How to Become an Olympic Skier

Skiing has been an Olympic sport since 1924. Several different disciplines fall under skiing. This sport takes intense training with a qualified coach. You must have endurance, determination and dexterity. Olympic skiing may be a very challenging endeavor but for many it is their dream.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Learn to ski. Find a ski area with qualified ski instructions. Professional ski lessons will give you a good foundation on which to build your skiing ability. Professional Ski Instructors of America offers a lot of information to consumers looking for qualified ski schools and instruction.
2. Discover which area of skiing you excel at and enjoy the most. The five disciplines of Olympic skiing are alpine, cross country, ski jumping, Nordic combined and freestyle. Snow boarding is now an Olympic Ski discipline. These areas are further broken down. Try different styles and methods and find the area you would like to concentrate.
3. Find a qualified ski coach. Coaching is key to your success as an Olympic skier. A coach is a valuable tool that helps you improve in your chosen discipline, and can also guide you through competitions and tryouts. Finding one that can work with you and shares your goal can take time and patience.
4. Practice skiing. Most athletes that make it to the Olympics live their sports. Their lives revolve around their chosen discipline. They spend long days on the slopes practicing techniques, learning new ones and improving weaknesses.
5. Participate in competitions. The Olympic tryouts are only every four years. The other years offer national and world titles. This will better your chances at the Olympic tryouts.
6. Tryout for the Olympics. The U.S. Ski Team offers a lot of information on their website. As the time for the Olympics approaches tryout information will become available. A qualified coach should have this information for you.
7. Never give up. There are only a few skiers chosen to represent their country. The skiers who continue to improve their skills further their chances at making the Olympic team.