How To Get More Out of Your 1st Day in Ski School
If you’re learning how to ski or hitting the slopes for the first time in a long time, ski school is a good idea. Even if you’re a natural athlete, resist the temptation to have an experienced friend show you the ropes. A ski instructor won’t try to convince you to do a black diamond on your first day. Your friends, on the other hand, might!
Ski instructors are experts who can teach you proper ski techniques that will prevent injuries. The training they provide will give you the confidence you need to get out on the mountain by yourself so you can enjoy the rest of your ski trip. As you plan your getaway to the mountains, here are four ways to get the most out of ski school:
1. Put your pride aside and go into it with an open mind
Let go of the thought that being stuck on the bunny slope all day is a waste of time. As you go into the day, acknowledge and accept that you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s a new sport that takes years to master. Don’t expect to be Picabo Street on the first, second or third day. Try not to set yourself up with ideas about how easy or difficult it will be. Just clear your head and focus on getting the most out of the experience by: paying attention to what your instructors tell you; applying what they say; and asking for confirmation to make sure you’re doing it right.
2. Remember that you’re doing this for fun
Don’t get frustrated if it doesn’t come easily. Keep your sense of humor, especially at the beginning. And try not to take yourself too seriously. It’s all part of the learning process. The most important thing of all is to remember that you’re learning how to ski because it’s fun.
3. Don’t race to the runs
As you watch your family and friends head off to the ski lifts, it’s easy to feel down about being a beginner. One of the most important parts of safe skiing is to go at your own pace. Being in a hurry to get off the bunny slope and onto more challenging runs isn’t going to make you a better skier. It might actually put you and others in danger. If you go on a slope that’s too difficult, you could lose control, injure yourself and others, or get stuck and have to call ski patrol to get you off the mountain. So, after waving goodbye to them for the day, head to the ski rental shop and get outfitted with plenty of time to spare before your lesson.
4. Ask your instructor for advice
Before you graduate from ski school, take full advantage of having a ski instructor by asking for advice. If you have any doubts about your form or technique, have them check it out. They can provide better feedback than your husband, wife or kids – and you’re probably more likely to take it! Also, ask your instructor about slopes you should tackle when you’re out on the mountain by yourself. He or she will know the mountain by heart, and can tell you which runs are best suited to your abilities.
5. Tack an extra day onto your trip
If you’ll be in ski school the first few days of your trip to the mountains, you might want to tack an extra day on the end. It typically takes a few days to get the hang of skiing – to get used to the weight of the boots, and the length of your skis. Having another day on the slopes can reinforce your skills and build your confidence to make you an even stronger skier for your next trip. Before you know it, you will be tearing up the slopes all winter long at the most famous ski resorts in the world.