How to Ski

If you like winter sports, it goes without saying that you may enjoy the popular sport of skiing. There isn't anything nearly as exhilarating as speeding down a snow covered hill on skis. Read on for a "primer" to help you become more familiar with this spectacular winter sport.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Time to shop for appropriate apparel and equipment

How to Plan a Skiing Trip

1. First you will want to become familiar with the equipment used in skiing. It is important to understand the purpose and function so later on, when you're learning to ski, you will feel more confident.
   
   The ski is basically a wooden runner. As you have probably observed, skis are long and narrow and turned up somewhat at the front end. Skis can be made of wood, magnesium, glass or of wood or metal covered with plastic. The width measures approximately 3 to 4 inches in width. When purchasing skis, you will want to purchase a pair of skis approximately one foot longer than your overall height. (If you are looking for cross-country skis, the cross-country variety measures eight feet or longer).

2. Secondly, as a skier, you will carry 2 poles. The poles may be made of glass, bamboo, cane or metal. They are shaped to a definite point at one end. Several inches above the point is a circular ring called a snow ring. The snow ring serves the purpose of preventing the pole from plunging too deeply into the snow. Additionally, when skiing downhill you will use the poles in order to maintain your balance. You may use the poles as walking sticks on flat surfaces and when climbing up a hill.

3. The boots used in skiing are made of leather, have very thick soles and are generally constructed with a steel shank. They should fit snuggly at your ankles: in this way, your ankles and legs will not tire easily when skiing.

4. The boots may be attached to the skis by means of several methods. The safest method is to use metal attachments referred to as safety-release bindings. These metal attachments clamp the boot securely to the ski; however, you should allow the ski to release from the boot upon exerting force or pressure. This feature is helpful in an emergency situation. For example, this form of prevention may keep a skier from spraining or even from breaking his or her ankle.

5. Now that you have a basic understanding of the equipment and its function, you are in a better position to either purchase or rent equipment. At this stage, you may wish to visit several retailers so you can explain that you want to see what is available especially for a beginning skier. Even if you do not purchase a pair of skis right away, you will be better prepared as to what you will need when you rent equipment. Also, you will be able to attain a "price point" for the brand of skis you most prefer.

6. You may also wish to check into ski apparel. It will be important to wear clothing appropriate for the temperature and the sport. Here it is advisable not to "skimp" price-wise when it comes to comfort. You will want to be able to fully enjoy the sport.
   
   Check with retailers that specialize in ski apparel and/or equipment. You will want to be prepared as far as price and brand of equipment and apparel when you are ready to take your trip.
   
   You may scan the yellow pages of your hometown directory for possible locations. In my directory, I find ski equipment under "Ski Equipment--Retail." Check online for ski equipment and apparel. It is highly advisable for a beginner to visit a retail location in order to touch and see the equipment and related accessories first-hand.
   
   Also you will be able to ask the sales representative any questions that come to mind as well as attain some valuable "purchasing" advice. Just explain you are a beginner and ask the representative's suggestion as far as a reasonable match in way of value.

7. There are a number of interesting places to ski on the North American continent. Since I reside in North America, I am most familiar with skiing on the continent; however, the sport is enjoyed on an international level and there are many excellent ski resorts throughout the world
   
   The following list provides you with the names of some easily recognized and established resorts located in North America.
   
   You may wish to check out several of these locations when planning your ski trip or deciding upon a destination for your ski adventure. Special ski areas provide skiing to persons of all abilities and include: Aspen Colorado, Sun Valley Idaho; and Stowe, Vermont among many others.
   
   The areas offer many heights of slopes, spanning up to three thousand feet. Of course, if you are skiing a fairly high slope there are lifts available to transport you to the top of the slope or starting point of your descent.

8. There are two main types of skiing: competitive and recreational. Competitive is probably what you have observed on national TV. Your skiing, of course, would be recreational.
   
   Since you are a recreational skier, you must be aware that the most common form of skiing, as far as you are concerned is the "downhill run." In this form of skiing you are not going to make all those fancy twists, turns, leaps and moves that you've witnessed in competitive skiing. Therefore, you need not be concerned or under confident about skiing: you will just need to master, initially, a straight forward type of skiing activity. The downhill run can best be described as when a skier points his or her skis straight down a slope employing no turns or fancy moves. Your instructor will provide you with the best way to implement this technique when making your initial ski run.

9. There are a number of other more advanced moves you will learn later as you become more proficient in the sport. Following are some other ski moves you will want to learn:
   
   A "charles turn" is performed at a relative high speed with your skis together. The ski, as well as the skier's arm and shoulder are positioned at the inside of the turn and are moved forward very slightly.
   
   This move, of course, is executed once you have the "hang" of basic skiing as it is a bit more advanced.

10. The "snowplow move" can be used to stop, slow down or turn. The way you do this is to push out gently on the back of your skis while bending your knees ever so slightly. In order to turn left, swing your body slightly to the right, distributing your weight onto the right ski. When you want to turn right, do the same thing, however in reverse.

11. A "jump turn" involves planting your poles ahead of you in the snow. You then push yourself in the air using the poles and then turn your skis. Next, the skier brings his/her arm and shoulder swiftly forward, applying sideways pressure on the skis.

12. As you can see, once you learn the basics as well as the more advanced techniques explained herein, skiing can be a great winter or vacation sport. Go skiing! Seek out an instructor. Put some of the techniques explained within this article into practice.