Skiing is about balance, standing on top of two pairs of skis while sliding down the hill. Snowboarding is about balance and sliding as well, my expertise is not snowboarding, and after 50 years of skiing, if I do not have it figured out by now, I never will. If you can ride a bicycle than you understand balance, surfing, skateboarding, rollerblading, all sports where stance and balance dictate performance will be helpful when learning to ski. The more experience you have with sports involving gravity and staying in balance and upright, the more success you will have learning how to ski. All sports and most life activities involve balance to some extent. Walking down the street involves balance; I have used this activity to explain skiing mechanics when teaching skiing for as long as I can remember. Balance is defined by http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/balance as
“:the state of having your weight spread equally so that you do not fall
: the ability to move or to remain in a position without losing control or falling
: a state in which different things occur in equal or proper amounts or have an equal or proper amount of importance.”
Everyone learns differently and at different rates. Depending on your attitude, and other concerns you have will determine how best to take your first step in learning how to ski or snowboard. Most importantly, my best advice is to take a lesson at your local resort. My comments in these blogs are only to provide you with some background while sharing my opinions to broaden your understanding. The best advice I can give anyone is to take a lesson, group lessons or private lessons, I will spend some time in future blogs to address the quality of instructors which are as varied as most services in other industries.
Cross-Country Skiing
If you are hesitant, or would not consider yourself “athletic,” I would suggest if you have the opportunity to spend at least one half-day going cross-country skiing before your first day in downhill equipment. This equipment is lighter, the heel is free, which means your heel is not locked into the binding,( the device attaches your ski boot to the ski). This will provide you with some time to become familiar with the snow, learning how to walk around and slide on the snow in a less intimidating environment. This is a great way to learn balance and stance skills which will transfer to your downhill skiing. Equally important, is the slow pace and amount of open space you will have in learning these basic balancing movements which is the foundation to good skiing.
Living in Vermont as a child, sledding, ice skating, skiing were regular winter activities. Learning how to balance while sliding became ingrained into my basic movement patterns. Most of these activities can be done at the same resort you will be visiting during the winter. Before going out downhill skiing for the first time, begin to think about balance. I will continue to expand on balance and stance in the next few blogs.
If you would like to share any thoughts please leave a comment in the section below.
Until next time.
Happy Trails,
David
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Winter Fun! 