How To Stand Up In Snow Skis

If there’s one thing more embarrassing than falling down on your skis, it’s not being able to get back up. Taking the occasional tumble is inevitable, so you should practice how to get up after a fall, just like you practice any other basic skiing skill, until it’s second nature.

Unlike most ski techniques, it’s easier to practice getting up from a steep slope than it is to get up on a shallow slope, because your support--the slope--is much closer to hand.

Step 1

Wait until you’ve come to a complete stop before you try to get up.

Step 2

Wiggle around so that your head points uphill. Your skis should be perpendicular to the slope.

Step 3

Bend your knees and hips as if you’re squatting. Draw your skis as close as possible underneath yourself, given your boots’ limited flexibility.

Step 4

Push on the slope with your near hand, moving your body weight back over onto your skis. Slowly stand up. If the slope is relatively mild you may need to start pushing yourself upright with your arm, then push with a ski pole to get you the rest of the way upright.

Tips and Warnings

The same general technique applies if you’ve fallen on flat ground. Tuck your feet as close beneath you as possible and then push yourself upright. If you’re wearing cross-country skis, your heels aren’t fixed to the skis and your boots may be more flexible than alpine skiing boots, so you have the additional option of scooting until you’re positioned on your hands and knees, skis perpendicular to the slope, then pushing yourself straight up into a squatting position. If you’ve fallen on snow that’s not very soft or deep and simply can’t get back up, take off one ski and use the traction of your boot to help get yourself upright. If you’ve fallen in deep powder, keep both skis on to help keep you from sinking. Cross your ski poles so they form a plus sign. Hold onto the middle of the plus. Place the crossed poles on the snow and push off of them to right yourself; the greater surface area will help keep you from simply pushing your arm into the snow.