Planning to hit the slopes this winter? Here’s how to make your first skiing experience less intimidating

Doing something for the first time is bound to make you feel all kinds of contradictory emotions, even if it’s something you’ve been wanting to try forever and are genuinely excited about. That’s because new experiences, although beneficial, force you to step outside your comfort zone and meander into uncharted territory, not knowing what the outcome is going to be. Fear of failure and the inherent tendency to seek safety and avoid risks might hold you back and tell you to give up. On the other hand, if you push forward, you get to test your boundaries, open yourself up to new perspectives and become a stronger and more well-rounded person in the process. 

Skiing is no different. It’s perfectly normal to feel equally thrilled and nervous before your first skiing trip. It can be daunting, overwhelming, challenging and incredibly fun all at the same time. But if you’ve been brave enough to take the initiative and head to a ski resort to test your abilities, you’ve already done the hardest part. Now, all you have to do is follow through with your plan and conquer the slopes.

Since this sounds a lot easier than it actually is, we’ve rounded up a few tips and recommendations that will help you shake off your negative thoughts and step on the ski trail with the confidence of a natural-born athlete. 

Set realistic expectations 

If you think you’re going to simply stand up and take off on your skis from day one, sliding gracefully on the powder, zooming past pine trees and chalets, you’re in for a terrible disappointment. This idyllic scenario is far removed from the realities a beginner is going to experience during their first skiing sessions. Your initial attempts will more likely resemble the struggles of a newborn fawn trying to stand up straight on its feet. 

Until you manage to master the basics – which might take you a while – you’re going to fall again and again, get angry and frustrated and have a few internal quarrels with the skiing gods; some of the falls are going to be funny, and others are going to hurt. Arm yourself with patience and determination, and get ready to practice a lot. We promise all the effort and failed tries are going to pay off (and fade away) once you get the hang of it. 

Learn from a pro 

There’s nothing stopping you from learning to ski on your own or asking a friend with good skiing skills to help you out and serve as your teacher. But it’s going to be much more difficult to develop skiing abilities and make progress this way, not to mention you can hurt yourself or make mistakes that you won’t even be aware of. 

If you want to start things on the right foot, reduce anxiety and learn faster, consider taking lessons from a professional ski instructor. A skilled instructor can explain the basics and teach you the right techniques so you can build a strong foundation for your skiing endeavours. They can also address your questions and concerns and put your mind at ease. 

Also, if you have the possibility, try skiing on a dry slope first. There are plenty of snow domes and dry slopes across the UK where you can learn and practice in a safe and controlled environment before you venture out on natural slopes. This might be exactly what you need to get over the fear of falling and build up your confidence. 

Prioritise safety 

We don’t want to dampen your enthusiasm or make you more anxious than you already are, but you have to be aware that skiing can be a risky sport, and accidents can happen if you’re not careful. Knowing about the hazards you might face and taking the necessary precautions can help you avoid potentially dangerous situations and give you some peace of mind. 

Making sure you have an adequate level of physical fitness, warming up before you start, having the right kind of gear, using protective equipment and respecting markings and rules on the slopes are the most important things you need to do to stay safe. However, in case you’re unlucky and get involved in a ski accident through no fault of your own, it’s good to know that you may be entitled to compensation. If you want to learn more about what this entails, head over to https://www.accidentclaims.co.uk/ for further reading. 

Choose the right slopes 

Since you’re a beginner, you should ski on beginner slopes, not only because you put yourself and other skiers at risk if you go on more difficult slopes without having the right skills yet but also because it can be rather discouraging to see advanced skiers go past you and not be able to keep up. 

Choose a resort that has tracks for all ski levels, and try to hit the slopes as early in the morning or around lunch time when there are fewer people around to trigger your anxiety and inhibit you. Having the tracks and the fresh snow all to yourself allows you to practice at ease and enjoy a more peaceful skiing experience. 

Know your limits 

Maintaining a positive attitude and being confident and ambitious will help you improve your skills faster and enjoy your ski trip to the fullest, but be careful not to take things too far and overestimate your abilities. 

Make sure you take breaks when you’re feeling tired, as ski accidents are more likely to happen when you’re not well-rested. Take things slow by setting small, achievable goals, and don’t push yourself to the limit. Although challenging, skiing is supposed to be fun, so try to relax and enjoy every moment. It’s better to be patient and perseverant than to rush things unnecessarily and turn it all into a race. 

Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be swooshing through the snow in no time.