You cannot learn to ski in an hour, it takes years, and even the most seasoned veterans can improve their technique. Professional athletes and instructors attend training sessions and seminars every year to learn more about the sport. So, if you’re a novice, take it a step at a time. At the end of the day, you have a lifetime of improvement to follow.
Now that you know you won’t ski together with the pros for some time let’s explore some tips you can use to improve your technique.
Bend your knees
The number one lesson for a novice skier is also the most overlooked. All instructors highlight that the secret to maintaining your balance is to bend your knees properly. But as a novice, you may not find the squatting position the most comfortable and natural one, and you’ll want to straighten your legs from time to time. This can disrupt your control, agility, and balance, and you should stop yourself from changing your position.
When you bend your knees, you force the shins into the front of the boot and gain control of your body. This position prepares your body to absorb uneven terrain and jumps and prevents you from falling. Even when you think you bent your knees enough, bend them a little more, and you’ll immediately notice a change in the level of control you have over the ski.
Get a lesson
There’s a reason why ski instructors exist; they teach people how to ski. Getting a lesson with a professional trained to teach you winter sports can trigger a dramatic improvement in your performance. If you plan a holiday to Hakuba Japan you should book a lesson with a local instructor to offer valuable insights. The instructor watches your moves and identifies the areas that require improvement.
Be patient
No one becomes a pro skier overnight. As with anything else it takes time to acquire the skills and aptitudes. When you have unreasonable expectations of your performance, you get frustrated, and all you think about is doing the walk of shame down the run. But even if you fall and you fail miserably at keeping your balance, take a breath, admire the view for a couple of seconds, and when you feel calm again, try again. Drink a cup of hot chocolate at the base area, and talk with the instructor to understand what you’re doing wrong. Japan skiing requires patience, so focus on small accomplishments. Pat yourself on the back for every extra minute you spend skiing instead of sleeping on the couch.
Keep your jeans for a night out – wear appropriate gear
You’re a novice, so no one expects you to have a gear similar to an athlete on your first day. But wearing jeans won’t help you because they immediately get wet when you fall in the snow, and you won’t be able to move because your limbs are frozen. Get a pair of snow pants, a helmet, gloves, goggles, and apply some sunscreen. If you don’t want to spend money on expensive gear, rent it from the resort.