A Guide For Learning to Ski

Skiing is a fun snow activity that can be enjoyed alone or with a group. Its easy to learn and a great way to stay active when the weather gets cold. It's important to make sure you have all the proper gear to keep you safe and warm.

Obviously you'll need to have skis, the bindings, poles and ski boots. These can be purchased at any sporting good store or online or they can be rented at the lodge. If you decide to buy you can get great deals by purchasing them off season or by finding deals online. I recommend www.craigslist.com or www.ebay.com to find some great deals on gear that others may need to get rid of. Make sure to look for lightly used skis and ski boots and always try them on before agreeing to buy. Skis should be just about as tall as you. Check out my buying guide for more info on what to look for. If you decide to rent at the lodge (or anywhere else) the clerk should help you find the right size. It's important to find bindings that fit your ski boots and fit on your skis. Poles are the easiest to buy and should be tall enough to reach your waist

You'll also need warm weather gear. A waterproof jacket and waterproof pants help keep you warm and most importantly dry. Make sure to wear layers underneath. I've found that when falling and you will fall your first few times, the more you wear the less chance you have of exposing your skin to the cold air and snow. Depending on how cold it is you may also need to wear a hat, scarves, gloves, and snow goggles. Jackets and pants can usually be rented from the lodge. Just ask. I wouldn't recommend purchasing anything last minute at the lodge as they sometimes mark the prices up. For a beginner skier I would recommend renting or borrowing as much gear from your friends and family as possible. It can get expensive getting all that snow gear and if you decide you don't like the sport you'll be stuck with all the gear. If you decide you love it and want to continue learning and skiing you can begin purchasing items one or two at a time until you have everything you need.

Once you have everything together and you're at the lodge, you'll need to put it all together. Depending on the style of ski boot there can be as many as six fasteners. Get these as tight as you can while starting from the bottom. At first it might feel like the ski boots are a little too tight, but this ensures that they stay in place and that your ankles are properly supported. Once the boot is on all you have to do is to step into the ski until you hear the bindings click into place around the boot. If you have any questions or need assistance with putting on your boots and skis, most lodge employees should be able to assist you.