Skier Tips??

Question

Im a skier that has one year experience under my belt. I am an intermediate skiier i think because i can only go down intermediate trails without falling or going very slow.

I need some tips on how to up my game and get better at skiing. All of my friends are either skiers or snowboarders and they are good and can go down black diamond trails which are the most difficult. And I want to join them and have fun on the black diamond trails.

I need know how to ski with my skiis paralell and to make smaller salaloms.....and also i need to know how to better stop with skis....like to do an ic-skate stop i think its called.

Any tips or tricks will be greatly appreicated.

Thank You.

Answer 1

If you want to get better then get yourself some lessons.  Group lessons are ok if the size of the group isn't too big but private lessons are the best.  After the lesson go ski like crazy and practice what you learned.  

Also try to ski with people who are better than you are.  You will pick up things and if they are nice and you are cool they will hopefully help you out and coach you along a little.

Answer 2

Always keep your hands in front of you when you ski.  (Don't let them drop behind your waist)

Keep your upper body still, and let your waist, hips, and legs do the turning.  When you get really good, you'll eventually always want to have your shoulders facing down the hill.

Keep your knees bent, and weight mostly off of your heels- and onto the base and toes.

Try to 'carve' the uphill side of the skis into the snow for arching turns.

Answer 3

To be able to have fun on black diamond slopes there are many techniques you have to master, i.e. how to ski parallel, fast turn, fast stop, ski moguls, ski powder, ski ice, ski at high speed, jump, do aerial tricks, etc.

I don't think anyone can explain all tips and tricks in a forum like this. Besides, sports are best to be taught on the field. You can read the tips from ski magazines, books, or online sources. They are useful. But, the real learning is on the slopes. You want to take private or small group ski lessons. Or, you ski with a friend who is a ski instructor. And, just like any sports. You need to practice. And practice. And practice.

Answer 4

Take lessons from a professional instructor, then practice, practice,practice.  You will only get better by skiing, perfect practice makes perfect. Stay on the slopes you are comfortable on and never, never be afraid or embarrassed to back out of a run that is too much for your skill.

  The terror zone does not teach you anything, except fear, your challenge zone will push your limits, your comfort zone will let you practice and perfect your skill, your learning zone will be where you learn new skills and perfect the old.

   Take your time and be safe. Expert racers will ski very slow on very flat terrain to pinpoint their problems with negative reinforcement ( falls, hung edges) so they can correct them.

   The  hockey stop is one way to stop quickly, but it is not the only way to stop, controlling your speed by turning and steering the tips uphill will be easier and safer. To ski the black diamond runs with your friends, practice what your instructor shows you.

Answer 5

the advice to not push yourself is hogwash, btw.  pushing yourself is the only way to ever get better.  just don't push yourself off a cliff until you're ready.  

by far the best thing you can do to get better is to take lessons.  5 years ago I couldn't ski down a blue without falling down.  I've taken about 20-25 lessons over the last 5 years and can now ski double diamond EX runs with no problem.  

If I could give one piece of advice to every skier on the mountain (besides take lessons) it is to stay perpendicular to the slope.  DON'T lean up the hill if you are afraid that it is too steep.

Answer 6

I've been skiing for 5 years now. What I've learned is to not push yourself. Also start on a smaller hill, then do that for a while, then go on a bigger hill, not too big, then gradually increase your speed andthen you will be ready. And a more efficiant way to stop is to snow plow then lift your left ski quickly, and as you are lifting the ski, quickly turn to the left, but kinda slide. Then,put the ski down and put pressure on the right ski and you will stop.

Answer 7

I have been skiing for over 30 years.  To practice just on style, go on easy runs but try it without poles.  This will force you to concentrate on style.  To get a more parallel stance, go from a wedge to bringing your ankles closer and closer together.  I use a monoski and can only stop with a slide stop.  It is a sharp turn so that you end up parallel with the slope.  The main trick is to anticipate where you want to stop and aim to that place from about 20 feet (7 meters) away.