| If you've always wanted to learn how to ski, the | | | | learn to guide yourself on your skis by bending your |
| family vacation is the perfect place to do it. Don't | | | | knees and leaning in one direction or the other, |
| worry if you don't know a thing about skiing. It's | | | | depending on which way you want to go. You can |
| there waiting for you to learn. Within half an hour of | | | | learn all of these techniques in an hour, even if you've |
| your first instruction, you will literally be skiing down a | | | | never been on skis before. |
| mountain. | | | | What's wonderful about skiing is that after you have |
| It can be quite easy to learn how to ski. Most | | | | learned how to snowplow and control the direction |
| resorts offer skiing lessons on the premises. Lessons | | | | you want to go in on the skis, you're ready to ski. |
| are usually reasonably priced as well. Both group and | | | | You simply get on the lift, head up the mountain, and |
| private lessons are almost always offered. However, | | | | give it your first try. Remember to control your |
| it's best to schedule an appointment for a lesson | | | | speed by snow plowing. Go slowly at first. If you |
| before you arrive at the resort. This way, you can | | | | want to pick up some speed, draw your skis back |
| learn to ski as soon as you arrive if you wish. | | | | ever so slightly, pick up just a little bit of speed, and |
| Most ski instructors will start by showing you how to | | | | then push your skis back out into the "snowplow" |
| wear and handle your equipment. For instance, ski | | | | position to control your speed. |
| boots will incline you slightly forward. This is because | | | | As a beginner, stick to trails that are designed for |
| when you're skiing down a mountain, this is the | | | | beginners. Most resorts have these trails marked with |
| position you'll be in. Therefore, walking in ski boots | | | | a green emblem. Trails marked with a blue emblem |
| for the first time might be a bit difficult, but it will | | | | are for intermediate skiers. You may be ready after |
| work just fine if you walk with your knees slightly | | | | just one day for those trails. The trails marked with a |
| bent. | | | | black emblem are for expert skiers. These trails can |
| The first maneuver you'll probably learn is called the | | | | be dangerous for people who don't have advanced |
| "plow," or "snowplow." This technique allows you to | | | | skill levels as skiers. Therefore, you should avoid the |
| literally use your skis as a snowplow. You make the | | | | trails marked in black until you have had a lot of |
| back of your skis slowly move outwards, away from | | | | instruction and experience. You and your instructor |
| your body, by applying pressure. This stops you. You | | | | will know when you're ready. |