Terms and Tips for Beginning Snow Skiers
If your winter plans include first-time snow skiing, you are wise to seek out tips for beginners. The first thing every aspiring snow skier needs to know is that the sport is more physically demanding that just about any other sport pure novices undertake. All the muscles in the body are involved in snow skiing. Unless you already exercise routinely, the best thing you can do is schedule consistent demanding exercise for yourself in the weeks leading up to your first ride on a lift. With that essential covered, the following are some terms you may want to know--plus a few tips.
Common Snow Skiing Terms
Most sports have terminology unique to the activity, and that’s certainly the case with snow skiing. There are quite a few words connected to the sport, but not all are needed for beginners. The following are some interesting and some especially helpful words new snow skiers might want to become acquainted with:
- Alpine Skiing is simply skiing downhill, as opposed to cross-country or telemark skiing, the latter of which involves a sidestep and the knee down on every turn.
- Bombing is alpine skiing in a reckless manner that causes obvious danger to others.
- Bonking is bouncing off of an object during freestyle, and freestyle is skiing completely focused on tricks.
- Crud is lumpy, hard ice; and skiing on it is nightmarish.
- A Face-Plant is when you fall flat on your face after a snow skiing crash.
- A Milk Run is a day’s first run, when skiers are still getting their body warmed up for a day on the slopes.
- Packed Powder is the ideal skiing surface. It’s new snow that’s been ridden over, also called “groomed.”
- A Planker is a skier.
- Pooping is a skiing style in which you sit back, as though on a toilet.
- Salopettes are overall garments with shoulder straps and a front flap, and they keep you warm and dry while skiing.
- If you’re a natural, you may Steeze, which is to do something stylish on the snow, making it look easy.
Basic Snow Skiing Tips for Newbies
Snow skiing has the potential to be the most fun you ever had enjoying the great outdoors. For those on an average income, the cost involved is enough to make you want to get the very most out of each day you’re out on the slopes. The following tips may help you avoid common mistakes that can interrupt the fun.
How to Dress
Snow skiing newbies almost always under-dress. Here’s how to dress so that you stay warm, dry, and comfortable: Wear a tight base layer on top and bottom that holds in warmth and wicks away moisture, such as polyester or merino wool. Please note: Cotton is a terrible choice for the entire base layer and the pants. Over the base top, wear a loose layer of clothing that allows air to flow in and out, such as a shirt, turtleneck, vest, or sweater. Don’t wear jeans—they’re cotton. Buy nylon waterproof ski pants. They provide insulation and padding, which will help to keep you warm, dry, and free of bruises in case of a bad skiing crash.
4 More Essential Skiing Tips
- Stay hydrated throughout the day.
- Warm up with stretches before you first hit the slopes.
- Hire a professional to teach you how to ski.
- Wear plenty of sunscreen—you’ll need it.
You May Get Hooked
If you don’t have a serious problem, such as failing to master rides on a ski lift, you could fall in love with skiing. It’s one of the sports that can get you seriously hooked. Once you’re accustomed to alpine skiing, you may quickly transition to trying moves and maneuvers that are more exciting and riskier. The day may come when the word “powder” gives you an itch to pull out your skiing gear and head for the slopes.
