Skiing is the perfect activity to do during the winter if you want to stay active and enjoy beautiful snowy scenery. Whether you’re skiing on smaller hillsides or down a steep mountain, learning the basic techniques is important for staying safe while you’re on the slopes. Even if you’ve never skied before, we’ll walk you through how to get started. Keep reading to learn what skills and equipment you’ll need for your next ski trip.
Put on your skis by stepping into the bindings. When you’re out in the snow, set the skis pointing in the same direction about 1 foot (0.30 m) apart. Wipe off any snow from the bindings in the middle of the skis and off the bottoms of your boots. Stick your poles in the snow on each side of the skis and hold onto them. Then, one foot at a time, push the toe of your boot into the front binding. Press your heel down until you hear it click into the rear binding.[1]
If your skis are locked together bottom to bottom, stand them upright. Gently lift one of the skis to separate it from the other.
If your boots don’t click into the bindings, then they may be too far apart. Adjust the bindings to match your boot size.
Whenever you need to take your skis off, just press down on the latch on the rear binding to free your heel. Then, just lift your foot out from the ski.
If it’s your first time skiing, use shorter skis that reach up to your chin when they’re standing upright. That way, it’ll be easier to turn and maneuver when you’re on the slopes. Skis can be expensive, so use rentals if you’re just starting off before buying your own.
Step 2 Stand with your knees bent and a slight lean forward.
Stand with your knees bent and a slight lean forward. Stand so your skis are about hip-width apart. Bend your knees so your shins rest on the front of the boots and you’re leaning slightly forward to balance your weight. Keep your upper arms at your sides, and bend your elbows so your hands are out in front of you. Keep your back straight and look forward to maintain the correct ski stance and posture.[3]
Try to avoid leaning backward because it will shift your center of gravity and make your skis more difficult to control.
Do not bend sharply forward and hunch over your thighs like racing skiers. While they do it to minimize air resistance and go faster, it prevents you from swiveling your hips and balancing with your arms.
Step 3 Push yourself forward with ski poles to glide across flat snow.
Push yourself forward with ski poles to glide across flat snow. If you’re just starting to learn alpine skiing, put your hands through the straps on the ski poles and hold the poles by your sides. Keep the skis parallel about hip-width apart. Stab both of the ski poles into the snow beside you, pull yourself forward with your arms, and slide across the snow. Pull the poles straight out of the snow and plant them again to keep moving.
If you want to make a simple turn, try pulling harder on one of the ski poles than the other.
Try gliding on 1 ski to get a feel for it before committing to both skis.
Step 4 Sidestep or herringbone with your skis to walk uphill.
Sidestep or herringbone with your skis to walk uphill. If you ever need to backtrack for a dropped pole or climb up the slope for any reason, there are a few ways to move uphill. Sidesteps work best for gentle inclines while herringbone works better for moving up steeper slopes.
To "sidestep" up an incline, stand so your skis are perpendicular to the slope. Dig the edges of your skis uphill into the snow and take small sideways steps up the incline. Plant the poles in at your sides to keep you from slipping as you work your way up the hill.
For the "herringbone" technique, point the front tips of your skis away from each other so they make a V-shape. Bend forward and tilt the front edge of the skis into the snow so you don’t slip back. Plant your ski poles at your sides and take small steps up the incline. Spread the skis more on steeper hills and if you begin to slide backwards.
As you get used to the herringbone technique, try pushing more with your legs to propel yourself forward up the hill.
Step 5 Turn while skiing...
Turn while skiing by twisting your legs. As you’re moving down a gentle hill, slowly turn your legs to point your feet and skis in the direction you want to travel. Push the ski on the opposite side of the turn down to cut into the snow and make your turn. Start practicing at a slow speed by keeping the tips of your skis close together. As you get more comfortable turning, try keeping the skis parallel to smoothly carve through the snow.
On steep slopes, stop by simply by turning your skis perpendicular to the slope and pushing down with your front foot until you come to a halt.
Step 6 Bring the tips of your skis together to do a snowplow stop.
Bring the tips of your skis together to do a snowplow stop. When you want to slow down while you’re skiing on a gentle slope, move your heels apart to bring the front tips of your skis together. Keep holding the tips of your skis together so they form a point until you stop completely. The wider you spread your skis, the slower you go.[7]
This may also be known as the “pizza” or “wedge” stop.
Avoid using the snowplow stop on steep slopes because it could make you fall over or lose control.
Be careful not to overlap the tips of your skis because they could get caught and make your lose control.
Step 7 Position your skis perpendicular and pick yourself up if you fall.
Position your skis perpendicular and pick yourself up if you fall. If you fall down, reposition yourself so your head is towards the top of the hill and your feet are at the bottom. Keep your skis perpendicular to the slope, and dig the inside edge of the bottom ski into the snow. Then, push up from the slope using your hands or by leaning on one of your poles for support.
It’s completely normal to fall and lose your balance when you first start skiing so don’t get discouraged.
