How easy is it to learn how to ski?

Question

Next w/e Hunter Mountain NY, I will go skiing for the 1st time w/ beginner's lessons. I will only be there for a day.

Any tips?

Also, I used to figure skate so how similar are they?

So how do I stop falling on my butt?

Do I need to wear ski goggles or sunglasses are enough? How many lessons do I need so I can graduate from the baby mountain?

I am also planning to go skiing in the Alps next month w/some experienced friends but I will be on the beginner's run so I hope I can ski well enough before I go.

Answer 1

Ive been skiing since I was 4.

-Figure skating i don't thing is similar. At all.

-Falling doesn't hurt. But to slow down you can use the beginners snow plow. (You make a Pizza shape with your ski's, The tip of the pizza away from you. (>))

-I was in colorado and I had to use a full face mask and goggles. It was FREEZING! So I would say goggles, plus sunglasses fall off.

-It depends on how well you ski in the beginning. No one can answer that question for you , really.

Answer 2

Skiiling is a lot different that skating

I would recommend ski googles as they fit about your face and don't fog up as you ski and of course are better at keeping moisture out of your eyes, get a good pair though cheap ones aren't worth it.

Main key practice as much as you can during that one day and don't be afraid to ask questions, and if you can arrange at all to go back before your trip to the alps the extra time will help, if you can't spend at least a refresher lesson before you hit the slopes, it is trickier than it looks...have fun!

Answer 3

The best advice i was told before i went skiing for the first time was don't be afraid to fall over. Its almost impossible to avoid it the first time you ski, but there really is nothing to be nervous or scared about.

Secondly there are some similarities between skating and skiing. You need the same balance and coordination between your feet, the basic principles of turning are the same (putting pressure on one leg) and some of the stopping/braking methods apply.

Also i would suggest taking both glasses and goggles, everyone has a preference to one, and you wont know until you try both. i prefer glasses but goggles are essential in bad weather.

Lastly i had three short lessons on the beginners slope before i gained the confidence to try others, but its sounds like you'll be fine.

Answer 4

Sunnies will be fine for 1 day, sometimes they fog and become difficult to see out of.

best advice about skiing that never fails,

French fries (straight ski's) will let you move and gain speed.

Pizza ( angling your ski's inwards in the shape of a triangle tip) will slow you down and eventually stop you.

the hardest thing about skiing is balance but you figure skate so that shouldn't be to hard for you.

happy skiing.

Answer 5

It's not. You need to have good balance and strong leg muscles. The skis cross over a lot and it's annoying.

I love snowboarding, it feels so much easier and natural to me.

1. Figure skating and skiing are nothing alike. In figure skating you don't have long boards hanging off your feet.

2. Balance keeps you from falling on your butt.

3. Goggles are recommended because sunglasses fall of your face a lot.

4. It depends how fast you pick up the lessons. Maybe 4-7 before you graduate. But, it's how well you learn and balance.

Good-luck!!

Answer 6

It takes an couple of hours or so on the slopes to learn the basics. It isn't really hard on beginner slopes, as long as you keep in the snowplough when you are just starting out (skis pinted inward, pointed like this /\ )

Have fun

Answer 7

hi!

You will do fine.  I skated my entire life and tried skiing last year.  On the first day I was off the bunny hill.  Take a private lesson.  Also do you remember how to snow plow?  You will do that on your first day to slow down.

Answer 8

You will find that skiing in the Alps is awesome! I have not skied in the US so I can't comment.The European instructors are very good. We have an apartment in the French Alps. The ESF is the national ski school and the instructors are very experienced and patient. Most of them speak pretty good English so don't let that put you off either. The usual format is to have your lessons in the morning about 10 - 12 then stop for lunch and spend the afternoon with your friends exploring the resort and practicing what you have learned. There are lots of easy green and blue runs and nursery slopes.The scenery is stunning, the snow is usually fantastic (as it was this New Year week) and there are lots of lovely mountain restaurants and bars to stop at for a hot chocolate or Vin Chaud (hot mulled wine yum!).

Sunglasses are fine as long as they are designed for skiing and won't fall off. Wear whatever you feel most comfortable in.

Your skating will help your balance but the technique is very different.

I would agree with shorter skis, I use blades, a type of mini ski, but I would not recommend them for a beginner.

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy yourself. You'll be hooked!

Answer 9

Figure skating and skiing are very different in the movements and the muscles that you use. But anyone who figure skates has good balance and that is a big asset for skiing. So it is not figure skating that will help you but it is your good balance.

Goggles are definitely better. Sunglasses fall off a lot. And with sunglasses you get winds into your eyes when you go faster. But if you are just trying the first time, I don't see any problem with sunglasses. Use sunglasses strap around your head. If skiing is for you, you will know it on the first day. When this is case, you buy your goggles.

Skiing is a sport with virtually endless possibility on things to learn. There is a long list of techniques that skiers must master to move up from one level to another and beyond like like jumps, aerial tricks, racing, extreme back country skiing, etc.

Skiing techniques are fastest learned thru formal lessons but that's not the only way. I learned faster by skiing with good skiers, and ask them to coach me and correct me. And, just like any sports: Practice. Practice. Practice.

So, how many lessons you need to move up? It depends on how natural you are with skiing. Take your beginner's lesson, then practice on your own for several skiing days. Then re-evaluate. When you feel stuck and cannot move up anymore, then you need to learn new techniques.

Welcome to the sport! Be prepared to get addicted. :)

Answer 10

glasses are fine with a safety strap.  Stick to the beginner runs... skating is far more difficult than skiing.  Just be aware of people flying down too fast so they don't hit you.  Its a lot of fun.