The longer the skis are that you choose are, the more finesse it will take to slow down and turn because you have more ski to move.
Ski boots should be tight but not to such a point that your feet are uncomfortable. There is a fine line between the perfect fit and boots that are too small. Ski boot sizes are not directly related to sneaker sizes. You should ask an employee at the ski park to assist you with choosing the right boots. Make sure you can walk around in the boots without your calves feeling pinched.
Skis. com has a chart for pole length depending on skier height[3] X Research source Note that most ski resorts teach kids to ski without poles. They aren’t necessary for beginners, and are an awkward accessory when beginning to ski. That being said, it may help to get used to them sooner, but they can be easily lost.
Wear a tight polyester t-shirt that is breathable as your base layer. Wear a fleece or polyester mid-layer that will keep you warm. Your top layer should be a waterproof jacket, if possible, but not a bulky one that restricts movement. For pants, you might wear long underwear with waterproof snow pants on top. Wear warm, wool socks that are comfortable on your feet.
Wear waterproof gloves if you can because you might fall and get snow on them. Wear a balaclava that completely covers your head and fits well. Wear a helmet over the balaclava to protect your skull from things you might run into. Some ski places may offer helmet rentals. You may also choose to wear a hat, but some ski resorts may require helmets for terrain parks. Hats are generally not as popular as they used to be, because of the increased awareness for head injuries.
Your ski boots will restrict how much you can bend your knees, but you only need to bend them slightly.
Leaning left or right will make you turn and leaning too far forward or backward will throw your balance off, causing you to fall.
Also turn by twisting your hips in the direction you want to go. Twisting your hips will turn your skis in the direction you want to go. You can also try pushing down harder on the ski opposite to the direction you want to turn. To turn left, push down on the right-side ski, and the edges of your skis will turn you.
Point your toes toward each other gradually. If you point your toes together with a quick movement you are likely to throw off your balance. Practice stopping from slow speeds until you get the hang of it. How early you slow down depends on how long the hill is and how fast you are going. For small hills, you should slow down in the last 20 yards or so. On larger hills at higher speeds, look to slow down in the last 20% of the hill.
You may have the option of group classes with other beginners or private lessons, which usually cost more.
Common slope ratings go from green circle (easy) to black diamond (hard). [8] X Expert Source Kent BryCertified Ski & Snowboarding Instructor Expert Interview. 14 July 2020. If you can’t find a sign with slope ratings, don’t be afraid to ask an attendant what the rating system is or what some good slopes are for beginners.
Stop on the hill if you feel like you are picking up too much speed. You can start again and finish the hill. Be sure that you stop on the side of the trail, so other people can avoid running into you.
