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Getting Started In Snowsports

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Starting Right Getting Better
by Claire Walter

Along with “the check is in the mail”, one of the world’s greatest lies is “You don’t need a lesson. I’ll talk you down the mountain”. You wouldn’t let an amateur perform a root canal on you; why let a friend, however well-meaning, try to teach you to ski or snowboard? That’s what ski and snowboard instructors are for—to help newcomers start right. In the long run you’ll waste both time and money by having a friend teach you, especially if you end up having to unlearn incorrect movements later on.

New skiers and snowboarders sometimes avoid lessons because they see the “ski school” as a bunch of uniformed drillmasters, putting recruits through repetitious paces. But ski schools (now often called “improvement centers” and the like) are changing. Instructors are taught how to teach, not just how to ski or snowboard, and schools are working to make learning fun. Most importantly, learning centers are starting to make use of the latest technology—such as tiny skiboards—to make the learning process quicker and easier. If you consider ski and snowboard instructors to be pros or coaches and think of classes as shortcuts to proficiency, you’ll be closer to understanding the experience.

Check out the deals that resorts offer new skiers and snowboarders. Some of them, especially those offered in the “low season” (November, early December and late March), are so inexpensive you won’t be able to afford not to take lessons. The bargains usually come in the form of a package that includes a lift ticket, lesson ticket, and equipment rental. By the end of the first day, you’ll be able to slide downhill in balance, make basic turns, and stop. In many cases you’ll get a discount coupon as an incentive to come back for another class.

Snowboarders may find that one three-hour lesson will suffice to learn the basics. For the average skier, however, one lesson will probably not be enough. Even accomplished skiers and snowboarders consider it a bonus to sign on for workshops in powder, moguls, racing, or other specialties. There are also classes for kids, from toddlers to teens, workshops for women only, and a variety of other programs to help improve your skiing and snowboarding skills winter after winter.

Tiny Teaching Tools
Learning to ski on longer skis can be like learning to read with a copy of War & Peace. Long skis may be difficult for first-timers to maneuver.

That’s why shorter skis and skiboards are catching on as learning tools. Many resorts have incorporated skiboards into their instruction programs, and a few start all beginners on them.

About half the length of traditional skis, they strap to conventional ski boots but are much easier to maneuver, turn, and stop than longer skis. And because of their stubby size, balancing on skiboards is as simple as walking.