It is estimated that there are around 400 million skiers each year visiting the slopes. Snow sports continue to grow each year, with participation booming between 2019 and 2020.
Many people who have never skied before have the desire to try it out. That is why learning beginner skier mistakes can be helpful when preparing to enjoy the sport.
Like any kind of outdoor sport, skiing does have the possibility of being dangerous. That is why it is so important that beginner skiers prepare themselves beforehand.
Keep reading to find out the most common beginner skier mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Not Preparing Physically
The most common skier mistake is to not prepare before going on your ski trip. Planning a skiing trip is exciting, and it is easy to get carried away during this process.
The problem is that many people do not take the time to physically prepare themselves for this. Skiing is a very physical sport, and you need to be in good shape, otherwise, it won’t be as fun.
You should have begun exercising months in advance to build up your stamina. Aerobics exercises are often recommended to build muscle and gain better flexibility.
If you don’t physically prepare yourself, you won’t have as much control over your body when skiing. You will also be much sorer, and you won’t have the energy to ski as much as you would like.
2. Not Taking Ski Lessons
Many beginner skiers make the mistake of not taking skiing lessons. You may want to avoid this extra expense, but it can help you on your skiing trip.
If you have never skied before, it is not a good idea to plunge in headfirst. There are different types of skiing and different styles that an instructor can help to familiarize you with.
An instructor will also be able to show you the mistakes that you are making when skiing. These are things that would otherwise go unnoticed and interfere with your ski trip.
A ski instructor will also be able to give you important safety lessons to avoid unnecessary risks.
3. You Didn’t Get the Right Clothes
If you are skiing with friends, you may have neglected to prepare your clothing. One of the most common beginner skier mistakes is not getting the right kind of clothing to keep you warm.
You are going to be skiing in extremely cold temperatures for a long period of time. You need it to get thermal layers of clothing to wear under ski jackets and pants.
You should also invest in heavy-duty socks to keep your feet warm. This will also protect your feet from the friction of being in your ski boots for several hours.
Not preparing with the right clothing can really put a damper on your trip. It even puts you at risk of developing frostbite if you stay out too long in freezing conditions.
4. You Weren’t Prepared for the Sunlight
Something that you may not have thought about is skiing in the sun. Many people assume that they won’t deal with the sun because they are going to be in freezing temperatures with snow.
The reality is that a lot of ski slopes receive a lot of sunlight during the day. Because of this, you will need to prepare with sunscreen so that you don’t get sunburnt when you are out.
Sunlight can also pose a risk if it blinds you when you are skiing. That sunlight often bounces off the white of the snow, making it even more intense and blinding.
You will want to buy ski goggles to help shield your eyes so that you can see clearly.
5. Leaning Back When Skiing
Beginner skiers may make the mistake of leaning too far back when they are skating. This is a natural reaction that you may have when you start to pick up speed.
Many people think that doing this will give them more control over their speed. The problem is that this does not improve your speed or your balance, it actually harms it.
Your center of gravity is going to be off if you are leaning too far back, creating more risk of you falling. It also means that you will have limited control over your skis.
You should stand up straight and lean slightly forward when skiing. If you are comfortable and want to pick up speed, crouching forward is a great way to have control when going downhill.
6. Not Picking the Right Terrain
When you go skiing, one of the benefits of skiing is the terrain available. You can choose different paths and different slopes to gain experience skiing.
The problem with this is that beginners may not know how to choose the right terrain. There are going to be areas that are beginner friendly, while others are for experienced skiers.
If you are not familiar with the terrain, you should ask someone who works at the ski resort. They will be able to tell you where you should go so that you can ski safely and confidently.
7. Not Wearing a Helmet
Wearing a helmet is a very obvious rule of skiing, but it is often neglected. You were going to be skiing at high speeds, often around objects in your path.
You needed to invest in a ski helmet to protect your head if you fall or run into something. This simple piece of equipment can save you from near-fatal or fatal accidents.
Beginner Skier Mistakes You Can Avoid
If you are a skier beginner, you may not know how to prepare. These beginner skier mistakes can help you to know what you should and should not do on your first ski trip.
Do you want to book your first ski trip? Contact us today at Norski Sports Rentals to rent ski gear or snowboards.
