing, get loose, relax and practise!
Get familiar with the snowplough
The snowplough technique is a beginner's best friend.
To make a snowplough, simply angle the tips of your skis inwards while keeping your heels apart. This position allows you to control your speed and make controlled turns. It's the foundation of skiing for beginners so keep this in mind and try to practice it where you can!
Mastering the snowplough turn
Once you've got the snowplough down, it's time to conquer the snowplough turn:
Shift your weight slightly to one side, applying gentle pressure to the inside edge of the ski in that direction.
This will initiate a turn in that direction.
Gradually increase the pressure to make a smoother turn. Practice this until you feel confident.
Learn to stop
Learning to stop is super important for your safety.
The snowplough technique can help you slow down, but to come to a complete stop, gently shift your weight onto both skis evenly. This will bring you to a controlled stop. Practice stopping on different slopes until you feel comfortable.
Top tips from our team
Beginner skiing can be hard and our team of experts and skiing enthusiasts have all been there! We spoke to a few of them and have collated a list of top tips that will help you on this journey.
Keep your eyes front
One of the most important tips for skiing beginners is to always look in the direction you want to go. Although this sounds like stating the obvious, it’s surprising how much people forget to do this when skiing.
Your body will naturally follow your gaze, helping you stay on the right path. Avoid looking down at your skis as this can lead to disaster. Keep your focus on the open slope ahead.
Start small, build confidence
As a beginner, it's wise to start on gentle slopes. We offer a variety of slopes suitable for beginners, so you can build your confidence gradually. The key thing here is not to rush; skiing is about enjoying the journey. With time and practice, you'll be ready to tackle more challenging terrain.
It doesn’t matter if you fall
Don't be discouraged by falls; they're a natural part of learning. To get up after a fall, first, remove your skis if they've come off. Then, roll onto your knees and push yourself up, using your hands for support. You'll become a pro at getting back on your feet with practice.
Enjoy the Adventure with The Snow Centre
Skiing is not just a sport; it's an adventure waiting to happen. Whether you're a beginner or an aspiring all-mountain skier, The Snow Centre is your go-to destination to learn, practice, and master this exhilarating sport. Join us on the slopes and create memories that will last a lifetime.
There’s something for everyone at The Snow Centre: take part in our group lessons or get yourself a lift pass and make new friends on our Main Slope. After a long day skiing, head up to The Lodge Bar & Kitchen to refuel with some nice food and drink!
