Downhill skiing is an enjoyable activity for many people and a good way to stay in shape, but it also has the potential to be quite dangerous. Learning the basics and practicing different techniques to improve your skiing will help keep you on your feet more often. The skills to make you a better skier begin before you even get on the hill and continue at every stage as you make your way to the bottom.
Step 1
Play sports that cause you to move in multiple directions quickly to train the right muscles for skiing. Options include volleyball, handball, tennis and soccer. Run over uneven ground and jump over obstacles to simulate the unstable condition you're likely to find on the hill.
Step 2
Center your weight on the arches or balls of your feet when you are secured in your skis for optimum balance. Stand up straighter and shift your hips forward slightly if you notice your thighs burning, which indicates you are sitting back on your heels.
Step 3
Transfer your weight from one foot to the other when you perform a turn and make your turns in the shape of a "C," not a "Z." Concentrate on making the weight change before you make the direction change to navigate your turns successfully.
Step 4
Hold your hands out in front of your body as you ski down the hill so you can see them. Stand tall as you ski straight, then lower your body and spread your skis apart as you pick up speed on your way down the hill. Sink down when you have to make a turn to maintain proper balance.
Step 5
Turn your skis inward at the front to form a wedge when you need to slow down or stop. Move your knees farther apart as the wedge gets wider at the back. The wider the space between your skis at the back, the faster you will slow down.
Step 6
Maneuver your body gently on the hill to get your skis below your body if you fall. Turn your body so your skis are perpendicular to the hill so you won't continue to move down the hill once you stand. Push up off the hill with your bottom hand to get yourself back to a standing position. Reach down and remove your skis if you are in a position where you can't get back to your feet.
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