5 Crucial Tips You Should Know Before You Start Skiing
I’ve always wanted to try skiing. I love spending time on mountaintops, so why not throw some skis into the mix? However, it turns out that skiing isn’t as easy as it looks on TV. Here are a few beginner ski tips that I wish that I’d known before I hit the slopes:
1. Wear strong sunscreen.
When you rent your ski equipment, you’ll find lots of long pants, heavy jackets and balaclavas. You may think that means that you’ll have complete sun protection, but your face can still burn after a long day on the slopes.
Save yourself from sunburns with a strong sunscreen that doesn’t leave an oily sheen on your face. The higher the sun protection factor (SPF), the better the protection from the sun bouncing off the snow.
2. Never remove your helmet.
When you ski on the bunny slopes, you may feel like it’s safe to remove your helmet because the terrain is so flat. However, when you’re on any type of ski slope, you should never take off your helmet.
Experts note that head injuries account for 20 percent of ski injuries — and many are preventable. When I skied for the first time, I kept my helmet buckled as long as I could so that my head could stay safe. I still had my helmet on while I stood in the hot chocolate line! This may seem extra, but staying buckled — at least on the slopes — could prevent a serious head injury.
3. Bring a light undershirt.
Exercise physiology researchers note that skiing is one of the best cardio workouts because it utilizes your entire body. When I skied, I immediately felt the workout in my muscles — and my sweat glands too!
While it might seem intuitive to wear your warmest winter sweater on the slopes, it’s far better to wear a thin, long-sleeve shirt under a jacket. When you start skiing, you’ll feel uncomfortably warm. If you need to cool off, tie your jacket around your waist and let your thin shirt keep your temperature down!
4. Always use the buddy system.
When you ski, you. Whether you’re at a busy resort or a more remote spot, there’s always a chance that you could accidentally ski into the woods and not have anyone available to help you. So when you ski, make sure that you and your friends stick together!
Good friends will also be your biggest cheerleaders as you learn to ski. They’ll encourage you on every trail and help you get back up if you wipe out. You’ll feel so much better having your friends with you on the slopes!
5. Sign up for ski lessons.
Ski lessons may seem like a major splurge, but if you and your friends are beginners, they’ll be worth your time. Your instructor will teach you how to gain speed, slow down, turn, and stop on a flat surface, which will give you the confidence to hit the bunny slope later. Ask any questions you have, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes — you and your ski classmates are all in this together!
Learning how to ski is exhilarating, especially when you know what to expect. Stay safe, stay fueled for your ski adventure, and stay with your friends. Before you know it, you’ll be gliding down the bunny slope!