Skiing Tips?

Question

I just tried skiing for the first time last weekend and I had a blast. I have snowboarded for 6 years and I want to ski and board now. Any tips for a beginner skier? And what are good brands of skis for me to buy? Models too please... Preferably shape skis.

Answer 1

Basic tips, take a set of lessons from a qualified professional instructor.  Rent your equipment for the first few days, maybe the rest of the season.  Go to the rental shops and ask if they have any rentals for sale at the end of the season. Before you buy a set of skiis you need a good pair of boots that fit properly. This is the most important piece of equipment that you will buy. Try to go to a demo days and use as many different skiis as you can.  

The tune of a ski will determine how it performs as much as the ski itself.

   K2, Rossignol, Head, Fischer are all good brands that are common rentals.  Ask your friends what they are using and allow that some are sponsored by the companies, some bought what they could afford. There is no best ski or worst ski any more.

Answer 2

I can give you quite a few great tips. First remember, I've been an expert skier for 35 yrs. & I always buy my own equip. so I know what I'm talking about. If you going to buy new skis then check into Rossignol, K2, Head & Atomic. All of these brands have a worldwide reputation as being the best. Watch some ski competition & you'll see all of these brands used by the experts. It's hard to say which one is better; what you should do is buy the one on sale for the lowest price. As a beginner, make sure you start off on short skis. The rule of thumb is that experts should have skis at least as tall as their forehead, intermediates as tall as their nose & a beginner should have skis no taller than their chin of even shorter. Since you're just starting, I would have them a little shorter than your chin. I shorter ski will give you more control & will help you turn & stop better. You don't need a fast ski as a beginner. If you're buying new skis then you should buy new poles, boots & bindings.  Your poles should be about waist high or whatever makes you feel comfortable. You can buy cheap bindings since your a beginner & you won't be putting a lot of pressure or stress on them. You can always buy better ones later & they can mount the new ones on your same skis. Make sure the bindings are adjusted properly, so tell the salesperson that you're a beginner & they won't adjust them too tightly. I loose binding will cause your skis to come off much more easily when you fall & you do want your skis to come off when you fall since it's safer & they'll be less chance of injury. If they can off too much, then just have them tightened. Remember, get use to falling a lot at first, it's part of the improving process. Boots are very important as well. They don't have to be expensive but they must be very comfortable. Before you buy them, try them on & walk around & make sure your feet don't hurt. They can be adjusted. See if the boot has a removable in-sole & if it does, remove it, & buy an excellent in-sole that you should buy at a store that carries running shoes or try looking for a pharmacy that carries in-soles. These in-soles are made by foot doctors. I know the Wal-Mart pharmacy has them, so does Walgreens & a lot of grocery store or supermarket chains have pharmacies that carry excellent in-soles. You can get them for about $15.00 & they last a log time. You'll be doing your feet a favor & you'll ski, turn & stop better with these in-soles. You'll improve very fast if you buy them & you'll never have sorre feet at the end of the day. I always use them. Next, is make sure you're dressed warm & dry. Wear a waterproof ski jacket & waterproof pants. Buy them one size larger than you normally where so you can fit thermal long underwear on under the jacket & pants. Have a warm sweater or sweatshirt, ski hat, ski goggles, leather gloves or mittens & the thickest socks you can find.  A canvas glove or mitten that's insulated will due if the leather is too expensive. Some of this like goggles, ski hat, ski jacket & pants, you might have to pay a little more at a ski shop but it's worth it & they last forever. If you can find an outdoors store, such as one for camping, hiking, kayaking etc., they'll have have most of the clothing. Oh, I forgot one other thing; buy a long scarf that wraps around your neck outside your jacket. Finally, stay on the beginner slopes which are designated at every ski area by green circles & when you feel confident try the intermediate runs which are blue squares. You can take a group lesson & make sure you always ski with a friend for safety reasons, in case you fall & need help!!!! While you're riding up the lifts watch the expert skiers & learn from the way they ski. Finally, if you're unsure about buying skis, boots, poles & bindings then rent for awhile until you find what you want to buy. You can always find what length ski is best for you by trying different length skis. Good Luck & have a great time!!!

Answer 3

i lve to ski i go wiyh K2

Answer 4

Ski boots that fit properly are most important. You are connected to your skis through the boots. A little extra money here is worth it. Try several different brands, and ask alot of questions. Look online for boot fitting tips ahead of time.

Before you buy a set of skis try some out. There are a couple of ways to go. Go on line to your local ski area's web site. Under calender of events they will have "Demo Days". Demo days are when manufacturers bring a load of skis to the hill for people to try. You will need to have boots and poles (you can rent just them). Another option is to go to a ski shop and rent "performance skis". They are better than the usual beater rental skis, and they typically have more than one brand you can try. Check with several shops to see what brands they offer, try several.

When you are ready to buy, take a long look at K2 skis. K2's are good quality, and are forgiving. The Apache Raider is a good choice. Or if you want twin tips, the K2 Silencers are excellent (I love mine).

Finally, start your ski career by taking lessons. The instructors will teach you proper technique, and proper technique is everything.