First Time Skiing? Fake It Till You Make It

So your friends invited you to join them on the slopes next month, and you didn’t want to miss out… but you have no idea what you’re doing... Fear not! With the right mindset and a few helpful tips, you'll be cutting down the slopes in no time, avoiding those classic rookie mistakes that might make you look like a #jerry. (Don’t know #jerry? Check this out before you go https://www.instagram.com/jerryoftheday/?hl=en)

Here's a guide to help first-time skiers look and feel more like pros on the mountain.

Dress the Part:

Before hitting the slopes, make sure you're dressed appropriately. Be sure to invest in

waterproof clothes, especially pants, just in case you find yourself laying on the ground more than you are upright. Want to distract others from your bambi leg ski moves? Get online and find yourself the brightest, shiniest, and coolest jump suit on the market. 

Take a Lesson:

Enrolling in a ski lesson is crucial for beginners. You may already know french fry vs. pizza, but do you really trust your pizza moves enough to risk being the one quickly approaching the orange netting at the end of the run and everyone is jumping out of your way??

Practice Falling:

Falling is an inevitable part of learning to ski. Instead of trying to avoid it, practice falling safely. Falling isn’t just for difficult runs… you may find yourself utilizing this skill faster than you think… Want to crack a beer with your friends on the side of the mountain? You need to fall into the snow before you can relax. Is the lift  stopped with no start in sight and your boots too uncomfortable? Dropping into a sidefall will immediately relieve that pressure!

Master the Lifts:

The lift may be the biggest obstacle of your first day on the mountain, but don’t worry, the staff will take care of you! They can slow the lift down so that the chair approaches at a slower pace for you to move into position and then push yourself off. And if you fall, don’t worry about it! We’ve all been there. But there are some things you should know - don’t panic place your ski poles in between your chair neighbor’s legs… that’s a sure way to knock you both down. Don’t immediately turn right when you’re the farthest to the left in the chair. Traffic patterns apply here too, friends. And lastly, don’t forget you do need to actually vacate the chair at the top of the mountain 🙂

In all seriousness, go have fun! Skiing can be intimidating and uncomfortable your first couple times on the slopes, but we all started somewhere and we get it! Go hang with your friends, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and don’t forget to pack some drinks to drown your likely bruises in at the end of the day while you sit next to the fire in the village. It’s worth it… we promise!