Towering mountains loom above as you rip through the soft, powdery snow. Green fir trees line up like lights to guide you in the right direction and to help you stay on your trail. Nothing could stop you at this moment. That is, until you hit a rough patch of ice and fall flat on your face. Could you have escaped this fate? Follow these three easy tips to quickly master the slopes on your next trip to the peaks.
Tip 1: Ski Lift
Before you even get to skiing, it is important to learn ski-lift etiquette. One tip to save some time at the scanner or security checkpoint is to make sure your ski pass is in a pocket that can be read at standing level by the reader, so you can simply walk through the doors without having to remove your gloves, unzip your pockets, take out your pass, and hold up everyone in line.
After you pass the checkpoint, be wary of how fast the chair lift comes to you. Be sure to time your dash to the lift to ensure you do not have to wait double the time to get up the mountain.
Once on the lift, you can bring the safety bar down and put your skis or snowboard on the footrest as long as you don’t forget to lift the bar back up as you are nearing the drop-off zone. Some lifts have an extra wind bubble to prevent snow and other debris from going into your eyes. Typically, these lifts can seat up to seven people. However, smaller lifts, which usually go to infrequently used trails, do not have the capacity to seat more than three people.
Getting off the ski lift is pretty straightforward. Let the chair do the work for you, as you can simply slide or push off the chair to get some momentum to slide down the ramp. A common beginner’s misconception is to hold someone while getting off so as not to lose your balance; however, this will only make the fall much worse as you take down both people as you go down. The ski lift should not be the most daunting part of your journey, but if you have any other questions about the lift, make sure to read the signs or ask the employees working there (they are friendly!).
Tip 2: Trails
When choosing which trails (also called “lines”), there are a couple of different signs you should look out for. Here’s what to expect when you see a certain color.
Green: Extremely beginner-friendly. These trails are long and windy as they have a very gradual incline and go around an entire section of the mountain. Green lines might have one slightly steeper drop, but most of the line is slow. You can also use these green trails to get to another trail (like a blue or black trail) because green trails are connected to some, if not all, of the trails.
Blue: Intermediate level. Being one of the most forgotten levels of skiing (the middle child), these lines are sometimes a little bit more tricky to navigate as opposed to black trails because they are not maintained as frequently; however, most blue trails are not that much different than green trails. The only difference is that blue trails have a few more drops than green trails, and they traverse more rugged terrain. A benefit of riding a blue line is that fewer people are on it, so you can go as fast or slow as you want.
Black: Advanced. Although these trails are very steep and the incline is sharp, most of the lines are very short (only around twenty-seconds), making them perfect for those seeking a rush of adrenaline. After the black trail finishes, it usually connects with a green or blue trail, so you can reduce your speed before reaching the lift. Try not to start on these trails on your first day.
Double Black: Experts only. These trails are no joke. Most resorts only have one or two of these lines, and they are very steep and require very technical skiers to master. Just like black trails, these trails are very short and only last a couple of minutes before rejoining a blue or green line. Fortunately, these trails are either very well maintained or shut down all the time because of unsafe conditions.
Orange: Terrain Park. Based on personal experience, these lines are incredibly fun to ride, but they are tricky to get to, so make sure to consult a map before chasing down one of these parks. Just like skateboarding, terrain parks have many different man-made obstacles that you can do. Some resorts have a special ski lift you can ride to get to one.
Tip 3: Tricks
First is to choose a ski that fits you. Don’t worry. Generally, longer skis make you go faster, and are harder to control while shorter skis are easier to control. If you are not completely sure about the right skis for you, the people who work to help you choose a ski know what they are doing.
Tip: For a beginner, your skis should be about nose level when you have them facing straight up.
Now that you know how to get on the lifts, you have chosen a trail you want to start with, and you have your skiing gear (I hope), you can finally start skiing. But how?
As you hit the slopes, keep your skis as parallel as possible to prevent catching something that would put you off balance. To stop, make a triangle with your skis (like a pizza!). If you are losing control and you feel as though you cannot stop, take a second to calm down, scout out a place that looks soft, and collapse in it. Always wear a helmet!
Now that you have mastered the basics, get after it, and enjoy your time skiing!
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