| If you want to learn to ski quickly, you must first | | | | things called trees. You'll want to avoid hitting these, |
| learn to walk - with snow skis on! Take a ski lesson | | | | as well as learn about the many other ski slope |
| so you can learn what's called "Stepping" from a | | | | dangers. You may also want to consider restraining |
| professional ski instructor. There are two | | | | yourself from making a run for the summit after just |
| fundamentals you'll learn during your first day of ski | | | | one ski lesson. Give yourself some time and learn the |
| instruction - stopping and turning. The Stepping Drill | | | | ski basics at the lower elevations where the snow is |
| (walking) is the gateway to this. The process | | | | softer, terrain more gentle, and it is generally much |
| involves lots of, well, stepping. When we walk (with | | | | warmer. |
| shoes on) and turn left, we lead with our left foot. | | | | During a ski lesson, you may be asked to traverse |
| When we walk and turn right we lead with our right. | | | | the hill with just your ski boots on. Some instructors |
| We do this without thinking. With your skis on, you'll | | | | want to literally emphasis the basic principal that |
| be taking baby steps (left and right) until you've | | | | turning on snow skis is the same as walking down |
| learned to turn, while simultaneously keeping your | | | | the street. You may also be instructed to stick your |
| feet parallel - just like when you walk. | | | | ski pole in the snow and walk around in circles. You'll |
| Avoid the "Wedge" (i.e., the snow plow method). This | | | | then be asked to circle the pole with your skis on. |
| will slow down the pace at which you'll learn to ski. | | | | The point is to keep your feet parallel. When we put |
| Think of it this way: the wedge forces your body | | | | skis on we're often tempted to pigeon-toe. The |
| into an unnatural position causing you to pigeon-toe | | | | stepping exercise helps us to avoid this so we can |
| your feet. With the wedge, when you turn left, | | | | learn to ski, not only more quickly, but better. By |
| you're leading with your right foot. When you turn | | | | learning to parallel ski we align our body, and more |
| right, you're leading with your left. Try this with | | | | specifically, our hips, over our feet and thus have |
| sneakers on as you walk down the street and you'll | | | | more control of our skis. While you may be anxious |
| get an idea of how it will not help you with downhill | | | | to get down the mountain, keep the above basics in |
| skiing. Granted, if you're elderly or fearful, this "may" | | | | mind and learn to walk in your skis first - this will help |
| be the way to go, but it will drastically slow down | | | | you learn faster and allow you to get down the slope |
| the pace at which you learn. | | | | without hurting yourself or anyone else. |
| Since you're looking for the "fastest way to learn to | | | | Importantly, we know you want to learn quickly, the |
| ski," you're probably a go-getter. It is strongly | | | | Stepping Drill is just one of many basics. For more |
| recommended to take a ski lesson. The first reason - | | | | complete instructions, visit online ski lessons. Downhill |
| even before discussing any ski techniques - is safety. | | | | skiing is a blast! Keep a positive and humble attitude |
| On the sides of most ski slopes are these big hard | | | | and you'll be skiing great in no time! |