Standing on top of a mountain looking down the face of the slope can be extremely intimidating, especially if you're not totally sure what you are doing. Make sure you are confident in your abilities before you get on the chairlift, because you can seriously injure yourself if you do not know how to ski. At the very minimum, learn the very basics from a certified instructor before attempting to downhill ski, for your safety and the safety of the other people on the mountain.
Step 1
Learn how to stop. The first thing that you will want to make sure you know how to do is stop, so that you can prevent collisions with other people, trees, the chairlift or other objects that may present themselves on the slopes. Most people learn to stop by using the plow method, in which you turn the tips of your skis toward each other, forming a wedge shape. Make sure you practice this on flat ground and small hills before heading up a bigger mountain.
Step 2
Find your balance on the skis. Not everyone uses the same form when skiing, so you need to find a way to stay upright that works best for you. Try changing up how wide you have the skis set apart, or if you lean more forward or backward when moving. Skiing requires your whole body to be balanced, so keep your head and upper body in mind as much as your lower body when you are trying to figure out the form that works best for you. Be sure to use your poles for balance as well.
Step 3
Practice the four ways to move down the mountain to see which one you are most comfortable in. Advanced skiers can switch from one to the next with no problem, but beginners may have to learn one at a time. The first method is sliding, where you keep your skis pointed straight down the hill. The next is slipping, in which you point the skis perpendicular to the face of the mountain and move slowly. Skidding is a combination of sliding and slipping, where you start sliding and then switch to slipping to slow your speed. The final method is carving, where you turn back and forth as you move down the mountain.
Tips and Warnings
- Consult the advice of a ski instructor before heading out onto the mountain to make sure you are capable of downhill skiing.
- Learn the plow stop before trying a sliding stop because you can easily fall if you are not sure how to slide stop.
Things You'll Need
- Skis
- Poles
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