Winter is coming and you can’t wait for the snow to fall so you can hit the slopes? Or you’re planning a holiday to a good winter sports destination just to try skiing for the first time? 

No matter what the case is if you’re trying skiing for the first time this year, this article is just for you! We know it may be terrifying, but we’re here to guide you through the process so it can become a terrific experience instead!

 

What should you know about skiing before you hit the slopes?

Historically speaking, skiing is an old sport, especially in the list of winter sports. It’s been around for more than five millennia and it started more as a necessity than a sport in Scandinavia. Nevertheless, some scientists think, that people have also practiced it in what is now China too even longer ago. Evidence for this can be found on old drawings. One thing is sure though: skiing started as a way to go around faster in winter in mountain regions, where the access was not easy - especially in the cold season. 

The reason lies within the mechanics of skiing. To practice it you need two separate long boards with shoes that attach to them. Even the word itself, from Scandinavian languages, means ”split piece of wood or firewood”.

Speaking of them, an interesting fact you may not know is that in the 19th century people in Sweden and Norway were accustomed to asymmetrical pairs of skis. They did this so they could have one ski that can help them slide faster and one they could kick with. What is more, skiing as we know it today, with two poles, began only in the 18th century. Around this time troops in armies in Europe were also equipped with skis and then held military races. As well as that, until the second half of the 19th century, it was primarily a way to travel in winter. It became a widely recognized sport after that. This resulted in it being an Olympic sport and a great winter hobby today. 

 

Get to know the safety rules

Like every other sport, skiing has its health and safety rules - just as it should be. If you want to have a good time skiing with or without an instructor, in an indoor ski center, or on the slopes, you should know and follow them. These are the most important ones!

First of all, do good research on the place you will be practicing. Usually, holiday skiing spots have easier and harder tracks. Take the time to check out the way they are marked so you will have space and means to practice with minimal option of getting over your head because of the terrain. Our advice: it might be good to try skiing with an instructor in a safe space like indoor training terrain. This way you will learn posture, how to stop and what not to do. If you don’t have this kind of facility and you’d want to begin right in the open air then don’t hesitate to hire a teacher to show you your first steps. He will also be able to give you a tip or two about the equipment you need if you’ve decided to rent and not directly buy it. 

Summed up, the most important safety rules you should follow are:

• Always wear protective gear
• Keep your ski equipment in condition for skiing
• Don’t take risks with slopes above your abilities
• Never wander off the slopes and into the wilderness
• Never ski alone

 

Get to know the skiers’ code of conduct a.k.a The International Ski Federation rules

Keep in mind, that skiing, very much like driving, has strict rules that are established by an International Ski Federation and they don’t apply only for active skiers in competitions but in everyday skiing too. 

They state:

• Respect others: there is a place under the sun for everybody who skis and snowboards. Let’s respect each other’s space while we practice the sport we love so much.
• Control your speed: as a beginner, you will have to learn this quickly so you can be able to stop in time and/or avoid other people and obstacles.
• The one who’s below you on the slope has the right of way: doesn’t matter who cut whom before that, it’s something both physics and the code of conduct support.
• Always be visible, no matter what kind of maneuver you do: slope, stop, climb or go down on foot: make sure you’re well seen so you don’t cause an accident. 
• Mind the signs and markings: this essential rule applies to every aspect of skiing, from the marking of the difficulty of the terrain to markings on the piste itself. Be sure to look around, check and remember it.
• Give a helping hand: if you witness somebody get hurt, stop and help. Always keep a well-charged phone in you so you can call for medical support if needed if you’re not that close to a medical spot.

Following these rules will ensure you have a good time and be safe at the same time. As well as that, it brings the community even more together and you can expect the others to follow it too.

 

Always arrive early

This is advice you should carry on in every part of your life, but take it from us - this is the best thing you can do as a beginner in skiing. 

Having additional 20-30 minutes before training or even skiing with family members or friends gives you time to sort out your equipment and check if you have the most important things in you: 

• skis
• ski poles
• helmet
• ski boots
• sunglasses
• ski pass

And these are just the top 6 you should already have with you! Having time gives you the option to catch your breath, study the weather and skiing conditions, get accustomed to the space, and even get a few lessons.

 

Layer your clothes for the best protection from the cold

Skiing is no joke - especially if you decide to start in the mountains. A very important part of the preparation, whether it looks like it, is choosing your clothing. Of course, we have the obligatory ski boots and ski pants, but the rest is up to you. Keep in mind the ski pants are absolutely necessary. Trust us, you do not want to be in the mountains skiing with leggings, jeans, or even hiking pants. You will freeze and it will ruin your skiing experience so just don’t do it. 

But back on the layering. It is good to have a three-layer system for your clothing. The first layer should absorb the sweat from the movement and not make you uncomfortable. On the other hand choose warm clothes for the middle layer - jumper, sweatshirt, etc., and leggings.

The third, outer layer, should be waterproof and windproof. Don’t think about any jackets or pants that have cotton or nylon in them. They will get wet and what is worse - freeze if the temperatures are below 0 Celsius. And you want to be warm, not cold, and barely moving.

Pro tip: get good, thick socks - long ones, so your legs are also warm. 

 

Rent equipment your first time

This is more understandable advice than a top tip, but you should consider it. On one hand, because as a beginner, you still don’t know if skiing will be your thing. And understandably, you don’t want to pour a lot of money into a very expensive hobby you still know nothing about.

And even if you love it, if you don’t practice it regularly, the advice still stands - you can always rent and just be sure to dress well according to our previous tip.

 

Don’t forget to take snacks and water

Preparation is the key for having a good time and doing it with thought for snacks and water will guarantee you have a good time. Don’t forget to pack some energy bars and liquids, because skiing is a tiring thing - especially when you begin. And you don’t want to be in the middle of a successful going down the slope or going up when you feel hungry or thirsty with nothing you can buy around.

 

Get sun protection

This is a tip that is mostly ignored but a lot of beginners, but let us say it once more: protecting yourself from the sun is super important! Yes, it’s winter, yes, it’s cold, no, that doesn’t mean you can’t get sunburned in the most inconvenient way possible. Get that SPF 50 for your face and lip balm for your lips - you will thank us later! 

Also, you might want to consider protecting your eyes. Eye goggles are a necessity but you should always keep good sunglasses around too. The reason? Sun rays reflect from the snow and make your eyes tired way faster.

 

Be careful with the snow and ice

This one is filed under: be vigilant of your surroundings. One of the most important rules in skiing is always to keep track of where you are and how the conditions are changing. Weather is unpredictable in the mountains and what is a fun ski trip can quickly turn into a terrifying weather disaster if you’re not careful. This is why you should always be cautious about where and how you ski and avoid at all costs places where you see or suspect there might be ice underneath a thin layer of snow.

Which tips of these did you find most useful? Don’t forget to share your first skiing experience with us on our Facebook / Instagram page!