I am going snow skiing in feb to breckenridge for my first time, any tips? mostly need tips on how to stop?

Question

I am 51 and this is my first time on skis, i used to water ski, we are taking private lessons when we get there, is there any exercises i should be doing now to get ready?

Answer 1

If you used to do water skiing then you'll find that turning on the snow is the same as on water. When you become a bit better at it to stop you do a quick turn.  However, when you start skiing you don't have your skis in a parallel position as when you become a bit better. Your teacher will probably tell you to keep the tip close to each other and the ends apart -like the two sides of a triangle but not crossing. To stop you bring the tips closer together.

Answer 2

Wow you are lucky first time.  I used to go to steamboat, never got ot be a really good skier, though.  They will probably have a school for you there, where they will teach you how to snow plow ski.  Even if you have never skied, you will only need two or three hours of instruction to snow plow, stopping and turning is easy, you will be able to handle all the "Green-coded slopes". Buy ski clothes, Gortex if you can afford it, dont try skiing in your blue jeans cuz ya WILL be falling down, and you dont really want to get wet and miserable early in the day.   Have fun.

Answer 3

Depending on where you are now, you may need to adjust to the altitude.  Breckenridge is almost 10,000 feet in elevation.  The lessons will be vital, otherwise just do normal stretching, and drink plenty of water while you are there.

Answer 4

Just make sure you are stretched out, and expect to be sore the next day. as for stopping push your feet outwards a little and bring the front tips in together, but dont cross them.

Answer 5

Listen to your instructor, they are trained to teach you to ski. Snow and water skiing both involve balance.  Snow skiing you have no rope to lean back against, so you must stand tall in your boots and flex your joints.  General body conditioning, will help, you should expect sore muscles that you didn't know you had, these are only used when skiing.  Talk to your instructor about all of your apprehensions.  Most will have heard and solved them before.  

  Go easy the first 2 days, practice on the green runs, ride the beginner lifts, have fun. This is a social sport as much as a snow sport.  

        Jim.