become a better skier

Winter is officially over, and I never found time to go skiing. Oops. Maybe next year!

I’ve been skiing since I was four but I was always to shy to take lessons and now I can ski well but not great like one of my friends, I also want to try racing but I’m too old to start.

I signed up for lessons again this year. Woohoo!

I have discovered the joy of skiing. Coming from Australia doesn’t give one much scope to ski often but I have been lucky enough to ski several times this year.

I can now ski blue runs! :) Next time I may build up to trying a black run- wish me luck !

My first time skiing was this past winter and I was only able to go up once, but I LOVED it!! I can’t wait to go many more times this next winter. I had no idea I would love it so much, but last year we didn’t have the money to go up more than once (or the time), so next year I want to go up several different times so I can improve my skiing!!

I’ve been skiing for a long time, but I only go once or twice a year, so I never seem to get any better. I can get down any intermediate run, but I’m always apprehensive. I finally took a ski class during a recent trip to Whistler, and it was amazing what a difference it made. The instructor told me 2 things to think about (essentially, fixing my stance), and I was zipping down the slopes with a lot more confidence. Here’s hoping I still remember what he told me next winter, which is probably the next time I’ll ski!

Yeah, being able to stop easily is hard but worth learning how to do right.

Next time you are out on the slopes, try this on a slight hill since it is easier to catch an edge that way. You will be doing a “hockey stop”, which is where you come to a skidding stop with both skis parallel.

To prepare to stop, decide which ski you want to have uphill after the stop (most people are much more comfortable on one side). Then point skis downhill and get a little speed

Now you are going to do several things simultaneously or in quick succession:

• keep your skis parallel during this entire process
• swing both your heels to one side at the same time
• lean uphill slightly and catch the uphill edges of BOTH skis
• if your feet get separated, catch the downhill ski edge harder

You can also go with someone and ask them to give you pointers about what you might be doing wrong.

The goal is to be able to do this without thinking so you have this skill up your sleeve when needed. It will help you feel more comfortable going a little faster knowing you can stop quickly when needed.

If other experienced skiers have further pointers, click the “comments” link below so the hints are kept together.

I’m probably as good as I’m going to get. I’ve been skiing since I was 4, and I’ve raced, love moguls, jumping, and skiing very very fast.

I know how to ski, but I can’t go over jumps without falling on my butt… even small ones. And there has to be a better way to slow down than snowplowing, but I can’t figure it out. If I turn sideways, I either fall over or end up skiing sideways on the hill.