One of the most popular and attractive looking of all the sports you can get involved in whilst on holiday is skiing. However, if you’re more likely to be making the way to the bottom of the mountain on your back than upright on the skis themselves then hopefully our guide for beginners might help! With our range of properties in the heart of some of the best skiing locations in the world, these helpful tips may mean you can enjoy your holiday that much better.
• Don’t run (or ski) before you can walk! – Trying to get out on to the slopes and expecting to be a world class skier simply isn’t going to happen… Make sure you take the time to consider the basics before you even think about trying to fly down the mountains at top speed.
• One of the most important things any skier requires is their kit. As a beginner, it’s probably best to rent most of your gear unless you can borrow it, otherwise you might be buying some expensive kit before you’re sure that you actually enjoy the sport!
Don’t be scared!
• Get used to the feel of your boots and skis.It may feel unnatural at first, but you need to get used to the sensation of having planks strapped to your feet! Walk around on the flat and get used to the sensation of sliding before you commit to any big descents.
• Your feet point you in the direction you will travel. Remember that if you point your feel down the mountain, you’ll ski down the mountain – simple! Just remember to try and keep your feet pointing in the same direction, it could end badly if one foot goes a different way to the other!
• Be stable on your skis. Keep your feet about shoulder width apart and if you can have your toes pointing slightly inwards. This will ensure that you don’t end up in a precarious position! With slightly bent knees and hips, you should even consider keeping your arms out wide when you first begin for balance. Keep your weight on the balls of your feet.
• Slowing down and stopping. The position described above is perfect for slowing down… turn your toes more towards each other to increase the resistance of your skis in the snow to slow down and stop. If you want to try stopping in a different way, then slowly turn towards either the left or the right until you’re facing sideways across the slope.
While these tips are designed to help you when you first begin to ski, we do recommend you take some lessons too!
A lot of resorts offer some kind of ski-school for you to get involved in during your first few days of the holiday, so if you are a beginner – a few lessons should get you going in no time!
Remember, we have a selection of properties that are in close proximity to some of the best ski-resorts in the world. Why not check out our range of getaways in the French Alps, or alternatively for something different you could look at the Pyrenees, the mountains that lie on the border between France and Spain.
Good luck and see you on the slopes!
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