Skiing is one of those sports that almost anybody who has tried will tell you that they loved, and it’s an activity that many do time and time again. But, even the most experienced person out there on the slopes also had a first time skiing once upon a time.
Going skiing for the first time really shouldn’t be daunting, but it’s true that some are a little apprehensive at the beginning and unsure what they’ll come across on their first skiing holiday. So, to help you get up to speed with all the most important things to know when going skiing for the first time, here comes a guide for a first time skiing holiday, packed with various first time skiing tips and tricks.
First time skiing holiday tips
Everybody is different, but generally it will be a little challenging when going skiing for the first time. If you have practised a similar activity in the past, such as ice skating, rollerblading, skateboarding or, especially, snowboarding, then it’ll be easier when you’re going skiing for the first time.
But, it’s not supposed to be easy and that’s part of the fun. That’s also why there are ski instructors at almost every ski resort in the world, such as at Grandvalira, where ski lessons in Andorra are provided.
What to wear for skiing first time?
One of the most common queries from beginner skiers is about ski equipment and what to wear when skiing. While you might not even know where to start in terms of the best ski equipment, this really isn’t something to stress about. Whoever you start learning with will be able to guide you on what to wear, but for peace of mind you can look through this general ski clothing checklist:
- Helmet
- Goggles
- Boots
- Long underwear
- Thick socks
- Fleece
- Ski jacket
- Long trousers
- Gloves
- Neck gaiter or balaclava
How many days does a beginner need to learn to ski?
There is no set rule for how long it takes to learn the sport, but a rough rule is that it usually takes four days of ski lessons for a beginner to really click and gain confidence. That is a common length for a first skiing holiday with the family, so, in other words, it should take one full ski holiday to earn your stripes.
Then, the next time you decide to book a skiing holiday, you’ll arrive as a more confident rider. Then you can start working your way through the different colours of slopes with each experience. Keep in mind that, if skiing in Andorra at least, the green slopes are the very easiest and the blue slopes are the second-easiest.
Questions from beginner skiers
Even though we’ve already covered a lot of the tips and tricks for skiing for the first time, you’ll surely still have a number of questions. That’s why, to finish off, we’re going to take a look at and answer three of the most common questions from beginner skiers.
What is the most important thing in skiing?
There are, of course, many skills associated with skiing and it’s important to have good agility and strength too, if you want to perform at the highest level. That said, perhaps the most important thing of all in skiing is to have confidence. If you lack confidence on the slopes then it can show.
If you’re skiing for the first time, though, you aren’t going to start off confident. That’s simply not how learning any new skills works. But, it is important that you embrace your confident side as you start to master each skiing skill. When you’ve practised a certain manoeuvre a hundred times and you know you’ve got the hang of it, you will only advance to the next level if you express that confidence on the slopes.
Can you go skiing alone as a beginner?
It is not advised to go skiing alone as a beginner. When you’re starting out, you’ll want to be alongside a skiing teacher, or at least a friend who knows what they’re doing. Taking lessons can also bring other advantages for beginner skiers. By enrolling in a skiing school, you’ll learn all the necessary first time skiing tips, while working with a professional ski instructor is also useful because you can learn all about skiing culture and etiquette.
Even if you are planning to take some lessons at the resort on your first time skiing holiday, a good idea is to go for a few lessons before you jet off, at a local artificial or indoor skiing centre. This is an ideal way to get a head start.
Can you go skiing anywhere with no experience?
One of the best first time skiing holiday tips is to pick the right ski resort. Perhaps that’s easier said than done, but a little bit of research will show you if a centre is friendly for skiing beginners in the way that Grandvalira is.
You’ll want to find a ski resort that has a ski school and that has a great variety of slopes, as this means there is more likely to be the perfect slope for you to start your learning curve on.
It’s important to make sure you’re not going to a ski resort that only has slopes at intermediate to difficult levels, because it is really not advisable and it is, in fact, dangerous to try these if you’re not ready or don’t have enough experience. Starting with a green slope, the ski first tracks that are designed specifically for beginners, is the best and safest way to go skiing for the first time.