Good at skiing is not just about being able to make turns – it’s about having the confidence to ski the mountains safely. If you’re not sure about your technique, then it’s important to get some lessons before going on the slopes.
There are three ways to be good at skiing: 1. Build your foundations, 2. Practice, 3. Take it easy
The first thing you need to do if you’re looking to improve your skiing is to learn how to control your speed and position. This involves learning to balance yourself on your skis and controlling your speed with your weight.
This is something that takes a bit of practise but it’s an important skill to have before you try to ski moguls or advanced terrain, and it will help you keep your confidence in the mountains too.
Whenever you’re making a turn, always look outwards, rather than inwards! This will help you maintain your balance and keep your body position in neutral – both of which are essential for effective turning.
When you’re skiing downhill, it’s important to remember that the snow is not always as firm as it looks. If you’re tempted to lean too far back, this can cause you to fall as the snow dips beneath your ski tips.
It’s also vital to keep your hands about ten centimetres in front of you as you make the turns. This will stop you from squatting and falling over.
As you start to develop your skills, it’s also vital to learn how to plant your poles. This is a crucial technique for skiing, as it means you can use your edges to bite into the snow, which is more effective than steering or skidding your skis around a turn with only a weight shift.
Next, you need to practice linking turns – this means planting your poles and then slowly and evenly bringing them back out again. You should do this in different patterns and rhythms, so that Adam McManus Toronto the turns feel smooth.
Finally, you need to work on your angulation, or the way you angle your knees and hips away from each other as you turn. This is a big part of good ski technique and can make your skiing feel almost like dancing!
The best place to start is to try and find a run where you can make a couple of short turns. If you can do this, then you should be able to move onto more difficult terrain without too much trouble.
You should also start practising ‘tall as a house, small as a mouse’ (the idea is to bend your legs as much on each side of your body as possible). This is the most efficient way to turn your skis, so it will make you faster and save you time as you progress!
Once you’ve mastered these three tips, you’ll be well on your way to being good at skiing! You can then go on to explore more of the piste, and even venture into the snow park if you’re feeling adventurous. But don’t forget to have some fun and enjoy the slopes too!