Are you taking advantage of this snowy season? CuddlyNest has exciting, new inventory of places to ski. Here are some tips to take with you next time you embrace the slopes.
- Avoid Borrowing
Think twice before borrowing someone’s snowboard or skis. This equipment is usually designed based on someone’s weight and height. To avoid ever needing to borrow, get yourself some equipment that is appropriate for you and your needs. How? Think about where you spend most of your time. What type of terrain do you ski and how often? These are important questions to ask yourself and to discuss with the store clerk when choosing the perfect set of skis for yourself.
- Dress Code is Critical
Sure, you know it’s cold – snow equals wintery cold weather, right? But do you know the appropriate dress code besides just ski pants, boots, and a hat? Here are some pointers to remember:
- Bring goggles for the shade and cloudy weather and sunglasses for sunny weather.
- Layer up those clothes, in addition to ski pants.
- In fact, make sure one of those layers is cotton and the layer closest to your skin is thermal.
- Ensure that all outside layers are waterproof.
- While some people think multiple socks is best, one pair is actually warmer.
- Pockets are a bonus so you can take off layers if you get too hot.
Now that the basics are covered, let’s jump into the fun tips.
- Are you properly turning on your skis?
While turning sends you into the direction you wish to go, you also control your speed with turning. Many new skiers will begin to make turns in either a gliding wedge or snowplow, which works on flat, gentle surfaces. However, to advance for steeper terrain, it’s important to learn the right form of turning – The proper form is more effective, even at speed, than the well-known wedge turn.
The proper way to turn is called a parallel turn – this means the skis are parallel to one another among the end of every turn. This position is ideal for edging, which is known as the basic action of scraping the edge of the skis amongst the snow. What can slow you down is edging. The goal is to get your skis as perpendicular as possible to the slope as it allows them to edge and gives you more control over your speed.
You can get the hang of edging paired with a parallel turn by practicing making “hockey stop moves” and make sharp turns to the left or right, whichever way provides more comfort for you. Start by positioning your skis so they are parallel to one another – They shouldn’t touch and definitely shouldn’t touch while turning – Now, edge them forcefully into the snow until you completely stop moving. This is basically a similar action you will notice at the end of each turn.
- How to Get Up in Deep or Soft Snow
While you can learn all the tips in the world to prevent a fall, you should know what to do in case you find yourself laying down in the snow, whether it’s soft or deep. To get up after a fall on the slopes:
- Sit up sideways across the hill, positioning your skis together.
- Make sure your pole tips are in the snow, just above your uphill knee.
- Now, with one hand, grip the other just above the snow.
- In just one fluid movement, push yourself up with your bottom hand as you push down on the pole grips.
- Transfer Weight to One Ski
Intermediate skilled skiers should learn to balance on one ski. To practice, you should transfer your weight from your downhill ski to your uphill ski while traversing. The end result with this is to parallel turn without any stemming. Start a traverse across the slope, with all of your weight carried by the big-toe-edge of your downhill ski. Your weight will then be transferred from your dowhillsi to your uphill ski by flexing your downhill leg, while you’re extending your uphill leg – While doing this, your uphill ski should be tilted onto your big-toe-edge.
During this practice, you may notice slight lifting of the tail of the downhill ski.
- Turning Shoulders With Skis
Several intermediate skiers may find that their shoulders follow the position of their hips, only to end each turn facing the same side of the piste. For the correct way, pick up your poles and turn them upside down to form a cross. Now, find a spot towards the bottom of the pitch in which you are skiing – Try to ensure that the crosshairs of your poles stay pointed in the exact same spot as you make careful and low speed turns around the area. If you’re doing this correctly, you will feel your hips working to keep your upper body pointed downhill as your legs go left and right across the snow. Make sure you are still aware of your surroundings while you practice this.
Do you have any other skiing tips to share? We would love to hear them. Stay safe this ski season and don’t forget to check out some our new inventory.
