Skiing beginners: You have either discovered your love for skiing as a child or now as an adult you want to finally learn to ski – there is no third option. If you have planned a skiing vacation with your friends to try your hand at this sport, BesserMe has some tips for you. In this text you will find a list of different tips that will make your start in this new winter sport much easier.
Choosing the right ski resort
If you haven’t found a specific destination yet, it’s best to choose a ski resort with a lot of blue slopes, which are especially suitable for beginners. We recommend the following ski resorts: Aletsch Arena and Adelboden-Frutigen in Switzerland, Montafon, Obertauern and Stubaital in Austria and Arber and Kolbensattel – Oberammergau in Germany.
Also, find out how many beginners visit each resort and opt for less-traveled slopes where you can learn to ski at your own pace.
Book a course for skiing beginners
Before you venture out on the slopes, you can watch some beginner videos on the internet and book a beginner course. On the Internet you will find countless videos that will give you some helpful tips. With a ski instructor, you will then get some more tips and ski down a slope for the first time. Ski lessons can sometimes be quite expensive, but the tips and tricks you’ll learn will be invaluable.
Warm up well
Before you hit the slopes, it’s important to warm up properly first. Skiing works just like any other sport. If you do not warm up before a sporting activity, your body will suffer!
Required equipment for beginners skiing
Helmet
Make sure you buy (or rent) a helmet that fits and wears properly. This means that you do not adjust the helmet too tight or too loose. Make sure nothing on your helmet adjusts, even if you fall down. Also make sure that your ski goggles are properly attached to your ski helmet.
Ski socks
The first advice for beginners is not to wear several pairs of socks at the same time, even if it is very cold outside. If you wear more than one layer of socks, there is a risk that your feet will start to sweat. This can also cause foot blisters to form much more easily. Also, the moisture in the socks can start to freeze and you will only get colder. So take enough time to find the right ski socks.
Ski boots
It is often quite difficult to find the right ski boots, especially if you have never been skiing before. Ski boots should fit tightly around the shin, but there should be no pressure points. A competent consultant can help you find the perfect ski boots for you. The main purpose of the plastic is to make your boots water resistant and prevent snow from penetrating. Buckles are also extremely important – so make sure they are not too loose but also not too tight, preventing pressure points. Beginners should not wear ski boots with a flex over 80. Women should look for a softer flex (50-60) while for men, ski boots with a flex value between 60-80 are suitable.
Ski poles
Most ski poles can be found with a loop on the handle. It is important that you put your hand through the loop from the bottom and hold the handle as well as the hoses in your hand to significantly reduce the risk of injury.
Skiing beginners: put on skis correctly
When strapping on the skis, you must place them parallel (preferably on a flat plane). You must first hook the tip of your foot and then shift your body weight to your heels and press down on the rear binding. If you heard a “click”, this is a sign that the ski is properly attached to your ski boots. Also make sure there is no snow in or on the bindings or on the soles of your boots (as this can make it much more difficult to strap on properly).
Also, check out this article: 6 tips for skiing: How to get fit for the slopes.
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